Customer Reviews

MCTS: Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure Configuration Study Guide: Exam 70-642

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I used this book to prepare for test 70-642. I passed with 700/1000 (the minimum passing score), but felt at times like I was so unprepared that I must have been taking the wrong exam. There were many questions about line-commands, network access (NPS/NAP) and specifics on VPNs that I don't remember the text even mentioning. The book did give a good general overview of the exam topics, but a certification study guide must do more than that. If you don't already have a working understanding of this material and you only use this book to prepare, your exam will be a nail biter.

Used this book to prepare for 70-649, upgrading my MCSE to MCTS. Book was helpful, passed the test. Lots of information on subnetting. They taught some "tricks" for figuring out subnetting using charts. However, I doubt the test includes charts. Lots of small details about different network services (routing, dns, dhcp, IPv6).

I just passed the 70-642 exam and I used this Sybex book to help me prepare for the test. I felt that the book did a good job explaining some topics ,like DNS, that I have had problems with in the past. If you are looking to pass the 642 exam, this is a good start.

While I gave this book 4 stars, I do NOT recommend it to anyone just starting to study for the 70-642 exam. The exam now covers Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows 7 while this, and most, books only cover the original release of Windows Server 2008 and Windows Vista. Newer books covering R2 and Win7 should be out by now. None of the newer books were out when I purchased this one so I needed to supplement my studying with on-line material on Microsoft's web site and a lot of practice.

Whatever book you select, don't expect the book alone to fully prepare you for the exam. It covers too broad an array of topics to be thoroughly covered in a single book. You need some real world experience with networking, Windows 7, and Windows Server 2008. I built a test lab using full-featured trial downloads of those operating systems created as virtual machines using the free Oracle VirtualBox environment.

Pop Quiz: What command would you use to create a new DNS Zone in Windows Server 2008 Core? How about checking the status of a large file Shadow Copy restore from the command line? You won't find the answers in this book. IPv6 subnetting? Nope. I could go on with many other examples, but the bottom line here is that this book is not sufficient preparation for the 70-642 exam. It's a good overview of what WILL be on the test, but doesn't go into enough depth. I actually found the chapter on subnetting enormously helpful, as it's something i've always had trouble with, however there was 1 (one...ONE!!!) subnetting question on the exam.

I'm not going to pick this book apart chapter by chapter, but I can tell you 100% that if you use only this book to prepare for an exam, you'll be in for a surprise when you get to the testing center and start the exam.

I am a CCNA. This book was a great help for me to attain my MCSE.

This was exactly what I wanted. Fast Shipping! Very reasonable price as well. Cd that came with book had not even been used!

This book gives an introduction (at best) to 25% of the topics that come up on the test. You need to get the other 75% doing your own research or using something else as a study guide. I just passed the test, and I wouldn't recommended this book if you are studying for 070-642

The item is in new condition and I couldn't have made a better deicision when purchasing this book. I am very satisfied.

Excellent book. Tons of labs and hands-on. Well worth the money. Quite in-depth. Overall well done.

There were some spelling and typos. They need to tighten up on their QC a touch.

Highly recommended. I use this in my live class.