MCSE 70-290 Certification Primer


MCSE 70-290 Certification Primer: A Comprehensive Guide

Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) is a globally recognized certification program that validates an individual's expertise in designing, implementing, and administering Windows Server environments. MCSE 70-290 is one of the core exams of the MCSE program, which focuses on managing and maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 environment. In this article, we will provide a comprehensive guide to the MCSE 70-290 certification primer.

Exam Overview:

The Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) program enables you to design and implement business solutions using Microsoft technologies. The exam validates your knowledge in managing and maintaining Microsoft Windows Server 2003. It covers topics like managing user accounts and groups, configuring file and print services, configuring security, managing server hardware, and monitoring and optimizing performance.

The exam has 55-60 multiple-choice questions and you have 180 minutes to complete it. The passing score is 700 out of 1000. You can take the exam at any Prometric testing center, and the exam fee is $165.

Preparation for the Exam:

To prepare for the MCSE 70-290 exam, you need to have a solid understanding of Microsoft Windows Server operating systems, network infrastructure, and active directory. Microsoft recommends that you have at least one year of experience in administering Windows Server 2003 environments before taking the exam. You can take Microsoft courses, join online communities, and read books to enhance your knowledge and skills.

MCSE 70-290 Certification Primer:

The following is a comprehensive guide to the MCSE 70-290 certification primer. This guide covers all of the topics included in the exam in great detail, allowing you to have a thorough understanding of what's required to pass the exam.

Managing and maintaining physical and logical devices:

This section of the exam covers the management and maintenance of physical devices such as servers, storage devices, and printers. You will learn how to manage hard disk partitions, volumes, and file systems and how to configure and manage device drivers. You will learn how to manage storage devices, such as RAID arrays and SCSI controllers, and how to configure and troubleshoot printers.

Configuring, Managing, and Maintaining DNS:

In this section of the exam, you will learn how to install, configure, and troubleshoot DNS servers. You will learn how to create and manage DNS zones, configure DNS server settings, and manage DNS server security. You will also learn how to configure and troubleshoot DNS server replication and how to use DNS tools to troubleshoot issues.

Managing and Maintaining DHCP:

This section covers the management and maintenance of DHCP servers. You will learn how to install, configure, and troubleshoot DHCP servers. You will learn how to manage DHCP scopes, options, and settings, and how to configure and troubleshoot DHCP server security.

Managing Users, Computers, and Groups:

This section of the exam covers the management and maintenance of users, computers, and groups. You will learn how to create, manage, and troubleshoot user accounts, computer accounts, and groups. You will also learn how to delegate administrative tasks to users and how to manage group policies.

Managing and Maintaining Security:

This section of the exam covers the management and maintenance of security on Windows Server 2003. You will learn how to use security templates to configure security settings, how to configure and manage security policies, and how to configure and troubleshoot security auditing. You will also learn how to manage user and group permissions and how to troubleshoot security issues.

Configuring and Managing IIS:

This section of the exam covers the management and maintenance of Internet Information Services (IIS). You will learn how to install, configure, and troubleshoot IIS servers. You will learn how to create and manage virtual directories, configure and troubleshoot web server security, and how to manage IIS applications and web services.

Managing and Maintaining Remote Access:

In this section of the exam, you will learn how to manage and maintain remote access to Windows Server 2003. You will learn how to install and configure remote access services, including dial-up, VPN, and Terminal Services. You will also learn how to manage remote access policies and troubleshoot remote access issues.

Managing and Maintaining Backup and Recovery:

This section of the exam covers the management and maintenance of backup and recovery on Windows Server 2003. You will learn how to create backup strategies and how to use the Windows Backup utility to create and restore backups. You will also learn how to manage the recovery console and how to troubleshoot backup and recovery issues.

Monitoring and Optimizing Performance:

This section of the exam covers the monitoring and optimization of Windows Server 2003 performance. You will learn how to use performance monitoring tools to measure system performance, how to optimize system performance, and how to troubleshoot performance issues. You will also learn how to manage system resources and how to monitor system events and services.

Conclusion:

The MCSE 70-290 certification primer provides a comprehensive guide to the core topics of the MCSE certification program. It covers topics such as managing and maintaining physical and logical devices, configuring, managing, and maintaining DNS, managing users, computers, and groups, managing and maintaining security, configuring and managing IIS, managing and maintaining remote access, managing and maintaining backup and recovery, and monitoring and optimizing performance. By studying this guide and gaining the necessary hands-on experience, you will be able to pass the MCSE 70-290 exam and become a certified Microsoft Systems Engineer.