Certification Information

To help me decide on which route to follow to upgrade my MCDBA to MCITP Database Administrator 2008, I’m taking a closer look at the exams for the MCITP Database Administrator 2008 certification, beginning with the prerequisite Microsoft 70-432 TS: Microsoft SQL Server 2008, Implementation and Maintenance exam, which happens to be the only exam required for the MCTS: SQL Server 2008, Implementation and Maintenance certification. This is generally the first step in preparing for an exam - discovering what is covered by the exam.

Obviously, the first place to look is at the official preparation guide for the MCTS 70-432 exam from Microsoft Learning. The most important information we’re looking for here is the exam objectives. So here it is:

The MCTS 70-432 Exam Objectives

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The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) has announced changes to the CompTIA Network+ program and the release of a new CompTIA Network+ exam, the N10-004 exam to reflect current developments in data and communications networks. The updated CompTIA Network+ exam places more emphasis on network security and wireless networking, while still focusing on implementing, maintaining, managing and troubleshooting a network. In addition, the successful candidate must be able to describe various networking technologies; understand basic network design principles; understand the various network wiring standards; and use the proper network diagnostic and testing tools.

The old N10-003 Network+ exam will be retired at the end of July 2009 and will be replaced by the N10-004 exam.

For more information on the CompTIA Network+ certification program, visit the CompTIA Network+ website.

As an old Microsoft Certified Database Administrator (MCDBA) I have great interest in the new Microsoft SQL Server 2008 database administrator exams, unfortunately I didn’t have much interest in the SQL Server 2005 exams and having skipped the Microsoft SQL Server 2005 exams, I’m now looking at upgrading my MCDBA to Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP): Database Administrator on SQL Server 2008 certification.

I’m looking at two options: upgrading to MCITP: Database Administrator on SQL Server 2005 and then to MCITP: Database Administrator on SQL Server 2008 or just do the MCITP: Database Administrator on SQL Server 2008 exams.

Option 1: The Upgrade exams

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Citrix Education has announced the next generation of Citrix Certified Administrator (CCA) certifications and the retirement of the CCA for MetaFrame Access Suite 3.0 certification and the CCA for MetaFrame XP Presentation Server certification effective May, 15 2009. After May, 15 2009, the CCA for MetaFrame Access Suite 3.0 and the CCA for MetaFrame XP Presentation Server certifications will still be recognized by Citrix Systems but will be marked “expired”. Professionals that hold these certifications will be able to update their certifications to the new CCA for Citrix XenApp 5 certification.

In addition, the CCA for Citrix XenApp (Presentation Server 4) certification will be discontinued on January 5, 2009, but professionals who obtained this certification by passing the 1Y0-259 Citrix Presentation Server 4.5: Administration exam prior to the discontinuation date will have their certifications updated automatically to CCA for XenApp 5 for Windows Server 2003 as the 1Y0-259 exam will be the only exam requirement for the CCA for Citrix XenApp 5 for Windows Server 2003 certification. The CCA for Citrix XenApp (Presentation Server 4) will remain valid but will no longer be attainable. A CCA for Citrix XenApp 5 for Windows Server 2008 certification will also be available.

For more information on the Citrix CCA certification, visit the Citrix Education website.

The MCSE 70-294 exam is based on planning, implementing, and maintaining the Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Active Directory infrastructure. It is a fairly difficult exam with a difficulty rating of 4/5 and consists of approximately 50 questions, most of which are form-based multiple choice questions but there are also drag and drop questions, hot spot questions, task simulation questions and list, sort and order questions. You will have 2 hours (120 minutes) to complete the exam.

When you pass the 70-294 Implementing, Managing, and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure exam, you achieve Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) status if it’s the first exam you pass. You also receive credit toward Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) on Microsoft Windows Server 2003 certification as the 70-294 exam is a core exam for the MCSE on Windows Server 2003 certification.

What you need to know for the Microsoft 70-294 exam

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In 2005 Microsoft introduced a whole new generation of certifications to replace the Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST), Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA), Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE), Microsoft Certified Database Administrator (MCDBA), Microsoft Certified Application Developer (MCAD), and Microsoft Certified Solution Developer (MCSD) certifications, which are being phased out as the exams for those certifications are being retired. But it’s not only the certification names that have changed; the nature of the exams has also changed. Take the old MCSE 70-216 Implementing and Administering a Microsoft Windows 2000 Network Infrastructure exam for example and compare it to the equivalent Windows Sever 2008 exam, the MCTS 70-642 Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure, Configuring exam. The MCSE 70-216 was the mother of all MCSE core exams in terms of complexity and difficulty.

A typical 70-216 question would read something like:
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The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) has announced updates to its vendor-neutral Security+ certification exam, which became available in the middle of last month. The new certification, which is still based on a single Security+ exam, places more emphasis on addressing, mitigating and resolving specific security issues, rather than simply recognizing the various vulnerabilities and security issues.

As a result, a new SY0-201 Security+ exam will replace the current SY0-201 exam. The latter will be retired at the end of July 2009. The new exam is also available in German, Japanese, Chinese and Korean, in addition to English.

For more information on the CompTIA Security+ certification program, visit the CompTIA Security+ website.

The Cisco 640-816 Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices Part 2 (ICND2) exam replaced the Cisco 640-811 Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices (ICND) exam in November last year. Like the CCNA 640-811 exam, the 640-816 exam is based on selecting, implementing, configuring and maintaining basic networks using Cisco networking devices and has a difficulty rating of about 3½/5, making it a moderate exam. The exam consists of approximately 45 to 55 form-based multiple choice, drag and drop questions, and task simulation questions and you will have 1 ¼ hour (75 minutes) to complete the exam.

It is recommended that you do the 640-816 ICND2 exam after you have successfully passed the 640-822 ICND1 exam. As with the 640-811 exam, you achieve credit towards the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certification when you pass the 640-816 ICND2 exam and if you already passed the 640-822 exam, you would achieve the CCNA status, which you will hold for three years. After three years you need to recertify by passing the current CCNA exam, or pass the current ICND exam, or pass any professional level or Cisco Specialist exam (but not one of the Sales Specialist exams), or pass a current CCIE written exam.

What you need to know for the Cisco 640-816 exam

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