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's new Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) track for Windows 2003 is the premier certification for computer industry professionals. Covering the core technologies around which Microsoft's future will be built, the new MCSE certification is a powerful credential for career advancement.
Prospective MCSEs need to complete a course of study that provides not only detailed knowledge of a wide range of topics, but true skills derived from working with Windows 2003 and related software products.
You Will Learn:
• To install, configure and administer Microsoft Windows 2000 and XP Professional
• To implement and Administer Microsoft Network Infrastructure
• To implement and Administer Microsoft Directory Services Infrastructure
• To design a system
• To design system security
• To design a data warehouse
• To design, implement and administer SQL Server 7.0
• How to migrate a system from Microsoft NT 4.0 to Windows 2000
• To install, configure and administer a Microsoft Exchange Server
Career Opportunities:
• Intermediate or Senior Systems Administrator
• Senior Systems Manager
Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) candidates on the Microsoft Windows Server 2003 track are required to satisfy the following requirements:
• Four networking system exams
• One client operating system exam
• One design exam
Together with the core exams, the elective exams provide a valid and reliable measure of technical proficiency and expertise in solution design and implementation. MCSE candidates should also have at least one year of experience implementing and administering network operating systems and desktop operating systems.
Microsoft has designed an upgrade path that will enable a current MCSE to earn the Windows Server 2003 credential in a time- and cost-effective manner.
The following tables list Official Microsoft Learning Products and Microsoft Press books designed to help MCSE candidates prepare for the required exams. See individual Exam Preparation Guides for exam availability.
Core Exams: Networking System (4 Exams Required) |
Courses |
LearnKey Course |
Exam 70–290 : Managing and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Environment |
Course 2273 : Managing and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Environment (5 days)
|
681978 |
Exam 70–291 : Implementing, Managing, and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure |
Course 2276 : Implementing a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure: Network Hosts (2 days)
|
680358 |
Exam 70-293 : Planning and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure |
Course 2278 : Planning and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure (5 days)
|
680478 |
Exam 70-294 : Planning, Implementing, and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Active Directory Infrastructure |
Course 2279 : Planning, Implementing, and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Active Directory Infrastructure (5 days)
|
680538 |
Core Exams: Client Operating System (1 Exam Required) |
Courses |
LearnKey Course |
Exam 70–270 : Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Windows® XP Professional |
Course 2285 : Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Windows XP Professional (2 days)
|
680078 |
Exam 70-210 1 : Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional |
Course 2151 : Microsoft Windows 2000 Network and Operating System Essentials (3 days) |
600158 |
Core Exams: Design |
Courses |
LearnKey |
Exam 70-297 2, 3 : Designing a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Active Directory and Network Infrastructure |
Course 2282 : Designing a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Active Directory and Network Infrastructure (5 days)
|
680828 |
Exam 70-298 2, 3 : Designing Security for a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network |
Course 2830 : Designing Security for Microsoft Networks (3 days) |
681058 |
Elective Exams |
Courses |
LearnKey |
Exam 70–086 4 : Implementing and Supporting Microsoft Systems Management Server 2.0 |
Course 828 : Deploying and Supporting Microsoft Systems Management Server 2.0 (5 days)
|
260718 |
Exam 70-227 4 : Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration (ISA) Server 2000, Enterprise Edition |
Course 2159 : Deploying and Managing Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration Server 2000 (3 days)
|
601958 |
Exam 70-228 4 : Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft SQL Server™ 2000 Enterprise Edition |
Course 2072 : Administering a Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Database (5 days)
|
411258 |
Exam 70-229 4 : Designing and Implementing Databases with Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Enterprise Edition |
Course 2073 : Programming a Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Database (5 days)
|
411398 |
Exam 70-232 : Implementing and Maintaining Highly Available Web Solutions with Microsoft Windows 2000 Server Technologies and Microsoft Application Center 2000 |
Course 2203 : Deploying and Managing Microsoft Application Center 2000 (2 days)
|
N/A |
Exam 70-281 : Planning, Deploying, and Managing an Enterprise Project Management Solution |
Course 2732 : Planning, Deploying, and Managing an Enterprise Project Management Solution (5 days)
|
|
Exam 70-282 : Designing, Deploying, and Managing a Network Solution for a Small- and Medium-Sized Business |
Course 2395 : Designing, Deploying, and Managing a Network Solution for the Small and Medium-Sized Business
|
N/A |
Exam 70-284 : Implementing and Managing Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 |
Course 2400 : Implementing and Managing Microsoft Exchange Server 2003
|
N/A |
Exam 70-297 3 : Designing a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Active Directory and Network Infrastructure |
Course 2282 : Designing a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Active Directory and Network Infrastructure (5 days)
|
680828 |
Exam 70-298 3 : Designing Security for a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network |
Course 2830 : Designing Security for Microsoft Networks (3 days)
|
681058 |
Exam 70-299 : Implementing and Administering Security in a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network |
Course 2823: Implementing and Administering Security in a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network |
681098 |
As an alternative to the electives listed above, these third-party certifications may be substituted for an MCSE elective: •
Microsoft has designed an upgrade path that will enable a current MCSE to earn the Windows Server 2003 credential in a time- and cost-effective manner.
For the MCSE on Windows 2000 credential:
• Networking: An MCSE on Windows 2000 has the option to take only Exams 70-292 and 70-296, instead of all four core network exams; however, an MCSE on Windows 2000 can elect to take all four core network exams.
• Client: An MCSE on Windows 2000 has already passed Exam 70-210 or 70-270, which also satisfies the client requirement for MCSE on Windows Server 2003; therefore, no action is required.
• Design: The design skills required of an MCSE on Windows Server 2003 do not differ significantly from those required of an MCSE on Windows 2000; therefore, no action is required.
• Elective: Elective exams are required so that candidates prove technical breadth, interoperability skills, or additional technical depth. For MCSEs on Windows 2000, the current MCSE credential satisfies the elective requirement for Windows Server 2003 because it proves the ability to support another version of the platform; therefore, no further action is required.
For the MCSE on Windows NT 4.0 credential:
• Networking: The core networking skills required for Windows Server 2003 are significantly different than those required for Windows NT 4.0; therefore, an MCSE on Windows NT 4.0 must prove their skills on all four core network exams.
• Client: If the candidate has already taken either Exam 70-210 or 70-270, no further action is required.
• Design: An MCSE on Windows NT 4.0 was not required to prove design skills, so they must prove their skills by passing either a Windows 2000 or Windows Server 2003 design exam. If the candidate has already taken a Windows 2000 design exam, no further action is required.
• Elective: Elective exams are required so that candidates prove technical breadth, interoperability skills, or additional technical depth. For an MCSE on Windows NT 4.0, the MCSE credential itself satisfies the elective requirement for Windows Server 2003 because it proves the ability to support another version of the platform; therefore, no further action is required.
For the Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) on Windows 2000 credential:
• Networking: An MCSA on Windows 2000 has the option to take Exam 70-292 instead of Exams 70-290 and 70-291. However, Exams 70-293 and 70-294 are still required.
• Client: An MCSA on Windows 2000 has already passed Exam 70-210 or 70-270, which also satisfies the client requirement for MCSE on Windows Server 2003; therefore, no action is required.
• Design: The MCSA certification does not require candidates to prove design skills. To attain the MCSE on Windows Server 2003 certification, you must pass a design exam listed in the certification requirements above.
• Elective: Elective exams are required so that candidates prove technical breadth, interoperability skills, or additional technical depth. For an MCSA on Windows 2000, the MCSA credential itself satisfies the elective requirement for MCSE on Windows Server 2003 because it proves the ability to administer another version of the platform; therefore, no further action is required.
Upgrade Exams for an MCSE on Windows 2000 (2 Exams Required) |
Courses |
LearnKey Course |
Exam 70-292 : Managing and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Environment for an MCSA Certified on Windows 2000 |
Course 2297 : Planning, Implementing, Managing and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Environment for an MCSE Certified on Windows 2000 (available December 2003)
|
680648 |
Exam 70-296 : Planning, Implementing, and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Environment for an MCSE Certified on Windows 2000 |
Course 2297 : Planning, Implementing, Managing and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Environment for an MCSE Certified on Windows 2000 (available December 2003) |
680708 |
Note: No additional core or elective exams are required for an MCSE on Windows 2000 who passes Exams 70-292 and 70-296.
1 Candidates who passed Windows NT 4.0 Exams 70-067, 70-068, and 70-073 had the option to take the comprehensive Exam 70-240: Microsoft Windows 2000 Accelerated Exam for MCPs Certified on Microsoft Windows NT 4.0. By passing this exam, candidates met the MCSE exam requirement for 70-210. Exam 70-240 is no longer available.
2 Candidates may also take Exams 70-219, 70-220, 70-221, or 70-226 to satisfy the Core Design exam requirement.
3 Exams 70-297 and 70-298 may each count once as either one core design exam or one elective exam.
4 Exams 70-086, 70-227, and 70-228 may each count toward both the MCSA and MCSE elective exam requirements.
5 Although exams are no longer available for the MCSE on Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 certification, individuals who earned this credential remain certified.
6 CompTIA Security+ certification satisfies both the MCSE elective requirement and an MCSE: Security specialization requirement.