Top 5 resources for Sysadmins 3

[trojanman]

Im in my first year with a Sysadmin job and I'm feeling a little overwhelmed with the abundance of information that surrounds me. I was hoping that a few of you could point me in the direction of must-have resources/sites for beginner admins. I manage 5 servers (SBS 2k3 + Exchange) and about 50 XP Pro users. Ive passed the first two MCSA exams (271 and 272) and Im looking to gain more knowledge and experience before I test for the 290 series.

What kind of resources Im looking for:

1. Small Business Server administration
2. Group Policy
3. Network monitoring
4. Security practices
5. Exchange Administration
6. Active Directory tips and tricks

I know this is a bit much to ask so anything useful that you guys can pass along my way would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

 

[LWComputingMVP]

First, get a subscription to Windows IT Pro - it's a great magazine for administrators as it includes MANY articles on setting up Windows services, troubleshooting, and overall Windows network management.

After that, books. Look through some at a local bookstores and buy those that seem most usable to you.

1. Small Business Server administration

Read through the white papers and other technical documentation found on Microsoft's web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/sbs/default.mspx

Then there's this site:

http://www.smallbizserver.net/

2. Group Policy

http://technet2.microsoft.com/windowsserver/en/technologies/featured/gp/default.mspx

Check the links part of the wikipedia page:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Group_Policy

3. Network monitoring
SBS has this built in to some extent. Otherwise there are a variety of other programs available. Exactly how do you want to monitor it.

4. Security practices

http://www.windowsecurity.com/

5. Exchange Administration

http://www.msexchange.org/

6. Active Directory tips and tricks
Read through the newer tips by Jerold Schulman at

http://www.jsitips.com

as well as the magazine Windows IT Pro.

 

[trojanman]

Great stuff! Ive been meaning to subscribe to WindowsIT Pro. Do you know of any good, free network auditing tools available?

 

[trojanman]

Anyone else?

 

[WhoKilledKenny]

Buy a book call Inside Active Directory 2nd Edition, By Sakari Kouti. The Microsoft books are great for laying a foundation but this book get you under the covers. It's also a great reference book to keep on the shelf.

You can visit the web-site at:

http://www.kouti.com

Another good bookmark -

http://www.petri.co.il/index.htm

 

[LWComputingMVP]

Yes, Petri is an excellent resource.

 

[trojanman]

Good stuff, lets keep 'em coming!

 

[58sniper]

As lwcomputing mentioned, my old site,

http://www.msexchange.org/

is an excellent site. They also run the

http://www.windowssecurity.com/

site that's also mentioned above.

Also check Dan's site at

http://www.petri.col.il/

If you want more info on Exchange, read ANYTHING from Tony Redmond. He's the macdaddy of Exchange.

There are also a number of high volume discussion lists and forums that you can join, if you're interested.

Pat Richard, MCSE MCSA:Messaging CNA
Want to know how email works? Read for yourself -

http://www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc2821.txt

 

[Stevehewitt]

Network auditing?

Well if you mean discovery, I find

http://www.lookatlan.com

priceless - and it's free!
Great little tool when trying to work out what is installed on a new network.

For proper auditing, I got on really, really well with NetSupport Software's DNA tool. I did try a couple of other ones that the BSA recommend but didn't really get on with them. However I believe NetSupport DNA is quite expensive - so be careful on the budget!!!

I also find the TechNet Magazine is pretty useful too. Lots of little tips - and that's free!!!

If you can get it on the budget, the TechNet Subscription is really useful too.

Finally, the MS Press books give a good overview - not overally indepth, but still a good foundation.

Oh - and the best is

http://www.tek-tips.com!

Cheers,




Steve.

"They have the internet on computers now!" - Homer Simpson

 

[trojanman]

I found this site which has alot of GP stuff!

http://www.gpanswers.com/