Server 2008 Certification advice required please

Discussion in 'General Microsoft Certifications' started by JK2447, Apr 3, 2011.

  1. JK2447
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    JK2447 Petabyte Poster Administrator Premium Member

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    Hi all,

    I'm looking at upgrading my MCSE 2k3 to 2008 but I need some help choosing the correct path. I will shortly be starting work in a Wintel / Server Support / Systems Administrator type role supporting 1000+ servers, 3rd line, out of hours etc you get the picture.

    I have passed the Vista client so was considering the MCITP: EA as that is now two exams away as is the MCITP: SA.

    Can someone tell me in layman's terms what the difference is between the EA and SA and which you would choose in my situation? (rep for good answers obviously!)

    If you have done the upgrade exams did you buy the books and CBT's as if you were sitting the 5 exams or is there upgrade specific materials out there?

    Thanks for any help you can give
    Jim
     
    Certifications: VCP4, 5, 6, 6.5, 6.7, 7, 8, VCAP DCV Design, VMConAWS Skill, Google Cloud Digital Leader, BSc (Hons), HND IT, HND Computing, ITIL-F, MBCS CITP, MCP (270,290,291,293,294,298,299,410,411,412) MCTS (401,620,624,652) MCSA:Security, MCSE: Security, Security+, CPTS, CCA (XenApp6.5), MCSA 2012, VSP, VTSP
    WIP: Google Cloud Certs
  2. kevicho

    kevicho Gigabyte Poster

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    Im going to be doing the upgrade route from MCSA but am doing the Windows 7 certs before hand, as the 680 is also an elective for the EA (which the 70-620 is so youve got this covered)

    My plan goes for the SA first, which from what i was thinking before is the MCSA/Proving you can handle server support side of things (so the 686 and 648 exams) and then the 3 exams for EA which im thinking is the MCSE/more overall planning and management of the whole network side of things (643 and 647 exams)

    The MCSE upgarde path has one less exam

    http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/certification/cert-windowsserver.aspx#tab4

    I tend to think a pyramid approach to exams (ie having the previous levels of certs) looks much better to employers
     
    Last edited: Apr 3, 2011
    Certifications: A+, Net+, MCSA Server 2003, 2008, Windows XP & 7 , ITIL V3 Foundation
    WIP: CCNA Renewal
  3. Sparky
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    Sparky Zettabyte Poster Moderator

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    For the EA upgrade I used:

    http://www.amazon.co.uk/Real-MCTS-M...2345/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1301826038&sr=8-2

    This was the only 70-649 book out at the time

    And also the full EA boxed set:
    http://www.amazon.co.uk/Self-Paced-...ef=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1301826091&sr=1-1-spell

    I wanted to upgrade the certification however I really wanted to get more knowledge of Server 2008 as most of our Server 2008 upgrades had been cancelled (credit crunch!) at the time but now things have changed and most of the Server 2k/2003 to Server 2008 upgrades have been done at work.

    The 70-649 exam is unusual as it is a selection of questions from each core exam. Some parts only had 7 questions and if you fail one part you fail the exam.

    The exam wasn’t too bad all in and fairly straight forward – not as difficult as that ISA exam the other day! :biggrin
     
    Certifications: MSc MCSE MCSA:M MCSA:S MCITP:EA MCTS(x5) MS-900 AZ-900 Security+ Network+ A+
    WIP: Microsoft Certs
  4. JK2447
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    JK2447 Petabyte Poster Administrator Premium Member

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    Thanks guys, I'll order the MS press books soon, always handy as a reference anyway.
     
    Certifications: VCP4, 5, 6, 6.5, 6.7, 7, 8, VCAP DCV Design, VMConAWS Skill, Google Cloud Digital Leader, BSc (Hons), HND IT, HND Computing, ITIL-F, MBCS CITP, MCP (270,290,291,293,294,298,299,410,411,412) MCTS (401,620,624,652) MCSA:Security, MCSE: Security, Security+, CPTS, CCA (XenApp6.5), MCSA 2012, VSP, VTSP
    WIP: Google Cloud Certs
  5. Sparky
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    Sparky Zettabyte Poster Moderator

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    Yup, also look good in the home office as well. :biggrin
     
    Certifications: MSc MCSE MCSA:M MCSA:S MCITP:EA MCTS(x5) MS-900 AZ-900 Security+ Network+ A+
    WIP: Microsoft Certs
  6. JK2447
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    JK2447 Petabyte Poster Administrator Premium Member

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    Ha ha yeah I can kid the missus I'm professional 8)
     
    Certifications: VCP4, 5, 6, 6.5, 6.7, 7, 8, VCAP DCV Design, VMConAWS Skill, Google Cloud Digital Leader, BSc (Hons), HND IT, HND Computing, ITIL-F, MBCS CITP, MCP (270,290,291,293,294,298,299,410,411,412) MCTS (401,620,624,652) MCSA:Security, MCSE: Security, Security+, CPTS, CCA (XenApp6.5), MCSA 2012, VSP, VTSP
    WIP: Google Cloud Certs

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