Some books, it is said, "stand on their own." In the case of Windows 2000 Server Administrators Companion, that statement is literally true: this volume is so thick it readily stands upright on a desktop, making an ideal bookend. Fortunately, the book justifies its significant demand for shelf space.
One of the largest -- if not the largest -- of the recent books aimed at Win2K, Windows 2000 Server Administrators Companion is written by Charlie Russel and Sharon Crawford, highly experienced authors of guides to various operating systems. Microsoft Press promotes the book as "one part of a complete Windows 2000 reference and learning series" -- just in case this books 1,400-plus pages arent enough to fill up your weekend reading time.
Paradoxically, one of the strengths of this tome is that its coverage of subject matter is actually somewhat concise. The book is almost entirely instructional. For example, a chapter titled "Managing Day-to-Day Operations" doesnt spare any space to expound upon the authors philosophy of dealing with the varied demands of server management, but launches immediately into lists of available administrative tools and a series of step-by-step instructions for using various tools.
In fact, Windows 2000 Server Administrators Companion reads like classroom curriculum. It is virtually impossible to read more than short sections straight through unless you are working in a lab where tasks can be exercised, because pages are loaded with screen shots and detailed procedures. That can be a drawback, of course; I couldnt find anything that qualified as an anecdote or light humor within this book. So one of the book's relative weaknesses is that it lacks an engaging narrative
In addition, coverage of the more strategic topics, such as domain planning or improving security, is a bit short. Chapters containing conceptual discussions on configuration and administrative procedures seem in a hurry to get back to the authors true love -- hands-on techniques. For example, three chapters on security management consist of 22 pages of planning and 82 pages on utilities and command-line tools. Within the planning chapter, security concepts are laid out in a direct manner, but not illustrated with examples. The goals of this section seem to be defining terms and issues, not tying them together into a cohesive strategy.
Nonetheless, Windows 2000 Server Administrators Companion is an invaluable reference. For the administrator who doesnt use a technology like server clustering when he initially learns Win2K, then remembers little about it when an urgent need suddenly arises, this will be a perfect book to turn to. The breadth of the material covered is impressive, ranging beyond core Win2K functionality to address interoperability with other operating systems and other Microsoft server services such as Exchange and Proxy Server. Its thickness includes a 60-page index and a CD-ROM that contains an electronic version of the books text that is ideal for searching.
In fact, while Windows 2000 Server Administrators Companion is not inexpensive compared to other administration books, it is a bargain if one considers it an alternative to classroom manuals from Microsoft Official Curriculum courses. It could serve as an excellent self-study manual, but most Win2K administrators will probably find this book well worth its price just in pulling it off the shelf every time they feel stumped about some obscure function.
Windows 2000 Server Administrators Companion
Authors: Charlie Russel and Sharon Crawford
Publisher: Microsoft Press
Date published: 1/2000
ISBN 1-57231-819-8
$69.99
1,464 pages (plus companion CD-ROM)