MCSE 70-294
Nowadays, it is observed increasing requirements for IT expertise, what is direct result of enhancing power of Windows Server 2003 in the market. That is the reason why having appropriate certificates is getting more and more popular. The MSCE on Windows Server 2003 certification allows to prove that certain person has abilities to do analysis of business demands for information systems solutions. This fact makes the certificate owner more reliable for customers and employers. To sum up, MSCE certification is addressed to people having vast knowledge about IT and working for at least medium-sized companies, in its computing centre. The exam 70-294 is one of seven steps for getting MSCE certification and simultaneously - one of four required exams concerning networking systems.
Speaking more particularly it is about planning, implementing and maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Active Directory Infrastructure. An ideal candidate for MSCE certification should work not less than one year on implementing and administering a desktop operating system and designing network infrastructure. Furthermore, his work environment should measure up several requirements such at least 250 users, three localizations, three domain controllers, network services, resources and some connectivity requirements.
The skills measured during exam are divided into five blocks: Planning and Implementing an Active Directory Infrastructure, Managing and Maintaining an Active Directory Infrastructure, Planning and Implementing User, Computer, and Group Strategies and finally - Planning and Implementing Group Policy. Each of them includes some concrete tasks which a potential candidate for MSCE certification should manage to complete (the list of detailed tasks are published on Microsoft site). Taking exam 70-294 is possible in six languages: English, French, German, Japanese, Spanish and simplified Chinese. During filling the exam papers a candidate is overseen by impartial proctor.
At present, E-learning and Microsoft Press Books aren't available, so the option which seems to be the most appropriate is taking part in 5-day course 2279B preparing for this exam. Moreover, it is very helpful to use on-line sources of necessary knowledge. The first of them is special guide which contains a lot of valuable information. It is suggested joining the newsgroups and special forums to share resources with other candidates or to get some advices from people who has already earned MSCE certification. There are also sites created specifically for IT professional people (MSDN and TechNet) which are undoubtedly worth visiting. What is important that all these resources mentioned above, may not include all of the topics itemized on list of required skills, published on Microsoft site, but they undeniably can help to prepare for exam 70-294.
