MCITP Books and Training Materials

Dashik · 23 Mar 2012 at 22:41

Ok so after an enforced pause due to my partners illness 'm back to getting this done

I'm right in thinking the MS 70-680 Windows book is still current its just the big MCITP:EA bundle that's been revised to V2 for 2008R2 yes?

Saundie · 24 Mar 2012 at 07:24

There is only one revision of the 70-680 book, whereas the 70-640, 70-642, 70-643, 70-646 and 70-647 books have a second revision for Server 2008 R2. So to answer your question directly; yes, it is still current.

Dashik · 24 Mar 2012 at 19:10

Thanks, Pretty much what I thought from what I could find

Ill get the revised set in a week or two after I do 70-680

Dashik · 2 May 2012 at 01:56

Ok well this has lit a fire under my ass

http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/certification/cert-private-cloud.aspx

Turns out if you have either the SA or EA qualification you get upgraded to MCSA:Windows Server 2008 and the additional 2 exams takes you right back to an MCSE.......

Theres a fair amount of traffic being generated by this on the certification forums as you can probably imagine lol.

In any case I'm now in full on sweat and study mode to get the Win 7 and MCITP System Admin at least done and out of the way asap before they change anything else lol. If I can I'm still planning on finishing the additional exams for the Enterprise Admin and then the Hyper V stuff. All depends on the content of exams 246 and 247.

Expect significantly more frequent updates of my progress........

Im trying to get 70-680 by the end of this month. Only hold up is were expecting my partner's Breast Cancer op around then so I will have to work around that (obviously).

Back to the books/labs/videos......

Saundie · 2 May 2012 at 07:27

I wouldn't be too concerned by the recent changes, Dashik. MCITP: SA is being renamed to "MCSA: Windows Server 2008", and apparently it appears as both on your transcript. I would expect MCITP: EA to remain available for many years to come; it's still possible to do MCSE on Server 2003/Windows XP, after all.

That aside, I hope everything goes well with regards to your partner's operation, and that you are successful in passing the 70-680 exam should you take it.

I'm planning to take the 70-640 exam again on the 29th of June - 8 weeks should be enough time for me to get to grips with Rights Management Services and Federation Services. I'm not sure what I'll do if I fail it a third time...

Dashik · 2 May 2012 at 08:08

More study and do it a fourth

Im sure you'll be fine though

c4rm0 · 5 May 2012 at 20:53

Ive done and passed the 70-680 and the 70-640 and currently doing the 70-643 impressions so far is the 70-640 Active Directory was the hardest out of the three although 70-642 does look very hard

I use CBT Nuggets /Trainsignal Enterprise Administrator bundles and the MS press books all in a Virtual lab enviroment

Saundie · 6 May 2012 at 06:22

70-640 booked for the 29th of June. Time to get studying!

Lorddalron · 6 May 2012 at 11:28

Dashik said:
Thanks, Pretty much what I thought from what I could find Ill get the revised set in a week or two after I do 70-680

The 70-640/642/646 combo cheapest on amazon however also check out bookdespository.com. Their prices seem to fluctuate for some reason but i managed to pick them up for £61 all in (£7 cheaper than Amazon).

Saundie said:
70-640 booked for the 29th of June. Time to get studying!

Good luck mate

Dashik · 6 May 2012 at 11:39

I bit it and just got all the R2 stuff for Enterprise Admin and System Admin. Treated myself to Win Server 2008 R2 Unleashed and the Don Poulton Cert guide for 70-680. Ive also got a pile of CCNA stuff.

I'm basically throwing some cash at the books and Hardware and getting everything sorted so I can jsut get it done.

I think I'm also going to get a 3rd screen as although not neccesary its very nice to study on 3 screens. Makes life easier. Im also going to get another couple of drives for the server and maybe change the cpu to a multi threaded one (£70 so not too bad

). I might even splash out on the Boson CCNA Practice exams.

If I have some spare cash left I might get a CCNA/CCNP cisco hardware bundle for practice.

Basically Im spending on the study stuff while I have the spare cash so I can then concentrate on getting certified.

We should find out in the next week or two when my partner is scheduled for surgery so I can then go and book my 70-680.

Lorddalron · 6 May 2012 at 11:43

Dashik said:
Im also going to get another couple of drives for the server and maybe change the cpu to a multi threaded one (£70 so not too bad ).

We're very much the same Dashik. Tell me, whats the benefit of the multi threaded CPU you speak of and whats the reasoning behind changing for what we're doing?

Dashik · 6 May 2012 at 11:52

The only reason is that it will allow me to run maybe another VM or two at the same time but it should also help with the general performance of the server when Im running VM's any way. I've been watching the cpu loading and although its not high I think it woudl benifit from 4 threads instead of two. Again not neccesary but nice.

Also in the scheme of things with the cash I'm throwing at the study whats £70 lol..... I'll be skint but at least I'll be able to read for Britain and study/lab to an extreme.

I got a bit lazy last year but now I have to get sorted asap. Nothing like a seriouly ill partner to focus your mind

Soon as she's past surgery I want to sneek 70-680 in then study for CCNA while shes getting radio thereapy for a month.

Then it's off and running, the rest of the MCITP:EA and looking for a suitable position. There's been a few I could have gone for but it s not a good position to go for an interview and ask for a couple of months off lol. I am however confident that there will be similar posts in the area post treatment

Lorddalron · 6 May 2012 at 12:00

Good man. Your determined like myself! You get folks who say these types of certs are a waste of time and money etc but if your not working in the field and you have little experience then why not.

As mentioned in either this thread or another i was originally planning on going on to do my CCNA but the class isn't running and i dont feel id be ready for it anyway without with some hands on experience for a while. My lecturer says its built upon the foundations of the CCENT but goes into a lot more in depth routing config etc and a lot more packet tracer activities. I'll be happy enough with the CCENT for now to get my foot in the door plus the Microsoft certs.

Dashik · 6 May 2012 at 12:19

I have experiance, Its just 8 years old lol. So for me its a way of updating skills and showing commitment, drive and an ability to progress myself. Work independantly etc etc.

All things that people hiring IT staff expect. So its good on several lavels.

So as for those that say the certs are worthless I'd disagree. They have value in themsleves for the academic knowledge and as they are more geared to demonstrating competancy than an ability to memorise facts now, you can actually go and be reasonably useful in a role. No I'm not under any illusion of running an enterprise class company datacenter network off the back of them with out actual experiance but it should be good for say, Windows Server Technician typoe of role initially etc. Foot in the door stuff. They also demonstrate that your prepared to get off your backside and get things done. You know, Help yourself rather than wait for someone to do it for you.