How to Cheat at Microsoft Vista Administration

Book excerpt: The Perfect Reference for the Multitasked SysAdminThe Microsoft Windows Vista operating system offers several changes and improvements over its predecessors. It not only brings a new and redesigned interface, but also improves on many administrative utilities and management consoles. It also enhances the system's reliability, performance, and problem-solving tools. As administrators, Vista will sometimes look like its predecessor, Windows XP, and at other times, look like an all-new operating system. How to Cheat will help you get Vista up and running as quickly and safely as possible and provide you with a solid idea of all the important changes and improvements the new Microsoft Vista OS has to offer.In the book you will:* Automate Windows Vista InstallationSee how Windows installations can be automated for large-scale deployments using the Windows Automated Installation Kit (WAIK).* Install and Maintain DevicesWindows Vista contains device drivers for hundreds of PnP devices, and the Device Manager snap-in is the main utility on a local computer for managing them.* Customize Appearances, Taskbars, and ToolbarsSee how to use a personalization page, use the taskbar, and customize desktop themes.* Manage File System Formats, Partitions, and VolumesLearn how Windows Vista supports basic and dynamic volumes and two partition styles: MBR and GPT.* Increase File System PerformanceLearn how using tools such as disk defragging, cluster size adjustment, removing short filename support, and compression can help with performance.* Administer via RemoteRemote Desktop and Windows Firewall can help administrators perform administrative tasks on remote computers.* Managing ServicesThe Services utility allows you to view the status of services, as well as to disable nonessential services.* Configure TCP/IP in VistaSee how to configure TCP/IP (both IPv4 and IPv6) via the user interface or via the netsh command.* See What's New with Wireless in VistaUnderstand wireless security and learn how to install a wireless network.* Optimize Windows Startup, the Hard Disk, and MoreOptimize memory, applications, and the network connection, and see how to monitor performance.Contents IncludeIntroducing and Installing Microsoft VistaInstalling and Maintaining Hardware Devices and DriversCustomizing Desktop PropertiesManaging File Systems and DisksGeneral Administration TasksManaging Local Networking EssentialsManaging the Wireless World and Its SecurityManaging Security EssentialsSecuring User AccessTuning for Better Performance Troubleshooting - Provides the multi-tasked SysAdmin with the essential information needed to perform the daily tasks - Covers the major new release of Windows, which will create significant challenges for IT managers - Emphasizes best-practice security measures