Official 70-290 thread!

[GroundZero3]

I know ultima is studying for it and jokostel is in an out. Anyone else studying for it? If so how are you preparing for the test (material, hardware, previous knowledge/experience)

[EvilRick]

Didn't you just take the test?

[GroundZero3]

no i took the 70-270

[famosbrown]

I used the 2273C Microsoft Offical Course Book, Measure UP exams, Microsoft eLearning, Technet, and set up a virtual network using Virtual PC. I'm not sure if this exam is updated yet, but I know when I took my 70-291, they slid in a few WSUS questions since it was new at the time. SUS and WSUS should be covered extensively for the 70-270.

[Rootstonian]

I took the 20/20, but couldn't see it ....what the hell are you guys talking about?

[GroundZero3]

Its the MS exam for windows server 2003.

Thanks Famos, i have an old Dell Poweredge 2400 server (Dual P3 733, 1 gig of ram, 2 SCSI drives in a Raid 5) running the evaluation version of 2003 RC2. Runs like a champ I have the technet book which gets straight to the point.

I am looking to maybe taking the test in a month, but i want to see how i feel by the end.

[famosbrown]

Its the MS exam for windows server 2003.

Thanks Famos, i have an old Dell Poweredge 2400 server (Dual P3 733, 1 gig of ram, 2 SCSI drives in a Raid 5) running the evaluation version of 2003 RC2. Runs like a champ I have the technet book which gets straight to the point.

I am looking to maybe taking the test in a month, but i want to see how i feel by the end.

GZ, with your level of skill and dedication, you will ACE the exam with one month of study. Of course it is a MS exam, so you will get the off the wall questions! Setting up a test server and adding a few test clinets is good practice since there are a few simulations on the exam that holds a lot of weight in the scoring of the exam. Group Policy, AD replication, AD forest, Built-In accounts and groups, command line utilites like mbsacli, AD Backup and restore, etc. That book you have is very good in my opinion, but check the technet site out if it doesn't have WSUS in it.

[GroundZero3]

Will do, i have a vmware server ready to be loaded for replication and such.


appreciate the support Famos

[ShuckyD]

i want to take it.. any good hints for places or books to study for it are... ?

I didnt bother yet to get it, but depending on where i go, maybe certs are looked highly upon Im almost fresh out of college so im not really slacking, there just have been many more important things like schoolwork, etc.. to do

Hey GZ, what do you think about VirtualPC '07 for a virtual machine to run on my main rig so i can load some different operating systems or do you have a preference of VMware? I just know M$ is offering Virtual PC for free now, maybe theres a reason behind it

[GroundZero3]

Vmware server is free, but Robrich said Virtual PC has made some improvements.

Vmware server is pretty much a server app that you can log into.

Try out virtual pc, either way both will suit your needs.

[ShuckyD]

thats cool, i want to have access to Server 2k3 among other things while i learn (however) and not have to go RDC into my server at my house, etc.. .

Any suggestions on books or sites to study for any of the M$ tests at?

i looking to go for my MCP then probably my MCSA (over the next few years that is)

[GroundZero3]

ShuckyD

I read this for the 27-270. I enjoyed the setup and the structure of the book so i am continuing with the next book.

[ShuckyD]

cool.... bookmarked

I got a couple books from a discount place (Ollies) where i live, but alot of them are somewhat antiquated. I have one thats for Windows NT 4 among other things. Did you think the WinXP one was hard, ive heard both ends of the spectrum on that one.

[GroundZero3]

Meh i found some of the questions to be poorly written. The problem is you might know your material but MS wants you to answer the way they want you too. I called up an exam place to set a time and a date for my exam. If i didn't, i wouldn't of never have been serious about studying. But in all honestly as i got closer to the exam date i studied less and less. I was just so tired of reading about XP. This exam i don't think i will have that problem, as i have used it before but not to the extent of XP.

This was my first MS test, so i cant really compare it to other MS test. It was a lot easier than my CCNA. At least with the MS test you can go back and review the questions and they give you a lot more time. Cisco test are pretty much when you click next you better be damn sure its the right answer.

[famosbrown]

I would suggest using VMWare instead of Virtual PC because most enterprises are using VMWare ESX in production. It will get you familiarized with the product before you actually take it on at an enterprise level. I had to pick it up and learn quickly with my new job, but since I've worked with Virtual PC, it was THAT hard.

[Ultima]

At the moment I'm practicing at work and @ home for 70-290.

I have the official book and made both my server and game system dual boot, so that everything I see in the books, I can put it to practice, and y'all know practice makes perfect.

It's a lot more fun then 70-270, for some reason I can get in to this exam better. Am at chapter 9 of the book, have lotsa practice exams waiting to be taken. Best part is I can practice it at work as well.

[GroundZero3]

Awesome! I just started chapter 4 which is about group accounts. Pretty basic so far.

[Ultima]

Yeah, I also felt that up to about chapter 6 or 7 it's a pretty easy walk, after that, it still is familiar, but gets to more in depth.

[MadMan2k]

I'll be taking it in about 2 months. I'm taking a class for it, and we use VirtualPC for the labs. There's one way to bring a nice system to it's knees, just run a few copies of Server or even XP at once in VPC/VM.

[RamseyC]

Ive just been using the microsoft self paced training kit and taking a class at the same time.... i get some real world experience at work with server 2003 but judging from the 70-270 test real world experience wont help much.... anyone know what the test tends to focus on or what might be the most unexpected questions on the test?