Recommend a Windows Server admin guide?
 

I'm going to be administering a Windows 2008 R2 server for my dad's office and I'd like a good how-to guide that can tell me the basics (e.g., how to set up a domain controller) and the more advanced things (especially virtualization).

Any recommendations?

Thanks!

One of my students who runs 2008 server on the job says the Dummies book on Windows server is quite good. I have not looked at it myself.

Thanks - which one? Amazon shows two (neither of which has a great review).

http://www.amazon.com/Windows-Server-2008-For-Dummies/
http://www.amazon.com/Windows-Server...erence-Dummies

I don't know. I will inquire.

those books are a waste of money, they are just rehashes of the product documentation and help files and blogs.

Use the technet guides - they are broken down into the key activities of install, secure, support. and are free. you can use the technet forums to post questions and get quick responses from community members too

http://technet.microsoft.com/library/dd349801

TechNet and ServerFault are both great resources for answers on most any server admin topic on windows.

www.serverfault.com

In case you are still interested the book is:

Windows Server 2008 All-In-One Desk Reference for Dummies by Mueller.

Thanks!

Microsoft Press is offering free eBooks downloads. The books on 2008 R2 and Virtualizaiton would be applicable to OP's needs.

http://blogs.msdn.com/b/microsoft_pr...u-a-penny.aspx

Even better - thanks too!

That is better. I like free. I just downloaded a couple.