MCSA/MCSE Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-290): Managing and Maintaining a Microsoft® Windows Server(TM) 2003 Environment, Second Edition [Hardcover]

Dan Holme (Author), Orin Thomas (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0735622892 | ISBN-13: 978-0735622890 | Publication Date: May 31, 2006 | Edition: 2nd

Announcing an all-new MCSA/MCSE Training Kit designed to help maximize your performance on Exam 70-290, a core exam for the new Windows Server 2003 certification. This kit packs the tools and features that exam candidates want most—including in-depth, self-paced training based on final exam content; rigorous, objective-by-objective review; exam tips from expert, exam-certified authors; and a robust testing suite. It also provides real-world scenarios, case study examples, and troubleshooting labs for skills and expertise that you can apply to the job.

Focusing on account and resource management in a Windows Server 2003 environment, this official study guide covers topics such as managing physical and logical devices; users, computers, and groups; access and permissions; the server environment; and disaster recovery services.

Ace your exam preparation and ramp up quickly on Windows Server 2003 by working at your own pace through the lessons, hands-on exercises, and practice tests. The flexible, best-of-class test engine on CD features 300 practice questions and pre-assessment and post-assessment capabilities. Choose timed or untimed testing mode, generate random tests, or focus on discrete objectives or chapters, and get detailed explanations for right and wrong answers—including pointers back to the book for further study. You also get a 120-day evaluation version of Windows Server 2003 and a 15 percent exam discount voucher—making this kit an exceptional value and a great career investment.

A Note Regarding the CD or DVD

The practice test materials are available as a download along with your ebook version of the kit, and will be located in your account. Please direct any questions or concerns to [e-mail].

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Key Book Benefits: - NEW—Fully reengineered study guide written by exam-certified authors - NEW—Deeper, more focused coverage of exam objectives and sub-objectives—plus instructive case studies and troubleshooting scenarios to enhance your performance on the job - NEW—300 practice questions on CD, with a test engine that enables customized testing, pre-assessment and post-assessment, and automated scoring and feedback - NEW—Complete objective-by-objective review section, plus a tear-out exam-mapping grid - NEW—Exam tips based on real-world test experience - NEW—120-day evaluation version of Windows Server 2003 - 15 percent exam discount voucher from a leading authorized testing center (limited time offer) - Microsoft Encyclopedia of Networking, Second Edition, eBook - Practice files on CD - Entire study guide in searchable eBook format

About the Author

Dan Holme, MVP, coauthored the Self-Paced Training Kit for Exam 70-290, and authored Windows® Administration Resource Kit: Productivity Solutions for IT Professionals. He has more than 10 years' experience as an IT consultant and trainer.

Orin Thomas is a writer, teacher, and consultant whose books include the Self-Paced Training Kits for Windows® 7, Vista®, Server 2008 / 2008 R2 and Exchange exams.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 960 pages
• Publisher: Microsoft Press; 2nd edition (May 31, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0735622892
• ISBN-13: 978-0735622890
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.9 x 1.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #227,870 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #99 in Books > Computers & Technology > Certification > Microsoft

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

38 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent preparation, September 11, 2006

By 

R. Heltsley (Pennsylvania, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: MCSA/MCSE Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-290): Managing and Maintaining a Microsoft® Windows Server(TM) 2003 Environment, Second Edition (Hardcover)

I purchased this book for study purposes after taking a class that was supposed to completely prepare you to pass the 70-290 exam. Thinking that this would be mostly review, I tore into the material last week when I got it and found that it is way more in depth than my class was. Excellent depth and the writing style is easy to follow.

I recommend this highly to anyone wishing to prepare to pass the test.

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Helped A Non-Techy Pass the 70-290 Exam on the First Try, August 10, 2007

By 

Mark Lindberg (Woodbury, MN) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: MCSA/MCSE Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-290): Managing and Maintaining a Microsoft® Windows Server(TM) 2003 Environment, Second Edition (Hardcover)

First of all I am not highly technical. I am a CRM Project Manager and I wanted to take and pass this exam to become and MCP and a MCBSM Profession for Microsoft Dynamics CRM. I do not do any of the outlined Windows Server tasks on a regular basis and had very little knowledge of them before I read this book.

I also found the certification exam to be very challenging and confusing at times; even more than some of the other Microsoft Certifications Exams the I have taken. That being said I believe this book did a very good job preparing me for the exam.

I found it to be bearable, which is actually pretty good considering my interest in the topics was limited. I spend roughly 30 hours reading the text and doing the examples from the book and another 15 hours taking the practice tests. In my opinion each of these three components are equally important.

Overall I don't think I retained much of the content and I would not recommend reading this book if you don't plan to taking the certification exam or using the content on a daily basis. However, if you are planning on taking the exam this probably the best resource because of the content, examples, and practice test cd.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superior book, well written, December 4, 2007

By 

Ever Learning (TX United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: MCSA/MCSE Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-290): Managing and Maintaining a Microsoft® Windows Server(TM) 2003 Environment, Second Edition (Hardcover)

But don't limit yourself to one book. I've been in the field for some years now and working with Server 2003/AD for about 2 yrs now. I combined my studies with the Sybex book and ExamCram series, all available at excellent prices here on Amazon (I usually get all my new tech books here because of lower costs). I'd highly recommend anyone wanting to pursue this MCSA certification to use all 3 books, it all balances out in the end and you get different perspectives on the same subject matter, some explained in a more layman way than technical. I used a combination of this one and MOAC 70-290 ([...])
for my studies (as well as those listed above), actually had to read thru the book twice since it had so much to deal with. Can't stress enough to do the labs, do them all, do the reviews. I'm not fond of the testing materials MS uses on the CD but I used Transcender on a professors recommendation and it was as close to the real thing as you can get. Passed my test no problem, dedicate yourself to closing off the world you know for an hour or two in the evenings and maybe a few hours on the weekend until you get it all down pat, the investment you make in yourself doing this will be well worth seeing that "CONGRATULATIONS!" screen when you take your test.