Hot off the press, my recent Essentials Series on Windows Server 2008 Active Directory Operations has been released here at Realtime. In this series, I talk about the needs and the step-by-step for auditing, disaster recovery, and RODCs, three topics in which you should definitely be interested.

Here's the breakdown for each of the articles in the series:

• Article 1: Understanding Active Directory Auditing in Windows Server 2008. Active Directory auditing gains new granularity in Windows Server 2008, specifically through the breakdown of the traditional nine categories into 50 new subcategories. In this first article, Greg discusses the new subcategories, where they're useful, and the new processes for configuring them on Windows Server 2008.
• Article 2: Understanding Active Directory Recovery in Windows Server 2008. Recovering Active Directory objects and whole Domain Controllers has traditionally been a complicated process. But in Windows Server 2008 that process gains a few new native tools to ease the pain while reducing downtime. The second article in this series will discuss the tools and steps necessary to restore objects and DC's now available in Windows Server 2008.
• Article 3: Understanding the Security Implications of Server 2008 RODC's. Windows Server 2008 includes a new type of non-writeable Domain Controller called a Read-Only Domain Controller. This new class of DC has specific uses in branch offices and quasi-secured locations. In this final article, learn the best practices for implementing RODC's in your environment and the steps necessary to create your very own.

Download the entire series from this link: http://nexus.realtimepublishers.com/ESAD2K8O.htm