Introduction

MCSA/MCSE 70-291 Exam Prep: Implementing, Managing, and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure is designed for advanced end users, technicians, system administrators, and systems engineers who are seeking to pass Exam 70-291, "Implementing, Managing, and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure," in pursuit of a Microsoft Windows certification. Passing Exam 70-291 qualifies you as a Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) and counts as core credit toward the Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) and Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) certifications.

Exam 70-291 measures your ability to install, manage, monitor, configure, and troubleshoot Domain Name System (DNS), Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP), remote access, network protocols, IP routing, and Windows Internet Name Service (WINS) in a Windows Server 2003 network infrastructure. In addition, the exam measures the skills required to manage, monitor, and troubleshoot basic server and network security, including digital certificates, security policies, and the auditing and updating of computers.

Who Should Read This Book

This book is designed to help you meet your certification goals by preparing you for Exam 70-291. In a Windows Server 2003 network, the ability to install, support, and troubleshoot the various networking components and services included with Windows Server 2003 is critical to the success of an administrator. Windows Server 2003 tightly integrates services such as DHCP and DNS into the core operating system as well as Active Directory, and it requires that these services be configured correctly in order to function. This exam touches on all the major networking components that are critical to a successful Windows Server 2003 implementation. Although volumes of information are available on the history, theory, and underlying applications, this book does not cover these portions of the services in detail. The purpose of this book is to provide an introduction to these services in general, provide an in-depth look at the Windows Server 2003 implementations of these network services, and prepare you to take the exam. One additional area that is new to this exam is the emphasis on security. In keeping with the Microsoft Trustworthy Computing initiatives, Microsoft is putting much greater emphasis than in the past on the security facets of all of its Windows Server 2003 exams.

Because a great deal of related information exists that this book is not able to cover, each chapter in this book contains a section called "Suggested Readings and Resources" that points you to sources that can fill in the blanks. So, for example, although you might not be a virtual private network (VPN) expert by the time you complete this book, you'll know how to configure Windows Server 2003's Routing and Remote Access Service (RRAS) to allow VPN connections and ensure that IP Security (IPSec) is working. You'll also have a recommendation for some additional reading if you need to understand exactly what the makeup of an Authentication Header (AH) packet looks like.

One of the most common questions with any of the Microsoft certification tests is, "Do I need to take a class to pass this test?" Although the author has endeavored to ensure that all of the information you need to pass the exam is in this book, one thing that is difficult for any book to provide is hands-on experience with the product. If you can set up an environment that enables you to perform the exercises outlined in this book (you'll find hardware and software recommendations for this environment at the end of this introduction), you're going to be in good shape. You'll be in especially good shape if you have the opportunity to work with Windows Server 2003 in a production environment. To pass the exam, you do not need to take a class in addition to buying this book. However, depending on your personal study habits or learning style, you might benefit from taking a class in conjunction with studying from this book.

Microsoft assumes that the typical candidate for this exam will have a minimum of one year's experience implementing and administering network operating systems in a medium to very large network environment.

How This Book Helps You

This book takes you on a self-guided tour of all the areas covered by Exam 70-291 and teaches you specific skills you will need as you work to achieve MCSE certification. You'll also find helpful hints, tips, real-world examples, and exercises, as well as references to additional study materials. Specifically, this book is set up to help you in the following ways:

• Organization This book is organized by individual exam objectives. Every objective you need to know for Exam 70-291 is covered in this book. We have attempted to present the objectives in an order that is as close as possible to how Microsoft would teach the information. However, we have not hesitated to reorganize where needed to make the material as easy as possible for you to learn. We have also attempted to make the information accessible in the following ways:

  • The full list of exam topics and objectives is included in this introduction.

  • Each chapter begins with a list of the objectives covered in that chapter.

  • Each chapter also begins with an outline that provides an overview of the material and the page numbers where particular topics can be found.

  • The objectives are repeated where the material most directly relevant to it is covered (unless the whole chapter addresses a single objective).

• Instructional features This book is designed to provide you with multiple ways to learn and reinforce the exam material. Following are some of the helpful methods:

  • Exam alerts These provide specific exam-related advice. Such alerts might address what material is likely to be covered (or not covered) on the exam, how it is covered, or particular quirks of that exam.

  • Key terms A list of key terms from the chapter appears at the end of each chapter.

  • Notes Notes contain various kinds of useful information, such as tips on technology or administrative practices, historical background on terms and technologies, and side commentary on industry issues.

  • Warnings When using sophisticated information technology, the potential for mistakes always exists; catastrophes can even occur because of improper application of the technology. Warnings alert you to such potential problems.

  • In the Field sidebars These relatively extensive discussions cover material that may not be directly relevant to the exam but that is useful as reference material or in everyday practice. In the Field sidebars may also provide useful background or contextual information that is necessary for understanding the larger topic under consideration.

  • Exercises Found at the end of the chapters in the "Apply Your Knowledge" section and in the "Challenge Exercises" found throughout the chapters, exercises are performance-based opportunities for you to learn and assess your knowledge.

  • Step by Steps These are hands-on tutorial instructions that walk you through tasks and functions that are relevant to the exam objectives.

• Extensive practice test options The book provides numerous opportunities for you to assess your knowledge and practice for the exam. The practice options include the following:

  • Review questions These open-ended questions appear in Appendix C, "Review Questions," at the end of the book. They enable you to quickly assess your comprehension of what you just read in the chapter. Answers to the review questions are provided later in the section.

  • Practice exam A practice exam is included in the "Final Review" section of the book. The "Final Review" section and the practice exam are discussed later in this Introduction.

• Final Review This part of the book provides the following valuable tools for preparing for the exam:

  • Fast Facts This condensed version of the information contained in the book is extremely useful for last-minute review.

  • Practice Exam A practice exam is included in this book. As much as possible, questions on this practice exam are written in styles similar to those used on the actual exam. Use the practice exam to assess your readiness for the real thing. Use the extensive answer explanations to improve your retention and understanding of the material.

The book includes several other features, such as the "Suggested Readings and Resources" section at the end of each chapter that directs you to additional information that can aid you in your exam preparation and your real-life work. Valuable appendixes are provided as well, including a glossary and a description of what is on the CD-ROM.

For more information about the exam or the certification process, contact Microsoft at 800-636-7544 or [e-mail] or visit www.microsoft.com/learning/.

Hardware and Software You Will Need

As a self-paced study guide, this book is meant to help you understand concepts that you must refine through hands-on experience. To make the most of your studying, you need to have as much background on and experience with Windows Server 2003 as possible. The best way to do this is to combine studying with working on real networks, using the products on which you will be tested. This section describes the minimum computer requirements you need in order to enjoy a solid practice environment.

The minimum computer requirements to ensure that you can study everything on which you'll be tested are one or more workstations running Windows 2000 Professional or Windows XP Professional, and two or more servers running Windows Server 2003all connected by a network. Many of the examples, exercises, and references in this book refer to Internet Web sites, so an Internet-connected network would be a benefit. Because this book looks at the core networking capabilities of the Windows Server 2003 family, the minimum requirements listed are specific to Windows Server 2003 Standard Edition, which has all the features that are covered by this exam and the lowest minimum hardware requirements.

To get the full benefit of the exercises in this book, you need the following lab equipment:

• Workstations The workstation configuration should meet the following requirements:

  • Computer listed on the Microsoft Hardware Compatibility List (HCL)

  • Pentium 150MHz or better (Pentium processor 233MHz or better for Windows XP)

  • 64MB RAM (128MB for Windows XP)

  • 2GB hard disk with a minimum of 650MB free space (1.5GB free space for Windows XP)

  • 3.5-inch 1.44MB floppy drive

  • VGA video adapter (Super VGA adapter for Windows XP)

  • VGA monitor (Super VGA adapter for Windows XP)

  • Mouse or equivalent pointing device

  • CD-ROM drive

  • Network interface card (NIC)

  • Presence on an existing network or use of a hub to create a test network (Internet connection beneficial for some exercises)

  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional or Windows XP Professional

• Servers The server(s) should meet the following requirements:

  • Two computers listed on the Microsoft HCL

  • Pentium 133MHz or betterMicrosoft recommends a 550MHz processor

  • 256MB RAM (128MB is the minimum supported, but performance will suffer with just 128MB)

  • 1GB free hard disk space

  • 3.5-inch 1.44MB floppy drive

  • VGA video adapter

  • VGA monitor

  • Mouse or equivalent pointing device

  • CD-ROM drive

  • NIC

  • Presence on an existing network or use of a hub to create a test network

  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Standard Edition (Enterprise Edition will also work but is not needed)

It is generally easiest to obtain access to the necessary computer hardware and software in a corporate business environment. It can be difficult, however, to allocate enough time within the busy workday to complete a self-study program. Most of your study time will likely occur after normal working hours, away from the everyday interruptions and pressures of your regular job.

Advice on Taking the Exam

Although this list is not all inclusive, here are a few bits of advice to keep in mind as you study and prepare for your 70-291 exam:

• Read all the material. Microsoft has been known to include on its exams material not expressly specified in the objectives. This book includes additional information not reflected in the objectives in an effort to give you the best possible preparation for the examinationand for the real-world network experiences to come.

• Do the Step by Steps and complete the exercises in each chapter. They will help you gain experience in using the specified methodology or approach. All Microsoft exams are task and experienced based and require you to have experience actually performing the tasks on which you will be tested.

• Use the review and exam questions to assess your knowledge. Don't just read the chapter content; use the questions to find out what you know and what you don't. If you are struggling at all, study some more, review, and then assess your knowledge again.

• Review the exam objectives. Develop your own questions and examples for each topic listed. If you can develop and answer several questions for each topic, you should not find it difficult to pass the exam.

• Find a study buddy. This might sound corny, but it works. You should find a co-worker or friend who is also preparing for the exam and use him or her to improve your knowledge. Quiz each other and assist each other with sections where you feel your knowledge is weak.

Note: Exam-Taking Advice

Although this book is designed to prepare you to take and pass Exam 70-291, there are no guarantees. Read this book, work through the questions and exercises, and when you feel confident, take the Practice Exam and additional exams, using the Measure Up software. That should tell you whether you are ready for the real thing.

When taking the actual certification exam, make sure you answer all the questions before your time limit expires. Do not spend too much time on any one question. If you are unsure about an answer, answer the question the best you can; then mark it for review when you have finished the rest of the questions.

Be sure to read each question carefully and read all the answers before you make a selection. A question might have an answer that is close, but one of the other answers might, in fact, be a better answer. If you select an answer before reading all the choices, you might miss the best answer.

Get a good night's sleep before the exam. If you don't know the exam information by the night before the exam, an all-night cram session will just make you tired when you are taking the exam. You need to be at your sharpest when you take this exam; don't handicap yourself with sleep deprivation.

Remember, the primary objective of this book is not the exam; it is to ensure that you understand the material. After you understand the material, passing the exam should be simple. Knowledge is a pyramid; to build upward, you need a solid foundation. This book and the MCP programs are designed to ensure that you have that solid foundation.

Good Luck!