Customer Reviews

MCSA/MCSE: Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure Implementation, Management, and Maintenance Study Guide (70-291)

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I have about two years of hands-on experience managing a Windows Server 2003 domain in a small-business environment. Recently I decided to pursue MCSA Win2k3 certification in order to learn more about the technology and better fulfill my job responsibilities. I bought a 3-pack of Sybex books for exams 70-270, 70-290, and 70-291 (this one).

The book for 70-270 was awesome; I read it cover to cover in 6 days and took the exam on the 7th. I passed with flying colors (score 860 with only 700 needed to pass). The only objections I had with the book were its many terribly-worded sample test questions (both book and CD) that were too vague to answer. However, the content matched the actual exam very well and I had no complaints after passing.

The sample test questions for 70-290 didn't get any better, but this book was also well-written and matched the exam's content --- for the most part. While taking the exam, I noticed a few questions that I *knew* weren't covered in the book. However, I still passed the test with a score of 811 and I didn't make a big deal about the missing content.

Then came exam 70-291. I devoted a total of 16 days to studying this book because it was more technical than the last two (not more difficult, but more detailed). I earned roughly the same scores on the book's practice tests that I had on earlier books (about 87% - 91%), so I sat down at the testing center rather confident that I would pass without any difficulty. WAM. 20 questions out of my 55 were on subjects that were NEVER MENTIONED in this book (these include DNS Forwarding, Aging and Scavenging, ISA Server, and others). I failed this test with a score of about 640. Because the last two books were so great, I was absolutely shocked by this one's shortcomings and I resolved to reread the chapters on DNS and DCHP just to make sure that I hadn't forgotten about some of the details. Sure enough, the information just wasn't there. I purchased sample tests from Self Test Software and retook the exam to earn a score of 760 (not that great, but more than enough to pass).

I am willing to give Sybex the benefit of the doubt by conceding that it is possible -- or even likely -- that Microsoft changed their exam content after this book was published, or that my test questions were not necessarily representative of an average test. However, I still wouldn't recommend this book to anyone studying for exam 70-291, and I decided to purchase a Microsoft Press study guide for my last (elective) exam on Exchange Server 2003.

I used this book in conjunction with some practice exams that I bought separately and passed the exam on my first try without any problems. This book is great for learning about a lot of the theory and hands-on type of stuff you need to know for the exam, but it is not an exam simulator. That's what practice tests are for. The previous reviewer must not have understood this. I thought this book did a great job of addressing the exam objectives. Like with the other Sybex books, it follows a standard formula with lots of explanations, screenshots, and exercises that are mapped to the exam objectives on the Microsoft web site. I'd recommend this book to anyone looking to pass this exam.

I have to say, right off the bat, that there is a clear difference between studying for the test and learning the topics covered are two completely separate animals. In that regard, this book did a great job of teaching you the topics. A lot of it was explained in a simple clear concise manner, and the authors did a decent job to make the main concepts easy to understand. If you don't have experience with Windows DHCP, DNS, RRAS, etc. then this is is a great book to get started.

The real weak point of this book was the first chapter. I think the explanation of subnetting was far too confusing. I've been through several exams that cover subnetting, and I've seen it explained far better in other material. The concept of subnetting and network addressing is not complicated, but the first chapter's explanation turned it into a jumbled mess. Buy a good networking book if you don't understand these concepts, it will go much further for you.

As far as the test prep side, the book was a little weak. It was missing a lot of little details you were tested on, as it didn't scour through each and every single checkbox and option with the associated services. On the exam, it felt like the nuances were tested more than the core concepts... The book was also missing a bit of material on IIS and group policy that you may need to know for the exam.

I used this book in conjunction with CBT nuggets, which was very helpful.

ABOUT THE TEST:
I passed this test, but I think a lot of people will get the feeling that this test is just unfair. While a lot of the questions are just straight forward, some seem to mix material with other microsoft tests (encroaching possibly into the MCSE areas as well). Such items covered by the objectives that may be unexpected include (but are not limited) WSUS, GPOs, IIS, PKI, Active Directory replication, Active Directory User management, auditing/logging options and locations, etc. Do some extra reading into these materials to get a full understanding of them. Read into 70-293 and 70-294 material if you have it, specifically relating to the above areas.

I personally was expecting straight up networking questions, and the mix into other areas really caught me off guard. The material isn't explicitly covered in many resources (including those from Microsoft).

As far as the core materials go, you need to know them very well. Things like DNS and DHCP aren't very complicated concepts, so Microsoft tests you deeply on their implementation. Scour each option and make sure you know where and when to apply it. DNS and DHCP are major topics here, so be prepared.

Routing and Remote Access (RRAS) is hard for most people, since anyone in their right mind uses dedicated networking hardware for most of these purposes. People tend to not have much experience with this. The test will show you no mercy if you don't know RRAS down cold, Microsoft expects you to know it (even if no one will ever use it in a production environment).

The one thing you have going for you during the test is that the distractors (alternate choices) are borderline silly. You can almost always easily rule out two choices, some time three, simply because they make no sense whatsoever. Really, some times the answers (except one) do not even relate to the question.

I would make sure you take a good quality practice test, and make sure you have the topic down cold before you take the exam. Also, don't forget to practice hands on, its the best way to remember things and learn all the caveats.

Good luck!

A ton of info, but the writing is hard to read.. They use six paragraphs to describe things that can be explained in two.. It's as if the author is trying to impress the reader with what they know rather than just discussing the material that needs to be learned..

I used this book in preparation for the upgrade exam (since I already have my Win2K cert.) I've used a lot of Sybex books, and now rely on them pretty-much for all of my studying. This one provided solid coverage in direct, straightforward style. I don't like books that beat around the bush, and so this one met my needs well in terms of updating my knowledge of Windows 2000 Server to Server 2003.

I purchased this book and found that it is not even effective for beginners. For example, there is misinformation on the topic of "Remote Assistance." Also, how one writes a Windows Server book and leaves out the inner workings of the Microsoft Management Console (MMC) is beyond me.

Really just not enough information to suit me.

I have not written the exam yet. Before deciding on which books to use, I read the reviews, and then checked them for validity.

I have:-
-Sybex 70-291 (was given it)
-MS Press 70-291
-Sybex Mastering Windows Server 2003 (Mark Minasi)
-Exam Cram 2 (so as not to get caught out by silly MS tricks!)

This Sybex 70-291 is horribly lacking. 40 pages on RRAS and 40 pages on DNS.
Are they for real????

You need to spend a load of time on studies for this exam... working your way through every aspect and click of this server before thinking of paying your exam fee cash. Understanding what you're doing is key to not looking like a plumb when the boss says, "Hey, set us up a secure VPN quick, Jack!"

There's no reason to fail it at all, so don't buy crap books like this one to assist in the failure stats. You have made it this far, so you have the ability to get this down, don't punish yourself by wasting time on something that is filled with verbose gibberish and repetition to fill up white space just so James Chellis and his merry bandits can sell a book. Cover to cover, it's 500 pages of waffle, but regurgitated and put through the machine backwards.

...whilst Mark Minasi's book is 1750 odd pages of "Forget what you've been told by Granny Sybex's late great grandpa, This is how it really works!"

Your choice though...