MCITP: Enterprise Administrator

[kalvindeane]

Hello server and enterprise solutions people.

I was thinking of doing the above cert so that I can get some insight into Microsoft servers and the like.

I haven't looked into it at great depth yet, and have a few questions.

The Microsoft website says that this cert will no longer be available after 2013, is it still worth getting?
I imagine that it probably is, and the knowledge needed for the exams will be relevant for quite some
time anyway, but would like some reassurance.

Has anybody used the books in this kit, and how good would you rate them/what else is recommended?

I'll be putting Windows Server 2008 R 2 in some virtual machines, Microsoft mention using Hyper-v,
are there any alternatives which you would recommend?


Thank you.

 

[Trojan]

The Microsoft website says that this cert will no longer be available after 2013, is it still worth getting?

Yes. Businesses will be using Server 2008 for years to come so as you say, the knowledge you gain and the skills you learn will continue to be relevant. Hell, at work we still have a number of Windows 2003 servers kicking about.

Also, if you get your MCITP in Server 2008, you'll be able to sit an upgrade exam to update your qualifcations to 2012 rather than sitting 6+ exams again.

Has anybody used the books in this kit, and how good would you rate them/what else is recommended?

These are the books I used when studying for mine and have nothing but praise for them. The authors know what they're talking about, but manage to relay the knowledge in an easy to understand way. At the end of each chapter, you'll be given a practical which will involve building a small lab and running through some tasks to demonstrate the areas you've just been reading about.

Just be aware though that you'll also need to sit a client OS exam (likely 70-680 - Configuring Windows 7) so you'll also need a training book for that. And finally, if you want to get your MCITP:Server Administrator first, you'll need to purchase a training book for this exam (70-646) as well.

I'll be putting Windows Server 2008 R 2 in some virtual machines, Microsoft mention using Hyper-v,
are there any alternatives which you would recommend?

If you have a Hyper-V compatible physical computer that you can install Server 2008R2 onto, then that would be the best option to use. You'll build all your virtuals using the tools that you'll be tested on in the exams, so the familiarity will be good to have. ESXi is also an option, but as you're going to be sitting Microsoft exams, I think it's much better to use their offering. Plus you can then try out some of the system center products that will be mentioned in the exams.

If you don't have a spare physical though and are going to be running VMs on your main rig, you'll need to go for something like Oracle VirtualBox (freeware), Microsoft Virtual PC (freeware) or VMware Workstation (Not free). I'm a big fan of Workstation 8, but as said it will cost you.

Good luck

 

[kalvindeane]

Thanks for the reply. Not sure whether to install windows server 2008 r2 on a new volume (I have a copy free from MSDN), or to run it all in virtual-box.

I was actually planning on taking the 70-680 exam this week but the only local testing center is not able to do the exams for a couple of months.

Leaning towards using VMs on my windows 7 install so I can play games when the servers are doing their boring stuff.

Should be able to run a good few VMs simultaneously, recently purchased a 240gb SSD, upgraded to 12gb of RAM and overclocked my i7 930 too.

 

[Little_Crow]

I'm in the same position right now, and thanks to your timely post I now know I have a time scale to meet.

I'm planning on doing the MCITP: Server Administrator on Windows Server 2008 Exams: 70-640, 70-642, 70-646.
This will get the Server 2008 MCSA that can then be upgraded with Exam 417 to Server 2012 MCSA.
I was originally planning on the Enterprise Admin path, but just don't think I'll get all the exams done in time.

I would have a good look at the current exams and how they translate to the 2012 certs - you don't want to leave yourself without a certificate and no way to upgrade the exams you've already done.

Since we've actually been given a decent training budget this year, and have several people going for Cisco, VMWare, MS, and various project certifications we'll be buying access to all of the CBT Nuggets training for $2000 per login.

I've heard very good things about nuggets, so I'm hoping this'll be a good investment.

 

[Dashik]

Hi there I agree with the comments on the MS press books and the long term validity of the exam.The books are great and I would not worry about the usefulness of the certification as has already been said its not like Server 2008R2 is going to disappear overnight!

I'm on that route as well but I've decided to go with CCNA first then resume the MCITP:EA

Might be worth reading through these threads as well

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18258403

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18259429

Good Luck!

 

[kalvindeane]

I'm also doing the CCNA!

Got my CCENT next Wednesday in fact. Not sure when I'll take the ICND2 exam though, I'm finishing college next week, hopefully will get the exam done sometime before September.

On a related note, I'm not sure what to do next year., I could go to college and gain some UCAS points for uni, or just try getting some certs and look for a job, not sure.

 

[TNGL]

I'm also doing the CCNA!

Got my CCENT next Wednesday in fact. Not sure when I'll take the ICND2 exam though, I'm finishing college next week, hopefully will get the exam done sometime before September.

On a related note, I'm not sure what to do next year., I could go to college and gain some UCAS points for uni, or just try getting some certs and look for a job, not sure.

Why aren't you getting any UCAS points now? As you say you're close to finishing college.

 

[kalvindeane]

I'm doing a Pathway to Apprenticeship in I.T. It doesn't provide any UCAS points unfortunately.