Michael Chacon | James Chellis | et al Michael Chacon
It's rare that one gets to say this about a 656-page book, but the
Windows 2000 Network Infrastructure Administration kit is far too short. First, the good news, and one of the real saving graces of this book: after years of complaints, Microsoft has finally caved in and included actual test questions. The Administrator Kit has over 225 pages' worth of solid MCSE-style, multiple-choice questions on each objective for the exam, along with extremely detailed analyses of the answers. The questions are fairly hard-hitting--almost as hard as what you can expect to see on the exam--and unlike many other MCSE/MCSA books, you're not only given the correct answers to each question, but you also have explanations as to why each answer is right or wrong. If you chose B and it turned out C was correct, you'll get a paragraph's worth of detail on why B would never work. This helps serious students correct their mistakes much more quickly, and the overall quality of the questions raises the value of this book tenfold.
Unfortunately, the actual primer portion of the book is undeniably skimpy; for example, the TCP/IP section never mentions subnetting, which is something that you're likely to see numerous times in the real world. In the section on routing, only two styles of routing protocols are mentioned--OSPF and RIP--and they're both breezed over in two pages (and neither of those pages mentions why a network admin would choose one protocol over another). The "Monitoring Network Activity" section tells you all about how to collect network data, but never actually gets around to telling you what you should do with it or how to analyze it. The "Providing Your Clients Remote Access" section has all of three exercises, and none of them have to do with dialing in remotely.
There were many times we wished that the book would simply slow down and just take another 15 pages to spell everything out. When it's not short, it's sometimes overly complex. There's a large chapter on IPSec, which is something that every good network admin should know nowadays--but the section on IPSec seems to assume the reader will understand the basic concepts of cryptography, specifically public and private keys, and as such the reader will spend a lot of time floundering about until they finally "get it." You may actually have to do some Internet searches to understand.
That's not to say that the Windows 2000 Network Infrastructure Administration kit is without value; actually, its best feature is its tremendously well-done DNS and DHCP section, which explains the oft-misunderstood concepts of automatic IP addressing in clear, simple-to-understand language that's a blessing from above. If you're in need of a refresher course on DNS or just haven't gotten it until now, you'll be quite likely to understand it after you read this section.
In short, this book is an excellent adjunct for any serious test taker; Microsoft's wise move of adding MCSE sample questions has made the decision to buy this book a lot easier. It also has some classic sections on addressing and name resolution. But for most students this book will be read in addition to other books; it won't be a primary source. --William Steinmetz
1 Sub-par, a real disappointment
I would recommend this book, but only with grave reservations -- don't use it as your only study material. I have been using Sybex's excellent study guides for years (all the way through my NT MCSE certification and now on Windows 2000), and this 70-216 study guide is definitely inferior. The material presented is handled well, but numerous omissions make it unreliable. The chapter tests are particularly atrocious. Questions are badly worded; several tests contain duplicate questions; there are numerous questions on material that is not covered at all in the book (e.g., WINS proxy, DNS round robin, DHCP database migration). I've come to expect far better from Sybex; this has been a major disappointment.
2 Do Not Rely on this Book either for the MCP or for reference
I used Sybex for a lot of my MCPs, but this one is truly horrid.
The style is fun and admittedly the author made an attempt to amuse you while you're reading. This would be a good thing (although unnecessary and uncalled for) if it was accompanied by reliable and well written technical material, which isn't the case.
The book is structured in a rather confusing way - you get most of the stuff explained roughly in the first couple of chapters, and then explained in detail afterwards. This is just a stupid approach as it is confusing: if you talk to me about NAT, do it all in one go, and the same for everything else!!
After reading the book I took a transcender... wow, the questions there are really tough, and most of them require knowledge that this book doesn't provide at all.
The main problem though is in the questions and answers. The questions are often written quite poorly and in a very misleading way. Also, the answers sometime state the opposite of the theory (e.g. according to an "answer" you don't need WINS during a WinNT-Win2k migration in a mixed network!) ... of course, there was another "answer" for an identical scenario where it was stated, correctly, that you do need WINS.
Was this book EVER proofread by a tech? I seriously doubt it.
I waisted 2 weeks. Now I bought the MS Press book, and everything makes sense.
The authors did a very bad job. Sybex was thoroughly disappointing for allowing the publication of the book. Do not buy it.
3 Inconsistent and incorrect writing
I will be avoiding this author in the future (though other Sybex books have been very good) because 1.)He doesn't explain things very well in general and in particular doesn't cover what is on the MCSE tests (I just failed this one after passing the others using only the Sybex book) and 2.) The answers in the question and answer sections are wrong and in some instances the answers would be a copy/paste of the previous question. A terrible author.
4 Exams are a money making sham. But the book is useful.
Exams are a way to make "money for nothing and checks for free." This book is barely discernable from the NT books and I am sure the XP will not be long off. I did not buy it for the exam as People that pass exams only show that they can remember questions. However windows 2000 seems to be with us for a while and this book does a good job of pointing out problems before they happen allowing for a preventive plan. Networking is networking is networking However Windows 2000 is not intuitive and is convoluted. So without this or a similar book your goose is cooked.
The book has 14 chapters and an appendix. In them they seem to take you from ground zero to an administrator with a few diagrams and a few pictures. Most of the contents seem to be written by someone who already knows the subject well enough to leave out what he thinks you should already know.
As stated before one reason for using this book is to cut through the convolution. On a UNIX based host the use of DHCP is as simple as filling out a form with base information all in one location. This book takes 20 pages to describe where and how to use DHCP as if it was a separate process than the operating system.
There are better books but this book is better than not.
5 2nd Edition much improved
I'm a teacher at a technical training center and we have the opportunity to try several training products. Sybex typically delivers the best all-around package, but of course we also encourage our students to use additional training resources such as the Transcender practice tests.
In the case of the Sybex Network Infrastructure book, the first edition was hampered by overly-simplistic practice questions. The second edition is much improved in this regard. Overall, the book provides excellent coverage of both the exam and the skills you will be required to perform in the real-world. In particular, DDNS, DHCP, WINS, routing, RAS, and NAT are fundamental network infrastructure topics that this book nails.
Like some other reviewers stated, the voice-work on the included videos leaves much to be desired, but this really doesn't detract from the book itself.
6 Pretty good
Used in conjunction with Exam Cram & Transcenders. Between those 3 sources I got enough ground covered to pass the exam.
I think this would be an extremely difficult test to write a book for as it covers so much ground. I did find a few typos (in practice exam) and inconsistencies in the DNS chapter that were quite troubling though.
I think the author did a good job taking an exceedingly dry topic and making it kind of fun to read. I have been happy with Sybex shtuff overall.
7 Inconsistent throughout
I read this book cover to cover and pass the exam. BUT not because of this terrible book. I had a TestOut CD-Rom...
The wording of the author is strange and inconsistent. The CD-ROM were terrible horrendous. The author only appeared (in audio) in few example and the rest was a woman's voice. This woman doesn't know anything about computer period. This is most evident in her inappropriate pause of her speech. My advice to you the shopper DO NOT buy this book.
8 Passed the exam
Using this book and the Virtul Lab they sell I was able to pass the exam. I also briefly looked through a friends' Transcender. This, though, was the toughest MCSE exam for me. Know DHCP, WINS, and DNS well. While it's true that the author gets a bit verbose at times, I, like several reviewers below, like the fact that such depth was given to the topics. The exam is hard and you need to work hard to pass it. Don't expect it to be a breeze. Anyhow, the book did the trick for me.
9 Lenthy descriptions that never get to the point!
I liked the previous 2 books in the Sybex MCSE series (and passed the exams with them). But this one by Paul Robichaux is just rubbish! Note that the first 3 chapters do not cover ANY Microsoft exam objectives - while it could have been an admirable intention to cover the foundations before the "how-to's", here it was very poorly done. The author gets carried away with lenthy analogies (sports cars, sedans, etc..., to the point of naming several makes and models of different types of CARS - are we still learning about networking computers???) When it comes to configuring the finer details, the discussion often ends with "(do such and such)... unless circumstances dictate otherwise". What are the circumstances that may rise? Believe me, it was not clear at all in the context (and these situation-based decisions are what we really need to know to pass the exam). In short, I find this book confusing and seldom to-the-point.
10 Sybex dropped the ball
Please don't think you can pass this exam with this book alone. I used Sybex for my CCNA and passed with a 967, but they dropped the ball on this one. I knew every word of this book, cover to cover, and was shocked by the exam. You need situational knowledge to pass this test and Sybex doesn't deliver. The book is oddly arranged, going over broad details of services in the 1st 4 chapters and then re-visiting each one of them in the later chapters. This book also fails to cover subjects like IIS and SMNP. Finally, the exam practice tests are horrible and nothing like the actual test, (this is what was mainly revised in the 2nd addition). It might be a good reference book, but certainly not what your looking for to pass the test.
11 The Hardest 2000 Core Exam
Being an NT MCSE+I and MCDBA and having passed this exam on the first try, I can safely say that you have a challenge on your hands. If you are an aspiring MCSE, note that you do not get major TCP/IP training in this manual. Previously, TCP/IP was an exam by itself and to cover all of it as a minor topic for this exam is a huge undertaking. I suggest covering TCP/IP on your own with a separate manual after the exam. Refer to a separate source (even the older NT manuals are still relevant for TCP/IP) such as the Resource Kit for 2000.
You really need to know RIS, RRAS, DHCP, WINS, and DNS extremely well. Concentrate on the newer features of 2000 over NT as a general rule.
I prefer to have too much information rather than too little. It makes for a good reference book later on and adds value to your purchase. This manual goes into too much depth on Certificate Services and VPN setups for the exam. Otherwise, this book has everything in it. I used Transcenders and the questions I missed had the answers in this book. It has a wide subject matter and as a result the exam will be hard due to the amount you need to cover, and not really the difficulty of any single topic. The book has Sybex's usual excellent tools such as prep exams and simulation demos for most chapters. This will greatly assist your studies.
For all of your efforts, you will KNOW Windows 2000 Server by the time you are finished. The other books do not really give you the networking knowledge you need to really harness the new 2000 features. Give yourself a little extra time and you should come through well. Good luck.
12 Good Reference Material
After completing the 2000 track, I found I was using this book quite a lot. It is an excellent tool for 70-220 and most of the design exams. In short, there is more info in this book than the exam requires. However, there was nothing on the exam that this book did not cover: DDNS, WINS, DHCP, RRAS, CA, NAT, ICS, Network Monitor, and multicasting. It was all in this book. Make sure you know DDNS, WINS and DHCP better than your best friend. :) As with any MOC, I recommend prep exam software or a second study guide. Don't forget the resources at MCSEtutor.com. Good luck to all.
Patrick MCSE+I, MCDBA, MACP, MCP 2000 (x4)
13 The worst in a good series.
This book is so poorly layed out that I had a hard time following it. The first half of the book seems to be an introduction to DHCP, DNS,and WINS. Basic fluff that a reader most likely knows. There is not even an exercise to fill the void.
The second half of the book starts over with DHCP, DNS, and yes...WINS. You would think the exercises would be a relief, but they are very poorly written. The amount of useless detail and fluff, combined with the authors constant attempt at humor made the book very difficult to use.
The pertinent material is so far off what the exam calls for, I find it difficult to tell my students what to look for.
As an MCSE, MCDBA and MCT that has taken and passed this exam, I would not recomend this material.
14 Insufficient
The introduction declares this book isn't for you if you just want to pass the exam. This book is for people wishing to acquire a solid foundation in Windows 2000 network infrastructure. I thought to myself, great, just what I'm looking for! Unfortunately, I found it failed on both accounts. This book is not on the technical level readers will need to have a comprehensive understanding of this material. And if you're just looking for a test prep, find something else. You'll find yourself extremely under prepared.
I've used many Sybex publications to prepare for certification exams and I usually find them helpful. This one was a disappointment.
15 Good Introduction
The book is full of information but doesn't really prepare you for the exam. It may be a good thorough introductory piece but it doesn't cover the in-depth theory needed to pass the test. The test questions are the equivalent of a vocabulary test in Elementary school. They did absolutely nothing to assist with the exam.
If self-study is your preferred method of study, this would be a good start but don't rely on it for the exam!
16 LOTS of great info...
Paul Robichaux and James Chellis have done a great job with this book. There is a LOT of information here, and enough sample questions to pass exam twice over! You will definitely be prepared after reading this book and using the accompanying CD. I did notice that there weren't as many WinSim exercises as in the other MCSE Windows 2000 Study Guides, but to be honest this exam is more theoretical than hands-on. A definite recommendation.
