| Microsoft Certifications are one of the most | | | | to all exams. 700 is now the minimum passing |
| widely acclaimed, pursued, and achieved | | | | score for all MCP exams. However, the maximum |
| technical certifications in the IT industry. | | | | score (which used to top out at 1000) varies |
| The demand for Microsoft Certified | | | | per exam, depending on the complexity of the |
| Professionals in the job market is increasing | | | | skills measured.Time LimitThe exam duration |
| every year.Microsoft offers a number of | | | | is 175 minutes with 45 questions. You will |
| certification levels depending on specific | | | | have plenty of time to answer the exam |
| areas of proficiency and nature of job. Some | | | | questions, so there is no need to rush. If |
| of the certifications pertaining to | | | | you have spare time available, you can double |
| networking are:Microsoft Certified | | | | check the questions and ensure that you have |
| Professional (MCP)Microsoft Certified System | | | | read them correctly and actually answered the |
| Administrator (MCSA)Microsoft Certified | | | | question as intended.Exam ResultInstead of |
| System Engineer (MCSE)Each certification | | | | reporting results based on major categories |
| level has certain exams associated with it. | | | | for exam objectives as it used to, Microsoft |
| You can decide the appropriate certification | | | | is now providing numerical scores and bar |
| exam based on your experience, skills, and | | | | graphs for "skills clusters". Visually, the |
| interests.Benefits of Microsoft | | | | bars in the exam report show you how well you |
| CertificationsMicrosoft Certifications | | | | fare in each skills cluster. If bars that |
| provide a standard method for testing | | | | represent cluster scores are close to one end |
| employee skills. The certifications provide | | | | of the graph, they indicate stronger skills; |
| employers a valid benchmark for evaluating | | | | bars near the other end indicate weaker |
| the employee's abilities. This will provide | | | | skills. Please store your exam results in |
| you the recognition and reward as per your | | | | both paper and electronic format for later |
| expertise.Microsoft Certifications offer | | | | reference.Sample QuestionsQuestion 1You are a |
| prospective employers a baseline to judge | | | | systems administrator for TicTacToe Toy |
| your knowledge, skill, and expertise in the | | | | Manufacturers. All servers in the company run |
| field. Certifications can provide added | | | | on Microsoft Windows Server 2003. The |
| advantage if you are at the same level of | | | | company's Active Directory infrastructure |
| experience as another person without | | | | consists of a single domain hosted on two |
| certifications.Certifications are a valuable | | | | domain controllers named Tic1 and Tic2.Tic2 |
| tool if you have no or very little | | | | experienced a hard disk failure, and hence |
| experience. The certifications that you hold | | | | has been taken offline. Tic2 remained offline |
| can prove and reassure your employers and | | | | for some days while all Active Directory |
| consultants about your knowledge in the | | | | updates were made to Tic1. You proceed to |
| field. This will help you secure good job as | | | | restore the data from backup while ensuring |
| well as negotiate a good salary.Pre-Requisite | | | | that the latest Active Directory changes are |
| Experience (Recommended) for Microsoft | | | | replicated to Tic2.How should you restore the |
| CertificationsTo pursue this certification | | | | lost data from backup?Choices:Perform |
| you should have at least 1 year of experience | | | | authoritative restore on Tic1.Perform normal |
| in:Implementing and administering a network | | | | restore on Tic2.Perform primary restore on |
| operating system in environments with 50 to | | | | Tic2.Perform authoritative restore |
| 26,000 supported users, in approximately 3 to | | | | onTic2.Correct Choice: BExplanation:Choice B |
| 150 physical locations.Implementing network | | | | is the correct answer.During a normal restore |
| services and applications such as file and | | | | operation; Backup operates in |
| print services, database services, messaging | | | | non-authoritative restore mode. That is, any |
| services, proxy server or firewall services, | | | | data that you restore, including Active |
| dial-in server services, and Web | | | | Directory objects, will have their original |
| hosting.Implementing and administering a | | | | update sequence number. The Active Directory |
| desktop operating system.Designing a network | | | | replication system uses this number to detect |
| infrastructure with 3 or more domain | | | | and propagate Active Directory changes among |
| controllers.Significance of Microsoft | | | | the servers in your organization. Because of |
| Certifications for Microsoft Windows Server | | | | this, any data that is restored |
| 2003Microsoft has developed independent | | | | non-authoritatively will appear to the Active |
| certification requirements for Microsoft | | | | Directory replication system as though it is |
| Windows Server 2003. An aspirant can certify | | | | old, which means the data will never be |
| directly for MCSE/MCSA in Windows 2003 if | | | | replicated to your other servers. Instead, if |
| they are new to certification process. If the | | | | newer data is available from your other |
| aspirant is already a certified MCSE /MCSA in | | | | domain controllers, the Active Directory |
| Windows 2000, then they can follow the | | | | replication will update the restored data. |
| upgrade path for MCSEs in Windows 2000 to | | | | Hence, choices A, C, and D are |
| secure Windows 2003 Certifications. If the | | | | incorrect.Question 2You are a systems |
| aspirant certifies in MCSE for Windows NT4.0, | | | | administrator for Blueberry Packaging |
| they can earn MCSE in Windows 2003 by | | | | Industries. All servers in the company run on |
| following the upgrade path for MCSEs in | | | | Microsoft Windows Server 2003.You create a |
| Windows NT4.0.The exams are slightly more | | | | folder named Custom Package on the company's |
| challenging than their Windows 2000 | | | | file server to contain the company's files. |
| counterparts, but they will actually test | | | | You share this folder as Custom Package. The |
| your hands-on knowledge since that is the | | | | folder is configured with default NTFS |
| most important part of ensuring that a | | | | permissions and default share permissions. |
| certification is credible.Exam 70-290: | | | | The file server is located in a secure |
| Managing and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows | | | | room.Within the shared folder, Managers |
| Server 2003 EnvironmentExam 70-290 is the | | | | should be able to add and change files and |
| first in the series of the core exams for | | | | subfolders. Employees in the Sales and |
| MCSE certifications.When you pass the | | | | Packers department should be able to change |
| Managing and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows | | | | and delete files and subfolders. All other |
| Server 2003 Environment (MCSE 70-290) exam, | | | | employees should only be able to view the |
| you achieve Microsoft Certified Professional | | | | files.All Sales employees are members of the |
| (MCP) status. You also earn credit toward the | | | | Sales domain local security group. All |
| following certifications:Core credit towards | | | | Managers are members of the Managers domain |
| Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator | | | | local security group. The Packers are members |
| (MCSA) on Microsoft Windows Server 2003 | | | | of the Packers global security group.How |
| certificationCore credit towards Microsoft | | | | should you modify share level permissions on |
| Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) on | | | | the Custom Package folder so that the |
| Microsoft Windows Server 2003 | | | | appropriate users have the minimum required |
| certificationMCSE 70-290 exam objectives | | | | privileges? (Choose all that |
| are:Objective 1: Managing and Maintaining | | | | apply)Choices:Grant Change share permissions |
| Physical and Logical DevicesIn this objective | | | | to Managers.Deny Full Control share |
| you will need to demonstrate expertise in | | | | permissions to Managers.Grant Change share |
| managing and maintaining physical and logical | | | | permissions to Sales.Grant Full Control share |
| devices. As an administrator, you should | | | | permissions to Sales.Grant Change share |
| understand Basic and Dynamic disks, RAID | | | | permissions to Packers.Grant Full Control |
| configuration and troubleshooting, driver | | | | share permissions to Packers.Deny Full |
| signing, and the use of tools, such as Device | | | | Control share permissions to Everyone.Remove |
| Manager and Hardware Troubleshooting Wizard. | | | | Everyone from the share permissions |
| Familiarize yourself with Device Manager and | | | | list.Correct Choices: A, C, and |
| the warning and disabled icons found when | | | | EExplanation:Choices A, C, and E are the |
| problems are present on installed | | | | correct answers.Change permissions allow the |
| devices.Objective 2: Managing Users, | | | | users to create, delete, and change any files |
| Computers, and GroupsThis objective includes | | | | and folders in the shared folder, provided |
| many topics, so you should be prepared to | | | | the users have appropriate NTFS permissions |
| face many questions that fall into this | | | | on the files and folders. The default NTFS |
| category. Have a healthy introduction to | | | | permission in Windows Server 2003 is Read for |
| profile management, user and group accounts, | | | | Everyone and the default share level |
| permissions, and troubleshooting. Practice a | | | | permissions grant Read access to Everyone. |
| lot on GPOs and perform a variety of | | | | You should not remove Everyone from the share |
| administrative tasks, including configuration | | | | permission list. By default, share level |
| of desktop settings, control of security | | | | permissions grant Read access to Everyone.How |
| settings, assignment of scripts, redirection | | | | to Prepare for Microsoft |
| of folders, and software distribution. Also, | | | | Certification?Following are the steps to |
| get a clear understanding on inheritance and | | | | prepare for Microsoft certification.MCSE |
| filtering.Objective 3: Managing and | | | | exams are not easy, as advertised on many |
| Maintaining Access to ResourcesKnowing how to | | | | websites. The MCSE Certifications are tough, |
| configure, monitor, audit and troubleshoot | | | | so plan to put in a lot of time and effort |
| NTFS permissions based issues are one of | | | | getting ready for your certification exams. |
| those most important areas that you need to | | | | Get all information you can about the |
| know this concept thoroughly and also be sure | | | | certification exams and then start working |
| to brush up on your share permissions and | | | | towards your goal.Get hands on experience. |
| share/NTFS permissions interaction. Do not | | | | The first step in the preparation for any |
| forget to brush up on how folder and file | | | | Microsoft Certification is hands on |
| permissions can change or stay the same when | | | | experience with the related product. For |
| copying or moving within a drive or between | | | | MCSE, the aspirant needs to have at least a |
| drives.Objective 4: Managing and Maintaining | | | | year of working experience and for MCSA, the |
| a Server EnvironmentIn this objective you'll | | | | minimum recommended time of experience is 6 |
| find questions from topics, such as Event | | | | months. If you are not working anywhere, it |
| Viewer, System Monitor, software updates | | | | will help, if you can volunteer your IT skill |
| (including the functionality of Microsoft's | | | | services to gain valuable experience.You can |
| Software Update Service or SUS), Remote | | | | set up a small network at home to practice. |
| Assistance, disk quotas, print queues, | | | | Setting up the home network will give a great |
| performance objects and IIS 6.0. Spend time | | | | opportunity to learn. You can practice the |
| understanding IIS topics around Web sites, | | | | lab exercises in the home network as and when |
| Virtual and physical directories, files and | | | | you study. This will give you a better |
| host and cname records in DNS. New to Windows | | | | understanding of the theories than just |
| Server 2003 is SUS. Understand clearly how | | | | studying the exam guides.Get trained in the |
| SUS is used for deploying and managing client | | | | related product. If possible, try to get |
| and server critical updates.Objective 5: | | | | training in the related product in a |
| Managing and Implementing Disaster RecoveryIn | | | | Microsoft Authorized Training Center. You can |
| this objective you'll find questions on ASR, | | | | use training resources to supplement your |
| VSS, backing up files and system state data, | | | | skills and experience. You can also use the |
| configuring security for backup operators, | | | | Microsoft Official Curriculum for the related |
| verifying backup jobs, managing media, | | | | exam as well as Microsoft Press books that |
| restoring and scheduling backups and | | | | are available for the exam.For Exam 70-290, |
| recovering from server hardware failures. You | | | | the main areas that you need to concentrate |
| should take some extra time to get familiar | | | | areAutomated System Recovery (ASR)Diskpart |
| with the various types of backups that | | | | utilityDiskraid utilityEmergency Management |
| Windows Server 2003 supports, as well as the | | | | Services (EMS)File Replication Service |
| various configuration options that are | | | | (FRS)Group Policy Management Console |
| available to you. Practice making backups of | | | | (GPMC)Open File BackupPassword Backup and |
| different types and then practice restoring | | | | Restore WizardRemote AssistanceRemote |
| them.MCSE 70-290 Exam ModelMost of the | | | | DesktopShadow copying of shared |
| questions in the MCSE 70-290 exam are | | | | foldersSoftware Update Services (SUS)Virtual |
| multiple choice type. The questions require | | | | disk servicePermissions -Share and NTFSUsers, |
| the "best" answer from several close | | | | Computers, and GroupsUse the preparation |
| responses. Other questions may present an | | | | guide of the exam that you want to take and |
| implementation scenario, requirements, and a | | | | read it thoroughly. You should know all the |
| proposed solution and then ask if the | | | | exam objectives of MCSE 70-290 covered in the |
| solution meets all of the requirements or | | | | exam preparation guide.Use practice test |
| combinations of the primary and secondary | | | | software packages. Whizlabs MCSE 70-290 Exam |
| requirements. Microsoft has introduced some | | | | Simulator is an example.Do NOT use |
| testing innovations for the certification | | | | Braindumps. Braindumps might help you get the |
| exams. These question types present a more | | | | certification, but you will lack important |
| realistic visual representation of the tasks | | | | practical knowledge about the product. Hence, |
| a MCSE would do in future. These are:Hot Area | | | | your prospects of landing a good IT job will |
| Questions - This type of question requires | | | | be less. Some brain dumps deliberately |
| indicating the correct answer by selecting | | | | mislead you. So BEWARE!You can participate in |
| one or more elements within a graphic.Active | | | | any online discussion forum, where you can |
| Screen Questions - This type of question asks | | | | participate in an ongoing dialogue and even |
| you to configure a dialog box by changing one | | | | ask doubts if you have any. You are sure to |
| or more elements.Drag and Drop Questions - | | | | get the right guidance.You've learned the |
| This type of question asks you to drag source | | | | details about the MCSE 70-290 Exam, its |
| objects to appropriate targets within a work | | | | pattern, objectives etc. Download the MCSE |
| area.Build List and Reorder Questions - This | | | | Exam Preparation Guide to learn how Whizlabs |
| type of question asks you to indicate the | | | | can help you achieve the MCSE |
| correct answer by building an answer list. In | | | | credential.ResourcesExam simulatorsWhizlabs |
| a Build List and Reorder question, you need | | | | MCSE 70-290 Exam SimulatorBesides identifying |
| to build a list by dragging the appropriate | | | | your weak areas and giving you a feel of the |
| source objects to the answer list and then | | | | exam environment, Whizlabs Exam Simulator |
| placing them in the correct order based on | | | | nurtures your potential to acquire domain |
| criteria defined in the question.Create a | | | | expertise so that you not only succeed in |
| Tree Questions - This type of question asks | | | | your certification exam but succeed in your |
| you to create a tree structure. You indicate | | | | career too.Articles on Windows |
| the correct answer by dragging source nodes | | | | 2003Microsoft's Windows 2003 Server Home |
| to the correct locations in the answer tree. | | | | PageWhat's New in Active DirectoryWindows |
| Nodes consist of text and a small | | | | Server 2003 DemosWindows Server 2003, |
| icon.Windows Simulation Questions - This type | | | | Standard EditionMicrosoft Online |
| of question asks you to indicate the correct | | | | ResourcesTechNet : Designed for IT |
| answer by performing specific tasks such as | | | | professionals, this resource includes |
| configuring and installing network adapters | | | | Howto's, best practices, downloads, technical |
| or drivers, configuring and controlling | | | | chats, and much more.MSDN : The Microsoft |
| access to files, and managing hardware | | | | Developer Network (MSDN) is a reference for |
| devices. Many of the tasks that systems | | | | developers, featuring code samples, technical |
| administrators and systems engineers perform | | | | articles, newsgroups, chats, and |
| can be presented more accurately in | | | | more.Training & Certification Newsgroups : A |
| simulations than in most traditional exam | | | | newsgroup exists for every Microsoft |
| question types.You can get hands-on | | | | certification. By participating in the |
| experience on new set of questions that are | | | | ongoing dialogue, you take advantage of a |
| available in Whizlabs MCSE 70-290 Exam | | | | unique opportunity to exchange ideas with and |
| Simulator. This will help you plan your study | | | | ask questions of others, including more than |
| regime to ensure success.Passing | | | | 750 Microsoft Most Valuable Professionals |
| ScoreMicrosoft has normalized scoring for all | | | | (MVPs) worldwide. |
| MCP exams, so the same passing score applies | | | | |