This chapter introduces Windows 2000 storage. A new addition to the operating system is a dynamic storage management environment that essentially provides “free” fault-tolerance (RAID-1 and RAID-5), enforceable disk quotas, and an MMC plug-in that replaces the clunky disk management environment of Windows NT 4.0.

This chapter covers the remote access services provided with Windows 2000 to enable dial-up access (client and server) for remote connectivity, including dial-up connections to the Internet.

In Chapter 2 and the chapters in Part III, you learned that Active Directory domains are modeled on Internet domains. You also learned that Windows 2000 networks rely on TCP/IP as the network protocol of choice. In order to resolve Windows 2000 domain controllers and many other hosts running Windows 2000 services, you need to fully understand and be able to configure Domain Name Service (DNS). This chapter explains the services you can use to create DNS. It also covers Windows Internet Name Service (WINS) name servers, and includes coverage of Dynamic DNS (DDNS), client configuration, and related topics....

This chapter covers configuring and managing a Windows 2000 Server-based Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server and DHCP clients.

This chapter provides a detailed discussion of Windows 2000 networking, including an explanation of TCP/IP, routing, network address translation (NAT), legacy protocols, and other topics related to Windows 2000 network configuration.

During the writing of this chapter, one of our clients almost lost a small fortune in business due to the lack of change control. Our client is a small (only five people) insurance broker. One of the brokers, Dave, writes marine insurance, and on a fine cool January day in Florida, he got the break the company was waiting for . . . an order for a policy to insure a $10 million yacht . . . the premium would be a killer.

If you are passionate about being a network or domain administrator, then managing users and groups will give you a lot of satisfaction . . . it can be a very powerful position in a company. On the other hand, unless you understand the fundamentals, manage the processes sensibly, and learn the tools and resources, it can become an extremely frustrating responsibility. Our administration mantra is: Use your common sense and learn to do it right before you take up the task. This chapter helps you to get the best out of the Windows 2000 user and group management philosophy and tools....

This chapter deploys an Active Directory infrastructure. Working from the deployment plan blueprint described in this chapter, you will be able to identify and modify the elements of the deployment plan that will suite your configuration. You can make changes as you need, be it a solution for a small network or a WAN connecting multiple domain controllers and an extensive Active Directory tree.

This chapter reviews the physical structures of Active Directory. This chapter also introduces you to the relationships between domain controllers, the various roles of domain controllers, global catalogs, and sites.

By now, you are probably pretty psyched about Active Directory. And you probably thought we were nuts in the opening chapters when we urged you not to install Active Directory and to deploy standalone servers until you are at home with the new operating system. Now we are going to go overboard. We are going to tell you not to build your new domain until you have a) read this chapter, b) done psychoanalysis of your company, and c) designed your domain on a whiteboard or a math pad and come up with a blueprint. Why? Does Microsoft recommend this? The answer is: Well, sort of....

This chapter explores the many tools for configuring and managing the system, managing users, and controlling other aspects of Windows 2000.

This chapter reviews the installation of Windows 2000 Server. It discusses a number of hardware configurations and setup options, and reviews potential obstacles.

No matter how small your network or your needs, you should not install Windows 2000 without preparing an implementation and deployment plan. This chapter covers planning for Windows 2000 Server and takes you through the steps required to formulate and execute a deployment plan.

This chapter starts you off with a discussion on the need for powerful distributed security before introducing you to the specifics of Windows 2000 distributed security services. It also reviews the new Windows 2000 security protocols, and protection of services and data.

The directory service has become one of the hottest new technologies on corporate networks. Microsoft, a new member of the directory service club, has created a directory service on which almost its entire product line depends. Understanding Active Directory is thus a prerequisite to any management or deployment of Windows 2000.

Windows 2000 is a complex operating system and very different from Windows NT 4.0 and earlier. This chapter introduces the product’s architecture and provides guidelines to begin creating your strategy to adopt and support it.

This chapter explores thin-client/server computing and discusses the pros and cons of deploying Terminal Services to support a thin-client/server infrastructure in your enterprise. Thin-client/server technology has been proven to drastically lower total cost of ownership, and it virtually eliminates workstation obsolescence in a vast majority of computer applications. It is also a cost-effective, rapid, and simple means of deploying a native Windows 2000 network, in which all clients connect to Windows 2000 desktops, in a legacy Windows environment....

You have been hired by Northwind Traders to assist the company with their deployment of Microsoft® Exchange 2000 Server. You are responsible for developing the messaging architecture and directory design to support Exchange 2000 Server while ensuring that your design meets the company’s business and Information Technology (IT) goals.

You have been hired by Fourth Coffee to design their implementation of Microsoft® Exchange 2000 Server. You have been asked to provide a design that includes support for their wide area network (WAN) links, messaging infrastructure, directory design, and reliability needs.

In order to analyze the impact a change has on the Microsoft® Exchange 2000 organization, we are requesting the following information. Requestors are to complete page 1 of this form only. This form must be electronically delivered to the IT Manager. The IT Manager will evaluate this request. Findings will be presented back to the Steering Committee for acceptance.