Lay of the Land (Certification)

I long time generalist with a decided "Application Development" focus, I may
be required to get my MCSE Certification.

My preference and majority of work experience would have been pointing me
more in the MCSD path, but the job requires the MCSE credential. Its not
that I would be required to deliver "expert level" support but I would need
to understand the major area's of infrastructure, their interactions,
interdependencies, etc.

Any advise on the best way to familiarize myself with the MCSE certification
task .. any sage advise? What's the best "Microsoft Technical
Infrastructure Overview" tutorial or white paper...something that can give
me a 30,000 foot view of the major components, key functions/services, etc.

Thanks for your patience in advance.

Ken
Thu Mar 04 07:22:28 CST 2004

> I long time generalist with a decided "Application Development" focus, I
may
> be required to get my MCSE Certification.
>
> My preference and majority of work experience would have been pointing me
> more in the MCSD path, but the job requires the MCSE credential. Its not
> that I would be required to deliver "expert level" support but I would
need
> to understand the major area's of infrastructure, their interactions,
> interdependencies, etc.
>
> Any advise on the best way to familiarize myself with the MCSE
certification
> task .. any sage advise? What's the best "Microsoft Technical
> Infrastructure Overview" tutorial or white paper...something that can give
> me a 30,000 foot view of the major components, key functions/services,
etc.
>

Wow. A well formed question, using full sentences! We don't get these in
here quite often.

Some books/study material that is often suggested:
MS Press
MOC (I think ebay might be your best bet for this)
Sybex
Mike Meyers
Transcenders
TechNet
Experience, experience experience

MCSE isn't for someone who just reads books to learn. It's about knowing the
product. So set up a home test network (2 or 3 computers will suffice - or
even VirtualPC), and create domains, OUs, policies, etc. Know how things
work. Know why things work. Read, ask questions, get your hands dirty.

Best of luck!

--


KB - MCNGP "helpful thug" #26

first initial last name AT hotmail DOT com



---
Virus? In the computer? Are you serious?
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.611 / Virus Database: 391 - Release Date: 3/3/2004

Kendal
Thu Mar 04 09:09:35 CST 2004

And take a look at http://www.microsoft.com/traincert

"Ken Briscoe" <youcant@sendmespam.invalid> wrote in message
news:#1Yp3teAEHA.212@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
> > I long time generalist with a decided "Application Development" focus, I
> may
> > be required to get my MCSE Certification.
> >
> > My preference and majority of work experience would have been pointing
me
> > more in the MCSD path, but the job requires the MCSE credential. Its not
> > that I would be required to deliver "expert level" support but I would
> need
> > to understand the major area's of infrastructure, their interactions,
> > interdependencies, etc.
> >
> > Any advise on the best way to familiarize myself with the MCSE
> certification
> > task .. any sage advise? What's the best "Microsoft Technical
> > Infrastructure Overview" tutorial or white paper...something that can
give
> > me a 30,000 foot view of the major components, key functions/services,
> etc.
> >
>
> Wow. A well formed question, using full sentences! We don't get these in
> here quite often.
>
> Some books/study material that is often suggested:
> MS Press
> MOC (I think ebay might be your best bet for this)
> Sybex
> Mike Meyers
> Transcenders
> TechNet
> Experience, experience experience
>
> MCSE isn't for someone who just reads books to learn. It's about knowing
the
> product. So set up a home test network (2 or 3 computers will suffice - or
> even VirtualPC), and create domains, OUs, policies, etc. Know how things
> work. Know why things work. Read, ask questions, get your hands dirty.
>
> Best of luck!
>
> --
>
>
> KB - MCNGP "helpful thug" #26
>
> first initial last name AT hotmail DOT com
>
>
>
> ---
> Virus? In the computer? Are you serious?
> Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
> Version: 6.0.611 / Virus Database: 391 - Release Date: 3/3/2004
>
>

The
Thu Mar 04 12:58:16 CST 2004

>And take a look at http://www.microsoft.com/traincert

Do you have the address?

Kline Sphere (Chalk) MCNGP #3

Bill
Fri Mar 05 11:53:03 CST 2004


Yes.. Thanks to all.

I was hoping I could go somewhere to get the cliff notes ... to do an honest
"high-level" self-assessment in preparing for my next interview.

While this position has is a decided emphasis on customer/client account
management skills(my biggest area of strength), the expectation is that I
have, at the very least, a sound understanding of the fundamentals/major
components and how they relate to each other (and to the whole Microsoft
infrastructure framework). Obtaining certification after being hired is
expected and I want to be honest with myself and my perspective employer
about how much of a learning curve I have in front of me....as well as,
whether or not my current knowledge can meet the immediate requirements of
the position until certification can be earned.

I have a good feeling for all of this from a developers prospective and my
long time PC End-user Support career history. I just need a 30,000 foot view
of the overall infrastructure framework.

Anyway, thanks to all for your advise and direction...

"The Poster Formerly Known as Kline Sphere" <.> wrote in message
news:p1ve40p481tvmkcotmgodcbf70nd0e3e90@4ax.com...
> >And take a look at http://www.microsoft.com/traincert
>
> Do you have the address?
>
> Kline Sphere (Chalk) MCNGP #3