Ted Crace said
Thank goodness for William Stanek! William knows more about Windows and Microsoft products than any 10 other tech experts on the planet and it shows in every book he writes. When he writes a book I know it will be the goto book and the one I use the most. I got this book and Windows® Group Policy Administrator's Pocket Consultant as soon as I saw it. Like all William's books, this book is filled with the kind of deep technical knowledge you won't find anywhere else. There's things in here even the MCTs I work with go gaga over and it's what makes Stanek the best. If you truly want to know Active Directory, get this and also get his book Windows Server 2008 Inside Out.
TravelTech said
Reading William Stanek's books is pure pleasure and that's not something you normally say about computer books. But it is a point of fact. In the past few years he has become the only computer book author who matters. When he has a new book, I get it even if I already have multiple books on the topic because I know it is going to be relevant, useful and right on target.
Like I recommended with his group policy book, every network admin, win admin, networker, IT pro, developer, whoever else works with tech. You need to read this book whether you buy it, steal, borrow it it doesn't matter, but do read it. It will enhance your understanding and teach you, it will give you expert insights - the kind no one else wants to share. Again, it's not everything you need to know, but you do need to know what's in here and you might as well get it straight from the master himself.
A. Gaige said
I'm a huge fan of monster books but there's something to be said about Stanek's focussed approach in his pocket consultants. I read a recent review of one of his books that said he's so good because he's both an actual writer and a technie, and it's true, and what a rare combination that is. He has a gift for being able to explain the most complex subjects clearly and concisely and it's why he is in my opinion the best computer book author in the world.
This book is different from all his others in its focus, which is on Active Directory, and it was on my wish list ever since I saw it was coming out. I had a hard time getting ahold of too, but the extra effort was worth it and then some. In 330 pages, he's done more for my understanding of Active Directory than any other book dedicated to the subject that I read previously. Additionally, the book is written as the perfect companion to what the author writes about in his book, Windows Server 2008 Inside Out. His Inside Out book focuses on architecture, planning, design and implementation of AD as well as computer, user, group accounts.
This book's strength is its strong focus on Active Directory infrastructure and Active Directory administration. The book discusses Active Directory for Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2008 R2. There's one overview chapter, Chapter 1, that digs right away into domains, DCs, schema, objects, and AD management. Then the book digs right into everything you need to know become an AD expert. Chapter 2, 3, and 4 dig into installing and configuring forests, domains, domain tree, child domains, DCs, and RODCs. All the approaches are covered, such as with or without media and also with or without using unattended installation techniques, and there are good examples for using the command-line and answer files.
Part 2 of the book digs in to AD infrastructure servers. Global catalog servers, operations master and bridgeheads all get their own chapters and indepth discussion on configuration, management, maintenance and troubleshooting. Excellent discussions on replication and lots of insights you don't normally find in computer manuals.
Part 3 of the book digs in to AD authentication, trusts, selective authentication, directory database maintenance and the like. Excellent discussions especially across domains and across forests and recovery.
In summary, this is definitely a must have and one of those rare books you're going to want to read cover to cover, at least once if not twice. But all Stanek's books are like that too.
J. W. Neary said
Like all William Stanek's books, this one is excellent and relentlessly focused on what matters. If you're working with Windows networks and want to know more about Active Directory, this is an excellent choice. The focus is on core Active Directory administration. It answered so many of my questions right off I decided to read it cover to cover. Stanek's are the ONLY computer manuscripts I ever end up reading cover to cover.
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