MCSE: Windows 2000 Directory Services Administration Study Guide is as sizable as its title would indicate, providing its readers with ammunition for use in both real life and on the Active Directory exam (70-217). As is typical of technologies for which certification tests exist, the actual skills you need to set up and work with Active Directory are related to (but not the same as) the knowledge you need to pass the Microsoft certification exam on the subject. The authoring team on this book has done a good job of covering all the subjects covered in the Microsoft outline of the Active Directory test's objectives. They've also backed their written work with a good-quality assessment test (with answers) on CD-ROM, suitable for use when certification candidates don't want to tote the book.
The authors' approach to their subject is typical of books in this series. In essence, it's complete documentation of the Active Directory subsystem of Windows 2000, just as you would get in a reference book on that subject. In addition, there are exercises that readers can follow to build their experience with aspects of Active Directory. Chapters wrap up with questions (for which detailed answers follow a few pages later) and lab processes to try. --David Wall
Topics covered: The material you have to understand in order to pass the Active Directory exam (70-217) on your way to a Microsoft professional certification. Chapters address installation and configuration, implementation of the Domain Name Service (DNS), user and group management, remote installation, and troubleshooting.
