A handy problem-solver that teaches you how to perform important security tasks in the Windows Server 2003 OS, using very specific recipes. Each recipe features a brief description of the problem, a step-by-step solution, and then a discussion of the technology at work. There is also a detailed explanation of Microsoft's scripting support.

In the last few years, security has become a hot-button issue for IT organizations of all sizes. Accordingly, many of the security features that were either optional or suspect in Windows 2000 have become solid, effective fixtures in Windows Server 2003-making it the most secure operating system Microsoft has ever produced. That is, if you know how to configure it properly. The Windows Server 2003 Security Cookbook wants to make sure that you do know how. Picking up right where its predecessor, the Windows Server Cookbook, left off, this desktop companion is focused solely on Windows Server security. It teaches you how to perform important security tasks in the Windows Server 2003 OS using specific and adaptable recipes. Each recipe features a brief description of the problem, a step-by-step solution, and then a discussion of the technology at work. Whenever possible, the authors even tell you where to look for further information on a recipe. The book is written in a highly modular format, with each chapter devoted to one or more technologies that Windows Server 2003 provides. This approach allows you to look up a task or scenario that you want to accomplish, find that page, and read that particular recipe only. Topics include: System preparation and administration Protecting the computer at the TCP/IP level Applying security options to Active Directory Improving security on domain controllers Securing DHCP controllers Encrypting and signing network traffic using IPSec Patch management If you're an intermediate or advanced system administrator who wants to feel secure when deploying Windows Server 2003 and its related services, then you don't want to be without the Windows Server 2003 Security Cookbook.

This practical reference guide offers hundreds of useful tasks for managing Windows 2000 and Windows Server 2003, Microsoft's latest and greatest server. Through concise, on-the-job solutions to common problems, Windows Server Cookbook for Windows Server 2003 & Windows 2000 is certain to save you hours of time searching for answers.Now, instead of dredging reams of Microsoft documentation or browsing its unstructured knowledge base to figure out a particular issue--such as how to compare registry values between two hosts--you can simply reference the index of Windows Server Cookbook for Windows Server 2003 & Windows 2000. From there, you'll be directed to the exact trouble-shooting recipe they need.As the newest title in O'Reilly's popular Cookbook series, this book covers a wide range of issues that you are likely to face in your daily management of the Windows Server operating system. This includes how to deal with: files event logs DNS DHCP security the registry backup/restore One of the book's key benefits is the presentation of solutions in three different recipe formats. Depending on preference, you can solve most problems with the graphical user interface, the command line, or by using scripts. Where appropriate, all three solutions are presented for each recipe in this book. Each recipe also includes a detailed discussion that explains how and why it works.Windows Server Cookbook for Windows Server 2003 & Windows 2000 is written for all levels of system administrators on Windows servers. If you're a relatively new user with only a rudimentary understanding of the job, the book can open your eyes to the many possibilities that await. And if you're an advanced user, it can serve as a useful reference and memory-jogger.Download the code examples from this book. The complete set of examples isavailable at: http://www.rallenhome.com/books/​winsckbk/code.html.

Solutions and examples for power users and administrators.

For Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 administrators preparing forMicrosoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) core exams 70-270, 70-290, and 70-291, this Short Cut is invaluable. Think of this document as the notes you would have taken if you were to capture every essential nugget of information related to the skills measured in these exams. This Short Cut boils down the required knowledge to its finest core. To begin with, MCSA on Windows Server 2003 Core Exams in a Nutshell allows you to see all of the topics expected for mastery in each of the exams. Each exam is covered in three parts: "Exam Overview", "Study Guide" and "Test Your Knowledge" sections. This makes for easy reference and a great study aid. Exam coverage includes: EXAM 70-270: Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Windows XP Professional EXAM 70-290: Managing and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Environment EXAM 70-291: Implementing, Managing, and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure The best way to use this document is during your final review. After you've built sufficient hands-on expertise and studied all the relevant texts, grab this and study it cover to cover, answering the provided sample questions, as part of your exam cram. Once you've completed the exams successfully, you will find this Short Cut to be a valuable reference to core Windows administration and security skills. The document uses the same successful format found in MCSE Core Required Exams in a Nutshell by William Stanek.

Ask network administrators what their most critical computer application is, and most will say "email" without a moment's hesitation. If you run a network powered by Windows 2000 or Windows Server 2003, Microsoft Exchange occupies much of your time. According to Microsoft, 110 million Exchange seats have been deployed, but 60% of you are still running Exchange 5.5. That's a problem, because the difference between version 5.5 and the more efficient Exchange 2000 and Exchange Server 2003 is profound.Don't fret. Exchange Server Cookbook offers you a comprehensive how-to guide to these newer versions of Exchange. You'll find quick solutions for the most common tasks you need to perform--everything from installation and maintenance to configuration and optimization, with proven recipes for the most useful tools and utilities. The book also has solutions to some uncommon tasks (that you may not know are possible) and advanced procedures that aren't part of day-to-day operations. These include tasks for critical situations, such as using a recovery storage group.Our reliable desktop reference even shows you how to write scripts for Exchange management and deployment tasks. That's right. While not every Exchange job can be scripted, many can, and we provide lots of working VBScript examples for accomplishing particular goals. Whatever your particular need, you'll find it quickly, because chapters in this Cookbook are laid out by recipe, with cross references to other pertinent solutions in the book. With this guide, you'll learn: The relationship between Exchange and Active Directory When to use the GUI, the command line, or scripting How to prepare forests, domains, and servers How to use Group Policy to control Exchange Diagnostic logging, measure performance, and administrative privileges Recipient management: user accounts, mailboxes, mail-enabled groups Mailbox and public folder database management Message routing and transport functions Security, backup, restore, and recovery operations For every question you have about Exchange 2000 or Exchange Server 2003, our Cookbook has the answer--one that you can find and implement without a moment's hesitation.

For system administrators, ensuring that all Windows servers are performing optimally is a tall order. The larger the enterprise, the greater the chance for irritating, time-consuming configuration problems. Sometimes, you can determine the root cause of the problem yourself-but that's only if you're lucky. With Microsoft Operations Manager (MOM), the diagnosis is done for you. MOM monitors server operations and automatically notifies you of problems by sending an immediate alert to your console, email address, or pager. To help you better understand how MOM works, O'Reilly presents Essential Microsoft Operations Manager. The goal of this comprehensive tutorial is to give first-time MOM administrators a solid foundation for planning, implementing, and administering MOM 2005. Author Chris Fox, a renowned MOM expert, offers the type of practical, real-world advice that you need to improve the performance of your IT infrastructure. After taking you through the entire process of setting up MOM on the network, the book moves on to more advanced administration issues. It carefully instructs you how to program and automate MOM and the agents that reside on the servers themselves. You'll also learn how to manage the scripts that determine which server agents are relevant to report. By capturing system data, intelligently analyzing it, and then notifying you with a suggested course of action, MOM makes extinguishing fires a breeze. And now, thanks toEssential Microsoft Operations Manager, learning how to use MOM is a breeze, too.