I purchased this book as soon as it became available from amazon.com. There were several reasons for my purchase: 1. To use this book to prepare for the certification examination for Win2k Server and 2. To use as a reference for the technical writing projects that I am involved in at present.

After reading through the entire book at least once, and some sections several times, I can say this is a really great book for the newbie or low level network technician that needs to know which dialog box to access and what buttons to click to accomplish a particular task.

For such an audience, the books does an excellent job at providing a fair number of exercises to point them in the right direction. However, if you are looking for more details on how the Win2k Server Operating System works, and to reach the level of understanding required of a Win2k Network Engineer, you will be sorely disappointed.

I have two major "beefs" with the material as presented in this book:

1. There is some important conceptual material contained in the book, however it is so poorly written that I challenge anyone with an IQ of 130 or less to understand it (It was probably written ) However, given the level of difficulty and complexity of the Win2k Server exam, you should read several other books in addition to this in order to be thoroughly prepared.

215 Exam. I always kept a stance that these MCSE Kits are not a MANUAL how to pass the tests, but rather an OVERVIEW of what is important to master. This is what the book actually is, AN OVERVIEW. Is it enough to pass the exam? Yes, with a modern LAN and extensive hands-on and additional sources of info. Why? MS Press with MS has been turning away from Consummer based training to the Enterprise-Level training i.e. training Corporate Level IT people. You can read MS Press new Mission Statement and I believe that this reflects in the new MCSE books/kits. Are these books appropriate for the newbies/people trying to start out? Imho, NO. I believe that these books are geared for people who in the industry or have taken previous MCP courses/tests. Ok, the book is a good overview. But, I am still confused about MS Press move not to give Eval software. They suggest that you download it. DOH. I have the software, but for others..ugh. Perhaps, they think IT people will have Technet copies or real copies from work. Or, they didn't have time to put it in with the book. I agree more with the former.

Ok, what do you mean experience based scenarios. I know that this is what MS claimed earlier with the NT4.0. But, I think it will be different this time.If the new exams are going to be more experience based AND with elements like 70-100 architecture exam, oh boy...

I would like to address a popular topic that is somewhat out of the scope of this book, but still related. It is about the 70-240 Exam, the core combo exam for win2k. Take it and you don't need to take the 4 core exams. I think that this is misleading and grossly simplified. I believe that this is an opportunity for people who are FULLY PREPARED for the 4 core exams and are able to take one exam. Let me repeat: FULLY PREPARED. That means, you have the ability to sit and take all 4 exams if you need to. I don't think it is going to be read one book and pass the exam. MS is not messing around with this. They are offering it to people who have core NT 4.0 exams. Then, you have an OPPORTUNITY to take 70-240. Remember, this is ONE TIME DEAL. You can take it only ONCE. If not, you must take all 4 core exams. I believe that MS is raising the bar for MCSE and such. MS is betting alot on Win2K to be the next enterprise/internet level OS to compete with other OSs. I believe that this is going to force 90% of the current MCSE/MCPs to redo all their certs. The other 10% just did it quicker. Does this mean NT 4.0 will be obsolete? No. NT 4.0 will be around for a while, although it will be retired in a couple years. People will still use it and support will be needed. However, MS is basically telling people, this is how MS is moving towards to. Adapt or perish. I will most likely won't pass the 70-240 and have to take at least 5 exams to get re-certified. I have passed 12 exams w/o failing (SQL 70-29 was a close call :)) I accept it and move on.

Conclusion: (Finally :P) Good Overview of the skillsets needed but need modern LAN, extensive hands-on, and additional resources to pass exam. Bad: no eval software. Not for newbies. Buy it and make sure you get some copies of the win2k pro/server.

My 2 Cents,

Seattle Dude MCSE+i MCDBA MCT CCNA CCDA (soon to be MCSD)

I've worked with many certification products, some good, some horrible. Microsoft certification materials have always been in the middle of the pack. Even within the same book this hold true, some chapters have very clear defined objectives, while others are disorganized messes. Microsoft Press seems to be conflicted on their MCSE titles. They don't know if they want to help you become certified or if they're tomes for reference. I always find some gems of knowledge in their MCSE titles but the cost of finding them in my opinion can be too high. If you've found that Microsoft Press MCSE prep materials have worked for you in the past, great, get this book. If your not an MS Press fan, wait for some of the later test prep books. A test prep book is only as good as the knowledge in the book to pass the exam.