Solutions in this chapter:

• Managing Network Services

• Managing Active Directory Services

• Managing Group Policy

Introduction

In almost every Microsoft Windows shop, Active Directory 2000 or 2003 is being used. Because of this central position in the network, not only its availability but also its performance and policy processing should be monitored. Active Directory, however, is only a small part of the infrastructure of your network. In addition to discussing Active Directory (AD) in this chapter, we will also address the most common network services found in an IT enterprise.

Managing Network Services

As Microsoft continues to build its management pack offering, you ll be able to expand your MOM infrastructure further and further. Already, Microsoft has released a number of small, easy-to-install management packs, enabling you to monitor even the most remote and dusty corners of your network.

You might think there s no need to monitor these areas because the Domain Name Service (DNS) server supposedly runs like a charm and never fails. Although this can be true, there s no guarantee it will perform this way for another 10 years. If you import the management pack, however, you can trust that its components will work as planned and if they fail, you ll be notified.