News

Windows 2008 Exams On Last Leg of Development

Microsoft's Learning Group closes beta testing on several new Windows Server 2008 exams, with release soon after the software launches next month.

• By Michael Domingo
• January 22, 2008

Specifically, Microsoft will release three Technology Specialist-level and two Professional-level exams targeting all aspects of Windows Server 2008 design and administration:

• 70-640 TS: Windows Server 2008 Active Directory, Configuring
• 70-642 TS: Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure, Configuring
• 70-643 TS: Windows Server 2008 Applications Infrastructure, Configuring
• 70-646 Pro: Windows Server 2008, Server Administrator
• 70-647 Pro: Windows Server 2008, Enterprise Administrator

All of these exams were put through a month-long beta test period that ended Jan. 21. Candidates who take these exams will earn an MCTS designation as follows:

• Pass 70-640 -- MCTS: Windows Server 2008 Active Directory Configuration
• Pass 70-642 -- MCTS: Windows Server 2008 Networking Infrastructure Configuration
• Pass 70-643 -- MCTS: Windows Server 2008 Applications Infrastructure Configuration

Those exams also make up the requirements for two new Windows Server 2003-based IT Professional titles, details of which were posted on the Microsoft site and Trika's blog late last week

• MCITP: Server Administrator
• MCITP: Enterprise Administrator

According to the certification guides on the MCP site, the MCITP: Server Administrator is aimed at IT administrators who get their hands dirty mixing it up with servers and contending with daily networking issues, much like an MCSA for the new-era certifications. Obtaining that title requires passing of two TS-level exams -- 70-640 and 70-642 -- as well as 70-646 at the Professional level.

The MCITP: Enterprise Administrator title, on the other hand, requires a bit more network design-based expertise and an understanding of network infrastructure in the context of the enterprise. So, Microsoft makes the bar for obtaining this title a bit higher, with candidates having to pass at least four of the following MCTS level exams: 70-640, 70-642, 70-643 and 70-620 TS: Windows Vista, Configuring or 70-624 TS: Deploying Vista and Office Desktops (70-620 and 70-624 have been available since soon after the release of Vista last year). Over on the Professional level, candidates finally have need to pass one more exam, 70-647, to obtain MCITP nirvana.

Migrating from MCSA/MCSE on Windows 2003
As it has done in the past, the Microsoft Learning Group incorporates transition exams into both Windows 2008-based MCITP tracks for MCSA and MCSE on Windows 2003 titleholders.

For those with MCSA on Windows 2003 certificates who want to upgrade to MCITP: Server Administrator, candidates need only pass two exams: 70-646 on the Pro level and 70-648 TS: Upgrading MCSA on Windows Server 2003 to Windows Server 2008, Technology Specialist, an exam that has been available since October 2007.

For the more comprehensive MCITP: Enterprise Administrator, MCSAs have to pass either of the Vista exams (70-620 or 70-624), plus 70-643 and 70-647, as well as the transitional 70-648 exam.

For MCSEs taking on the MCITP: Server Administrator requirements means passing the same 70-646 exam, but a different transition exam: 70-649 TS: Upgrading from MCSE on Windows 2003 to Windows 2008, Technology Specialist (that one has also been available since October 2007). MCSEs migrating to the Enterprise-grade title take a similar path as MCSAs, but substitute 70-649 for 70-648.

For more information on the new certifications, click here.

Noteworthy: The Microsoft Learning Group is providing early adopters with a price incentive to get certified on the new Windows 2008 exams. Under its “First to Know” program, those who register to receive e-mail alerts when the Windows 2008 exams go live will receive a code that can be used to save 40 percent off the price of the news TS exams 70-640-, 70-642 and 70-643. Another code will also be issued along with alerts when the Pro-level 70-646 and 70-647 exams become generally available.

The codes can be used only on one exam in each level and will remain valid up to six months after exam availability. To find out more and to register in the program, click here.