Rating: 
Summary: Not exactly a bullseye, but you'll pass
Review: Don't get me wrong, these will get you there. But when the other reviewers say that there are inaccuracies, they're not kidding. I think it has to do with their simplified language. Their definitions of Group Scope for example are convoluted, and seemingly contradicts actual functionality. Just compare their definition of a Domain local group to one in a decent reference manual, or the online help for that matter, and see if you think they got it right. I don't. I wouldn't rely on them for day to day admin, and besides the Microsoft Press books usually provide eval versions of the OS for the test labs you'll want to make.
Rating:
Summary: Not exactly a bullseye, but you'll pass
Review: Don't get me wrong, these will get you there. But when the other reviewers say that there are inaccuracies, they're not kidding. I think it has to do with their simplified language. Their definitions of Group Scope for example are convoluted, and seemingly contradicts actual functionality. Just compare their definition of a Domain local group to one in a decent reference manual, or the online help for that matter, and see if you think they got it right. I don't. I wouldn't rely on them for day to day admin, and besides the Microsoft Press books usually provide eval versions of the OS for the test labs you'll want to make.
Rating: 
Summary: MCSE: Windows (R) 2000 Directory Services Administration Exa
Review: Excellent book. Very thorough. Helped me pass the exam.
Rating: 
Summary: Serious about getting your W2K MCSE? Read on...
Review: For the Windows 2000 MCSE program, Microsoft has made it their mission to demand more of exam candidates. Their exam developers have gone to great lengths to raise the bar in order to bring an end to the "paper-certification" syndrome, in which individuals obtain a certification without a thorough understanding of the technology. Sybex welcomes this philosophy, with its higher standards and greater accountability, as we have always advocated a comprehensive instructional approach when developing our certification study guides. It has always been Sybex's mission to teach exam candidates how new technologies work in the real world, not to simply feed them answers to test questions. The depth and breadth of technical knowledge required to obtain Microsoft's new Windows 2000 MCSE is staggering. And this being the case, the need for top-quality study guides is unprecedented. We've assembled some of the most technically skilled instructors in the industry to write our Windows 2000 MCSE study guides, and we're confident that our books will exceed the demanding standards both of the sponsoring companies and you, the aspiring MCSE. Along with the comprehensive coverage of all exam objectives within the text itself, you'll now find enhanced CD content that includes the following: · Program Simulators: Not a mock-up, but a program that shows you how Windows 2000 really looks and operates. In addition to video walkthroughs of all of the exercises in the book, we also provide a number of hands-on simulation exercises that require your input, just as it will be required on a simulative format exam! · Electronic Flashcards for PCs and Palm Devices: With each study guide, we now provide hundreds of flashcard-style questions that you can use to reinforce your understanding of key concepts. And we provide these flashcard questions in two formats-one that can be run off a standard PC and another that can be run off a Palm device. Now you can study anywhere, any time! · Sample Adaptive Exams: Now a standard feature in our test engine, the adaptive testing component gives you an opportunity to experience the pressure of taking an adaptive test, one that will quickly determine if you're ready or not. · Bonus Practice Exam Questions: We've added hundreds of additional exam-style questions to our test engine, so you can test and re-test yourself before sitting for the actual exam. Best of luck in pursuit of your MCSE!
Rating: 
Summary: Very light on detail... The test is much more in depth.
Review: I read this book from cover to cover and found myself wondering if that was all there was to this test. The book is very light on the details of tracking down errors with AD. It is also very light on the tools that you would use to solve these problems. The real problem is that the test is very heavy on real world situations and without significant real world experience you will be unable to pass this test by reading this book.
Rating:
Summary: Very light on detail... The test is much more in depth.
Review: I read this book from cover to cover and found myself wondering if that was all there was to this test. The book is very light on the details of tracking down errors with AD. It is also very light on the tools that you would use to solve these problems. The real problem is that the test is very heavy on real world situations and without significant real world experience you will be unable to pass this test by reading this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Explains the MOST Powerfull 2000 Feature Very Well
Review: The previous Sybex MCSE study guides (for NT 4) were very good. I would have given them four stars. The books of the Win2K series which I've read so far, however, are even more clear, accurate, and contain extensive hands-on exercises. Better than before. The CDs include avi files of nearly all of the exercises from the books, and a test engine with a variety of formats, as well as simulations. The Professional book was very helpful for the exam. I haven't taken the Directory Services exam yet, but the DS book is extremely well-written. Hopefully it maps well to the exam. The DS book seemed a bit thin for the price, although I guess the CD contents made up for it. But, nevertheless, I would say EXCELLENT.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent coverage.
Review: The previous Sybex MCSE study guides (for NT 4) were very good. I would have given them four stars. The books of the Win2K series which I've read so far, however, are even more clear, accurate, and contain extensive hands-on exercises. Better than before. The CDs include avi files of nearly all of the exercises from the books, and a test engine with a variety of formats, as well as simulations. The Professional book was very helpful for the exam. I haven't taken the Directory Services exam yet, but the DS book is extremely well-written. Hopefully it maps well to the exam. The DS book seemed a bit thin for the price, although I guess the CD contents made up for it. But, nevertheless, I would say EXCELLENT.
Rating:
Summary: It has most of what you need to know
Review: The Sybex book for 70-217 is pretty decent for a core study book. I passed the exam with a 906, but I used more than a few other resources. I would say 90% of what is covered in the exam is in this book and I found it to be mostly accurate. However I would have like to seen more "real life" ala Mark Minasi style info in the text. 80% of the book was mostly screen shots and step by step exercises in how to accomplish various important tasks, which is fine and necessary. Even though most everything you need to know is here it would have been better to put more emphasis on critical topics to help in the learning process instead of reading like a manual for a lawn mower at times. I used the Syngress book for 70-216 and found the end of chapter highlights to be very helpful - it would be nice to see this in the Sybex book. It is important to know how to use ntdsutil.exe for file maintenance and I did not find this covered in the book. A more thorough explanation of delegating group policy control on new, existing, and links is also needed. The end of chapter questions have improved, but with few exceptions still are not comparable to what is on the actual exam. I found that the Sybex 70-217 book in combination with Exam Cram for 70-217 make a very good combo. Exam Cram mostly filled in the few areas that the Sybex book was lacking. However I highly recommend as usual using the Microsoft website to research further the main 70-217 topics - active directory, dns, ris, and gpo. As always a practice network is a must to go along with any study guide for the MCSE exams. Criticisms aside I think that the Sybex 70-217 2nd edition is a worthwhile read.
Rating:
Summary: Explains the MOST Powerfull 2000 Feature Very Well
Review: The usual collection of study help is included: practive exams, Winsims on CD, questions for each chapter and tons of pratical exercises for hands on stuff. The Winsims are my favourites, they give you a video clip of how Active Directory (A.D.) operates. If you do not have the software, this is priceless. About the exam, the primary topics DDNS, RIS, and GPO are covered very well here. The book even has a small appendix on "designing" A.D. as this helps to understand WHY A.D. is needed in the first place. However, I recommend the core kit (4 books) as some questions will be about IPSec GPOs (70-216) and 2000 Server (70-215). There would be a lot of overlap in these books if EACH one had everything in it for the exam. Thus, the core box kit really helps. Good luck. Patrick MACP, MCSE+I, MCDBA
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