Windows Server 2003, the successor to Windows 2000 and Windows NT, is designed to accommodate the seamless exchange of information through Web services. It delivers the increased flexibility and power needed to administer networks as global entities, but its enhanced management tools and security features present as many challenges as opportunities. The Ultimate Windows Server 2003 System Administrator's Guide will help readers negotiate these challenges and exploit the opportunities.

Robert Williams and Mark Walla take readers from an understanding of basic concepts to the application of advanced functions. This comprehensive book begins with the fundamentals of Windows 2000 system administration and applies them to Windows Server 2003. The book then details the planning, deployment, administration, and management of a Windows Server system, and follows up with complete coverage of advanced tools and theory. This book concludes with a quick reference to the most important Windows .NET commands and utilities.

Key topics include:

* Windows Server 2003 features, structure, planning, and installation
* Migration from Windows NT and Windows 2000
* Microsoft Management Console
* Active Directory management and use
* User management
* Group Policy
* Security, including IP security
* Printer and file services and networking basics
* Virtual private networks
* Disk and backup management and disaster recovery
* Terminal and Internet Information Services
* Cluster and indexing services, and message queuing
* System Management Server
* Windows 2000 administration support

In this book,system administrators and other IT professionals will find the essential information needed to succeed in the administration of the Windows .NET and Windows 2000 Server families.