Customer Reviews

MCTS (Exam 70-643): Configuring Windows Server 2008 Applications Infrastructure self paced training kit

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
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This is a good book for learning Windows Server 2008 applications infrastructure. It is not excessively long, is well written, and is particularly well organized. I used this book as part of the material I studied to help me successfully pass the 70-649 Windows Server 2008 upgrade test, and it would be equally good to help you pass that test, or the stand alone 70-643 Windows Server 2008 applications infrastructure test. The 70-643 test is a stand alone MCTS test, but is also a requirement to become a MCITP Enterprise Administrator, so if you get this book to pass the 70-643 test, it will also come in handy for the 70-647 test as well. Keep it after you pass the test(s), as it also has lots of real world usability. Don't ignore the material on the accompanying CD, as unlike most CDs included with books, this one has some really good webcasts and other material you should look at. There is a short list of corrections that are cleaned up by an errata page located at: [...]

One of the best features of this book is the incredible organization of it so you can zero in on what you need to study for the exam and skip areas that aren't your concern. Each chapter tells you what exam objectives are covered at the beginning of it so you know what area of the exam you'd be preparing for. The front of the book has the exam objectives list along with the chapters/lessons that cover those objectives.

Another great feature of it is the screen shots it includes. You can familiarize yourself with all the various screens you will encounter so if you are not at a computer or do not even have Windows Server 2008 at your disposable at all you can still prepare for the exam

The book has a CD that has very informative webcasts, the eBook version of the book, and lots of exam questions. There's also a few other eBook on there with other Microsoft Press titles that may be of added value to some people.

Unlike another book I am reviewing for the same subject matter, I was extremely pleased with the product from Microsoft Press. I started using the Admin Companion series around the time of Windows 2000 and I think the quality continues. More importantly, this is not simply a reprint of freely available solution guides and Technet material.

The topics have enough detail to take the exam, and provide both a new and experienced professional with value. Anyone who would look for a full implementation guide from this level has unrealistic expectations. The text is easy to read in long stretches, and I found one major improvement in this round were the fantastic exercises that take you through actual operation of the product at a basic level.

Some nice extras were of course the practice tests (better than Transcender), the full ebook, and the unexpected 15% voucher ( I know, that was probably clearly spelled out in the description somewhere).

Explanations are clear and concise. I have no comment about the lessons because I am using this strictly as a test review.
However I will add that this training material does not cover Server 2008 R2. Only a company like Microsoft can sell a server OS for over a year without providing official training materials for it. Oh and even better that even though this is clearly intended for a technical audience you can not purchase a digital copy, and have to lug around a textbook.