Monad, available for Windows Server 2003, Windows XP, and Windows Vista, is the future of Windows administration. From setting up automated build environments to managing 200 desktops in an organization, anything that reduces the number of repetitive management steps is a real win. This is the promise of Monad, the powerful new command shell and language from Microsoft that simplifies Windows system management. Known more formally as MSH, Monad offers many innovative features in the field of system administration and management-all designed to save you time and aggravation, and to replace a host of Windows management tools with a single, unified shell.

Built on the .NET Framework, Monad provides a powerful infrastructure for the automation of a wide range of administrative tasks. And there is no better way to master these automated offerings than with Monad. The book is an exciting tour of some of the new capabilities that Monad puts into the hands of system administrators and power users, and is the perfect complement to existing Monad documentation.

With more than 40 hands-on activities, the book covers every angle, from using MSH commands and its object-oriented pipelines to query your systems and generate reports to writing scripts that automate existing tasks. Adding to the lure is the fact that the book is written by Microsoft manager, Andy Oakley-so you can be certain that it's teeming with inside information. Monad lets you see for yourself how Monad can significantly improve your productivity.

Because the Monad technology has wide appeal, so, too, does this compact guide. Developers, administrators, and power users alike can all benefit from its insight. Ifyou're someone who habitually drifts toward the c-m-d keys, knows all of the switches to most command tools, or spends time authoring batch files to solve new challenges, this book is right up your alley.