In-Depth Features


Maximize Your Certification ROI

With more than 400,000 MCSEs at last count, does it still make financial sense to become one? A long-time MCSE consultant breaks down the costs - course and exam fees, exam preparation materials and your own sweat and blood - and shows you how to calculate certification's return on investment.

MCSE+I

For MCSEs who specialize in Internet skills. (Retired)

MCP+I

For MCPs who specialize in internetworking using Microsoft technology. (Retired)

MCDBA

Premier title for SQL Server database administrators.

70-240 Guide: Build Your Test Lab

For a thorough understanding of the 70-240 exam objectives, nothing replaces hands-on experience. Build this test lab to get your practice.

MCSD

Premier title for application developers, programmers, and system architects who use Microsoft technology.

MCP+SB

A specialization aimed at those who design and deploy Web-based systems. (Retired)

MCSE

The most sought-after of the premier Microsoft certifications.

MCP

Your first step into Microsoft's certification program.

Return to Sender

When moving subnets from Unix JOIN to Win2K DHCP, this admin got a crash course on the intricacies of IP addressing and the pure beauty of the superscope.

Mission Interoperate: Windows 2000 and Unix

Administering two platforms is tough. Microsoft Services for Unix 2.0 provides a practical set of tools for making sure Windows and Unix users get along—and that your job gets easier.

Oracle and Microsoft Working Together a la COM+

Here's how one company's consultants used COM+ and MTS to scale its Oracle database to be available via the Web.

Mix It Up with NetWare

Naturally, Microsoft wants to woo your company away from its reliance on NDS. Windows Services for NetWare is crucial to that goal. Here’s how it works.

You Can Do It!

4 Steps to MCSE Certification

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas

In a city of high stakes none were higher than during this tale of database corruption. But with tenacity and resourcefulness (and a little luck), this MCSE came out a big winner.

Private and Secure: The VPN Solution

If you want a better way to connect remote users, offices and servers securely, consider the humble, easy-to-implement virtual private network. Here’s how to make it work in Windows 2000.

The Guide to Windows 2000 Wisdom: At the Controls

For this script geek, Win2K's AD scripting capabilities go above and beyond the call of duty.

The Guide to Windows 2000 Wisdom: What a Long, Strange Trip It's Been

After a year of working with the software, the experts speak their minds.

From the Trenches: Backup Secrets from a Pro

The backup program in Windows 2000 adds some valuable functionality, but sometimes only a little coding will get you what you really need.

The Guide to Windows 2000 Wisdom: User Profile Wisdom

Be smart! Assess the impact of roaming profiles on your user before you adopt them.