Learn where to find that essential NT administrative tool
One of the main rules that software developers seem to follow is, Whenever possible, change the interface between versions. Windows 2000 (Win2K) developers have abided by that rule. Just when everybody knew where to find essential Windows NT 4.0 administrative tools, Microsoft has decided to move everything around in Win2K. In this Top 10, I list administrative tasks that have new homes in Win2K and tell you where to find them.
10. Where is Network Neighborhood? I didn't think Network Neighborhood could possibly have a clunkier name, but Microsoft proves me wrong in Win2K. Network Neighborhood is now My Network Places. Finding My Network Places isn't a challenge, but getting used to its new name certainly is.
9. Where are the datasources? In Win2K, the datasources that you need to connect your system to databases such as Microsoft SQL Server have moved. The ODBC Administrator, formerly in the ODBC Driver Manager applet in Control Panel, is now in Control Panel, Administrative Tools, Data Sources.
8. Where are the event logs? The System, Application, and Security event logs no longer reside in Programs, Administrative Tools, Event Viewer. In Win2K, you find them in Control Panel, Administrative Tools, Event Viewer.
7. Where do I configure SCSI controllers? In NT, you configure SCSI controllers in the SCSI Adapters applet in Control Panel. In Win2K, you find the feature in Control Panel, System, Hardware, Device Manager, SCSI Controllers. Win2K supports Plug and Play (PnP), so you might not need to use this configuration interface as much as you do in NT.
6. Where are the hard disk configuration tools? The hard disk configuration tools that reside in NT's SCSI Adapters applet in Control Panel are in Win2K's Control Panel, System, Hardware, Device Manager, Disk Drives.
5. Where do I configure network protocols? A significant change among Win2K's configuration interfaces involves configuring the network. You no longer use the Network applet in Control Panel to configure your adapters and protocols. Instead, you find Win2K's protocol configurations deep inside Control Panel, Network and Dial-up Connections, Local Area Connections, Properties.
4. Where are the services? Most of NT's underlying system configuration and control options have moved a step (or two or three steps) away from their previous location. Services are no exception. In NT, you access services via Control Panel. In Win2K, you reach services through Control Panel, Administrative Tools, Computer Management, System Tools, Services.
3. Where do I monitor server activity? Server Manager—which lets you monitor server connections and users—resides in NT's Control Panel Server applet. In Win2K, you access Server Manager through Control Panel, Administrative Tools, Computer Management, System Tools, Shared Folders.
2. Where can I work with disk partitions? The NT Disk Administrator resides under Programs, Administrative Tools, Disk Administrator. In Win2K, you create and change disk partitions in Control Panel, Administrative Tools, Computer Management, Storage, Disk Management.
1. Where do I create users and groups? The first thing that you'll probably need to find after you fire up Win2K is User Manager, which in NT makes its home in Programs, Administrative Tools, User Manager. In Win2K, you find User Manager in the Users and Passwords applet in Control Panel.