Category Certification

Whoa! Wait a minute! You mean I have a chance to save 5% more than the 20% off voucher I can request which is very visible on the sidebar?!

Why yes, yes you do! Your opportunities are flipping endless! This offer is valid until December 31st of 2009, and only applies to a finite number of exams, but if you happen to hit one of the exams which is 25% off, I’d say take that over my 20% off vouchers any day! (albeit, if its 20% or 15% off… let me know and I’ll get you a voucher if you’re in one of the 20% off countries :))

TECHNOLOGY EXAM TITLES NUMBER   Windows Server 2008 TS-Active Directory, Config 640 Get Voucher Windows Server 2008 TS – Infra Services, Config 642 Get Voucher Windows Server 2003 Managing and Maintaining Environment 290 Get Voucher Windows Server 2003 Implementing, Managing and Maintaining, Network Infra 291 Get Voucher Windows Server 2003 Planning and Maintaining Network Infra 293 Get Voucher Windows Server 2003 Planning, Implementing and Maintaining AD 294 Get Voucher Windows 7 TS – Windows 7 Configuring 680 Get Voucher Windows Vista TS – Vista Config 620 Get Voucher Windows XP Installing, Config, and Administering 270 Get Voucher Windows XP Supporting Users and Troubleshooting 271 Get Voucher Windows XP Supporting Users and Troubleshooting Desktop Apps. 272 Get Voucher SQL 2008 TS – Implementation and Maintenance 432 Get Voucher SQL 2008 TS – DB Dev 433 Get Voucher SQL 2008 TS – BI Dev 448 Get Voucher SQL 2005 TS – Implementing and Maintaining 431 Get Voucher Exchange 2007 TS – Exchange, Config 236 Get Voucher Visual Studio/.Net TS – .NET 2.0, Web-based Client Dev 526 Get Voucher Visual Studio/.Net TS – .NET 2.0, Web-based Client Dev 528 Get Voucher Visual Studio/.Net TS – .NET 2.0, Distributed App Dev 529 Get Voucher Visual Studio/.Net TS – App Dev Foundation, .NET 536 Get Voucher Virtualization TS – Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack, Config 656 Get Voucher Virtualization TS – Windows Server Virtualization, Config 652 Get Voucher Sharepoint TS – Sharepoint 07 Config 630 Get Voucher Sharepoint TS – Sharepoint07, App Dev 542 Get Voucher

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TECHNOLOGY EXAM TITLES NUMBER   Windows Server 2008 TS – App Infra, Config 643 Get Voucher Windows Server 2008 Upgrading MCSA to MCITP 648 Get Voucher Windows Server 2003 Designing an AD Network Infra 297 Get Voucher Windows Server 2003 Designing Security 298 Get Voucher Windows Server 2003 Implementing and Administering Security 299 Get Voucher Windows Server 2003 Config and Managing Hosted Environments 501 Get Voucher Windows Vista TS – Deploying and Maintaining Vista and Office 2007 624 Get Voucher SQL 2005 TS – Implementing and Maintaining BI Solutions 445 Get Voucher Visual Studio/.Net TS – .NET 3.5, Win Presentation Foundation 502 Get Voucher Visual Studio/.Net TS – .NET 3.5, Win Communication Foundation 503 Get Voucher Visual Studio/.Net TS – .NET 3.5, Workflow 504 Get Voucher Visual Studio/.Net TS – .NET 3.5, Windows Forms Applications 505 Get Voucher Visual Studio/.Net TS – .NET 3.5, ADO 561 Get Voucher Visual Studio/.Net TS – .NET 3.5, ASP.NET App Dev 562 Get Voucher Virtualization TS- System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2008, Configuration 403 Get Voucher Sharepoint TS – Sharepoint 3.0, App Dev 541 Get Voucher Sharepoint TS – Sharepoint Services 3.0, Config 631 Get Voucher

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TECHNOLOGY EXAM TITLES NUMBER   Windows Server 2008 Pro – Server Admin 646 Get Voucher Windows Server 2008 Upgrading MCSE to MCITP 649 Get Voucher Windows Server 2008 Pro – Ent. Admin 647 Get Voucher Windows Vista Upgrading MCDST to MCITP 621 Get Voucher Windows Vista Pro – MS Desktop Support 622 Get Voucher Windows Vista Pro – Supporting and Troubleshooting Applications 623 Get Voucher SQL 2008 Pro – Designing, Optimizing and Maintaining 450 Get Voucher SQL 2008 Pro – Designing DB and Data Access 451 Get Voucher SQL 2008 Pro – BI Dev 452 Get Voucher SQL 2008 Upgrade – SQL05 to SQL08 MCITP DBA 453 Get Voucher SQL 2008 Upgrade – SQL05 to SQL08 MCITP DBD 454 Get Voucher SQL 2008 Upgrade – SQL05 to SQL08 MCITP BI 455 Get Voucher SQL 2005 Pro – Designing DB Solutions 441 Get Voucher SQL 2005 Pro – Designing and Optimizing Data Access 442 Get Voucher SQL 2005 Pro – Planning, Designing, Developing and Optimizing DB Solutions 443 Get Voucher SQL 2005 Pro – Optiming and Maintaining DB Administration 444 Get Voucher SQL 2005 Pro – Designing a BI Solution 446 Get Voucher SQL 2005 Upgrade – MCDBA to MCITP 447 Get Voucher Exchange 2007 Pro – Designing Messaging Solutions 237 Get Voucher Exchange 2007 Pro – Deploying Messaging Solutions 238 Get Voucher Visual Studio/.Net Pro – Designing and Developing Web-based Apps using .NET 547 Get Voucher Visual Studio/.Net Pro – Designing and Developing Windows-based applications using .Net Framework 548 Get Voucher Visual Studio/.Net Pro – Designing and Developing Enterprise Apps using .NET 549 Get Voucher Visual Studio/.Net Upgrade – MCAD Skills to MCPD Web Developer by Using Microsoft .NET Framework for VS.NET 551 Get Voucher Visual Studio/.Net Upgrade – MCAD Skills to MCPD using .Net Framework 552 Get Voucher Visual Studio/.Net Upgrade – MCSD .Net skills to MCPD Enterprise Application Developer 553 Get Voucher Visual Studio/.Net Upgrade – MCSD .Net Skills to MCPD Enterprise Application Developer, Part 2 554 Get Voucher Visual Studio/.Net Pro – Designing and Developing Windows Applications using .Net Framework 3.5 563 Get Voucher Visual Studio/.Net Pro – Designing and Developing ASP.Net Applications Using .Net Framework 3.5 564 Get Voucher Visual Studio/.Net Pro- Designing and Developing Enterprise Application Using .Net Framework 3.5 565 Get Voucher Visual Studio/.Net Upgrade – Transition your MCPD web developer skills to MCPD ASP .Net Developer 3.5 567 Get Voucher Visual Studio/.Net Upgrade – Transition your MCPD Enterprise Application Developer Skills to MCPD Enterprise Application Developer 3.5, Part 1 568 Get Voucher Visual Studio/.Net Upgrade – Transition your MCPD Enterprise Application Developer Skills to MCPD Enterprise Application Developer 3.5, Part 2 569 Get Voucher

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There is no better time than the present in order to get yourself certified! Take your future into your own hands – Did you hear there will be 4million IT jobs created in the next 5 years, but no qualified people to fill them? Hey.. Get Qualified! (but preferably at a discount ;))

Doh! I was busy yesterday.  Yes I forgot to read BornToLearn for the day.. end result? I missed the Exchange Beta goes public announcement which had links over to the beta blog with Register for Beta Exam 71-662: TS: Microsoft Exchange Server 2010, Configuring – and what this means to you and I.. is that the Beta Code of E14J is no longer available or working!

Who know this exam would be so popular! (Okay, I knew it would, but I still missed the window.. but we’ll see… :) Worst case I’ll pay to take the beta!   Here are the details of the exam.

You are invited to take beta exam 71-662: TS: Microsoft Exchange Server 2010, Configuring. If you pass the beta exam, the exam credit will be added to your transcript and you will not need to take the exam in its released form. The 71-xxx identifier is used for registering for beta versions of MCP exams, when the exam is released in its final form the 70-xxx identifier is used for registration.
By participating in beta exams, you have the opportunity to provide the Microsoft Certification program with feedback about exam content, which is integral to development of exams in their released version. We depend on the contributions of experienced IT professionals and developers as we continually improve exam content and maintain the value of Microsoft certifications.

71-662: TS: Microsoft Exchange Server 2010, Configuring counts as credit towards the following certification(s).

· MCTS: Microsoft Exchange Server 2010, Configuration

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Availability

Public Registration begins: August 24, 2009

Beta exam period runs: August 31, 2009– September 14, 2009

Receiving this invitation does not guarantee you a seat in the beta; we recommend that you register immediately. Beta exams have limited availability and are operated under a first-come-first-served basis. Once all beta slots are filled, no additional seats will be offered.

Testing is held at Prometric testing centers worldwide, although this exam may not be available in all countries (see Regional Restrictions). All testing centers will have the capability to offer this exam in its live version.

Regional Restrictions: India, Pakistan, China

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Registration Information

You must register at least 24 hours prior to taking the exam.
Please use the following promotional code when registering for the exam: E14J
Receiving this invitation does not guarantee you a seat in the beta; we recommend that you register immediately.

To register in North America, please call:

Prometric: (800) 755-EXAM (800-755-3926)

Outside the U.S./Canada, please contact:

Prometric: http://www.register.prometric.com/ClientInformation.asp

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Test Information and Support

You are invited to take this beta exam at no charge.
You will be given four hours to complete the beta exam. Please plan accordingly.
Find exam preparation information: http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exam.aspx?ID=70-662

So, if/when I take this exam, look forward to a nice Post-Mortem to come out of it! And for those of you who got in under the wire, good luck!

Here we are at the dawn of a new era – An era of Exchange 2010! Look what E14 has truly brought us!   I know you’re going to say “70-662 isn’t out yet, 71-622 hasn’t even been released yet!"

And you are solidly and absolutely correct! Infact they’re still looking for SME’s to participate in the beta for this lovely exam to come!

But for the lucky ones who will be taking the reigns of beta-dom under their belt, there are some things you should know in order to prepare for this!   First of all, there is a BRIEF! Yes a brief of what to expect on the beta!    But even moreso, there is reference to the “Preparation Materials”  below discussing classroom training of 10135A: Configuring, Managing and Troubleshooting Microsoft® Exchange Server 2010 (5 Days) which is not available as of today’s date, so keep that in mind!  But on to the full detailed breakdown of what to expect!

Published:    October 27, 2009 (in development)
Language(s):    English, French, German, Japanese, Portuguese (Brazil), Chinese (Simplified)
Audience(s):    IT Professionals
Technology:    Microsoft Exchange Server 2010
Type:    Proctored Exam

Overview:

Audience Profile
The typical candidate is a Messaging Generalist responsible for the maintenance and administration of the Exchange servers in an enterprise environment. Day to day, the candidate typically installs and manages Exchange Server 2010 and manages users, mailboxes, security, servers, and databases by using Exchange Server 2010. The candidate might also monitor and troubleshoot Exchange Server 2010.

Credit Toward Certification
When you pass Exam 70-662: TS: Microsoft Exchange Server 2010, Configuring, you complete the requirements for the following certification(s):
Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS): Microsoft Exchange Server 2010, Configuration
Exam 70-662: TS: Microsoft Exchange Server 2010, Configuring: counts as credit toward the following certification(s):
Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP): Enterprise Messaging Administrator 2010
Note This preparation guide is subject to change at any time without prior notice and at the sole discretion of Microsoft. Microsoft exams might include adaptive testing technology and simulation items. Microsoft does not identify the format in which exams are presented. Please use this preparation guide to prepare for the exam, regardless of its format.

So as we can see the expectation is you will take this exam if you’re fulfilling your role as an administrator or filling out the bulk of your Professional experience in Exchange!

Skills Measured:

This exam measures your ability to accomplish the technical tasks listed below.The percentages indicate the relative weight of each major topic area on the exam.

Installing and Configuring Exchange Servers (15 percent)

• Prepare the infrastructure for Exchange.
  • This objective may include but is not limited to: prepare schema; prepare domain; prepare Active Directory; ensure the domain functionality level is correct; domain controller service packs; Exchange readiness check; coexistence; migration from 2003 or 2007; disable LinkState; Exchange Server Service Pack level; remove unsupported legacy components; configuring DNS to support the Exchange deployment
• Install Exchange prerequisites.
  • This objective may include but is not limited to: install MMC 3.0, Windows PowerShell 2.0; Microsoft .NET 3.5, WinRM 2.0, IIS, Windows roles and features, use ServerManagerCMD, use Exchange prerequisite scripts
• Install Exchange roles.
  • This objective may include but is not limited to: from the command line and the GUI; adding and modifying roles; add server roles to existing Exchange 2003 or 2007 organizations; verify Exchange installation; Security Configuration wizard (SCW); Windows Firewall, including port requirements; installing Exchange Server using standard and custom installation; installing Exchange Server using the command line; provisioning an Exchange Server and delegating server installation; troubleshooting a failed installation; adding Exchange Server roles after an initial installation
• Create and configure databases.
  • This objective may include but is not limited to: set database limits; set retention limits; set role-based access control (RBAC) permissions for database creation; naming conventions; create and use GUI and Windows PowerShell; create and manage public folder databases; set default public folder database; maintenance; mount and dismount databases; create new mailbox databases; configure mailbox database settings; move the mailbox database and transaction log locations; configure public folder database settings; mount and dismount databases
• Create and configure address lists.
  • This objective may include but is not limited to: update legacy address lists; configure offline address lists; publish address lists; filterable properties; creating and configuring e-mail address policies; creating and configuring address lists; creating and configuring offline address books

Configuring Exchange Recipients and Public Folders (14 percent)

• Create and configure mailboxes.
  • This objective may include but is not limited to: deleted items; deleted mailbox; mailbox quota; message size; warning thresholds; move from and to previous Exchange versions; online and offline moves; intra-orgs and cross-orgs; create proxy addresses; create mailboxes; configure client access protocols; configure spam confidence level (SCL) and phishing confidence level (PCL); send as permissions; delegation; forwarding; mailbox permissions; create and configure linked mailboxes
• Configure RBAC.
  • This objective may include but is not limited to: create and assign RBAC roles; define RBAC scopes; configure RBAC for specific roles, such as help desk and address list administrator

• Create and configure resource mailboxes and shared mailboxes.

  • This objective may include but is not limited to: equipment; room; permissions; set mailbox calendaring options; autoaccept; custom resource types
• Create and configure recipients and distribution groups.
  • This objective may include but is not limited to: create and modify; security enabled; configure moderation, including Exchange Control Panel (ECP) options; dynamic distribution groups; create proxy addresses; configure mail-enabled users; contacts; send as permissions; forwarding
• Create and configure public folders.
  • This objective may include but is not limited to: mail-enabled public folders; configure public folder permissions; deleted items; message size; item age; public folder size; create public folders in Enterprise Content Management (EMC) and Microsoft Outlook, and OWA; configure public folder permissions; configure public folder limits

Configuring Client Access (15 percent)

• Configure POP, IMAP, and Microsoft ActiveSync.
  • This objective may include but is not limited to: enable, configure, and secure POP and IMAP; manage certificates; configure mobile device policies; autodiscover; authentication; configure the Exchange ActiveSync virtual directory; configure the external name for Exchange ActiveSync; configure client access settings for Exchange ActiveSync, including Windows SharePoint Services and Windows File Share integration; Direct Push; configure Exchange ActiveSync mailbox policies; configure autodiscover for Exchange ActiveSync
• Configure Outlook Anywhere and RPC Client Access.
  • This objective may include but is not limited to: autodiscover; MAPI; create client access arrays; certificates; subject alternative name (SAN); configure virtual directories; enable and configure Outlook Anywhere on the CAS; troubleshoot Outlook Anywhere connectivity

• Configure federated sharing.

  • This objective may include but is not limited to: certificates; enrollment; DNS; calendar and free/busy; subject alternative name (SAN); assign policies; create and configure a federated trust; create and configure a federated organization identifier; create and configure a sharing relationship; create and configure a sharing policy; assign sharing policies to user accounts
• Configure Outlook Web Access (OWA).
  • This objective may include but is not limited to: customize the OWA interface; certificates; file share and SharePoint access; public folders; verify multi-browser support; ECP; SAN; configure virtual directories; coexistence scenarios; authentication; configure the external name for OWA; configure client access settings for OWA, including Windows SharePoint Services and Windows File Share integration; segmentation settings; configure OWA mailbox policies

Configuring Message Transport (15 percent)

• Create and configure transport rules.
  • This objective may include but is not limited to: enable and configure; disclaimers; moderated transport; install the Windows Rights Management Services (RMS) pre-licensing agent; configure rights protection by using transport rules
• Configure hub transport.
  • This objective may include but is not limited to: configure transport dumpster; accepted domains; remote domains; authoritative domains; e-mail address policies
• Configure Edge transport.
  • This objective may include but is not limited to: create, configure, and test Edge Sync; configure Edge Transport server cloning; install the Edge Transport server role; configure Edge Transport server settings; configure Edge synchronization
• Configure message routing.
  • This objective may include but is not limited to: internal and external DNS; configure routing based on sites and costs; enable, configure, and secure send and receive connectors; certificates; relay connectors; authentication; message size limits; MTLS; routing group connector for coexistence; configure accepted and remote domains; configure SMTP send and receive connectors; configure message delivery limits; configure TLS security for message delivery

Monitoring and Reporting (13 percent)

• Monitor databases.
  • This objective may include but is not limited to: public folder statistics; mailbox databases statistics; database status; DAG replication
• Monitor mail flow.
  • This objective may include but is not limited to: perform message tracking; DNS; manage message queues; view, retry, and delete; backpressure thresholds; resolve NDRs
• Monitor connectivity.
  • This objective may include but is not limited to: SMTP client to server; SMTP server to server; Outlook RPC/MAPI; Outlook Anywhere; Outlook Exchange Web Services (EWS); POP; IMAP; ActiveSync
• Generate reports.
  • This objective may include but is not limited to: mailbox folder statistics; mailbox statistics; mailflow statistics; formatted list and formatted table; ExBPA
• Configure logging.
  • This objective may include but is not limited to: protocol logging; store logging; configure logging levels; agent logs; message tracking logs; event logs; analysis of logging results

Implementing High Availability and Recovery (15 percent)

• Create and configure the Database Availability Group (DAG).
  • This objective may include but is not limited to: create and configure DAG; file share witness (FSW); replication latency; configure lag; add or remove database copies; configure failover priority; add or remove server members; configure mailbox database copies; manage continuous replication
• Perform backup and restore of data.
  • This objective may include but is not limited to: recovery database; dialtone restores; deleted mailbox retention; deleted item retention; mailbox merge; disconnected mailbox; backing up Exchange servers; creating a backup schedule
• Configure public folders for high availability.
  • This objective may include but is not limited to: add or remove replicas; schedules; message tracking; back up and restore public folder database and data
• Configure high availability for non-mailbox servers.
  • This objective may include but is not limited to: affinity; DNS round robin; MX records; NLB; configuring high availability for Client Access servers; configuring high availability for Hub Transport servers; configuring high availability for Edge Transport servers
• Back up and recover server roles.
  • This objective may include but is not limited to: hub; CAS IIS; Edge; Edge server clone configuration; setup /recoverserver; setup /recoverCMS; mailbox server; restoring Exchange Servers after server failure; configuring messaging services during a server failure; back up Server roles

Configuring Message Compliance and Security (13 percent)

• Configure records management.
  • This objective may include but is not limited to: custom and default managed folders; retention policy; configure and apply retention policies and retention policy tags; configure managed folders, including default and custom managed folders; configure content settings; configure managed folder mailbox policies
• Configure compliance.
  • This objective may include but is not limited to: configure RMS; configure alternate mailboxes; configure journaling; enable message classification; configure mail tips; auditing; transport rules
• Configure message integrity.
  • This objective may include but is not limited to: S/MIME; MTLS; certificates; RMS federation; transport rules
• Configure anti-virus and anti-spam.
  • This objective may include but is not limited to: file and process exclusions; transport rules; SCL; PCL; sender ID; safe sender/block sender; Realtime Block List (RBL); Sender Policy Framework (SPF) records; sender reputation list (SRL); configuring anti-spam agents; managing the quarantine mailbox; managing updates for content filters

Preparation Materials:

To help you prepare for this exam, Microsoft Learning recommends that you have hands-on experience with the product and that you use the following training resources. These training resources do not necessarily cover all of the topics listed in the "Skills Measured" tab.

Classroom Training

• 10135A: Configuring, Managing and Troubleshooting Microsoft® Exchange Server 2010 (5 Days)

Microsoft E-LearningThere is no Microsoft E-Learning training currently available.

Microsoft Press BooksThere are no Microsoft Press books currently available.

Practice TestsThere are no practice tests currently available.

Yea, it’s true – you’re on your own at this point (as of mid-august!) but as things develop and move forward I’m sure we’ll see some real action and traction!

I don’t know about you, but I will be taking this exam, whether in beta, release or both – and as always you can expect a post-mortem later around it (with the strictest confidence in not releasing anything telling of the exam [My promise to you Liberty ;)]   So look forward to that, and be sure to get yourself involved out there to partake in this with your SME Profile!

OMG! It’s Beta Thursday! Well, kind of… it’s the release of a ‘call for SME’s’ for the future Windows Server virtualization (re:Hyper-V) beta exam 70-659!

It will formally go by the name: Exam 70-659, TS: Windows Server 2008 R2, Server Virtualization, which is frankly pretty sweet!   So if you’re an expert, I suggest you update your SME profile and get yourself in the running for setting the pace of the futures!

You can find similar information and how to get an SME profile via this post from the other day, Exchange 2010 Beta Exams are calling you! Update your SME Profile today!

However, for the ‘clicking impaired’ feel free to follow these steps!

• Visit the Connect Home Page
• Click on “Were you invited to join Connect?”
• Put this invitation code into the box: SME2-JC3G-DKDY
• Fill out the survey/profile

Wow, it’s that easy!

Wait, what?! Yay?! That’s right! The Exchange 2010 exams will be hitting beta soon, and you can get first crack at testing it in the beta process – All it takes is clicking random links and updating your profile to reflect the fact that you’ve been playing with the 2010 bits!

Step 1. Visit this MSL Post to get the highlights (thanks Krista Wall!) Exchange 2010 beta exams coming soon—submit your SME profile now!

Step 2. Visit this second MSL Post in order to get the details about the SME Profile on connect! One word, rhymes with sneeze—Sign me up!

Step 3. Alright, I didn’t follow steps 1 or 2 because I don’t like clicking links so I want to go directly to setting up my SME Profile on Connect

• Visit the Connect Home Page
• Click on “Were you invited to join Connect?”
• Put this invitation code into the box: SME2-JC3G-DKDY
• Fill out the survey/profile
• You’re set and on your way to being the part of this beta and other future betas! Yay?!

So, the keys are in your hands – So step up and be a part of the future of the Exchange 2010 exams… or sit on the sidelines waiting until its released in final form in a million years!