MCSA/MCSE Self-Paced Training Kit (Exams 70-292 and 70-296): Upgrading Your Certification to Microsoft Windows Server(TM) 2003 (Hardcover)

~ (Author), Orin Thomas (Author) "As an MCSE or MCSA already certified on Microsoft Windows 2000, you already possess much of the core knowledge necessary to step into the world..." (more)
Key Phrases: application directory partition, security update infrastructure, licy inheritance, Microsoft Windows, Network Load Balancing, Page Lesson (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Announcing an all-new MCSA/MCSE Training Kit designed to help maximize your performance on Exams 70-292 and 70-296, core exams for IT professionals already certified on Microsoft Windows® 2000 who want to upgrade their credentials for Windows Server 2003. Covering two exams and two certification tracks, this kit provides excellent value. It packs the tools and features exam candidates want most—including in-depth, self-paced training based on final exam content; rigorous, objective-by-objective review; exam tips from an expert exam-certified author; and a robust testing suite. It also provides real-world scenarios, case study examples, and troubleshooting labs for the skills and expertise you can apply to the job.

Ace your exam preparation by working at your own pace through the lessons, hands-on exercises, and practice tests. The flexible, best-of-class test engine on CD-ROM features 425 practice questions and pre- 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 180-day evaluation version of Windows Server 2003 software—making this kit an exceptional value and a great career investment.

About the Author

Orin is a writer, editor and systems administrator who works for the certification advice Web site Certtutor.net. His work in IT has been varied: he’s done everything from providing first level networking support to acting in the role of systems administrator for one of Australia's largest companies. He has authored several articles for technical publications as well as contributing to The Insider's Guide to IT Certification. He holds the MCSE, CCNA, CCDA and Linux+ certifications. He holds a bachelor's degree in Science with honors from the University of Melbourne and is currently working toward the completion of a Ph.D in Philosophy of Science. Orin would like to thank his beautiful, amazing wife Oksana for being more wonderful and loving than he could ever have dreamed. Orin wants to thank their son Rooslan for making fatherhood so easy and fun. He would also like to thank the following friends and family: Ma, Mick, Lards, Gillian, Lee, Neil, Will, Jon, Alexander, Irina, Stas and Kasia as well as the entire Certtutor.net tutor team who offer great free advice to those who are interested in getting certified.

A graduate of Yale University and Thunderbird, the American Graduate School of International Management, Dan has spent 10 years as a consultant and trainer, delivering solutions to tens of thousands of IT Professionals from the most prestigious organizations and corporations around the world. His clients have included AT&T, Compaq, HP, Boeing, Home Depot, and Intel, and he has recently been involved supporting the design and implementation of Active Directory at enterprises including Raytheon, ABN AMRO, Johnson & Johnson, Los Alamos National Laboratories and General Electric. Dan is the Director of Training Services for Intelliem, which specializes in boosting the productivity of IT professionals and end users by creating advanced, customized solutions that integrate clients' specific design and configuration into productivity-focused training and knowledge management services ([e-mail]). From his base in sunny Arizona, Dan travels to client sites around the world, and then unwinds on his favorite mode of transportation—his snowboard. It takes a village to raise a happy geek, and Dan sends undying thanks and love to those, without whom, sanity would be out of reach: Lyman, Barb & Dick, Bob & Joni, Stan & Marylyn & Sondra, Mark, Kirk, John, Beth, Dan & June, Lena and the entire crazy commando crew.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 1000 pages
• Publisher: Microsoft Press (October 29, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0735619719
• ISBN-13: 978-0735619715
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.5 x 2.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #426,493 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

48 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Heavy Duty, November 13, 2003

By	Wallace V. French III (Boston MA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Big heavy book with some big heavy content. A lot of info in this book. I got through about half of it before I took the exams. I passed the exams, but felt like I didn't really need to spend the time reading the book in order to do so. It comes with the Measure-Up practice tests which are pretty good. None of the questions from the practice tests were on the production exam, but taking them puts you in the test taking mode. Plus the practice tests give you an idea on what they are testing on with these new exams. A previous review mentioned DNS. DNS is big time on the 296 exam, but Microsoft assumes you already know about DNS and they really only ask questions about the new features in 2003 DNS. Conditional forwarding is a big new DNS concept as well as stub-zones. Know what they are. 292 is 55 questions and 296 is 51 questions. The 296 test is set-up a little different. You are asked 24 questions in one section then you can review then you are given another 26 questions. Once you get through the first 24 and you start the second half you cannot go back to review the first 24. Weird I know. Not sure about the method of their madness there, but they are trying to do something different. 292 is all about administering 2003. You really need to know 2000 as well. A lot of scenario questions on 296 regarding design. Windows 2003 introduces a bunch of new modes you can be in. Remember in 2000 you had mixed mode or native mode. In 2003 there are forest-level modes and domain-level modes. It is a little confusing. You need to know each mode or level and understand what features you can use with each. A few drag and drop questions on that. Remember some questions are worth more points than others so getting the big drag and drop or matching questions correct will get you more points. Universal group membership caching is important. Users no longer need a global catalog to log in provided you are in the right 2003 mode. A few questions on trusts as well. Overall this is a good book, but to me it is not 100% necessary to read it in order to pass. You might be better off with a smaller exam cram book and check out the 2003 white papers on Microsoft's website. These are both very passable exams for the MCSA/MCSE. 296 is a little harder, but if you know your stuff it shouldn't be much of a problem. Good luck.

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great foundation for 70-292 and 70-296 studies, December 28, 2004

By	Steven L. Umbach (Bartlett, Il United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I recently upgraded my MCSE 2000 to MCSE 2003 and used this book as my core study material. First off I must say that unless you are very experienced with Windows 2003 I doubt any single book alone will suffice to provide all the needed material. Having said that for me it was a great start explaining the differences between 2000 and 2003 and hammering home the important points. It makes references to other online sources such as various white papers for more detailed information which should be taken advantage of. The explainations of trusts, dns namespace and name resolution, sites/global catalogs, UPN logon, users/groups, Group Policy, software installations, Organzational Units, redirected folders, Terminal Services/Remote Desktop, and backup/restores/shadow volume, were particualry good and very accurate. However I thought that the information on Certificate Services/PKI was a bit lacking and is HEAVILY covered in the 70-296 exam.

The quiz questions in the book are quite good with some real brain teasers that help you determine if you know a subject good enough. I would not spend too much time on questions that relate to rote memory facts but concentrate on those that present a problem/solution format. The real exams rarely test you on memorizing facts anymore like the maximum memory this edition of the operating system can have, etc. What is very helpful is that many of the questions will supply the answer, why it is right and why the others are wrong. I did not even try the cdrom quizzes. There are several hands on practice examples in the book. Unless you are real familiar with the particular topic I would be sure to do them and at least read through the others as there is often helpful information included such as the permissions needed on a share for redirect folders.

Beyond the book I did supplement my studies with pertinent chapters from the Windows 2003 Server Resource kit which you can download free. Of course I have had a lot of hands on experience with Windows 2003. In my case this was on my own home network, so you don't have to work in a large network. The one area as mentioned previously I thought Upgrading Your Certification to Microsoft Windows Server 2003 was lacking in was Certificate Services/PKI to the extent that the exam covered it. In general the upgrade exams, particularly 70-296, were heavy on security. Much more so than any past exams I took. What I suggest and what worked for me was to also supplement my studies with the Microsoft Press MCSE book on implementing security for the 70-299 exam. That book covered PKI, ipsec, kerberos/ntlm authentication, smart cards, and wireless network security in much more detail that I found helpful.

All in all if found the Micrsoft Press MCSA/MCSE Upgrading Your Certification to Microsoft Windows Server 2003 to be a great core study guide. If you look at it in that regard and not the sole source of information to pass the exams, which in my opinion is unrealistic, I believe you will find it very helpful.

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The book that meets the exam requirements, August 25, 2004

By	J. Bailey (Dallas, TX) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Hey, you all know that people respond differently to different authors styles...

Mark Minasi is quite entertaining; but IMO his style is better suited to conferences and desk references than certification study. This book covers the topics you need to pass the test. If you want entertaining reading, may I recommend the /Lensman/ series by E. E. "Doc" Smith or the /Redwall/ series by Brian Jacques?

I wager you'll find the bad reviews are either from folks who read the book superficially and expected to pass the test without sufficient hands-on experience or people who hate MS Press. Similarly, the good reviews are a mix of MS Press shills and folks who _did_ pass the tests. You can draw what conclusions you will from that bit of overly obvious prose.

I read the book, did the practice work, and passed 70-292 _easily_ (in and out of the test center in less than an hour). And since I'm old and slow, you young'uns could do better than me!! I'm working my way back through, more carefully this time, to prepare for 70-296.

Key Points:

1. When the book says look up something online, look it up.
2. When the book gives an example, try to recreate it in your home or office testing lab.
3. Those who try to short-sheet their studying are wasting their time and money.

Have a blessed day!! And may you meet good fortune on your quest to upgrade your MCSE certification!!