Amazon.co.uk Review
Measuring by volume, topics covered and the authority of the authors, nothing documents Redmond's new operating system quite like
Microsoft Windows 2000 Resource Kit.
The kit consists of seven books and a well-organised CD-ROM. Each of the books contains comprehensive information about the respective area that it covers, whether it be TCP/IP or distributed systems. The kit not only includes the essential information, but also contains a great deal of detail and background for its many subjects. For example, the book that covers Internet Information Server includes instructions on developing client/server and multi-tier applications. The Windows 2000 TCP/IP Core Networking Guide also has an outstanding introduction to core tenets TCP/IP.
Systems administration manuals have come a long way in terms of usability and presentation, but they are still not the easiest of the available resources to use. Many books (including some from Microsoft) of lesser scope provide information in a format that is easier to follow, including screen shots and step-by-step instructions. The volumes in this kit do not provide as many images, illustrations or diagrams as other volumes, but the level of technical detail is unbeatable.
Many of the volumes could stand alone as books on their subject. The Distributed Systems Guide, which is over 1,600 pages, contains complete coverage of Active Directory, PKI, Distributed File System, PKI and much more.
Why the set includes a volume entitled Internet Explorer 5 Resource Kit remains unclear. It primarily discusses the use, deployment, and customisation of IE 5. This book is thorough, but stands apart from the others as it covers an application, rather than a core piece of the OS.
If you have the budget, and the need for the most comprehensive and authoritative guide available on Windows 2000 Server, this is it. --John Keogh, Amazon.com
Topics covered:
Each book contains a great deal of information on each subject mentioned below. The topics listed are intended to show breadth of coverage for each book and the CD-ROM, rather than list all subjects covered. Security is not mentioned specifically as it is addressed in many places throughout the kit.
Operations Guide: Disks, storage media, remote storage, types of file systems, network printing, network printing from non-Windows machines, performance monitoring, memory and caching, monitoring processor activity, examining and tuning disk performance, Dynamic Disks, monitoring network performance, measuring multiprocessor system activity, system recover, designing reliable systems, backups, repair, recovery and restoration, troubleshooting, boot process, troubleshooting boot problems, Windows 2000 Stop Messages.
TCP/IP Core Networking Guide: Introduction to TCP/IP, Windows TCP/IP suite, NETBIOS, TCP/IP troubleshooting, TCP/IP tools, DHCP, WINS, Windows 2000 DNS, IPSec, Quality of Service, OSI Model, Windows 2000 Network Architecture, TCP/IP remote utilities, DHCP Options, SNMP.
Internetworking Guide: Unicast Routing, Routing and Remote Access Service, unicast IP routing, IP multicast support, IPX routing, Demand Dial Routing, Remote Access Server, Internet authentication service, virtual private networks, L2TP, PPTP, interoperability with IBM Host Systems, services for UNIX, interoperability with NetWare, services for Macintosh, ATM, Telephony integration and conferencing, TAPI 3.0, NetBEUI, data link control, IBM SNA interoperability concepts.
Distributed Systems Guide: Active Directory logical structure, Active Directory data storage, name resolution in Active Directory, Active Directory schema, Global Catalogues, service publication in Active Directory, Active Directory replication, LDAP, Kerberos, managing flexible single-master operations, monitoring performance in Active Directory, Active Directory backup and restore, Active Directory diagnostics, troubleshooting and recovery, authentication, public key technology, cryptography, Encrypting File System, EFS administration, Windows 2000 certificate services and public key infrastructure, Distributed File System, file replication service, network load balancing, interpreting the cluster log, introduction to desktop management, group policy, software installation and maintenance, remote OS installation, troubleshooting, change and configuration management.
Deployment Planning Guide: Overview of deployment planning, creating a deployment road map, planning for deployment, creating a test lab, conducting a Windows 2000 pilot, preparing your network infrastructure for Windows 2000, determining network connectivity strategies, Windows 2000 DHCP, using system management server to analyse your network infrastructure, designing the Active Directory structure, domain naming, domain migration strategies, planning distribution security, planning your public key infrastructure, automating server installation and upgrades, using systems management server to deploy Windows 2000, upgrading and installing member servers, deploying Terminal Services, determining Windows 2000 network security strategies, ensuring the availability of applications and services, determining Windows 2000 storage management and strategies, synchronising Active Directory with Exchange Server directory service, testing applications for compatibility with Windows 2000, defining a client connectivity strategy, defining client administration and configuration standards, applying change and configuration management, automating client installation and upgrades, tools, accessibility for people with disabilities, sample planning worksheets (included as an appendix).
Internet Information Services 5.0 Resource Guide: Overview of IIS, migrating to the new version, migrating a web server to IIS 5.0, capacity planning, monitoring and tuning your server, developing web applications, considerations for UNIX applications, ISAPI, data access and transactions, administering an ISP installation, security, access to legacy applications and data, ASP best practices, site security planning.
Internet Explorer 5: Overview of IE 5, IE 5 components, customisation and administration, working with different platforms, understanding related tools and programs, digital certificates, security based on the source of content, security of the Microsoft Java VM, content ratings and user privacy, planning the deployment, accessibility features and functionality, setting up and administering a pilot program, Microsoft Internet Explorer Administration Kit, setting up connections, connection management, running the Internet Explorer customisation wizard, customising set-up, automating, working with .inf. files, deploying Microsoft Internet Explorer 5, Implementing the sign-up process, using automatic configuration and automatic proxy, keeping programs updated, supporting users, troubleshooting, batch mode set-ups, IE5 options.
The CD-ROM: Many tools, including migration tools, network troubleshooting tools and more.
Product Description
Deploy, manage, and optimize Microsoft's next-generation operating system with expertise from those who know the technology best–the Microsoft® Windows® 2000 product team. This RESOURCE KIT packs seven powerhouse references–more than 7000 pages of detailed technical drill-down–and over 200 tools and utilities on CD. It's everything you need to help maximize the productivity of your enterprise server systems and reduce your ownership and support costs! Get seven volumes of authoritative Windows 2000 Server drill-down, straight from the source: MICROSOFT WINDOWS 2000 SERVER DEPLOYMENT PLANNING GUIDE • Create a deployment plan, including pilot projects and testing • Prepare your network infrastructure; determine network connectivity and security strategies • Design your Active Directory™ infrastructure and domain migration strategy • Automate setup of servers and clients; test applications for compatibility and optimize their availability with Windows Clustering • Define client administration and change and configuration management strategies MICROSOFT WINDOWS 2000 SERVER DISTRIBUTED SYSTEMS GUIDE • Use Active Directory services to centrally manage users, groups, security, and network resources • Manage Active Directory name resolution, schema, and replication • Deploy distributed security-authentication, access control, and encryption services • Balance server load and ensure availability with Windows Clustering • Manage users' desktop environments with Group Policy MICROSOFT WINDOWS 2000 SERVER TCP/IP CORE NETWORKING GUIDE • Deploy and support Windows 2000 TCP/IP-based networking • Manage TCP/IP configuration and name resolution with Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP), Domain Name System (DNS), and the Windows Internet Naming Service (WINS) • Prioritize network traffic and maximize bandwidth using Quality of Service (QoS) • Help ensure privacy and security among your network communications with Internet Protocol Security (IPSec) • Use Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) to manage network resources MICROSOFT WINDOWS 2000 SERVER INTERNETWORKING GUIDE • Manage routing and remote access technologies to extend Microsoft Windows 2000-based networks across a variety of LAN, WAN, and remote network connections • Create virtual private networks that protect yor security • Integrate Windows 2000 with IBM hosts, UNIX, Novell NetWare, and Macintosh® systems • Understand Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) networking • Support telephony integration and multimedia conferencing MICROSOFT WINDOWS 2000 SERVER OPERATIONS GUIDE • Administer Windows 2000 disks and file systems • Manage removable and remote data storage • Monitor server and network performance • Implement backup and system-recovery strategies • Prevent and troubleshoot common problems MICROSOFT INTERNET INFORMATION SERVICES 5.0 RESOURCE GUIDE • Investigate new features and architecture of IIS 5.0–including enhanced administration, security, and application support capabilities–and plan your installation • Migrate settings, content, and applications to IIS 5.0 from other Web servers, including IIS 4.0 • Optimize and tune your IIS-based Web server • Maintain an Internet service provider (ISP) installation • Use the Web to access legacy data and applications MICROSOFT INTERNET EXPLORER 5 RESOURCE KIT • Evaluate the new capabilities and components in Internet Explorer 5 browser software • Develop a deployment plan, including conducting a pilot program • Use the Internet Explorer Administration Kit to customize setup and Internet sign-up • Take advantage of timesaving maintenance and troubleshooting strategies • Train and support users PLUS, DEPLOYMENT SCENARIOS POSTER INSIDE! Depicts Windows 2000 deployment scenarios from the RESOURCE KIT Deployment Lab INCLUDED ON CD-ROM: This RESOURCE KIT CD-ROM contains over 200 tools to help you deploy, manage, and support the Windows 2000 operating system, including tools for: DEPLOYMENT • Setup Manager–create unattended files and distribution shares to simplify the deployment of Windows 2000 throughout your organization • Microsoft Internet Information Server (IIS) Migration Wizard–simplify the process of migrating Web servers to IIS 5.0 Web servers, including those from IIS 4.0 • Group Policy Migration Utility–migrate settings from earlier version policy files to the Windows 2000 group policy object structure ACTIVE DIRECTORY™ SERVICES • Microsoft Visual Basic® Scripts–use these rich script examples to manage users, groups, and organizational units INTERNET INFORMATION SERVICES 5.0 • Web Application Stress Tool–test your application's performance and stability by simulating multiple browsers requesting pages from your site • Supportability Tool Kit–automate the data-gathering process for analyzing and diagnosing IIS-based servers GROUP POLICY • Group Policy Object Utility–check the consistency and replication of the Group Policy objects on domain controllers • Group Policy Results–see how Group Policy works on a particular computer and its logged-on users INTERNET EXPLORER 5 • Microsoft Internet Explorer Administration Kit (IEAK)–find samples and tools, including the IEAK Profile Manager, to help you customize Internet Explorer browser software for automated deployment in your enterprise Plus, get these additional online resources: • MICROSOFT WINDOWS 2000 SERVER RESOURCE KIT Online Books–searchable electronic versions of all seven resource guides help you find what you need fast • Help References–Error and Event Messages Help, Technical Reference to the Registry, Performance Counter Reference, and Group Policy Reference • Tools Help–documentation for the 200+ tools on the RESOURCE KIT CD-ROM
With an Amazon.co.uk 
