Monday, September 22, 2003		Book Review

NETWORKING of computers has made the ideal of a "global village" feasible. These networks rely on various software to be effective and stay secure. Microsoft, which has provided time-tested operating systems, has launched a new version of Windows Server 2003, an updated version of Windows Server 2000.

Matrin S. Matthews, in Windows Server 2003 "A Beginner’s Guide", has gone into all details of the operating system. The book is divided into five parts, with further sub parts, each taking up one major aspect of Windows Server 2003.

Part 1 of the book, "The Windows Server 2003 Environment", contains two modules. In an overview of the operating system (OS), the options of migrating from other OS to Windows Server 2003 are explored. The author has himself incorporated questions that provide additional information to a new user. There is a "Progress Check" at the end of each module.

Windows Server 2003 is available in four flavours—Web Edition, Standard Edition, Enterprise Edition and Datacenter Edition. Although an overview of all these is given, the focus is on the Standard Edition.

Part 2 deals with "Deploying Windows Server 2003 and Window XP Professional". You learn how to prepare for installation, install Windows Server 2003, and roll out Windows XP Professional, with both manual and automated approaches. Above all, you can use "Remote Installation Services" that can install both operating systems from any remote site.

Part 3 of the book deals with Networking Windows Server 2003. There is detailed information about the installation of the network, network types, cabling and hardware compatibility and protocols or standards that are used to make it function. Part 4 deals with "Communication and the Internet," which provides an overview of installing a modem, connecting two computers via a serial cable or setting up a dialup connection with RAS (Remote Access System). Internet Information Service Version 6 is incorporated with this operating system, which is discussed in Module 11, while Virtual Private Networking, Terminal Services and Remote Desktop are discussed in other modules.

What may be most useful for readers is ‘Administering Windows Server 2003’, Part 5, which is divided into the following modules — ‘Managing Storage and File Systems,’ ‘Setting Up and Managing Printing and Faxing,’ ‘Managing Windows Server 2003 and Controlling Windows Server 2003 Security.’

Windows Server 2003 has a clear edge over its competitors and is also ahead of its predecessors, Windows NT and Windows Server 2000, in many aspects.