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Microsoft Windows Server 2003 MCSA/MCSE Tracks Announced
Microsoft recently released details of the new MCSA and MCSE Windows
Server 2003 tracks, and the best news is that individuals already
certified on an earlier (Windows 2000) track will have a little
less to complain about. A reasonable upgrade path has been created
for both MCSAs and MCSEs on Windows 2000 to step up Windows Server
2003 without taking lots of additional exams. Windows 2000 MCSAs
will need to pass just one, and Windows 2000 MCSEs will have two
to conquer.
Whether upgrading a current certification or starting from scratch,
everyone will have at least few months to study up before taking
that first 2003 exam: the new MCSA core exams are slated to enter
beta in June 2003, and the rest of the 2003 core exams are slated
for July and August beta. That means general availability will be
sometime in the fall. At the US price of $125 per exam, an MCSA
title earned from scratch will set you back $500 in exam costs.
If you go all the way to the MCSE, the total will hit $875.
The MCSA exams are a subset of the MCSE exams, so even if you're
planning on the full hike to an MCSE, the MCSA is the place to start.
MCSA on Windows Server 2003
The MCSA on Windows Server 2003 will require 4 exams (3 core and
1 elective), as does MCSA on Windows 2000. The core exams are:
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
Plus EITHER
Exam 70-270: Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft
Windows XP Professional
OR Exam 70-210: Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft
Windows 2000 Professional.
The MCSA elective can be chosen from a list of three already available
exams:
Exam 70-086: Implementing and Supporting Microsoft Systems Management
Server 2.0
Exam 70-227: Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft
Internet Security and Acceleration (ISA) Server 2000, Enterprise
Edition
Exam 70-228: Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft
SQL Server 2000 Enterprise Edition.
Alternatively, you can substitute a combination of CompTIA certifications
in place of the elective. To do this you must hold CompTIA's A+
title, plus either Network+ or Server+.
MCSE on Windows Server 2003
The MCSE title requires passing 7 exams - 6 core and 1 elective.
The core exams include four networking system exams, one client
operating system exam, and one design exam. The networking systems
exams are:
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.
The client operating system exam can be either:
Exam 70-270: Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft
Windows XP Professional
OR Exam 70-210: Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft
Windows 2000 Professional.
The design exam can be either:
Exam 70-297: Designing a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Active Directory
and Network Infrastructure
OR Exam 70-298: Designing Security for a Microsoft Windows Server
2003 Network.
The elective exam is chosen from a list of 7 exams that cover a
variety of Microsoft products such as SMS, SQL Server 2000, Microsoft
security, or other topics. You cannot substitute any CompTIA certifications
for the elective, as you can with the MCSA.
Upgrading from Windows 2000 to Windows Server 2003 Certification
To upgrade from MCSA on Windows 2000 to MCSA on Windows Server 2003
requires passing a single exam: Exam 70-292: Managing and Maintaining
a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Environment for an MCSA Certified
on Windows 2000.
The upgrade path from Windows 2000 MCSE to Windows Server 2003 MCSE
consists of two exams:
Exam 70-292: Managing and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server
2003 Environment for an MCSA Certified on Windows 2000
Exam 70-296: Planning, Implementing, and Maintaining a Microsoft
Windows Server 2003 Environment for an MCSE Certified on Windows
2000.
For intricate details, including suggested corresponding training
courses for each of these certifications, see the following pages
on Microsoft's certification Web site:
MCSA
Windows Server 2003
MCSA
Windows 2000
Microsoft's
MCSA FAQ
MCSE
Windows Server 2003
MCSE
Windows 2000
Microsoft's
MCSE FAQ
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