Path to MCSE 2003

Microsoft certification is recognized throughout the IT industry as a way to demonstrate mastery of basic concepts and skills required to perform the tasks involved in implementing and maintaining Windows -based networks. The certification program is constantly evaluated and improved; the nature of information technology is changing rapidly and this means requirements and specifications for certification can also change rapidly . This book is based on the exam objectives as stated by Microsoft at the time of writing; however, Microsoft reserves the right to make changes to the objectives and to the exam itself at any time. Exam candidates should regularly visit the Certification and Training Web site at www.microsoft.com/traincert/ for the most updated information on each Microsoft exam.

Microsoft presently offers three basic levels of certification:

• Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) To obtain the MCP certification, you must pass one current Microsoft certification exam. For more information on exams that qualify, see www.microsoft.com/traincert/mcp/mcp/requirements.asp.

• Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) To obtain the MCSE certification on Windows Server 2003, you must pass six core exams (including four network operating system exams, one client operating system exam and one design exam) plus one additional elective . For more information, see www.microsoft.com/traincert/mcp/mcse/windows2003/.

Exam 70-298 applies towards these certifications.

Note  

Those who already hold the the MCSE in Windows 2000 can upgrade their certifications to MCSE 2003 by passing two upgrade exams (70-292 and 70-296).

Microsoft also offers a number of specialty certifications for networking professionals and certifications for software developers, including the following:

• Microsoft Certified Database Administrator (MCDBA)

• Microsoft Certified Solution Developer (MCSD)

• Microsoft Certified Application Developer (MCAD)

Exam 70-298 does not apply to any of these specialty and developer certifications.

Prerequisites and Preparation

There are no mandatory prerequisites for taking Exam 70-298, although Microsoft recommends that you meet the target audience profile described earlier. Exam 70-298 is an in-depth exam, and one that you should undertake after you ve already completed the core four requirements for the MCSE or MCSE: Security for Windows 2003.

Preparation for this exam should include the following:

• Visit the Web site at www.microsoft.com/traincert/exams/70-298.asp to review the updated exam objectives.

• Work your way through this book, studying the material thoroughly and marking any items you don t understand.

• Answer all practice exam questions at the end of each chapter.

• Complete all hands-on exercises in each chapter.

• Review any topics that you don t thoroughly understand

• Consult Microsoft online resources such as TechNet (www.microsoft.com/technet) and the Microsoft Security & Privacy center (www.microsoft.com/security), independent security resources such as SANS (www.sans.org), white papers on the Microsoft Web site and so forth, for better understanding of difficult topics.

• Participate in Microsoft s product-specific and training and certification newsgroups if you have specific questions that you still need answered .

• Take one or more practice exams, such as the one included with this book.