03/01/2004
March 2004 - Easy Storage: Windows-powered NAS in Action
Role-playing for security; delving deep inside the FRS; group policy strategy and tactics; and more.
In-Depth
Group policy is constantly evolving and has new functionality within Windows Server 2003. Here’s some basic training on what it can do.
Three continents, incompetent management and an impossible deadline is a case study in how to NOT do a major upgrade.
The File Replication Service (FRS) has a justifiably bad reputation for bugginess and indecipherable logs. But recent changes from Redmond make it worth another look.
Buying new servers and more direct-attached disks solves short-term storage issues but creates a bigger problem—the storage management nightmare. Network attached storage, which separates disks from servers, is one answer. We evaluate three top NAS solutions running Windows Storage Server.
Two tools that stop popups dead in their tracks
Book Reviews
Windows Server 2003: Best Practices for Deployment helps IT plan for the new operating system, lay the network groundwork and keep it all secure.
Product Reviews
Google's toolbar comes with a fairly effective pop-up killer—and it's free.
NetIQ’s content tool keeps an eye on your Web surfers.
Firewall Analyzer knows what your firewalls are doing.
NetInstall manages an application’s complete life cycle.
Stop popups dead in their tracks with this inexpensive but sanity-saving blocker.
Boswell's Q&A
....hums along smoothly, if the PDC is migrated correctly in this reader's NT-to-Windows 2003 upgrade. The Exchange 5.5-to-Exchange 2003 migration may be a tad more problematic.
A slap-dash solution for transferring profiles in toto. Anyone with a more elegant method?
Better methods for managing user profiles en masse. Plus, an SBS problem.
A routine audit of Active Directory permissions can expose this example back-ended breach.
Call Me Certifiable
What business is Microsoft in, anyhow?
Certified Mail
Editor's Desk
Now is the time for those projects we've all been putting off.
Mr. Script
Why it's important for remote users to change passwords regularly.
Security Advisor
Are you role-playing with your network? If not, you’re missing a powerful way to make it more secure.
Security Watch
Disaster recovery plans should be part of any testing plan.
Security training, free for the asking.
Tips and Tricks
Learn how to properly manage admin accounts.
Windows Insider
Windows Server 2003’s Volume Shadow Copy Service can help you stop time. Here’s how to take full advantage of it.
Windows Tip Sheet
Simple IIS backup techniques
New! Windows admin tips, tricks, and secrets. First up: migration via the "interim" forest functional level.
News
Exam 70-281, released to general public March 2, tests project management skills.
Security expert fired over controversial report that accused Microsoft of contributing to global insecurity now at Verdasys.
Special report, RSA Conference 2004: In a nutshell, panelists in IT governance discussion agree that government should play limited role, but they diverge on approaches.
In honor of MCDST's release, winners of help desk heroism/horror submissions announced.
Conference news speaks of competing forces.
There's a bright future ahead for those taking training courses.