Tips for self study MCITP

elrasho

elrasho

elrasho

Soldato
Joined
12 Jan 2009
Posts
6,472
Hi everyone,

I've been working as a Desktop and Network Support guy for three years and now I want to 'move on up' as it were. I've been looking at jobs for System Support Engineers and other variations of the same job and they ask for MCITP qualified people.

I had done the MCP 2003 ages ago so I kind of know how the MS certs work but after doing some googling around I found this self study kit: MCITP Self-Paced Training Kit (Exams 70-640, 70-642, 70-643, 70-647): Windows Server 2008 Enterprise Adminstrator Core Requirements Book/CD/DVD ... Core Requirements (PRO-Certification)

I'm tempted to get this pack that costs £110 and do it all myself and then pay my local centre to take the exam when I'm ready. The thing is I've never self taught before so here I am asking anyone if they can recommend any additional web sites/books/software that will help me pass the exams. Any advice will be greatly appreciated :)
 
If you can get your hands on a copy of Server 2008 that would be a big help (never bought one of these packs so don't know whats included). I use virtual machines for stuff like this (virtualbox).

In regards to studying if you've done that job for three years then you'll be pretty au fait with the nitty gritty aspect of getting stuff done with computers - stuff that you can only really learn on the job - so learning things self paced from a book should be a doddle so long as things like self discipline/life don't get in the way.
 
I remember using VM when I did the MCP 2003, but I've forgotten how I go about setting up a VM for Windows Server 2008. Is their like a free educational version of Win Server 2008 I can use?
 
theheyes said:
If you can get your hands on a copy of Server 2008 that would be a big help (never bought one of these packs so don't know whats included). I use virtual machines for stuff like this (virtualbox).

In regards to studying if you've done that job for three years then you'll be pretty au fait with the nitty gritty aspect of getting stuff done with computers - stuff that you can only really learn on the job - so learning things self paced from a book should be a doddle so long as things like self discipline/life don't get in the way.
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You get a trial copy of 2008, but you only get 180 days with it! However, if you go to dreamspark.com you can get a fully licensed copy of Server 2008. It is meant for students/learning so don't try and use it in a production environment.

You will have no choice but to use VMs [and the books urge that you do] as in some cases you will have 3 or 4 VMs running and in some cases you may screw up. Not easy to roll back a mistake with a bare metal install! :p
 
SiriusB said:
You get a trial copy of 2008, but you only get 180 days with it! However, if you go to dreamspark.com you can get a fully licensed copy of Server 2008. It is meant for students/learning so don't try and use it in a production environment.
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Nice one Pete. :p I knew about dreamspark.com, got some stuff from it at Salford but didn't know I could still access it. :) I'll look at it after the Apprentice. :D

SiriusB said:
You will have no choice but to use VMs [and the books urge that you do] as in some cases you will have 3 or 4 VMs running and in some cases you may screw up. Not easy to roll back a mistake with a bare metal install! :p
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Tis my plan to use VirtualBox for this. :)
 
I'm on Dreamspark now. I've signed in using my Windows Live ID but how on earth do I get verified? Can't verify as a school so how do I pretend to be a student? :p
 
Erm..

I can't even remember anymore. I just remember being able to download a while back. They have either caught on... or may have possibly used my Open Uni email address!

My bad if I misled! :o

Just get a TechNet account you tight wad! :p
 
I would also suggest if possible getting another source of information to go with the microsoft books. They are generally pretty good but are sometimes a bit weak in certain areas. Not usually a problem if you've got plenty of hands on experience but its something to be aware of. I would recommend http://www.certforums.co.uk/forums/ as good place for exam specific information discussion & free study guides.
 
To be fair, MS certs say you should have at least a couple of years' experience before taking on most of them. So I wouldn't say anything was particularly weak, more they don't always spend a lot of time on certain topics.
 
SiriusB said:
Erm..

I can't even remember anymore. I just remember being able to download a while back. They have either caught on... or may have possibly used my Open Uni email address!

My bad if I misled! :o
Click to expand...
Erm, erm, erm! :p No worries. :)

SiriusB said:
Just get a TechNet account you tight wad! :p
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How much are we talking then, beardy? :D

SiriusB said:
To be fair, MS certs say you should have at least a couple of years' experience before taking on most of them. So I wouldn't say anything was particularly weak, more they don't always spend a lot of time on certain topics.
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I would say I've got a fair of experience in some areas to pass the MCITP but in others I haven't simply because where I work our IT consulting firm does that, so I'm not allowed, or my boss does it, so I'm not allowed, or, even more increasingly, he won't let me do it because he's worried I'll take more and more of his job away from him. :rolleyes: So in order to pass the MCITP I almost need to do it myself and teach myself and get some experience the hard way.

Just looked on Google for Technet and found a comparison page between the two packages (http://technet.microsoft.com/en-gb/subscriptions/bb892756.aspx) and an Excel spreadsheet of the actual programs (http://download.microsoft.com/downl...E-AA0E-A087CB332A23/TechNet_Product_List.xlsx). Looks like I can get most of the Windows Server 2008 packages on the standard Technet subscription so unless I've missed something out I'll go for that. :) £134 initially and then £100 to renew, which sounds decent to me.
 
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