Windows 2000 System Administration Handbook

by Willis, Will; Watts, David; Strahan, Tillman

• ISBN13: 9780130270108
• ISBN10: 0130270105
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2000-06-05
• Publisher: Addison-Wesley Professional

Summary

The ultimate, task-oriented guide to administering Windows 2000! Manage Windows 2000 for maximum performance, reliability, and efficiency! Task-oriented solutions from leading enterprise administrators Active Directory: planning, deployment, and management Secure your Windows 2000 networks, clients, and data Migrate DNS, DHCP, and WINS to Windows 2000 Save money! Centralize workstation management, step by step Active Directory: Planning, deployment, and management Securing, auditing, and monitoring Windows 2000 networks Centrally managing client workstations with user profiles and Group Policy Implementing and migrating DHCP, WINS, and DNS Administering network printers: print shares, queues, pools, drivers, and more Mastering the Microsoft Management Console, Registry, and Windows 2000 Control Panel Need to manage Windows 2000 for maximum performance, reliability, and value? This book,delivers the unsurpassed experience of three world-class Windows 2000 deployment and management experts -- organized for reference, so you get enterprise-proven answers exactly when you need them! Whatever your expertise or business environment, whatever you need to accomplish today, here are task-focused techniques for getting it done -- plus real insight for doing it right. You'll find complete, start-to-finish coverage of deploying Active Directory: planning, implementation, and administration. Learn how to implement or migrate DNS, DHCP, and WINS; manage users and groups more effectively; secure your Windows 2000 network; make the most of Windows 2000's new print managementfeatures; and much more. From disaster recovery to shared folders, task scheduling to network monitoring, Windows 2000 System Administration Handbook helps you manage Windows 2000 for true competitive advantage -- and sti

Author Biography

ALL THREE AUTHORS have world-class experience in deploying and administering Windows 2000 & NT at the world's largest companies...

• WILL WILLIS is currently a network systems manager responsible for a six-subnet NT/Windows 2000 network running Exchange Server, IIS, SQL Server, and SMS.
• DAVID WATTS helped to design and deploy Active Directory for networks with over 100,000 users, at one of the largest companies to join Microsoft's Windows 2000 Early Adopter Program.
• TILLMAN STRAHAN has been responsible for NT networks and nationwide domain structures at several Fortune 500 companies, and currently consults on very high availability NT cluster solutions.

Table of Contents

Preface	xxiii
The Audience	xxiii
The Contents	xxiv
Acknowledgments	xxvii
Introduction to Windows 2000	1	(16)
What Is Windows 2000?	1	(2)
Windows 2000 Professional	2	(1)
Windows 2000 Server	2	(1)
Windows 2000 Advanced Server	3	(1)
Windows 2000 Datacenter Server	3	(1)
What Has Changed Between Windows NT 4.0 and Windows 2000?	3	(7)
Windows 2000 Workgroups	4	(1)
Windows 2000 Domains	5	(2)
Windows 2000 Domain Trees	7	(1)
Windows 2000 Forests	8	(1)
MMC	9	(1)
Universal Groups	10	(1)
Overview of Windows 2000 Features	10	(5)
Active Directory	10	(1)
Disk Quotas	11	(1)
File System Changes	11	(1)
Group Policies	12	(2)
Security (Kerberos)	14	(1)
Distributed File System	14	(1)
Chapter Summary	15	(2)
Installing Windows 2000	17	(26)
Preparing for Installation	17	(8)
Hardware Requirements	17	(2)
The Hardware Compatibility List	19	(1)
Disk Partition Limitations	19	(1)
Choosing a File System	20	(2)
Licensing Models	22	(2)
Domains and Workgroups	24	(1)
Installing Windows 2000 from a CD-ROM	25	(9)
Licensing the Server	25	(1)
Preparing the Partition	25	(1)
Formatting the Installation Partition	26	(1)
Text Mode Install	26	(2)
Installing Devices	28	(1)
Regional Settings	28	(1)
Name and Organization	28	(2)
Client Licensing	30	(1)
Computer Name and Administrator Password	30	(3)
Configure Local Time and Date	33	(1)
Installing Network Components	33	(1)
Final Configuration	33	(1)
Upgrading to Windows 2000 via CD-ROM	34	(5)
Beginning Setup	36	(1)
Setup Command Line Parameters	36	(2)
Creating Windows 2000 Setup Disks	38	(1)
Remote Installation Services	39	(2)
Prerequisites for RIS	40	(1)
Functions of RIS	40	(1)
Limitations of RIS	40	(1)
Chapter Summary	41	(2)
Using the Microsoft Management Console and Task Scheduler	43	(24)
An Introduction to the Microsoft Management Console	44	(1)
Terminology, Definitions, and Switches	44	(4)
Consoles Trees	44	(1)
Snap-Ins	45	(2)
Author Mode	47	(1)
User Mode---Full Access	48	(1)
User Mode---Limited Access, Multiple Windows	48	(1)
Opening the MMC from the Command Line	48	(1)
/a	49	(1)
/s	49	(1)
<path>\*MSC	49	(1)
Creating A Custom Console	49	(3)
Customizing Views	52	(1)
Taskpads	52	(10)
Navigating the MMC with Keyboard Shortcuts	59	(3)
Task Scheduler	62	(3)
Using Task Scheduler	62	(3)
Chapter Summary	65	(2)
The Windows 2000 Registry	67	(14)
Viewing the Windows 2000 Registry	67	(2)
Regedt32.exe	68	(1)
Regedit.exe	68	(1)
Choosing a Registry Editor	69	(1)
Structure of the Registry	69	(3)
Value Data Types	72	(1)
HKEY_USERS	72	(1)
HKEY_CURRENT_USER	72	(1)
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT	72	(1)
HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG	72	(1)
Editing the Registry	73	(3)
Finding a Key or Value in the Registry	73	(1)
Modifying, Deleting, and Adding Keys and Values	73	(2)
Connecting to a Remote Computer	75	(1)
Security and Permissions	75	(1)
Backing up and Restoring the Registry	76	(3)
Backing up the Registry	76	(2)
Restoring the Registry	78	(1)
Viewing Registry Data Indirectly	79	(1)
Chapter Summary	80	(1)
Using the Windows Control Panel	81	(20)
Defining the Main Applets in Control Panel	81	(5)
Add/Remove Hardware	82	(1)
Add/Remove Programs	82	(2)
Administrative Tools	84	(1)
Users and Passwords	85	(1)
System	85	(1)
Working with Hardware Profiles	86	(3)
Creating and Modifying Hardware Profiles	87	(1)
Using a Hardware Profile	88	(1)
Working with Operating System Settings	89	(6)
Performance Options	90	(3)
Using Environment Variables	93	(1)
Understanding Startup and Recovery Options	94	(1)
Installing Hardware	95	(5)
Plug and Play Hardware	95	(1)
Non-Plug and Play Hardware	96	(1)
Using the Add/Remove Hardware Applet	96	(2)
Viewing Available Hardware Resources	98	(1)
Altering Hardware Resource Assignments	99	(1)
Chapter Summary	100	(1)
Windows 2000 Boot Process	101	(22)
Overview of the Boot Process	101	(8)
x86-Based Boot Process	102	(7)
Windows 2000 Control Sets	109	(3)
Control Sets	109	(2)
The Last Known Good Control Set	111	(1)
Advanced Boot Options	112	(4)
VGA Mode	112	(1)
Last Known Good Configuration Mode	113	(1)
Directory Services Restore Mode	114	(1)
Debugging Mode	114	(1)
Safe Mode	115	(1)
Boot Logging Mode	115	(1)
The Purpose of the boot.ini	116	(4)
Understanding the Contents of the Boot.ini	117	(1)
Understanding boot.ini ARC Paths	117	(1)
Using Switches in the boot.ini	118	(1)
Editing the boot.ini	119	(1)
Windows 200 Boot Disks	120	(1)
Importance of the Windows 2000 Boot Disks	120	(1)
Creating the Boot Disk	120	(1)
Chapter Summary	121	(2)
Introduction to Active Directory	123	(28)
What Is Active Directory?	125	(5)
Where Did Active Directory Come From?	126	(4)
Active Directory and Open Standard Support	130	(5)
DNS	130	(2)
LDAP	132	(1)
HTTP	132	(1)
Naming Schemes	132	(1)
What Are the Real Benefits?	133	(2)
The Structure of the Active Directory	135	(14)
The Basics of Active Directory	136	(1)
Physical versus the Logical Structure	137	(1)
The Physical	138	(3)
The Logical	141	(8)
Chapter Summary	149	(2)
Active Directory Replication	151	(18)
An Introduction to Active Directory Replication	152	(15)
Directory Synchronization	153	(1)
How Does Replication Work?	153	(1)
Originating and Replicated Updates	154	(1)
Update Sequence Numbers	154	(2)
Replication Loops	156	(2)
What About Change Conflicts?	158	(1)
Directory Partitions	159	(2)
What about the Real World?	161	(1)
Operations Masters	162	(1)
Site and Replication	163	(1)
Replication Topology	164	(1)
What Is a Connection Object?	164	(1)
When Should I Create Manual Connections?	165	(1)
How Do I Know What's Going On?	166	(1)
Chapter Summary	167	(2)
Planning and Installing Active Directory	169	(28)
Planning Active Directory Implementations	169	(10)
Active Directory Namespace	170	(2)
Site Planning	172	(3)
Organizational Unit Planning	175	(4)
Installing Active Directory	179	(13)
Creating a Domain Controller for a New Domain	180	(5)
Adding a Domain Controller to an Existing Domain	185	(4)
Uninstalling Active Directory	189	(1)
The Active Directory Database	190	(1)
The Shared System Volume	191	(1)
Active Directory Domain Modes	192	(1)
Working in a Multiple-Domain Environment	192	(3)
Understanding Trust Relationships	193	(1)
Domain Security in the Active Directory	194	(1)
Multiple Domains in a Tree	195	(1)
Chapter Summary	195	(2)
Administering the Active Directory	197	(28)
Creating Active Directory Objects	197	(12)
Common Active Directory Objects	198	(3)
Adding Resources to the Active Directory	201	(5)
Creating Organizational Units	206	(3)
Finding Active Directory Objects	209	(2)
Understanding and Controlling Access to Active Directory Objects	211	(7)
Active Directory Permission Types	212	(2)
Using Active Directory Permissions	214	(2)
Permission Inheritance	216	(1)
Moving Objects	217	(1)
Assigning Administrative Control of Active Directory Objects	218	(4)
Planning for Delegation	218	(1)
Assigning Administrative Control with the Delegation of Control Wizard	219	(2)
Guidelines for Active Directory Administration	221	(1)
Chapter Summary	222	(3)
User Accounts and Their Role	225	(26)
Understanding the Difference Types of User Accounts	225	(8)
Built-In User Accounts	226	(2)
Local User Accounts	228	(2)
Domain User Accounts	230	(3)
Using New User Accounts	233	(14)
Suggested Naming Conventions	233	(2)
Defining Password Requirements	235	(4)
Other Account Options	239	(8)
Creating Domain User Accounts	247	(2)
Using the Directory Management Snap-in	247	(2)
Chapter Summary	249	(2)
Administering User Accounts	251	(26)
Introduction to Administration of User Accounts	252	(23)
Locating User Accounts	253	(2)
Performing Administrative Tasks	255	(7)
User Profiles	262	(2)
What Does a Profile Contain?	264	(1)
Roaming User Profiles	265	(4)
Customizing Roaming User Profiles	269	(1)
Mandatory Roaming User Profiles	269	(1)
Home Folders	270	(4)
The Purpose of Group Policies	274	(1)
Common Problems	275	(1)
Chapter Summary	275	(2)
Windows 2000 Groups	277	(30)
Why Do We Need Groups?	277	(3)
Using Groups in Windows 2000	280	(12)
The Rules of Group Usage	280	(2)
Windows 2000 Group Types	282	(1)
Examining Group Scopes	283	(5)
The Effect of Groups on Your Network	288	(1)
Using Groups in Windows 2000	289	(2)
Other Group Strategies	291	(1)
Creating Groups in Windows 2000	292	(4)
The Purpose of Local Groups	296	(1)
Using Built-In Groups	297	(7)
Built-In Global Groups	298	(1)
Built-In Domain Local Groups	299	(1)
Built-In Local Groups	300	(1)
Built-In System Accounts	301	(2)
Tips on Using Groups	303	(1)
Chapter Summary	304	(3)
Group Policy	307	(32)
Group Policy in Windows 2000	309	(9)
Group Policy User and Computer Settings	311	(3)
How are Group Policies Stored in Active Directory?	314	(4)
How Settings are Applied	318	(3)
Group Policy Inheritance	318	(1)
Overriding and Blocking Inheritance	318	(1)
Processing Order	319	(1)
Preventing GPOs from Executing	319	(2)
Creating a GPO	321	(9)
Delegating Control	325	(1)
Security Settings	326	(3)
Folder Redirection	329	(1)
Guidelines for Group Policy	330	(4)
Implementing Registry-Based Settings	330	(1)
Options for Applying Group Policy	331	(2)
Different Scope Options	333	(1)
Strategies for Delegating Control of GPOs	333	(1)
What to do Before Applying Group Policy	334	(1)
Resolving Problems	335	(1)
Chapter Summary	336	(3)
Managing Disks	339	(22)
Windows 2000 Hard Disk Basics	339	(9)
Hard Disk Components	339	(2)
Windows 2000 Storage Standards	341	(2)
Windows 2000 Partition Types (Basic Disks)	343	(1)
Windows 2000 Volume Types (Dynamic Disks)	344	(4)
Managing Disks within Windows 2000	348	(11)
Using the Disk Management Window	348	(3)
Viewing and Updating Information	351	(3)
Managing Basic Disks	354	(2)
Managing Dynamic Disks	356	(3)
Chapter Summary	359	(2)
NTFS Permissions	361	(26)
Understanding NTFS Permissions	361	(6)
NTFS Permissions and Files	362	(1)
NTFS Permissions and Folders	363	(1)
Understanding the Access Control List (ACL)	364	(1)
Applying Multiple NTFS Permissions	365	(2)
Understanding Inherited NTFS Permissions	367	(1)
Using NTFS Permissions	367	(5)
Planning NTFS Permissions	368	(2)
Working with NTFS Permissions	370	(2)
Using Special Access Permissions	372	(9)
Defining Special Access Permissions	372	(5)
Using Special Access Permissions	377	(3)
Taking Ownership of Secure Resources	380	(1)
Copying and Moving Data	381	(2)
Copying Files and Folders	381	(1)
Moving Files and Folders	382	(1)
Troubleshooting Permissions Problems	383	(1)
Avoiding NTFS Permission Problems	383	(1)
Troubleshooting NTFS Permissions	383	(1)
Chapter Summary	384	(3)
Shared Folders	387	(26)
Introduction to Shared Folders	388	(23)
Shared Folder Permissions	389	(2)
Permission Interactions	391	(1)
Recommendations for Using Shared Folder Permissions	392	(1)
Shared Folder Strategies	393	(1)
Application Folders	394	(1)
Data Folders	395	(1)
Creating Shared Folders	396	(1)
Creating Administrative Shares	397	(6)
Shared Folder and NTFS Permissions Combined	403	(1)
Distributed File System	404	(7)
Chapter Summary	411	(2)
Managing Data Storage	413	(36)
Data Compression	414	(18)
Introduction to Data Compression	415	(1)
Compressing Files and Folders	416	(4)
Using Compressed Files	420	(2)
Disk Quotas	422	(10)
Encrypting Data	432	(14)
Introduction to File Encryption	433	(1)
Encrypting Files and Folders	434	(5)
Using an Encrypted File or Folder	439	(2)
Disk Defragmentor	441	(2)
Using the Defragmenting Tool	443	(2)
Recommendations	445	(1)
Chapter Summary	446	(3)
Backing Up and Restoring	449	(28)
Understanding Backup and Restoring	449	(13)
Windows Backup	450	(1)
Remote Storage	451	(2)
Removable Storage	453	(1)
Windows Backup Strategies	454	(1)
Different Backup Types	455	(4)
Backup Strategy Best Practices	459	(3)
Performing Data Backup	462	(10)
Preparing to Perform a Backup	462	(1)
How to Select Files and Folders to Back Up	463	(1)
Backup Destination and Media Settings	463	(3)
Using the Advanced Backup Settings	466	(1)
Automating Backup Jobs	466	(6)
Performing Data Restore	472	(3)
Preparing to Restore Data	472	(1)
How to Select Which Backup Sets, Files, and Folders to Restore	472	(1)
Using the Advanced Restore Options	473	(2)
Chapter Summary	475	(2)
Planning for Disaster Recovery	477	(22)
Disaster Protection	477	(6)
Power Issues	478	(2)
Hardware Failures	480	(3)
Implementing Software RAID	483	(6)
Implementing RAID 1	484	(3)
Implementing RAID 5	487	(2)
Disaster Recovery with Software RAID	489	(2)
Mirrored Volume Recovery	490	(1)
RAID 5 Recovery	490	(1)
Emergency OS Repair	491	(6)
Safe Mode	491	(1)
Windows 2000 Recovery Console	492	(2)
Emergency Repair Disk	494	(3)
Chapter Summary	497	(2)
Installing and Configuring Network Protocols	499	(32)
Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol	499	(20)
The TCP/IP Protocol Suite	500	(6)
Configuring TCP/IP on Windows 2000	506	(7)
Automatic Private IP Addressing	513	(1)
TCP/IP Utilities	514	(1)
Using TCP/IP Utilities for Troubleshooting	515	(4)
NWlink	519	(6)
Brief History and Uses of NWLINK	519	(2)
Installing NWLink	521	(1)
Configuring NWLink	521	(4)
Other Supported Protocols	525	(1)
NetBIOS Extended User Interface (NetBEUI)	525	(1)
Data Link Control (DLC)	525	(1)
AppleTalk	526	(1)
Understanding Network Bindings	526	(3)
Purpose of Network Bindings	526	(1)
The Importance of Binding Order	526	(2)
Viewing Binding Order	528	(1)
Changing Binding Order	528	(1)
Chapter Summary	529	(2)
Dynamic Host Configuration Service (DHCS)	531	(22)
Understanding DHCP	531	(6)
Advantages of DHCP	532	(1)
DHCP Server Requirements	533	(1)
DHCP Client Requirements	533	(1)
DHCP Address Assignment	533	(2)
DHCP Lease Release and Renewal	535	(2)
Installing the DHCP Server Service	537	(2)
Configuring the DHCP Service	539	(4)
Installing and Configuring DHCP Scopes	539	(3)
Configuring a Scope	542	(1)
Managing the DHCP Service	543	(3)
Reservation Within a Scope	543	(1)
Viewing Current Leases	544	(2)
Managing Exclusions	546	(1)
Disaster Recovery and DHCP	546	(2)
Backing Up the DHCP Database	547	(1)
Restoring the DHCP Database	547	(1)
Redundant Servers	547	(1)
Command-Line Tasks	548	(4)
Chapter Summary	552	(1)
Windows Internet Naming Service (WINS)	553	(26)
Uses of WINS within a Windows 2000 Network	553	(4)
Why Use WINS?	553	(1)
Is WINS Required?	554	(1)
New WINS Features in Windows 2000	555	(2)
WINS Name Resolution Process	557	(2)
WINS Registration	557	(1)
Name Resolution	557	(2)
Installing the WINS Service	559	(1)
Managing the WINS Service	560	(1)
Overview of the Management Console	560	(1)
Managing Servers	561	(2)
Adding a WINS Server to the Management Console	561	(1)
Removing a WINS Server from the Management Console	562	(1)
Decommissioning a WINS Server	563	(1)
Exporting WINS Server Information	563	(1)
Managing a Particular server	563	(6)
Server Statistics	564	(1)
Database Management	565	(4)
Managing Records	569	(5)
Types of Records	569	(1)
Viewing Records	569	(2)
Manipulating Records	571	(3)
Command-Line Tasks	574	(4)
Chapter Summary	578	(1)
Domain Name Server Service	579	(32)
Understanding DNS	579	(7)
Defining the Domain Namespace	581	(1)
Host Names	582	(1)
Naming Guidelines	583	(1)
Understanding Zones	583	(3)
The Name Resolution Process	586	(3)
Defining Forward Lookup Query	587	(1)
Name Server Caching	587	(1)
Defining Reverse Lookup Query	588	(1)
Installing the DNS Service on a Windows 2000 Server	589	(4)
Server Prerequisites	589	(1)
Performing the Installation	589	(4)
Administering the DNS Service	593	(9)
Configuring a DNS Server	594	(1)
Creating Zones	594	(6)
Adding Resource Records	600	(1)
Setting up Dynamic DNS	601	(1)
Configuring DNS on a Client	602	(4)
Troubleshooting the DNS Service	606	(3)
Monitoring a DNS Server	606	(1)
Configuring Logging Options	606	(2)
Using Nslookup	608	(1)
Chapter Summary	609	(2)
Auditing	611	(28)
Understanding Auditing	611	(2)
Applying an Audit Policy	612	(1)
Designing an Audit Policy	613	(2)
Guidelines for Designing an Audit Policy	613	(2)
Applying an Audit Policy	615	(16)
Configuring Auditing	615	(3)
Setting an Audit Policy	618	(4)
Auditing Data Access	622	(9)
The Windows 2000 Event Viewer	631	(6)
Understanding Logs	631	(1)
Using the Security Log	632	(4)
Managing Logs	636	(1)
Archiving Events	637	(1)
Chapter Summary	637	(2)
Monitoring Network Resources	639	(12)
Overview of Monitoring Network Resources	639	(2)
Why Monitor Network Resources?	640	(1)
Requirements Before Monitoring Network Resources	640	(1)
Monitoring Access to Shared Folders	641	(9)
Shared Folders	641	(5)
Monitoring Access to Open Files	646	(2)
Monitoring Network Users	648	(1)
Administrative Messages to Users	649	(1)
Chapter Summary	650	(1)
Introduction to Windows 2000 Printing	651	(16)
Printing Terminology	651	(1)
Prerequisites for Network Printing	652	(1)
Planning a Network Printing Environment	652	(3)
Technical Considerations	653	(1)
Nontechnical Considerations	654	(1)
Creating Network Printers	655	(6)
Adding and Sharing Network Printers	655	(6)
Configuring Client Computers	661	(1)
Installing Printers Using the Add Printer Wizard	661	(1)
Installing Printers via a Web Browser	661	(1)
Driver Management	662	(1)
Chapter Summary	663	(4)
Administering Windows 2000 Printing	667	(20)
Managing the Print Process	667	(10)
Managing Print Devices	667	(3)
Managing Documents	670	(5)
Managing Printer Pools	675	(2)
Permissions and the Printing Process	677	(5)
Securing Printers via Permissions	679	(3)
Accessing Printers for Administration	682	(1)
Troubleshooting Network Printing	683	(2)
Nobody Can Print to a Particular Network Printer	684	(1)
Everyone's Print Jobs Are Garbled	684	(1)
One Person Cannot Print	685	(1)
One Person Receives Garbled Output	685	(1)
Best Practices for Printer Administration	685	(1)
Chapter Summary	686	(1)
Network Administration	687	(15)
Documentation	687	(9)
Password Documentation	688	(2)
Server Documentation	690	(2)
Network Documentation	692	(2)
Vendor Documentation	694	(2)
Change Control	696	(3)
The Change-Control Process	696	(2)
The Change Request	698	(1)
Chapter Summary	699	(3)
Index	702

Excerpts

Preface Welcome to the Windows 2000 Systems Administration Training Course. As IT professionals, we have watched Windows 2000 slowly mature from a very rough NT5 beta 1 to a robust, polished Windows 2000 released product. As authors, we have attempted to bring you a collection of the topics most relevant to systems administration while adding insight from our own personal experiences implementing and administering Windows 2000 throughout the lengthy beta period, up to and including the final release. We hope that you will find this multimedia training course useful as you study and develop your Windows 2000 system administration skills. Windows 2000, which initially was to be calledWindows NT 5.0, is the newest upgrade in Microsoft's NT line of business operating systems. Windows NT was originally launched in 1993 as Windows NT 3.1. Microsoft chose to number it 3.1 rather than 1.0 to capitalize on the name recognition of its consumer Windows product line. At that time, Windows 3.1 was the current version of Windows and ran on top of DOS. Windows NT 3.1 was upgraded to 3.5 and later to 3.51, while retaining the older "Program Manager" GUI (graphical user interface). After five service packs, Windows NT 3.51 was showing its age, and, in 1996, Microsoft released Windows NT 4.0. NT4 was essentially 3.51, updated to use the Windows 95 "Explorer" style GUI. Although there were a few new features in NT4, notably Microsoft DNS Server, the basic product was largely the same. Any administrator who had worked with NT 3.51 and knew the Explorer GUI could sit down at an NT4 console and instantly administer the system. Technology has changed rapidly since 1996, when NT4 was released, and making NT keep up with newer technologies has been difficult for both Microsoft and for third-party developers. To keep up with the times and push the NT line of operating systems ahead, Microsoft has dramatically revamped NT4 into what is now Windows 2000, finally released in February 2000. The Audience The audience for this book is twofold. Topics are explained in sufficient detail to satisfy readers without prior experience in Windows NT systems administration, yet will help Windows NT administrators leverage their existing knowledge to get up to speed quickly on the new features and techniques of Windows 2000. Throughout the book, we often point out changes between Windows NT 4.0 and Windows 2000 and show the new ways to do the old familiar tasks. The Contents It is important to note that the authors of this book are all IT professionals with extensive experience in Windows NT systems administration. While brainstorming for this book, the idea came up to present the material in a way that would provide the best benefit not only to someone reading this book for educational purposes, but also for the real-world systems administrator who needs a reference while on the job. To that end, we've taken care to add tips and insight from our own real-world systems administration experiences and have arranged the topics to cover the common tasks of a Windows 2000 systems administrator. The arrangement of subjects in this book is broken down into sections as follows: Introduction to Windows 2000 Systems Administration In this section, we provide an overview of Windows 2000 basics, starting with discussing the different versions of the Windows 2000 operating system. Although the vast majority of this book relates to Windows 2000 Server, you will learn about the Windows 2000 Professional, Advanced Server, and Datacenter Server products, as well, and how they differ from each other. Chapter 1 discusses the different versions of Windows 2000 and how they relate to their Windows NT 4.0 counterparts. We also discuss new Windows 2000 terminology, such as Microsoft Management Console (MMC), Active Directory, domain trees, and forests. Windows NT 4.0 systems administrators will appreciate th