MCSE NT Server 4 in the Enterprise

? MCP (Microsoft Certified Professional) This is the least prestigious of all the certification tracks from Microsoft. Passing any of the major Microsoft exams (except the Networking Essentials exam) qualifies an individual for MCP credentials. Individuals can demonstrate proficiency with additional Microsoft products by passing additional certification exams.

? MCP+I (Microsoft Certified Professional + Internet) This midlevel certification is attained by completing three core exams: "Implementing and Supporting Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0," "Internetworking Microsoft TCP/IP on Microsoft Windows NT 4.0," and "Implementing and Supporting Internet Information Server 3.0 and Microsoft Index Server 1.1" or "Implementing and Supporting Microsoft Internet Information Server 4.0."

? MCP+SB (Microsoft Certified Professional + Site Building) This certification program is designed for individuals who are planning, building, managing, and maintaining Web sites. Individuals with the MCP+SB credential will have demonstrated the ability to develop Web sites that include multimedia and searchable content and Web sites that connect to and communicate with a back-end database. It requires one MCP exam, plus two of these three exams: "Designing and Implementing Commerce Solutions with Microsoft Site Server, 3.0, Commerce Edition," "Designing and Implementing Web Sites with Microsoft FrontPage 98," and "Designing and Implementing Web Solutions with Microsoft Visual InterDev 6.0."

? MCSE (Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer) Anyone who has a current MCSE is warranted to possess a high level of expertise with Windows NT (version 3.51 or 4.0) and other Microsoft operating systems and products. This credential is designed to prepare individuals to plan, implement, maintain, and support information systems and networks built around Microsoft Windows NT and its BackOffice family of products.

To obtain an MCSE, an individual must pass four core operating system exams, plus two elective exams. The operating system exams require individuals to demonstrate competence with desktop and server operating systems and with networking components.

You must pass at least two Windows NT-related exams to obtain an MCSE: "Implementing and Supporting Microsoft Windows NT Server" (version 3.51 or 4.0) and "Implementing and Supporting Microsoft Windows NT Server in the Enterprise" (version 3.51 or 4.0). These tests are intended to indicate an individual?s knowledge of Windows NT in smaller, simpler networks and in larger, more complex, and heterogeneous networks, respectively.

Note: The NT 3.51 version is scheduled to be retired by Microsoft sometime in 1999.

You must pass two additional tests as well. These tests are related to networking and desktop operating systems. At present, the networking requirement can be satisfied only by passing the Networking Essentials test. The desktop operating system test can be satisfied by passing a Windows 95, Windows NT Workstation (the version must match the NT version for the core tests), or Windows 98 test.

The two remaining exams are elective exams. An elective exam may fall in any number of subject or product areas, primarily BackOffice components. These include tests on Internet Explorer 4, SQL Server, IIS, Proxy Server, SNA Server, Exchange Server, Systems Management Server, and the like. However, it is also possible to test out on electives by taking advanced networking topics like "Internetworking with Microsoft TCP/IP on Microsoft Windows NT 4.0" (but here again, the version of Windows NT involved must match the version for the core requirements taken). If you are on your way to becoming an MCSE and have already taken some exams, visit www.microsoft.com/mcp/certstep/mcse.htm for information about how to proceed with your MCSE certification.

Whatever mix of tests is completed toward MCSE certification, individuals must pass six tests to meet the MCSE requirements. It?s not uncommon for the entire process to take a year or so, and many individuals find that they must take a test more than once to pass. Our primary goal with the Exam Cram series is to make it possible, given proper study and preparation, to pass all Microsoft certification tests on the first try. Table 1 shows the required and elective exams for the MCSE certification.

? MCSE+I (Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer + Internet) This is a newer Microsoft certification and focuses not just on Microsoft operating systems, but also on Microsoft?s Internet servers and TCP/IP.

To obtain this certification, an individual must pass seven core exams plus two elective exams. The core exams include not only the server operating systems (NT Server and Server in the Enterprise) and a desktop OS (Windows 95, Windows 98, or Windows NT Workstation), but also include Networking Essentials, TCP/IP, Internet Information Server (IIS), and the Internet Explorer Administration Kit (IEAK).

The two remaining exams are elective exams. These elective exams can be in any of four product areas: SQL Server, SNA Server, Exchange Server, or Proxy Server. Table 2 shows the required and elective exams for the MCSE+I certification.

? MCSD (Microsoft Certified Solution Developer) The MCSD credential reflects the skills required to create multitier, distributed, and COM-based solutions, in addition to desktop and Internet applications, using new technologies. To obtain an MCSD, an individual must demonstrate the ability to analyze and interpret user requirements; select and integrate products, platforms, tools, and technologies; design and implement code and customize applications; and perform necessary software tests and quality assurance operations.

To become an MCSD, you must pass a total of four exams: three core exams and one elective exam. Each candidate must also choose one of these two desktop application exams?"Designing and Implementing Desktop Applications with Microsoft Visual C++ 6.0" or "Designing and Implementing Desktop Applications with Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0"?plus one of these two distributed application exams?"Designing and Implementing Distributed Applications with Microsoft Visual C++ 6.0" or "Designing and Implementing Distributed Applications with Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0."

Note: Microsoft is planning to release desktop application and distributed application exams on Visual J++ and Visual FoxPro in the spring of 1999.

Elective exams cover specific Microsoft applications and languages, including Visual Basic, C++, the Microsoft Foundation Classes, Access, SQL Server, Excel, and more.

? MCDBA (Microsoft Certified Database Administrator) The MCDBA credential reflects the skills required to implement and administer Microsoft SQL Server databases. To obtain an MCDBA, an individual must demonstrate the ability to derive physical database designs, develop logical data models, create physical databases, create data services by using Transact-SQL, manage and maintain databases, configure and manage security, monitor and optimize databases, and install and configure Microsoft SQL Server.

To become an MCDBA, you must pass a total of five exams: four core exams and one elective exam. The required core exams are "Administering Microsoft SQL Server 7.0," "Designing and Implementing Databases with Microsoft SQL Server 7.0," "Implementing and Supporting Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0," and "Implementing and Supporting Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 in the Enterprise."

The elective exams that you can choose from cover specific uses of SQL Server and include "Designing and Implementing Distributed Applications with Visual Basic 6.0," "Designing and Implementing Distributed Applications with Visual C++ 6.0," "Designing and Implementing Data Warehouses with Microsoft SQL Server 7.0 and Microsoft Decision Support Services 1.0," and two exams that relate to NT: "Internetworking with Microsoft TCP/IP on Microsoft Windows NT 4.0" and "Implementing and Supporting Microsoft Internet Information Server 4.0".

Note that the exam covered by this book is a required core exam for the MCDBA certification. Table 3 shows the requirements for the MCDBA certification.

? MCT (Microsoft Certified Trainer) Microsoft Certified Trainers are individuals who are deemed able to deliver elements of the official Microsoft curriculum, based on technical knowledge and instructional ability. Thus, it is necessary for an individual seeking MCT credentials (which are granted on a course-by-course basis) to pass the related certification exam for a course and complete the official Microsoft training in the subject area, and to demonstrate an ability to teach.

This latter criterion may be satisfied by proving that one has already attained training certification from Novell, Banyan, Lotus, the Santa Cruz Operation, or Cisco, or by taking a Microsoft-sanctioned workshop on instruction. Microsoft makes it clear that MCTs are important cogs in the Microsoft training channels. Instructors must be MCTs before Microsoft will allow them to teach in any of its official training channels, including Microsoft?s affiliated Authorized Technical Education Centers (ATECs), Authorized Academic Training Programs (AATPs), and the Microsoft Online Institute (MOLI).

? Sylvan Prometric Sign up for a test through the company?s Web site
at www.slspro.com. Or, register by phone at 800-755-3926 (within the United States or Canada) or at 410-843-8000 (outside the United States and Canada).

? Virtual University Enterprises Sign up for a test or get the phone numbers for local testing centers through the Web page at www.microsoft.com/train_cert/mcp/vue_info.htm.

? Your name, organization, and mailing address.

? Your Microsoft Test ID. (Inside the United States, this means your Social Security number; citizens of other nations should call ahead
to find out what type of identification number is required to register for a test.)

? The name and number of the exam you wish to take.

? A method of payment. (As we?ve already mentioned, a credit card is the most convenient method, but alternate means can be arranged in advance, if necessary.)

? An MCP, MCSE, or MCSE+I certificate, suitable for framing, along with a Professional Program Membership card and lapel pin.

? A license to use the MCP logo, thereby allowing you to use the logo in advertisements, promotions, and documents, and on letterhead, business cards, and so on. Along with the license comes an MCP logo sheet, which includes camera-ready artwork. (Note: Before using any of the artwork, individuals must sign and return a licensing agreement that indicates they?ll abide by its terms and conditions.)

? A subscription to Microsoft Certified Professional Magazine, which provides ongoing data about testing and certification activities, requirements, and changes to the program.

? A one-year subscription to the Microsoft Beta Evaluation program. This subscription will get you all beta products from Microsoft for the next year. (This does not include developer products. You must join the MSDN program or become an MCSD to qualify for developer beta products.)

? The Windows NT Server 4.0 product CD includes comprehensive online documentation and related materials; it should be a primary resource when you are preparing for the test.

? Microsoft offers a Resource Kit for Windows NT Server 4.0. It comes in two forms: a book/CD combination product from Microsoft Press, or an electronic version that?s included with the TechNet CDs. It?s a "must-have" resource when preparing for this exam. We provide more details on the ResKit, as it?s affectionately known, later in this book.

? The exam prep materials, practice tests, and self-assessment exams on the Microsoft Training And Certification Download page (www.microsoft.
com/train_cert/download/downld.htm). Find the materials, download them, and use them!

? Microsoft Training Kits Microsoft Press includes coverage of Windows NT Server 4.0 in several training kits. For more information, visit: http://mspress.microsoft.com/prod/books/1046.htm and http://mspress.microsoft.com/prod/books/1047.htm. These training kits contain information that you will find useful in preparing for the test.

? Microsoft TechNet CD This monthly CD-based publication delivers numerous electronic titles on Windows NT Server on the Technical Information (TechNet) CD. Its offerings include product facts, technical notes, tools and utilities, and information on how to access the Seminars Online training materials for Windows NT Server. A subscription to TechNet costs $299 per year, but it is well worth the price. Visit www.microsoft.com/technet/ and check out the information under the "TechNet Subscription" menu entry for more details.

? Study Guides Several publishers?including Certification Insider Press?offer Windows NT Server 4.0 in the Enterprise titles. The Certification Insider Press series includes:

Together, the two series make a perfect pair.

? Classroom Training ATECs, AATPs, MOLI, and unlicensed third-party training companies (like Wave Technologies, American Research Group, Learning Tree, Data-Tech, and others) all offer classroom training on Windows NT Server 4.0 in the Enterprise. These companies aim to help you prepare to pass the Windows NT Server in the Enterprise test. Although such training runs upwards of $350 per day in class, most of the individuals lucky enough to partake (including your humble authors, who?ve even taught such courses) find them to be quite worthwhile.

? Other Publications You?ll find direct references to other publications and resources in this book, but there?s no shortage of materials available about Windows NT Server 4.0 in the Enterprise. To help you sift through some of the publications out there, we end each chapter with a "Need To Know More?" section that provides pointers to more complete and exhaustive resources covering the chapter?s information. This should give you an idea of where we think you should look for further discussion.

? Opening Hotlists Each chapter begins with a list of the terms, tools, and techniques that you must learn and understand before you can be fully conversant with that chapter?s subject matter. We follow the hotlists with one or two introductory paragraphs to set the stage for the rest of the chapter.

? Topical Coverage After the opening hotlists, each chapter covers a series of topics related to the chapter?s subject title. Throughout this section, we highlight topics or concepts likely to appear on a test using a special Exam Alert layout, like this:

Pay close attention to material flagged as an Exam Alert; although all the information in this book pertains to what you need to know to pass the exam, we flag certain items that are really important. You?ll find what appears in the meat of each chapter to be worth knowing, too, when preparing for the test. Because this book?s material is very condensed, we recommend that you use this book along with other resources to achieve the maximum benefit.

In addition to the Exam Alerts, we have provided tips that will help you build a better foundation for Windows NT Server knowledge. Although the information may not be on the exam, it is certainly related and will help you become a better test-taker.

? Practice Questions Although we talk about test questions and topics throughout each chapter, this section presents a series of mock test questions and explanations of both correct and incorrect answers. We also try to point out especially tricky questions by using a special icon, like this:

Ordinarily, this icon flags the presence of a particularly devious inquiry, if not an outright trick question. Trick questions are calculated to be answered incorrectly if not read more than once, and carefully, at that. Although they?re not ubiquitous, such questions make regular appearances on the Microsoft exams. That?s why we say exam questions are as much about reading comprehension as they are about knowing your material inside out and backwards.

? Details And Resources Every chapter ends with a section titled "Need To Know More?". This section provides direct pointers to Microsoft and third-party resources offering more details on the chapter?s subject. In addition, this section tries to rank or at least rate the quality and thoroughness of the topic?s coverage by each resource. If you find a resource you like in this collection, use it, but don?t feel compelled to use all the resources. On the other hand, we recommend only resources we use on a regular basis, so none of our recommendations will be a waste of your time or money (but purchasing them all at once probably represents an expense that many network administrators and would-be MCPs, MCSEs, and MCSE+Is might find hard to justify).

? Your authors have also prepared three adaptive exams for Windows NT Server in the Enterprise that are available online. To take these practice exams, which should help you prepare even better for the real thing, visit www.coriolis.com/cip/core4rev/ and follow the instructions from there. Pick the Windows NT Server 4 in the Enterprise book, and when prompted for a password, enter the string ENPTOL51854.