"This book will be a supportive resource to help you know how to use the tools and features Microsoft shipped, but even better, Williams and Walla guide you through enough of the product internals to approach administration more strategically."From the Foreword by Brian Valentine, Senior Vice President, Windows Division, Microsoft CorporationWindows 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 installationMigration from Windows NT and Windows 2000Microsoft Management ConsoleActive Directory management and useUser managementGroup PolicySecurity, including IP securityPrinter and file services and networking basicsVirtual private networksDisk and backup management and disaster recoveryTerminal and Internet Information ServicesCluster and indexing services, and message queuingSystem Management ServerWindows 2000 administration supportIn 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.