Michael Moncur and Paul Murphy succeed in making this book space-efficient by minimising overlap of coverage among chapters, each of which addresses the contents of a single exam. It also counts on its readers' having either a lot of Windows NT/2000 experience or access to a laboratory network (or, preferably, both). Though the book contains a fair bit of explanation of terms and concepts, this is more of a study guide to accompany experimentation than a tutorial on its own. The authors seem to believe that hands-on experience is the way to learn Windows 2000. You'll find sample tests to gauge your learning, with minimally annotated answers. --David Wall

Topics covered:

• The subjects on the Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) suite of exams, including:
• Windows 2000 Professional (70-210)
• Windows 2000 Server (70-215)
• Network Infrastructure Implementation (70-216)
• Directory Services Infrastructure Implementation (70-217)
• Directory Services Infrastructure Design (70-219)
• Network Infrastructure Design (70-221)
• Security Design (70-220)

Good stuff:
I find it a great tool to get the big picture of the subjects on the exams, and start from there with the software.
Also it serves well as a refresher in the days just before the exam.
Good to excellent chapters are ones on professional, server, active directory and the designing exams, although thorough experience with the software is indispensable.

Bad stuff:
The one chapter for the network infrastructure exam is frankly deficient in content. Look elsewhere.
All the questions are too basic and not on par with the exams.
Some essential information is erroneous. But O'Reilly has the errata on their website, which more publishers should do. And readers should check.


Some misleading information ...   September 26, 2002
 0 out of 1 found this review helpful

Some information is wrong. Example : minimum harware requirements say 32 Mo of RAM. The real answer is 64, as shown on microsoft 's web site.

The author says that you have to read both sections (win2k Professionnal + win2k server) for the win2k pro exam because there is some overlap in MS objectives and the 2 exams ...
Well yes indeed, I d say there s an overlap with all the sections of the book in fact!

Clearly underligned in the book under the "on the exam section" :
'you don t need to know the technical specifics of the internet protocols for the win2k pro exam'
False : 20 percent of the questions I had were network related, with study cases on how to configure/troubleshoot networks.

The questions are too easy (in the book).

This book can be a good reference though, there are a lot of definitions ..


Beware   June 10, 2002
 2 out of 2 found this review helpful

I would use this book as a beginning reference. However, I would not use this as my solitary reference. The questions are too easy (false sense of security) and some of the exam content is not included.


Must have book!   August 16, 2001
 5 out of 5 found this review helpful

For the money this book is an essential. In a book that almost fits in a pocket you get exam notes / crib sheets for ALL the exams. NOTE: this is a must have revision reminder book, it is not an all-encompassing read it and pass book. You will need other material, but this book is great for reading at lunchtimes to keep reminding you of the basics...


Excellent value for money   August 2, 2001
 6 out of 6 found this review helpful

This is an excellent book for anyone revising for the W2K MCSE exams. All four core subjects and three design exams (Net Infra., Active D., and Security)are covered. The principal issues are discussed in very readable chapters (one chapter per subject)and then summarised in a highlighters index appended to the chapter in question.

The fool who said he would not have passed the exams if he relied solely on this book should have realised that NO revision book - including those in the very good Exam Cram series - is meant to provide all the necessary info. If a certification exam could be 'mastered' by reading just one small book then the value of the certification would be minimal.

This book is well written, well presented and excellent value for money - don't hesitate to add it to your collection.