Core MCSE Designing a Windows 2000 Directory Services Infrastructure
Authors: Curt Simmons
Venue:  (2000)

From the Book:PREFACE: PrefaceThe new Windows 2000 MCSE certification program has certainly caused a mixture of emotions throughout the IT world. The new requirements and the new technologies you must master to wear the MCP logo are comprehensive and not easily mastered. However, this book seeks to make your mastery of the objectives and concepts contained in Exam 70-219, Designing a Microsoft Windows 2000 Directory Services Infrastructure, as easy as possible. Exam 70-219 is one of the core elective exams, along with 70-220 and 70-221. With the core exams, you must pass one of the core electives as a part of your MCSE certification. If you are reading this book, then you have selected exam 70-219 as your core elective.This book explores the processes and technologies you use to design an Active Directory infrastructure. With this book, you gain the necessary technical knowledge to design an Active Directory implementation and conquer exam 70-219.Who This Book Is ForThis book is for IT professionals, or aspiring IT professionals, who are pursuing MCSE certification. Before preparing for this exam, you should have a firm understanding of Windows 2000 Server and the basics of Windows 2000 networking. Although not required by Microsoft, you may find yourself more successful if you study and pass the core exams before beginning your study of 70-219. However, this is only a suggestion, and if you feel you are ready to tackle the study of Active Directory design, then this book is exactly what you need to get your feet on solid ground. This book is a comprehensive collection of information and study aids to help you master the skills found onexam70-219.What You'll NeedThis exam tests your knowledge about designing an Active Directory network. Because this is a design exam, you do not see a lot of actual configuration issues listed in the exam objectives. However, the more you practice with Windows 2000 Server and the Active Directory, the more likely you are to be successful on the exam. So, for this course, you should have access to a Windows 2000 test machine where you can install and learn about the Active Directory. Other than that, you will need a desire to pass this exam and study hard!How This Book is OrganizedThis book is organized into three major parts. Parts 1 and 2 contain chapters that focus on the exam objectives, but are organized in a logical way so you can study Active Directory design in an easy manner. Part 3 contains two appendices and a glossary.Part 1: Business and Network AnalysisHere you learn about the analysis process for your company's business and networking needs. Your first step in Active Directory planning and design is to take a hard look at your business and networking goals. Part 2: Designing a Directory Service ArchitectureThis portion of the book shows you how to design an Active Directory architecture by examining such issues as DNS naming, Active Directory trees and forests, replication, sites, and a host of other planning and implementation issues. These two major categories contain the technical information you need to master exam 70-219 and plan for an Active Directory implementation.Part 3: End MatterThere are two appendices and one glossary in this book. In Appendix A, you'll find five case studies that test your knowledge of the design issues you are expected to know for the exam. The case studies are written to mimic both the language and style of the case study questions you will encounter on the actual exam. I strongly urge you to review these case studies carefully to make certain you are ready to take the actual exam. Answers are provided at the end of each case study. Appendix B provides the answers to the review questions you will find at the end of each chapter. Use this appendix to check your answers and knowledge. The glossary pulls out the terms and concepts you need to know for both the real world and the exam. Use the glossary to master Active Directory terms while you study this book, then use it as a quick review before you take the exam.Conventions Used in This BookThis book contains several elements to help you get the most from your studies and zero in on certain information. Throughout the book, expect to see the following:Chapter SyllabusEach chapter opens with a syllabus that lists the topics to be covered. Each topic directly corresponds to the Level 1 headings in the chapter. If a syllabus topic and Level 1 heading are MCSE-specific, they will be accompanied by an MCSE icon (see the icon descriptions below). However, there may be instances when the topics are not exam-specific. In these cases, the chapter syllabus highlights and corresponding Level 1 headings appear without the MCSE icon. Figures and TablesFigures and tables are provided to help illustrate or focus information. Use the figures to aid in understanding portions of the text, and make sure you study the tables carefully.Study BreaksThese sidebars are designed to test your knowledge in a practical manner through the use of performance-based exercises. These exercises provide an opportunity to perform actual tasks that will undoubtedly be encountered in a working environment, and simulated in the Microsoft exam. Chapter Review QuestionsEach chapter ends with a series of review questions. These questions are designed to simulate a part of an actual exam and to reinforce what you have just learned. The number of questions will vary depending on the length of subject matter in the individual chapter. All of the questions are taken directly from the material covered in the chapter, and the answers can be found in Appendix B. About the Companion Web SiteThis book is also accompanied by a companion web site on which readers can find additional exam preparation aids and updates to the enclosed material. It is located at ...