Microsoft's Certification Track - Do You Have What It Takes?
Microsoft's Certification Track is not so difficult to follow, it's just difficult to find a starting place. For those of you that have previously certified with Microsoft's MCSA or MCSE you can easily migrate into the MCITP Server Administrator, and for MCSE you can migrate all the way to MCITP for Server Enterprise Administrator. Be ready to strut your stuff, as you can expect questions from every area on every test. Even client exams have some server questions, and you can bet that Active Directory will pull knowledge from every exam area. The base knowledge for each test is pretty broad, so be ready.
The Server Administrator which is the closest to the MCSA track for Windows 2000/2003 clearly states that you should be actively involved in server administration duties such as file structure, directory services, installation and configuration tasks, along with monitoring and auditing. These are normal type duties for someone who is already using and administering an IT network. So what about the individuals who are trying to move into the field, where is the knowledge and experience coming from? This type of experience only comes with a couple years in the saddle. The MCITP Server Administrator track only has three exams, which isn't too bad: Windows Server 2008 Active Directory 70-640, Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure 70-642 and the Windows Server 2008 Server Administrator 70-646. Seems like the normal kind of stuff, but you'll find that these exams all expect you to know the basics clearly and to be ready for advanced concepts. Not for the faint of heart.
The Server Administrator is the track you would start on if you were already an MCSA or MCSE. If you are new in the industry and want to become a Network Administrator you better reconsider this as a starting point. The prerequisite knowledge will likely not be in any training course that addresses these new server 2008 exams. Also, even though the track does not have client exams, don't be too surprised to see questions relating to client operations and troubleshooting. After all, the client does connect to the server and that is to whom services are administered.
If this is a starter track for you then consider the CompTIA Network+ course, and completing the Vista Configurations training courses before tackling these exams. Depending on your knowledge base, reviewing Windows 2003 training on Active Directory and Network Infrastructure isn't a bad idea either. These courses and exams didn't take quite as big of a leap as the 2008 track did.
For the MCITP Server Enterprise Administrator track you'll need to add in a few more exams and have more additional prerequisite knowledge. This track assumes that you completely understand server enterprise configuration issues, security, full implementation of group policy, and server infrastructure. You will need either Windows Vista Configuration 70-620 or Windows Vista and Office 2007 Deployment 70-624 then add Windows Server 2008 Active Directory 70-640, Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure 70-642, Windows Server Application Infrastructure 70-643 and Windows Server 2008 Enterprise Admin 70-647. The 70-624 and 70-620 courses really complement each other, but for testing purposes the content from 70-624 is more critical. Likely both courses would be beneficial to complete before taking any of the server courses and take the test you feel most comfortable with.
For the Enterprise Server 2008 Administrator track, you will also highly benefit from either taking or brushing up on the Server 2003 courses at least with Active Directory and Network Infrastructure. Looking up Windows 2003 Security Infrastructure as a quick review is also suggested.
So as the tracks may look easier they are definitely more intense, much more broader in content and the exams are definitely deeper than previous exams. Use the old LearnKey MasterExams on Server 2003 if you're going to only need a quick review of the base and then move into the new Server 2008 courses. For MCITP Server Administrator, watch the complete training series and then go back and deep study for the exams if that is your goal. For MCITP Server Enterprise administrator, study and pass the client side to get that out of the way. Again, both courses seem necessary based on later exam. Take the one that you feel most confident with. The same goes for Active Directory and Network Infrastructure as the MCITP Server Administrator track. Use older versions to review prerequisite knowledge and refresh the basics.
