Active Directory / Group Policy

Dr Zoidberg · 20 Nov 2008 at 11:10

HI

Can any one recommend some good reading on Active Directory and Group Policy,
Based on Windows Server 2003 preferably.

I have looked at a lot of web sites, some good some not so good, but would like some thing with everything covered. either a web site or a book.

Thanks
Keith

howler · 20 Nov 2008 at 11:29

Going through the exam books is not too bad actually

Dr Zoidberg · 20 Nov 2008 at 12:01

howler said:
Going through the exam books is not too bad actually

I did wonder if that would be the best place to look,

The training kits as listed here
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/books/certification/default.mspx#SECTION_05

Having a hunt around they can be picked up very cheap.

Nanobot · 20 Nov 2008 at 12:19

I find you can't go wrong with the O'Reilly range of books. Go into your local bookshop and have a browse at the content first as I'm not sure what level of read you want to know, ie you want to learn from scratch or expand on knowledge you already have.

Dr Zoidberg · 20 Nov 2008 at 12:54

Nanobot said:
I find you can't go wrong with the O'Reilly range of books. Go into your local bookshop and have a browse at the content first as I'm not sure what level of read you want to know, ie you want to learn from scratch or expand on knowledge you already have.

Looking to expand on current knowledge, but that knowledge has mainly been built from get stuck in and see what happens, researching items on-line, and being told bits and bobs by colleagues.

Nanobot · 20 Nov 2008 at 13:18

I was the same. I still recommend O'Reilly stuff (especially the Cookbook range of tech books) as they get straight to the point of what you want to know, but thats always down to personal preference. Robbie Allen, one of the authors has a site full of scripts and articles.
The Que, MS and SAMS books are OK but normally bulky and I find they're not convenient for a quick look up, although they do sometimes come with ebook on CD which is handy for carrying on USB key when working. MS do a 'Administrators Companion' range of books which are similar to the O'Reilly's.
Still worth looking at the above in bookshops so you can have a quick flick through.

Dr Zoidberg · 20 Nov 2008 at 17:18

Have taken a look at the MS link i posted above, the couple i looked at for exams say you want a years experience running a 250 - 5000 system set up before looking at the exams.
I dont yet have the experience, and not on a network in that size range, (we are currently just a little smaller)
Will defiantly have a look at the O'Reilly stuff when im next near a book shop.