Tag 70-654

71-654 Post Mortem: TS EBS 2008 (re: very morbid)

by Christopher Kusek (PKGuild) Baltimization, Certification, Christopher Kusek, Informational, Microsoft

Well, if you recall the last time I took a test, I reported it was "Amazing", though I cannot declare the same feelings for this particular exam.

On the surface, there was nothing wrong with this exam, yet in the same gesture there was also nothing right about it.  I’m not judging the content as it was delivered free of most complaints I typically comment about on exams.    No, this was something different, something else.   The kind of something only that of an infrastructure, architectural geek wouldn’t get.

The Server Unleashed

Two weeks in the trenches working with EBS and this particular exam will be a godsend to you.  You’ll be prepared, ready and set to deliver.   The same could be said though of someone who has never touched anything else outside of EBS.

http://www.geekologie.com/2008/03/25/killer-robot.jpg

 

But opening the doorway to SBS, if you’ve ever touched a "real server", and happen to be a command line guy, you’ll find SBS, EBS and this particular exam to be considerably frustrating.  Now don’t get me wrong! I’m not knocking EBS, or SBS.  I’m just letting you know, if you’re not that guy, this is not the test for you.

Know your product, know the in’s, the out’s and you’ll do fine.   But this is not an exam to think outside the box.

 You’ve been warned!

Two more beta exams! (71-654) Windows Essentials EBS, (71-660) Windows Internals

by Christopher Kusek (PKGuild) Baltimization, Certification, Christopher Kusek, Informational, Microsoft, Windows Server

I love Trika! She’s such a wealth of knowledge, information, lolcatz and a number of other sillie things!

In this episode, we cover two (more) beta exams.

71-654 – TS: Windows Essential Business Server 2008, Configuring
The promo code is “EBS08”
The beta is initially scheduled from 7/22 to 8/12.

About EBS: “Windows Essential Business Server 2008 combines software for management, messaging, and security features into one integrated server solution that will help customers increase the manageability and reliability of their IT systems, and boost businesses productivity and growth.”

This credential is designed for information technology (IT) professionals working in or consulting with medium sized businesses that use Windows Essentials Server 2008. A candidate for this exam should have at least one year of experience deploying, configuring, and managing network solutions in an environment with the following characteristics:

* 75+ company network connections
* Company networks with Internet connectivity
* Individual users or user groups that connect to the company network from remote locations
* Messaging (Internet, and Exchange)
* Anti-spam

And the second (and cooooolest one)

71-660: TS: Windows® Internals
The promo code is “WINT”
Beta exam period runs: July 21, 2008– August 5, 2008

About this Exam

This exam validates deep technical skills in the area of Windows Internals. Including troubleshooting operating systems that are not performing as expected or applications that are not working correctly, identifying code defects, and developing and debugging applications that run unmanaged code or that are tightly integrated with the operating system, such as Microsoft SQL Server, third party applications, antivirus software, and device drivers.

Audience Profile

Candidates for this exam are engineers, developers, or IT staff who work with Windows at a level that requires Windows Internals knowledge. Candidates for this exam are typically in the upper echelon of the technical staff at their companies. These individuals typically hold such positions as escalation engineer, technical lead, and software design engineer. Their level of knowledge spans products both inside and outside the Microsoft Corporation. These individuals are involved in resolving problems that require deep understanding of Windows Internals rather than problems about planning and infrastructure development or how to use or configure a product that runs on Windows.