Advanced Windows Small Business Server 2003 Best Practices Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)As a reader who was generally unsatisfied with the first volume in this series, and not greatly experienced with the SBS product, I had mixed feelings about the book. About half of the content is VERY good. The other half seemed almost trivial and shouldn't have been included, or if it were, should have had far greater depth and specificity. Overall though, the value of the good stuff, FAR outweighs the fluff and makes this book a very valuable resource. If this book doesn't save you at least one call to PSS, I'd be very surprised.
PRO
Several chapters stood out for both the excellent content and clear writing. Andy Goodman's Advanced Setup and Deployment, Michael Klein's explanation of Exchange Server 2003, Wayne Small's RWW coverage, Alan Shrater's coverage of the use of SQL, Susan Bradley's Advanced Security and Jeff Middleton's Disaster Recovery really make this book a valuable addition to the industry.
CON
Several reviews of additional software didn't do a good job of describing the need for the software and in many cases didn't even mention how much the software would cost. Blatant plugs for Mr. Brelsford's sponsor HP seemed misplaced and contributed to my dissatisfaction with the book. Too many NOTES boxes deprive the reader of content. Coverage of the ISA Server 2004 which hasn't even been released should have been held for the upcoming "Extending SBS" which was mentioned several times in the book.
Here's how it breaks down.
Intro and Bio's
Section 1: SBS 2003 Deployment
Chapter 1Introduction and PlanningHarry Brelsford
Chapter 2Understanding Hardware in the SBS EnvironmentChris Angelini
Chapter 3SBS LicensingHarry Brelsford and Steven Banks
Chapter 4Advanced Setup and DeploymentAndy Goodman
Chapter 5Using 3rd Party Tools to boost SBS PerformanceFrank Ohlhorst
Section 2: SBS 2003 Utilization
Chapter 6Exchange Server 2003: Advanced TopicMichael Klein
Chapter 7Windows SharePoint Services: Advanced TopicsJonathan Hassell
Chapter 8Remote Web Workplace: Advanced TopicsWayne Small
Chapter 9Using MS SQL Server 2000 with SBS 2003Alan Shrater
Chapter 10Fax Server: Advanced TopicsKevin Royalty
Section 3: SBS 2003 Security
Chapter 11Advanced Security: Part 1 GeneralSusan Bradley
Chapter 12Part 2 ISA Server 2004Beatrice Mulzer and Dr. Tom Shindler
Section 4: SBS Advanced Topics
Chapter 13System MonitoringLawrence A Rodis
Chapter 14SBS Disaster RecoveryJeff Middleton
Chapter 15MigrationJeff Middleton
Chapter 1 Introduction and Planning by Harry Brelsford
This is a broad and very general overview of the SBS world. It was noted that another book is in the works on expanding your SBS Premium which will include both BizTalk Server 2004 and CRM 1. Besides these things, I don't know that there was much of great value in this chapter to me.
Chapter 2 Understanding Hardware in the SBS Environment by Chris Angelini
This chapter was more interesting. There is an interesting compare and contrast between AMD's server line of chips and Intel's server line of chips. Tape versus HD backup are discussed, SAS and SATA, workstation requirements and server requirements. Wireless and Gigabit networking is briefly discussed. There is a discussion about "right-sizing" hardware for a client based on what the consultant knows about their business and their knowledge of hardware. Little firm guidance is given here and this is one of the areas I think needs to be SIGNIFICANTLY documented by the industry.
Of some interest to me was the brief description of the iLo and RILOE II capabilities for remote control of a server at the hardware level. Though the capabilities are described, there is not much mention about how these could be used in a real-world support way. Perhaps I just don't have enough experience to understand this, but then that's what the book is for right? If you're going to market someone's product, one of the best ways is to describe a pain point and then detail how your product alleviates that. I didn't get it.
The last 15 pages of the chapter is a walk-through of the HP Proliant HL 350 G4. Harry does a very good job of plugging his sponsors. However, the same information could be conveyed in a similar way without specifically plugging this machine. I failed to glean anything useful from this material. These blatant product plugs help reinforce my opinion that the book's asking price is too high. If HP is going to sponsor the book, and I am expected to read it, my compensation should be a lower sticker price.
All told, I can't say that I gleaned much of anything new from this chapter. It is a fair review of modern technologies, but not comprehensive enough to be significant for me.
Chapter 3 SBS Licensing by Harry Brelsford and Steven Banks
The example used for the chapter is a creditable one. It is easy to follow and shows the concepts in action.
Since Eric Ligman does an EXEMPLARY job handling licensing questions on the mssmallbiz site, I almost wonder about the inclusion of this in the book. I can't say I got a lot of bang out of this chapter. Well written, not largely needed.
Chapter 4 Advanced Setup and Deploymentby Andy Goodman
BOOM!!! Home Run!! This is exactly the kind of information that I would expect to see. How to use GPO to roll out software... How to use GPO to change computer settings... How to set the time to automatically sync with the server... Using partitions during install...
This is the first chapter that I can say that I will use TODAY to get something done.
I also very much appreciated the input on creating multiple partitions and why. Andy's hints are the kind of stuff that I haven't heard before, but that can solve challenges I've got right now. EXCELLENT!!
Incidentally, Andy's recommendations as given in this chapter are far more inclusive even that what is on his web site (I at least when I wrote this.). They are also very similar to those made in the Microsoft Small Business Server Administrator's Companion (though better explained and illustrated.) They also match recommendations by MBS for installing CRM and disaster recovery recommendations by Jeff Middleton. Interesting that these weren't included in the "Basic and Intermediate" book.
Chapter 5 Using 3rd Party Tools to boost SBS Performanceby Frank Ohlhorst
This chapter goes over the backup utility from Acronis' True Image Server. There is no pricing information, which is always a bad sign in my book. There was also no discussion about why this is better than the NTbackup that comes with SBS. There was no justification given for why I might need the additional expense of this software.
The next topic covered was hosting with a dynamic IP address. TZO was mentioned and since this often comes in routers as an option, seems a good choice.
The last topic was spam filtering. Mr. Ohlhorst discusses how to use GFI Mail Essentials. I haven't used this, but like the backup solution, I wonder why this would be used instead of Intelligent Message Filter for Exchange? Is there such a performance difference that it makes good sense? $300 for a 10-user license when IMF is free tends to make me think there might at least be some attempt to justify this expense.
Overall, the chapter was a disappointment to me. Spending money is not always a bad thing. The ultimate determinant is VALUE. If I spend "X" amount of dollars I will get "Y" feature which benefits me in "Z" way and makes it all worth while. There was hardly any of this type of information.
Chapter 6 Exchange Server 2003: Advanced Topicby Michael Klein
WOW!! 140 pages on just about anything you could want to know about Exchange. This is a veritable treasure trove of how to install, maintain, troubleshoot, monitor, and enhance Exchange Server 2003. There is actually so much that is covered here that it is difficult to describe it all.
I have found that reading books on Exchange seems to often be a waste of time. So much of the content is based on running in an enterprise environment and thus completely not related to SBS-Exchange at all. This is by far, the best overview of Exchange that I have ever read. The nuts and bolts of how it sends mail and even tools to diagnose problems are discussed.
Given the complexity of this very mature product and the essential nature of e-mail for a business, this chapter alone might justify the cost of the book. Very thorough and well-written. I could easily imagine that this could save the cost of a call to PSS. If this chapter doesn't have the answer to your Exchange question, I'll bet it will have something that will put you on the right track to finding it.
Chapter 7 Windows SharePoint Services: Advanced Topicsby Jonathan Hassell
I think this chapter was a disappointment. Almost four whole pages were spent enumerating fixes covered in Service Pack 1. How is this important to me? Post a link, and I'll hit it if I want. Show me how to do NEW stuff. Two of the other examples mentioned are just screenshots of what Microsoft has on their SharePoint spot.
There is good information on linking Access to WSS. Frankly, I agree with Harry's comments from the last book, that SharePoint may well be the greatest reason to upgrade to Office 2003. I am amazed at what this makes possible.
There is also information on backing up and restoring SharePoint via the stsadmin tool, the migrate...Read more›

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This 1,075-page advanced SBS 2003 text was written by over a dozen leading SBSers, each with specific technical niche expertise. Delve deeply into SBS-specific applications and technologies in these chapters: 1 Introduction and Planning 2 Hardware 3 Licensing 4 Advanced Setup and Deployment 5 Third-party Tools for Advanced SBS Administration6 Exchange Server 2003: Advanced Topics 7 Windows SharePoint Services: Advanced Topics 8 Remote Web Workplace: Advanced Topics 9 SQL Server 2000: Advanced Topics 10 Advanced Faxing11 Advanced SBS Security: Part 1: General 12 Advanced SBS Security: Part 2: ISA 2004 13 Advanced Monitoring 14 Disaster Recovery 15 Migration This is the book that flies faster, further and higher than any other previous SBS book in product history. When you register your book using the handy sign-up form (back of book), you will receive the PDF-based e-book copy (registered owners only). Readers are already reporting that this book pays for its cover price many times over with saved time and effort!

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