Windows Server 2003 Network Administration: Building and Maintaining Problem-Free Windows Networks

Oh my, this book is just incredible. It is the most comprehensive book I found covering many advanced networking technologies including routing and firewalls. One thing so cool is able to understand comparatively the firewall features of routing and NAT functionality of RRAS, IPSec filters, TCP/IP filtering, ICF, and Windows Firewall. I wasn't able to find such material in any other books. There's a lot of great material covering RADIUS technology of IAS, including wireless security with WPA, PEAP with TLS (certificates from Certificate Authority). The book has coverage of other topics including DHCP, DNS, Windows Time Service (NTP), IIS, etc. Overall the coverage of network administration is just excellent. It is by far the best book I found covering IAS and RRAS technologies with Windows Server 2003. I found it refreshing to have advanced coverage of the new Windows Firewall, which is something Windows security books don't do.

Do you need to configure a network service on a Windows server? If you do, then this book is for you! Authors Craig Hunt and Roberta Bragg, have done an outstanding job of writing a book that provides practical, detailed network information for the Windows system administrator. Hunt and Bragg, begin by providing you with a quick history of TCP/IP, a description of the structure of the protocol architecture, and a basic explanation of how the protocols function. Then, the authors describe addressing and how data passes through a network to reach the proper destination. They continue by discussing the relationship betwen clients and server systems, as well as the various services that are central to the function of a modern network. Next, the authors cover the basic "client" configuration required by all systems running TCP/IP. Then, they describe how to install, configure, and maintain a Windows DHCP server. They also describe how to install, configure, and manage a Microsoft DNS server. Then, they focus on the symbiotic relationship between TCP/IP and Active Directory. The authors continue by describing how to install and configure the RRAS software that permits a Windows server to run a variety of TCP/IP routing protocols and to provide the security protocols needed to create encrypted connections. They then discuss the different implementations of the native Windows firewall. The authors also describe the installation and configuration of an IAS to provide centralized authentication, audit, and authorization services for RADIUS clients. Next, they provide the background that is necessary to understand, install, and configure IPSec. Then, the authors describe how to install, configure, and manage the Internet Information Server software. They also describe how to design proper security into your network and how to understand the overall security framework within which the network resides. Finally, the authors tell you what to do when something goes wrong. This most excellent book is about building and maintaining your own network based on Windows servers. Furthermore, this dynamic book strives to find the correct balance of theory and practice, so that you understand what needs to be done and why it is done.

Craig Hunt and Roberta Bragg's WINDOWS SERVER 2003 NETWORK ADMINISTRATION: BUILDING AND MAINTAINING PROBLEM-FREE WINDOWS NETWORKS is a recommended reference for programmers: it's been revised and expanded to address the numerous networks supported by windows Server 2003 and to address common security issues, and includes chapters on protocol, firewalls and network security, TCP/IP troubleshooting, and much more. Serious programmers working in the Windows Server 2003 environment will find it should be close at hand to explain tools and techniques basic to administration issues

Mr. Hunt and Ms. Bragg have produced a very acceptable book on Microsoft Networking Technologies. However, if you are looking for depth in TCP/IP (the protocol suite) on the Microsoft platform of OSes, this isn't the book for you. Craig and Roberta spend enough time and go to just enough depth to allow the reader to get the value of the 'real meat' of this book - the second half that deals with the installable services and servers, as well as those that are available natively in the OS. If you are looking for real 'nuts and bolts' depth on TCP/IP on the Microsoft platform, the best on that I have found (Sorry, Thomas and Joe...) is Niall Mansfield's "Practical TCP/IP" by another publisher. (Do a quick search - you'll find it.) That being said, Hunt and Bragg dive deep into operation and best practice on: Routing and Remote Access Service Windows Host Firewalls RADIUS using IAS IPSec These above 4 subjects are worth the price of the book. I'm less impressed with the treatment of DNS and IIS. These are huge subjects, and just can't be dealt with effectively in 50 - 60 pages. I suppose that this is the reason why the book "DNS on Windows Server 2003" by Cricket Liu, Matt Larson, and Robbie Allen - also published by O'Reilly - exists. And, too - this is likely why there are whole books dedicated partially or completely to IIS 6.0. All in all - Craig and Roberta do a fine job with this book. Roberta, being the preeminent mistress of Security geek on Windows, and Craig having years and years of experience in communications and TCP/IP - both can be considered experts in the subject area of this book. This book is a good one for the average to more advanced Administrator that is looking to excel in the field of Network services - and add that Network Design Engineer moniker, as they will likely only need a primer on TCP/IP and DNS. This book will get them on the road to the practical experience that will help one attain the status of Network Services engineer.