MCSE Core Required Exams in a Nutshell: The required 70: 290, 291, 293 and 294 Exams (In a Nutshell (O'Reilly)) [Paperback]

William R. Stanek (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 26, 2006 | ISBN-10: 0596102283 | ISBN-13: 978-0596102289 | Edition: Third Edition

Written by the premier author in Windows administration, William Stanek, and addressing the needs of Windows 2003 administrators preparing for the Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) exams, MCSE Core Required Exams in a Nutshell is invaluable. With the recent revisions of the MCSE exams including simulations, success is even more difficult. Not only does this book provide the resources administrators need to succeed on the exams, but to succeed in the real world as well. They can think of this book as the notes they would have highlighted and then recorded for every essential nugget of information related to the skills measured in Exams 70-290, 70-291, 70-293, and 70-294 (and by association Exams 70-292 and 70-296).

To begin with, MCSE Core Required Exams in a Nutshell allows readers to see all of the topics expected for mastery in each of the exams. Then, each exam is covered in three parts: Exam Overview, Study Guide, and Test Your Knowledge sections. This makes for easy reference and a great study aid. The Exams covered include:

• EXAM 70-290: Managing and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Environment
• EXAM 70-291: Implementing, Managing, and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure
• EXAM 70-293: Planning and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure
• EXAM 70-294: Planning, Implementing, and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Active Directory Infrastructure

Once they have completed the exams successfully, administrators will find the book to be a valuable reference to core Windows administration skills.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

William R. Stanek has over 20 years of hands-on experience with advanced programming and development. He has written 61 books including: "Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Administrator's Pocket Consultant", "Windows Server 2003 Inside Out", "Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 Administrator's Pocket Consultant", and "Microsoft IIS 6.0 Administrator's Pocket Consultant". These are currently the best sellers in their respective markets. Mr. Stanek has an MS degree in Information Systems with distinction, and a BS degree in Computer Science magna cum laude. He served in the Persian Gulf War as a combat crewmember on an electronic warfare aircraft. He flew on numerous combat missions into Iraq and was awarded nine medals for his wartime service, including one of the United States of America's highest honors, the Air Force Distinguished Flying Cross. Currently, he resides in the Pacific Northwest with his wife and children.

Product Details

• Paperback: 744 pages
• Publisher: O'Reilly Media; Third Edition edition (May 26, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0596102283
• ISBN-13: 978-0596102289
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #642,672 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

William has over 20 years of hands-on experience with advanced programming and development. He is a leading technology expert, an award-winning author, and a pretty-darn-good instructional trainer. Over the years, his practical advice has helped millions of programmers, developers, and network engineers all over the world. He has written more than 100 books. Find William on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/WilliamStanekAuthor.

William has been involved in the commercial Internet community since 1991. His core business and technology experience comes from over 11 years of military service. He has substantial experience in developing server technology, encryption, and Internet solutions. He has written many technical white papers and training courses on a wide variety of topics. He frequently serves as a subject matter expert and consultant.

William has an MS with distinction in information systems and a BS in computer science, magna cum laude. He is proud to have served in the Persian Gulf War as a combat crewmember on an electronic warfare aircraft. He flew on numerous combat missions into Iraq and was awarded nine medals for his wartime service, including one of the United States of America's highest flying honors, the Air Force Distinguished Flying Cross. Currently, he resides in the Pacific Northwest with his wife and children.

William recently rediscovered his love of the great outdoors. When he's not writing, teaching, or making presentations, he can be found hiking, biking, backpacking, traveling, or trekking in search of adventure.

Follow William on Twitter at http://twitter.com/WilliamStanek. William also writes as Robert Stanek. To learn more about Ruin Mist, Magic Lands, Bugville Critters, visit http://www.bugvillecritters.com/.

William R. Stanek (www.williamstanek.com) lived in Japan from 1985 to 1989. He traveled extensively and made many friends. While living in Japan, he spent much of his free time in Aomori (青森), Hachinohe (八戸), Misawa (三沢), and Tokyo (東京). He misses the wonderful food and drink and the good friends he made. He says, "On break, I traveled all over. On the island of Hokkaidô in Sapporo they have these wonderful Ice Festivals. My favorite thing about spring was the Cherry Blossom Festival. I'd take day trips to Aomori (青森) and Hachinohe (八戸) all the time. While in Japan, I studied kendo, the Japanese language, and Buddhism."

William lived in Europe from 1989 to 1991. During that time, he lived in Germany (mostly) and had several extended stays in the UK and Scotland including deployments to Mildenhall, UK. He spent his time in the UK travelling, and especially enjoyed his visits to Cambridge and London. He's been a football (soccer) fan since he was old enough to kick a ball and especially enjoyed being in Kaiserslautern for the championships. He misses the wonderful food and drink and the good friends he made. He says, "There's nothing like Fridays at the pub or Saturday market."

William lived in Hawaii from 1991 to 1996. During that time, he worked shift-work at Kunia Field Station, attended Hawaii Pacific University and University of Hawaii, and spent a lot of time at the beach. He and his wife's first child was born in Hawaii. William's writing career began in Hawaii when his first book, Electronic Publishing Unleashed, was published in 1995. The runaway success of that book and it's sequel, Web Publishing Unleashed, helped establish him as a leader and innovator in technical writing.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential Reading for MCSA/MCSE, May 27, 2006

By 

Dale Wagner (Albuquerque, NM USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: MCSE Core Required Exams in a Nutshell: The required 70: 290, 291, 293 and 294 Exams (In a Nutshell (O'Reilly)) (Paperback)

I've been an admin for 12 years but I don't have my MCSE. Something always comes up at work every time I try to take a class or prepare for the exam. This year I decided I decided to go for it and not let anything stop me. I looked at a bunch of certification books. Previously I borrowed a multibook set from a friend but just didn't like the format or materials. I found this book on just a few days ago while looking through the certification books in the stacks. I've had good luck with Stanek's other books, so I picked it up almost immediately. Plus it cost 1/4th what the boxed set cost and seemed to have as much useful materials.

I haven't read the book cover to cover yet, but I have read the EXAM 70-290 materials. I must say I'm impressed with the amount of information and useful details packed into the pages. (I've found the same to be true with other books by Stanek). The writing style is clear and concise, and I like how the author lays out a road map for becoming certified and taking the exams one by one. The book covers EXAM 70-290: Managing and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Environment, EXAM 70-291: Implementing, Managing, and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure, EXAM 70-293: Planning and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure, and EXAM 70-294: Planning, Implementing, and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Active Directory Infrastructure. Plus for those upgrading from Windows 2000 certification it provides a roadmap and callouts to point out the objectives for 70-292 and 70-296. Highly recommended.

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Well Written, June 4, 2006

By 

T. Brok (St. Paul, MN USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: MCSE Core Required Exams in a Nutshell: The required 70: 290, 291, 293 and 294 Exams (In a Nutshell (O'Reilly)) (Paperback)

This is an excellent reference. If you are studying to be an MCSA or MCSE certification , then this is the book you need. One thing I always loved about the author is that he delves into the technologies clearly and concisely and gives practical how-tos. Unlike some of the Microsoft materials out there, this book is actually readable and does not feel like a bland technical manual.

The book covers everything need for exams 70-290, 70-291, 70-293 and 70-294. And the difference between this book and other certification books out there is in the details. Stanek truly knows Windows and he knows what's on the exams and what is needed to prepare. The book as an excellent source for information even for those not studying for certification and I would suggest that all Network Administrators obtain a copy, no matter what you think your skill level is. It's very useful, and like all Stanek's books, straight to the point.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Super as a final review before the test., September 14, 2007

By 

R. J Kaucher (Cincinnati, OH) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: MCSE Core Required Exams in a Nutshell: The required 70: 290, 291, 293 and 294 Exams (In a Nutshell (O'Reilly)) (Paperback)

This is a very well written book with a lot of very important information in it. I believe that it is the only MCSA/MCSE resource I have come across yet that has a section on WSUS which is lightly tested on 70-290. I used this book as my sole study literature for the 70-290 and passed with a score of 828. Of course I did use testing software, but this was the major source. I found the material for that test to be spot on. Just a few weeks ago I used this book for my final review after studying for the 70-291 (failing with a 678, one question in DNS would have done it) and again found it to be very useful. However, with the depth of the testing done for the 70-291 it is difficult to say this book is sufficient even for a final review of the 70-291. It is true that the book covers the most essential concepts for topics such as DNS, but my experience from my test and from discussing with others (some of whom had taken the test multiple times before passing) is that this test focuses much more on the advanced points of DNS than it does on the essentials. It is simply assumed that you have mastered the fundamentals and I believe the book, as "the notes you should have taken," should focus more on those advanced topics and only outline the basics.

Final verdict: four stars.

70-290: An excellent pretest, final review.

70-291: Adequate to very good in all topics except DNS. I highly recommend Windows Server 2003 Help and Support as well as TechNet for some of the finer points on this. I also highly suggest supplementing lots of labs on WSUS for this test as well. *I passed my 70-291 and there was even more WSUS on the it the second time.*

70-293: Very good review. I do have to disagree with the author's observation that the 293 is the hardest of the core exams. It was certainly easier in my opinion than the 291. The material covered was essential and the final test/labs were very in line with the test.

70-294: This book certainly covers the 290 and 294 the best. I read the MOAC book, used the included test prep software and reviewed with this book and passed. It was all I needed. The coverage it gives for this test is very practical and easy to read and under stand.

I believe this is a very good boook to help you pass the tests and will serve you well as a refresher for any technical interviews.