Microsoft Small Business Server 2003: Unleashed

By Eriq Neale and Neale

Complex networking made accessible, covering the important parts of security, integration, and email administration. It is written and reviewed by Small Business Server MVPs who are members of the... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0672328054
• ISBN13: 9780672328053
• Release Date: January 2005
• Publisher: Sams
• Length: 667 Pages
• Weight: 2.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.5" x 1.5" x 7.3"

Customer Reviews

Intermediate

This is a collaborative work by current practitioners of Small Business Server (SBS), each of whom contributed their forté to the contents. Consequently, it is the most detailed, if not the most current book on SBS available today. The latest version of SBS is R2 and this book is based on Service Pack 1, but the differences are minor and so it is definitely as relevant today as it was at publication. It may be steep for some novices, but for those confident in their Windows fundamentals, this is a worthwhile investment. Absolute beginners should consider Windows Small Business Server 2003 R2 for a gentler introduction.

SBS Book Review

Very clear explanations of how to set up the server and maintain it even if you have limited network server experience.

Very good reference

I agree with the comments of the other reviewers...but did want to add a couple of thoughts. The book is less than 700 pages, certainly not huge by Unleashed standards. Don't let this fool you. For example, chapter 13, covering Exchange Daisaster Recovery actually starts off with an incredibly clear description of the Exchange database structure. It just made the practices suggested in the rest of the chapter much more accessible. The writing is clear and concise...no wasted sludge here. Is anybody else tired of the new breed of tech books that are full of step-by-step screen shots without explanation yet peppered with sidebars, cutesy anecdotes and puns that you have to wade through to get to the point? This book helped me solve problems the minute I got it in my hands. I give it my highest recommendation.

First 5 chapter review

I purchased Eriq Neales book, "Small Business Server 2003 Unleashed". ISBN is 0-672-32805-4. So far, I have read the first five chapters in order. I intend to read the entire book in a sequential manner and then hopefully use it for field work. Here are my basic thoughts on those five chapters. Chapter 1 - This first chapter is a really great place to start for those who do not know the history and intricacies of the four iterations. This chapter covers little known details and some downright bad things in the various versions. I am happy to have read this chapter and learn many things I did not know. Remember the adage, "Those who forget history are doomed to repeat it". It appears MS has certainly learned from previous versions and have really gone out of their way to improve this current version. It makes me anxious for the next SBS version. Chapter 2 - This chapter is all about business and how to justify the cost for a business to implement this solution we call SBS2K3. This chapter uses what I call horse sense and some good tips that could help anyone who is going into any business, not just the IT business. This chapter gives a number of real business types and examples and what the justification for each is. In other words, it shows you how to sell the product to each type of business model in this space. SBS2K3 has numerous features, but not every business needs all the various features. Therefore, this chapter shows you how to use the strengths of various parts of SBS2K3 to help shore up various weaknesses in the type of business you are trying to gain a relationship. This chapter is a very good segue from the first chapter. It will help focus you on satisfying a business need and not just making an unnecessary sale. You might call this chapter an MBA lite! Chapter 3 - Before you install the product, you must plan it first. Every war is fought one battle at a time. Therefore, to win the war (customer) you must make sure you do not misfire. This chapter tells you step by step how to keep your powder dry and win the day. You will learn about selling the proper number and types of Cal's (Answer - almost always it is user, not always however). You will plan your network, IP's, DHCP, DNS, wireless and other topics. Each chapter also has summaries and best practices to help you with tidbits of wisdom, shortcuts and the like. Chapter 4 - Finally, we get to install the product. Here is where the rubber meets the road! This chapter assumes a fresh install on a new drive. It admittedly is not the hardcore stuff the migrators may be looking for, but it is a great guide on the install. It quickly moves over the not so detailed stuff and slows down and goes in-depth where it counts, at the GUI portion. It covers the To Do List in two parts and does a fine job of showing you each step and how to perform them. Those of you with a lot of experience however, need not apply. It finishes up with some good old fashioned troubleshooting. Did your i

Great SBS Book For all Levels of Experience

There are several good books on Microsoft SBS 2003 but I have to say that this is the best I have read. Eriq Neale (Amy Babinchak, Susan Bradley, Chad Gross, Anne Stanton and many others) are the top names in the SBS community. They are all either MVP's or frequent contributors to the SBS email lists and blogs. When these folks speak you should listen. The book is a great resource for all levels. It introduces chapters at a basic level for someone who wishes to do their first install but then goes onto discuss Best Practices and even more important Troubleshooting tips. The book covers all the standard topics but also is one of the only books that covers topics like Macintosh integration Patching and ISA 2004. If you manage an SBS server or are a consultant getting ready to take the SBS Specialist exam this book is for you.