Exam 70-246:

Monitoring and Operating a Private Cloud with System Center 2012

Published:June 11, 2012
Language(s):English
Audience(s):IT Professionals
Technology:Microsoft System Center 2012
Type:Proctored Exam

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We recommend that you review this preparation guide in its entirety and familiarize yourself with the FAQs and resources on the Microsoft Certification website before you schedule your exam.
Audience Profile
Candidates for this exam have Windows Server, System Center 2012, security, high-availability, fault tolerance, and networking experience in an enterprise environment, candidates should also have basic Microsoft SQL Server and Windows PowerShell knowledge, and application configuration experience. Candidates are also familiar with ITIL and MOF concepts. These candidates might be the Active Directory Administrator, Virtualization Administrator, Enterprise Administrator, or System Center Administrator for their organizations.
Credit Toward CertificationExam 70-246: Monitoring and Operating a Private Cloud with System Center 2012: counts as credit toward the following certification(s):
MCSE: Private Cloud
Note This preparation guide is subject to change at any time without prior notice and at the sole discretion of Microsoft. Microsoft exams might include adaptive testing technology and simulation items. Microsoft does not identify the format in which exams are presented. Please use this preparation guide to prepare for the exam, regardless of its format.
Skills Being MeasuredThis exam measures your ability to accomplish the technical tasks listed below.The percentages indicate the relative weight of each major topic area on the exam.The higher the percentage, the more questions you are likely to see on that content area on the exam.

The information after “This objective may include but is not limited to” is intended to further define or scope the objective by describing the types of skills and topics that may be tested for the objective. However, it is not an exhaustive list of skills and topics that could be included on the exam for a given skill area. You may be tested on other skills and topics related to the objective that are not explicitly listed here.
Configure Data Center Process Automation (15-20%)
  • Implement workflows.
    • This objective may include but is not limited to: SCO Runbook automation, automate remediation of incidents, design and build end-to-end automation incorporating System Center 2012 technologies
  • Implement service offerings.
    • This objective may include but is not limited to: Add a new service offering to the service catalog, create a custom workflow using the Service Manager console, reference Orchestrator workflows in Service Manager
Deploy Resource Monitoring (20-25%)
  • Deploy end-to-end monitoring.
    • This objective may include but is not limited to: Deploy agents, Discover and deploy network device monitoring, import and configure management packs, deploy and configure monitoring of a heterogeneous virtualization infrastructure
  • Configure end-to-end monitoring.
    • This objective may include but is not limited to: Configure overrides, create synthetic transactions, configure Outside-In monitoring, configure application performance monitoring (APM), create distributed application models
  • Create monitoring reports and dashboards.
    • This objective may include but is not limited to: Service-level tracking, reports, dashboards
Monitor Resources (20-25%)
  • Monitor network devices.
    • This objective may include but is not limited to: Analyze network device health, manage Operations Manager alerts, manage notifications
  • Monitor servers.
    • This objective may include but is not limited to: Monitor the Operating System Environment (OSE), monitor server applications, manage Operations Manager alerts, manage notifications
  • Monitor the virtualization layer.
    • This objective may include but is not limited to: Monitor host and guest performance, monitor virtual applications, manage Operations Manager alerts, manage notifications
  • Monitor application health.
    • This objective may include but is not limited to: Application Performance Management (APM), synthetic transactions, manage Operations Manager alerts, manage notifications, distributed applications
Configure and Maintain Service Management (15-20%)
  • Implement service level management.
    • This objective may include but is not limited to: Define service level objectives (SLOs) and service level agreements (SLAs), implement SLA management and escalation, maintain SLAs (including planning for future growth), analyze SLAs (reporting)
  • Manage problems and incidents.
    • This objective may include but is not limited to: Working with problems, working with incidents, root cause analysis/diagnosis
  • Manage cloud resources.
    • This objective may include but is not limited to: Deploy new applications, deploy VM/service (applications, SQL, roles), demonstrate application deployment leveraging service templates, manage applications, manage VM hardware (CPUs, Dynamic memory), manage self service
Manage Configuration and Protection (20-25%)
  • Manage compliance and configuration.
    • This objective may include but is not limited to: Security and compliance management (includes IT GRC process management pack), analyze and remediate configuration compliance, analyze data in System Center Advisor
  • Manage updates.
    • This objective may include but is not limited to: Update machine roles in a service template, manage and update applications across multiple clouds, manage software updates
  • Implement backup and recovery.
    • This objective may include but is not limited to: Back up/recover product settings, Back up/recover the cloud infrastructure, manage backups (protection groups, storage), implement business continuity for the cloud
Preparation Tools and ResourcesTo help you prepare for this exam, Microsoft Learning recommends that you have hands-on experience with the product and that you use the following training resources. These training resources do not necessarily cover all of the topics listed in the "Skills Measured" tab.
Learning Plans and Classroom Training
Microsoft E-Learning There is no Microsoft E-Learning training currently available.
Microsoft Press Books There are no Microsoft Press books currently available.
Practice Tests There are no practice tests currently available.
Microsoft Online Resources
Microsoft Online Resources
  • Product information: Visit the Windows Server 2008 Web site for detailed product information.
  • TechNet: Designed for IT professionals, this site includes how-to instructions, best practices, downloads, technical resources, newsgroups, and chats.
  • MSDN: Designed for developers, the Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) features code samples, technical articles, downloads, newsgroups, and chats.
  • Microsoft Learning Community: Join newsgroups and visit community forums to connect with your peers for suggestions on training resources and advice on your certification path and studies.
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