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by Thomas W. Shinder
A question that comes up frequently from both the new entrant
and the IP Pro is what is the best path to take for upgrading to the Windows
2000 MCSE Certification. In the past the upgrade of the cert wasn’t that much
of a big deal. Certificate holders expected their exams to remain in an
“unretired” state for five to seven years. Now that Microsoft has
decided to perform a mass retirement of all non Windows 2000 oriented exams,
there is more of a sense of urgency about getting the certification upgraded.
A question that comes up frequently from both the new entrant
and the IP Pro is what is the best path to take for upgrading to the Windows2000 MCSE Certification…
If You Have The MCSE
How should you approach upgrading, or obtaining your MCSE? If
you are already an MCSE in the Windows NT 4.0 track, the best way for you to go
it to take the 70-240 Microsoft Windows 2000 Accelerated Exam for MCPs. However, there is a caveat: you must have
taken Windows NT 4.0 Workstation are your client operating system, and not Windows 9x.
If you chose to take a Windows 9x operating system in your trek through the
Windows NT 4.0 MCSE track, you’ll need to take the Windows NT 4.0 Workstation
exam before you can take the 70-240 exam.
In order to qualify for the Accelerated exam, you must have taken and passed:
- Exam 70-073: Microsoft. Windows NT.
Workstation 4.0 - Exam 70-067: Implementing and Supporting
Microsoft. Windows NT. Server 4.0 - Exam 70-068: Implementing and Supporting
Microsoft. Windows NT. Server 4.0 in the Enterprise
Some of the people who took the Win9x exam instead of NT
Workstation feel a little left out in the cold. However, Microsoft takes the
stance that the Windows 2000 MCSE candidate needs to have a good understanding
of a highly manageable and secure client operating system environment, and Win9x does
not provide such an environment.
If You’re Working Toward the MCSE
What about people that are just entering into the field, or
perhaps have started their MCSE education when the last six months or so? This
is where there is some disagreement about how to approach the Windows 2000
Certification path.
For people just starting out, or who have been in training
for six months or less, I recommend that they study for:
-
Windows NT 4.0 Workstation
-
Windows NT 4.0 Server
-
Windows NT 4.0 in the Enterprise
-
Windows NT 4.0 TCP/IP
-
Internet Information Server 4.0
The trick is that all of these exams retire on December
31, 2000. After that date, you cannot take these exams because they won’t be
available. However, I highly recommend that you finish up the Workstation,
Server and Enterprise material as soon as possible so that you can take the
Accelerated Exam.
But even if you don’t finish the material on time, it’s
vitally important that you learn about Windows NT 4.0, TCP/IP and IIS. The
Windows 2000 exams assume that you are already well heeled in TCP/IP and IIS,
and to a certain extent, Windows NT 4.0. More importantly, you need to have a
strong understanding of TCP/IP and the Internet technologies included in IIS if
you hope to have a chance at being effective in the “real world”.
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Cores and Electives
The Accelerated exam takes the place of the four core Windows
2000 exams:
-
Exam 70-210: Installing,
Configuring and Administering Microsoft. Windows. 2000 Professional
Exam 70-215: Installing,
Configuring and Administering Microsoft. Windows. 2000 Server
Exam 70-216: Implementing and
Administering a Microsoft. Windows. 2000 Network Infrastructure
Exam 70-217: Implementing and
Administering a Microsoft. Windows. 2000 Directory Services Infrastructure
After completing the requirements for the four core exams,
you must take one core elective design exam. Everyone must take one design exam
for the core design elective. You can choose from the following:
-
Exam 70-219: Designing a
Microsoft. Windows. 2000 Directory Services Infrastructure -
Exam 70-220: Designing
Security for a Microsoft. Windows. 2000 Network -
Exam 70-221: Designing a
Microsoft. Windows. 2000 Network Infrastructure
Then, after completing the design exam requirement, you must
have two electives. There are a large number of electives available, and you
should pick an elective that matches your personal and professional interests.
Don’t fall into the trap of picking an elective because the test is supposed
to be “easier” than some of the other tests.
You can take other design exams for your electives, but each
one only counts once. For example, if you took the 70-221 design exam for your
core design requirement, you could not apply that exam to your electives. You
would have to take 70-219 or 70-220 or both, if you like, if you want to use
them for electives.
The True Path to Enlightenment
Keep in mind that the key to success is actually being about
to come up with solutions based on the Windows 2000 operating system. Think of
the Windows 2000 MCSE exams as a way to validate the knowledge you’ve gain
from both your study and practice with the operating system. Work with it
everyday and try to implement every technology that you read about. Don’t take
any author’s word on how something works (not even mine). Always test things
out for yourself.
For More Information:
You can get all the details on the MCSE Program at the Microsoft
Training and Certification site.
You can order your free 70-240 test voucher at the MCP
Secure Site.
Deb and Tom Shinder are the authors of Troubleshooting
Windows 2000 TCP/IP and Series Editors for the Syngress/Osborne
Windows 2000 MCSE Study Guides.
