Todd's Blog

Todd's Tips for System Adminstrators

Connect

Windows 7 Beta Exam

by

I was reading the Beta Exam Announcements blog and noticed that the first Windows 7 exam is going into Beta. Registration begins April 27th and you can write the exam from May 5th – May 18th. The exam is available on a first come, first serve basis.

I plan to sit the exam and I hoping David Myers is too. If we do write, I will try and post some study notes, help articles, etc that we used to help us prepare for this exam.

Here is the information from the blog.

Registration begins: April 27, 2009

You are invited to take beta exam 71-680: TS: Windows 7, Configuring. If you pass the beta exam, the exam credit will be added to your transcript and you will not need to take the exam in its released form. The 71-xxx identifier is used for registering for beta versions of MCP exams, when the exam is released in its final form the 70-xxx identifier is used for registration.
By participating in beta exams, you have the opportunity to provide the Microsoft Certification program with feedback about exam content, which is integral to development of exams in their released version. We depend on the contributions of experienced IT professionals and developers as we continually improve exam content and maintain the value of Microsoft certifications.

71-680: TS: Windows 7, Configuring counts as credit towards the following certification(s).

· MCTS: Windows 7, Configuration

Availability

Registration begins: April 27, 2009

Beta exam period runs: May 5, 2009– May 18, 2009

Receiving this invitation does not guarantee you a seat in the beta; we recommend that you register immediately! Beta exams have limited availability and are operated under a first-come-first-served basis. Once all beta slots are filled, no additional seats will be offered.

Testing is held at Prometric testing centers worldwide, although this exam may not be available in all countries (see Regional Restrictions). All testing centers will have the capability to offer this exam in its live version.

Regional Restrictions: India, Pakistan, China

Registration Information

You must register at least 24 hours prior to taking the exam.
Please use the following promotional code when registering for the exam: WIN7J
Receiving this invitation does not guarantee you a seat in the beta; we recommend that you register immediately.

To register in North America, please call:

Prometric: (800) 755-EXAM (800-755-3926)

Outside the U.S./Canada, please contact:

Prometric: http://www.register.prometric.com/ClientInformation.asp

Test Information and Support

You are invited to take this beta exam at no charge.
You will be given four hours to complete the beta exam. Please plan accordingly.

My Year End Review

by

had a post a few week back about his certification achievements this past year. Seeing this is the last week of the year, I was reflecting on what I accomplished this past year. Listing what you have accomplished in the past year along with setting goals for the future is a good way to mark your progress and then set goals to achieve going ahead.

This past year I have been fairly steady with the certifications I passed the following exams:

  • 70-640 TS: Windows Server 2008 Active Directory, Configuring
  • 70-642 TS: Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure, Configuring
  • 70-625 TS: Connected Home Integrator
  • 70-626 Consumer Sales Specialist
  • 70-622 PRO: Supporting and Troubleshooting Applications on a Windows Vista Client for Enterprise Support Technicians
  • 70-293 Planning and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure
  • 70-294 Planning, Implementing, and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Active Directory Infrastructure
  • 70-297 Designing a Windows Server 2003 Active Directory and Network Infrastructure

As a result of these exams I received the MCITP: Enterprise Support Technician and the MCSE 2003 credential.

I am also taking a program through Loyalist College’s Loyalist Training and Development Centre called Managing and Leading in a Municipal Environment as part of my job at the County.

 

In 2009 my plan is to pass the following exams:

  • 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
  • 70-236 TS: Exchange Server 2007, Configuring
  • 70-635 TS: Microsoft Deployment Toolkit 2008, Desktop Deployment

As well as these Microsoft exams, I also want to do an ITIL course this year and Security+ and maybe look at the CCNA from Cisco but probably won’t write that exam in 2009. I may also try and write some other Microsoft exams besides the ones above, but we’ll see how it goes. I am going to try to get through the ones listed first.

EnergizeIT Certification Boot Camps

by

Microsoft has a event tour going around Canada in support of EnergizeIT in Toronto. They are giving out a copy of a Study Kit and a voucher and will be presenting some information on Windows Server 2008, Virtualization Security and a Security Bootcamp.

I have attached the links to the signup for all the cities involved below. The Microsoft page about this event is located at http://www.microsoft.ca/technet/energizeit/certificationbootcamp.

It hits Ottawa May 15th.

Enjoy

National User Group Tour
Presented by Your Canadian User Groups

With new products being launched,  new technologies being introduced and increased pressure to ensure security across the board, it’s hard to know what the best way is to get up to speed and make sure you’re ready for this wave of opportunity. And even if you do know your “stuff”, how to prove that to your boss or clients?
Join us at the Energize IT Certification Bootcamp where we will take you through hot topics such as Windows Server 2008 and Virtualization Security as presented at this year’s Energize IT event in Toronto and discuss certification paths available along with tips and suggestions on how to approach exams.  Be ready ahead of the curve and show what you know through certification.
By joining us at this event, you will have the opportunity to choose a certification study kit from one of the following four books:
1. MCSA/MCSE Self-Paced Training (Exam 70-299):
Implementing and Administering Security in a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network
2. MCTS Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-640):
Configuring Windows Server 2008 Active Directory
3. MCTS Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-642):
Configuring Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure
4. MCTS Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-643):
Configuring Windows Server 2008 Applications Infrastructure
The quantities per city are limited and based on a first come, first serve basis.  Arrive early to avoid disappointment.

 

City

Date

Halifax *

May 13th

Toronto

May 14th

Ottawa

May 15th

Montreal

May 20th

Winnipeg

May 21st

Regina

May 22nd

Victoria

May 26th

Vancouver

May 27th

Calgary

May 28th

Edmonton

May 29th