Tag certification

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!

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!

Hey, you remember the bus! Well, the locations have been published! Which is especially great if you’re a number of destinations along the path you will want to hook up and meet the bus along the way!

• Milan, 26 Oct
• Zurich, 27 Oct
• Paris, 28 Oct
• London, 29 Oct
• Brussels, 30 Oct
• Amsterdam, 2 Nov
• Frankfurt, 3 Nov
• Munich, 4 Nov
• Vienna, 5 Nov
• Prague, 6 Nov
• Berlin, 9 Nov

Host a Career Express and/or a TechEd EMEA community event!

The best part of the tour are the local stops the Career Express makes at training partners and community events. On the Career Express USA tour in May, we stopped at a luau thrown by a partner, high schools, and colleges. What do you get when you host an event?

1) Company profile promoted on Get On The Bus Tour website

2) Event resources to facilitate local event in your area as part of Get On The Bus Tour stop

3) Increased visibility with TechEd EMEA registrants and/or attendees

4) Technical training on Microsoft Windows 7, Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2, and Microsoft Exchange Server 2010

If you would like to host a local event, we are taking applications until August 18. For more details, download the application form here: Bus Tour EMEA Event Application Form

Why yes, much of this was hijacked from Born to Learn, but hey! I had a lot invested in that trip and I equally want to see this one be successful! So get out there! Be a hosting location, or visit one of the hosting locations, it’ll be an experience unlike no other!

So, I discussed this before in a few places, but just incase we forgot! Act now or forever lose your Microsoft Certification discount!, Getting Microsoft Certified in the United Arab Emirates! and Certification and MeasureUp Discounts 20% off Certs!

Well, in these past posts, I discussed that there were a finite number of countries whereby the 20% off discount would apply.  I did have a spreadsheet I generated and kept on hand.. but instead of sharing the entire spreadsheet I’m only going to include the countries which *today* offer the 20% off discount before they all fall into 10% only discounts.  The important lesson here is: If you live in one of these countries where 20% is available, let me know and I’ll be sure to get you the 20% off voucher before we all lose it forever!

That’s right! If you live, test and certify in one of these countries above, let me know and I’ll be sure to get you some vouchers! You must let me know before August 27th though, or else I’ll only be able generate 10% vouchers after that point!   And yes I will be generating SOME vouchers to keep on hand for these countries just incase, but it’s better to be safe than sorry and ensure you’re all taken care of!

Good news! Especially for those of you who have checked out these two posts:

Certification and MeasureUp Discounts 20% off Certs! 

Getting Microsoft Certified in the United Arab Emirates!

Unfortunately, there will be some change on the horizon! That 20% will soon become 10% for all vouchers generated after August 27th, 2009!  Fortunately, all vouchers generated BEFORE August 27th, 2009 will still be eligible for their original discount (Which is great for England, US and other 20% off countries! :))

I’ll generate a number of vouchers to have on hand as applicable, which I’ll definitely take care of for England and the US, and if you have any other countries you want vouchers for… let me know and I’ll be sure to keep them on hand! :)