MCSE Training Kit -- Microsoft(r) Windows(r) 2000 Active Directory(tm) Services

Rating:
Summary: OKish training book but need more for the MCP exam
Review: I used this book as a primary study source for the Active Directory Exam and found it to be limited in many respects. While it does cover most of the required topics, it can be very light on substance in parts, and leave you bored to tears in other sections. Obviously it was written by a collection of authors and hence there is no real coherence to the book. However that said it is from Microsoft, hence authoritative, and does at least touch on the relevant areas. I would suggest using the resource kit to fill in the gaps, or Alistair G. Lowe-Norris book for better presentation or the subject.

Rating:
Summary: Good training guide
Review: If you can't attend a training session at a CTEC this book is a good investment. I am using it in combination with the MOC from course #1560 - where the MOC is unclear, the book fills in and where the book is light on graphical aids the MOC's Power Point slides and videos help out greatly. There are times and places where the book leaves things a mystery (like WHY you need a global catalog server for logon) and you will need a second resource, possibly a third. Also, plan on having a couple of computers on a LAN all to yourself for a couple of days - much of the learning is best accomplished by actually trying the exercises.

Rating:
Summary: 70-217
Review: This book is an excellent source for this test. If covers all the objecives very clearly. I think this is the best out of the whole training kit series.

Rating:
Summary: It is a book... it does talk about Active Directory
Review: This is a luke warm approach to Active Directory. I read a lot of great information on Microsoft's TechNet site that did a much better job of addressing AD. This book, however, has a lot of scope, but not much depth.
You may want to keep shopping before buying this one.