Patrick Regan has been a PC technician, network administrator/engineer, design architect, and security analyst for the past 16 years after graduating with a bachelor’s degree in physics from the University of Akron. He has taught many computer and network classes at Sacramento local colleges (Heald Colleges and MTI Colleges), and participated in and led many projects (Heald Colleges, Intel Corporation, Miles Consulting Corporation, and Pacific Coast Companies). For his teaching accomplishments, he received the Teacher of the Year award
from Heald Colleges and he has received several recognition awards from Intel. Previously, he worked as a product support engineer for Intel Corporation Customer Service, as a senior network engineer for Virtual Alert supporting the BioTerrorism Readiness suite, and as a senior design architect/engineer and training coordinator for Miles Consulting Corp (MCC), a premiere Microsoft Gold partner and consulting firm. He is currently a senior network engineer at Pacific Coast Companies supporting a large enterprise network. He holds many certifications, including the Microsoft MCSE, MCSA, MCT; MCITP CompTIA’s A+, Network+, Server+, Linux+, Security+ and CTT+; Cisco CCNA; and Novell’s CNE and CWNP Certified Wireless Network Administrator (CWNA). Over the last several years, he has written several textbooks for Prentice-Hall Publisher, including Troubleshooting the PC, Networking with Windows 2000 and 2003, Linux, Local Area Networks, Wide Area Networks, and the Acing Series (Acing the A+, Acing the Network+, Acing the Security+, and Acing the Linux+). He
has also co-authored ExamCram 70-290 MCSA/MCSE Managing and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Environment, 2nd Edition Exam Cram, has written 70-620 MCSA/MCSE TS: Microsoft Windows Vista, Configuring and is currently writing Exam Cram 70-643: Windows Server 2008 Application Platform, Configuring. In addition, he has completed the study guides
for the A+ certification exams for Cisco Press.
IntroductionIntroduction
Welcome to the 70-642 Exam Cram! Whether this book is your first or your 15th Exam Cram series book, you'll find information here that will help ensure your success as you pursue knowledge, experience, and certification. This book aims to help you get ready to take and pass the Microsoft certification exam "TS: Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure, Configuring" (Exam 70-642). After you pass this exam, you will earn the Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: Windows Server 2008 Applications certification.
This introduction explains Microsoft's certification programs in general and talks about how the Exam Cram series can help you prepare for Microsoft's latest certification exams. Chapters 1 through 9 are designed to remind you of everything you'll need to know to pass the 70-642 certification exam. The two sample tests at the end of the book should give you a reasonably accurate assessment of your knowledge and, yes, we've provided the answers and their explanations for these sample tests. Read the book, understand the material, and you'll stand a very good chance of passing the real test.
Exam Cram books help you understand and appreciate the subjects and materials you need to know to pass Microsoft certification exams. Exam Cram books are aimed strictly at test preparation and review. They do not teach you everything you need to know about a subject. Instead, the author streamlines and highlights the pertinent information by presenting and dissecting the questions and problems he's discovered that you're likely to encounter on a Microsoft test.
Nevertheless, to completely prepare yourself for any Microsoft test, we recommend that you begin by taking the Self-Assessment that is included in this book, immediately following this introduction. The self-assessment tool helps you evaluate your knowledge base against the requirements for becoming a Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) and will be the first step in earning more advanced certifications, including Microsoft's IT Professional and Professional Developer (MCITP and MCPD) and Architect (MCA).
Based on what you learn from the self-assessment, you might decide to begin your studies with classroom training or some background reading. On the other hand, you might decide to pick up and read one of the many study guides available from Microsoft or third-party vendors. We also recommend that you supplement your study program with visits to http://www.examcram.com to receive additional practice questions, get advice, and track the Windows certification programs.
This book also offers you an added bonus of access to Exam Cram practice tests online. This software simulates the Microsoft testing environment with similar types of questions to those you're likely to see on the actual Microsoft exam. We also strongly recommend that you install, configure, and play around with the Microsoft Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 operating systems. Nothing beats hands-on experience and familiarity when it comes to understanding the questions you're likely to encounter on a certification test. Book learning is essential, but without a doubt, hands-on experience is the best teacher of all!
The Microsoft Certification Program
Microsoft currently offers multiple certification titles, each of which boasts its own special abbreviation. (As a certification candidate and computer professional, you need to have a high tolerance for acronyms.)
The certification for end users is
The older certifications associated with the Windows Server 2003 operating system and related network infrastructure are
Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP): For professionals who have the skills to successfully implement Microsoft products (such as Windows XP or Windows Server 2003) or technology as part of a business solution in an organization.
Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST): For professionals who have the technical and customer service skills to troubleshoot hardware and software operation issues in Microsoft Windows environments.
Microsoft Certified Systems Administrators (MCSAs): For professionals who administer network and systems environments based on the Microsoft Windows operating systems. Specializations include MCSA: Messaging and MCSA: Security.
Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE): For professionals who design and implement an infrastructure solution that is based on the Windows operating system and Microsoft Windows Server System software. Specializations include MCSE: Messaging and MCSE: Security.
The newer certifications based on Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, and related server products are
Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS): For professionals who target specific technologies and distinguish themselves by demonstrating in-depth knowledge and expertise in the various Microsoft specialized technologies. The MCTS is a replacement for the MCP program.
Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP): For professionals who demonstrate comprehensive skills in planning, deploying, supporting, maintaining, and optimizing IT infrastructures. The MCITP is a replacement for the MCSA and MCSE programs.
Microsoft Certified Architect (MCA): For professionals who are identified as top industry experts in IT architecture and who use multiple technologies to solve business problems and provide business metrics and measurements. Candidates for the MCA program are required to present to a review board—consisting of previously certified architects—to earn the certification.
For those who want to become or who are database professionals, the following certifications are based on the Microsoft SQL Server products:
For developers and programmers, the following certifications are based on the Microsoft .NET Framework and Visual Studio products:
Microsoft Certified Professional Developer (MCPD): For professionals who are recognized as expert Windows Application Developers, Web Application Developers, or Enterprise Applications Developers. They demonstrate that you can build rich applications that target a variety of platforms such as the Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0.
Microsoft Certified Application Developers (MCADs): For professionals who use Microsoft technologies to develop and maintain department-level applications, components, web or desktop clients, or back-end data services.
For trainers and curriculum developers, the following certifications are available:
Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT): For qualified instructors who are certified by Microsoft to deliver Microsoft training courses to IT professionals and developers.
Microsoft Certified Learning Consultant (MCLC): Recognizes MCTs whose job roles have grown to include frequent consultative engagements with their customers and who are experts in delivering customized learning solutions that positively affect customer return on investment (ROI).
In 2008, Microsoft introduced two advanced certifications. The Master certifications identify individuals with the deepest technical skills available on a particular Microsoft product, such as Windows Server 2008, Exchange 2007, and SQL Server 2008. To achieve Master certification, candidates must attend several required sessions, successfully complete all in-class exams (written and lab), and successfully complete a qualification lab exam.
The highest-level certification is the Microsoft Certified Architect (MCA) program, focusing on IT architecture. Microsoft Certified Architects have proven experience with delivering solutions and can communicate effectively with business, architecture, and technology professionals. These professionals have three or more years of advanced IT architecture experience and possess strong technical and leadership skills. Candidates are required to pass a rigorous Review Board interview conducted by a panel of experts.
The best place to keep tabs on all Microsoft certifications is the following website:
Microsoft changes their website often, so if this URL does not work in the future, you should use the Search tool on Microsoft's site to find more information on a particular certification.
Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS)
Technology Specialist certifications enable professionals to target specific technologies and to distinguish themselves by demonstrating in-depth knowledge and expertise in their specialized technologies. Microsoft Technology Specialists are consistently capable of implementing, building, troubleshooting, and debugging a particular Microsoft technology.
At the time of the writing of this book, there are 28 Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) certifications:
MCTS: SQL Server 2008, Business Intelligence Development and Maintenance
MCTS: SQL Server 2008, Database Development
MCTS: SQL Server 2008, Implementation and Maintenance
MCTS: .NET Framework 3.5, Windows Presentation Foundation Applications
MCTS: .NET Framework 3.5, Windows Communication Foundation Applications
MCTS: .NET Framework 3.5, Windows Workflow Foundation Applications
MCTS: .NE...
