Microsoft Host Integration Server 2000 is meant to act as an intermediary for communications among processing and storage systems from diverse vendors--think of it as a sort of Jimmy Carter for operating systems. Systems administrators charged with maintaining a multi-vendor environment know that the analogy to Middle East warring factions could, unfortunately, be taken a lot further. Microsoft Host Integration Server 2000 Resource Kit exists to further the cause of Host Integration Server, providing a set of tools, utilities, and modifiable scripts you can use to make your heterogeneous systems get along as well as possible. Like any technical book and CD-ROM package, your opinion of this one will vary directly with its ability to solve your particular problems. Regardless, Host Integration Server users will want to have this kit on hand, both for its "just-in-case" value and its ability to inspire new thoughts about how to solve sticky integration problems.

Don't head to Microsoft's Web site, get the list of utilities on this book's companion CD-ROM, and base your decision to buy solely on that. This is the only printed documentation around on one of Microsoft's newest and least-known products, and the authors do quite a bit to explain how the server works, architecturally and procedurally. --David Wall

Topics covered: Microsoft Host Integration Server 2000, explained for the system administrator who has to make it mediate among heterogeneous systems. The bulk of coverage (in text and in software) goes to SNA services, Component Object Model Transaction Integrator (COMTI), and Microsoft Message Queue (MSMQ).