The in-depth reference for network architects and administrators implementing enterprise directory services.

Get the focused, in-depth technical expertise you need to implement and optimize your Microsoft directory services infrastructure. As two Active Directory® experts guide you through advanced design and deployment issues for the Windows® Server 2003 environment, you'll develop a thorough understanding of the underlying concepts, architectural components, and real-world functionality of Active Directory directory service. Whether you're upgrading from Microsoft Windows NT® 4.0 or later, or performing a clean installation, you'll learn the best ways to exploit Active Directory capabilities for your organization—and deliver new levels of network performance and productivity.

• Install, upgrade, or migrate to Active Directory
• Learn essential design considerations for DNS
• Design Active Directory structure—forests, domains, sites, and OUs
• Manage Active Directory objects, including users and groups
• Optimize domain controller data replication
• Use group policies to deploy software and manage desktops
• Implement authentication, Kerberos, and other security features and tools
• Monitor Active Directory replication and domain controller performance, and manage the Active Directory database
• Perform critical maintenance and plan for disaster recovery

Contents

• Active Directory Concepts
• Active Directory Components
• Active Directory and Domain Name System
• Active Directory Replication and Sites

• Designing the Active Directory Structure
• Installing Active Directory
• Migrating to Active Directory

• Active Directory Security
• Delegating the Administration of Active Directory 261
• Managing Active Directory Objects
• Introduction to Group Policies
• Using Group Policies to Manage Software
• Using Group Policies to Manage Computers

• Monitoring and Maintaining Active Directory
• Disaster Recovery