Introduction

One of the greatest challenges facing corporate America today is finding people who are qualified to manage corporate computer networks. Many companies have Microsoft networks that run Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, and other Microsoft BackOffice products (such as Microsoft SQL Server and Systems Management Server).

Microsoft developed its Microsoft certification programs to certify those people who have the skills to work with Microsoft products and networks. New to the certification family is the Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA). This is considered a steppingstone to the more highly coveted Microsoft certification: Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE).

Note 

MCSAs are required to take four exams, including three operating system requirements, and one elective. MCSEs are required to take seven exams, including four operating system requirements, one design exam, and two electives. There is some overlap between the two programs. Visit www.microsoft.com/traincert for details on both programs.

Why become an MCSA or MCSE? The main benefits are that you will have much greater earnings potential and that the Microsoft certification program carries high industry recognition. Certification can be your key to a higher salary or a new job-or both.

So what's stopping you? If you don't know where to begin, this book is for you. The first step in Microsoft certification is a good understanding of the prerequisite information. Microsoft defines the prerequisites but assumes you will acquire this information on your own.

This book takes all the prerequisites and puts them in a single book that specifically targets both MCSA and MCSE candidates. This book is designed for the novice user who wants to become Microsoft certified but doesn't know where to start. When you are done with this book, you will have the foundation you need to study for the MCSA and MCSE exams.

The next step in the certification quest will be preparation for each Microsoft exam. This can be accomplished by taking Microsoft-approved training classes or by purchasing the Sybex MCSA and MCSE books that will prepare you for each exam.

What This Book Covers

Before you begin any Microsoft certification, Microsoft recommends that you have this prerequisite information:

• A working knowledge of an operating system such as DOS, Unix, Windows 9x, Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows XP, or Windows Server 2003

• Proficiency with the Windows interface and a working knowledge of Windows Explorer

• An understanding of networking concepts such as networks, servers, clients, network adapter cards and hardware, protocols, network operating systems, and drivers

• An understanding of computer hardware, including processors, memory, hard disks, communication ports, and peripheral devices

This book covers the MCSA and MCSE prerequisites in easy-to-understand language with graphics to illustrate the concepts. Information is presented in small chunks so that it won't be overwhelming.

Based on the knowledge you need to begin your certification preparations, this book is organized as follows:

Chapters 1-4  These chapters deal with computer hardware. They cover computer processors, data storage, input/output devices, and hardware configuration issues.

Chapters 5-7  These chapters cover software. You will learn about the different local operating systems, get a good overview of DOS, and learn the basics of the Windows XP interface.

Chapters 8-11  These chapters cover common networking concepts such as the OSI model, peer-to-peer and client-server network models, network topologies, networking hardware, network protocols, and common network operating systems.

Chapters 12-15  These chapters focus on Windows XP and Windows Server 2003, covering their history, the platforms, user and group management, and file and print resource management.