Exam 70-291:

Implementing, Managing, and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure

Published:August 14, 2003
Language(s):English, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Spanish, Portuguese (Brazil), Chinese (Simplified)
Audience(s):IT Professionals
Technology:Microsoft Windows Server 2003
Type:Proctored Exam

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Preparing for an Exam
This exam is scheduled to retire on July 31, 2013.
 
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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
The Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) on Windows Server 2003 credential is intended for IT professionals who work in the typically complex computing environment of medium to large companies. An MCSA candidate should have 6 to 12 months of experience administering client and network operating systems in environments that have the following characteristics:
  • 250 to 5,000 or more users
  • Three or more physical locations
  • Three or more domain controllers
  • Network services and resources such as messaging, database, file and print, proxy server, firewall, Internet, intranet, remote access, and client computer management
  • Connectivity requirements such as connecting branch offices and individual users in remote locations to the corporate network and connecting corporate networks to the Internet
Credit Toward CertificationWhen you pass Exam 70-291: Implementing, Managing, and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure, you complete the requirements for the following certification(s):
When you pass the Implementing, Managing, and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure exam, you achieve Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) status. You also earn credit toward the following certifications:
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.
Implementing, Managing, and Maintaining IP Addressing
  • Configure TCP/IP addressing on a server computer.
  • Manage DHCP.
    • Manage DHCP clients and leases.
    • Manage DHCP Relay Agent.
    • Manage DHCP databases.
    • Manage DHCP scope options.
    • Manage reservations and reserved clients.
  • Troubleshoot TCP/IP addressing.
    • Diagnose and resolve issues related to Automatic Private IP Addressing (APIPA).
    • Diagnose and resolve issues related to incorrect TCP/IP configuration.
  • Troubleshoot DHCP.
    • Diagnose and resolve issues related to DHCP authorization.
    • Verify DHCP reservation configuration.
    • Examine the system event log and DHCP server audit log files to find related events.
    • Diagnose and resolve issues related to configuration of DHCP server and scope options.
    • Verify that the DHCP Relay Agent is working correctly.
    • Verify database integrity.
Implementing, Managing, and Maintaining Name Resolution
  • Install and configure the DNS Server service.
    • Configure DNS server options.
    • Configure DNS zone options.
    • Configure DNS forwarding.
  • Manage DNS.
    • Manage DNS zone settings.
    • Manage DNS record settings.
    • Manage DNS server options.
  • Monitor DNS. Tools might include System Monitor, Event Viewer, Replication Monitor, and DNS debug logs.
Implementing, Managing, and Maintaining Network Security
  • Implement secure network administration procedures.
    • Implement security baseline settings and audit security settings by using security templates.
    • Implement the principle of least privilege.
  • Install and configure software update infrastructure.
    • Install and configure software update services.
    • Install and configure automatic client update settings.
    • Configure software updates on earlier operating systems.
  • Monitor network protocol security. Tools might include the IP Security Monitor Microsoft Management Console (MMC) snap-in and Kerberos support tools.
  • Troubleshoot network protocol security. Tools might include the IP Security Monitor MMC snap-in, Event Viewer, and Network Monitor.
Implementing, Managing, and Maintaining Routing and Remote Access
  • Configure Routing and Remote Access user authentication.
    • Configure remote access authentication protocols.
    • Configure Internet Authentication Service (IAS) to provide authentication for Routing and Remote Access clients.
    • Configure Routing and Remote Access policies to permit or deny access.
  • Manage remote access.
    • Manage packet filters.
    • Manage Routing and Remote Access routing interfaces.
    • Manage devices and ports.
    • Manage routing protocols.
    • Manage Routing and Remote Access clients.
  • Manage TCP/IP routing.
    • Manage routing protocols.
    • Manage routing tables.
    • Manage routing ports.
  • Implement secure access between private networks.
  • Troubleshoot user access to remote access services.
    • Diagnose and resolve issues related to remote access VPNs.
    • Diagnose and resolve issues related to establishing a remote access connection.
    • Diagnose and resolve user access to resources beyond the remote access server.
  • Troubleshoot Routing and Remote Access routing.
    • Troubleshoot demand-dial routing.
    • Troubleshoot router-to-router VPNs.
Maintaining a Network Infrastructure
  • Monitor network traffic. Tools might include Network Monitor and System Monitor.
  • Troubleshoot connectivity to the Internet.
  • Troubleshoot server services.
    • Diagnose and resolve issues related to service dependency.
    • Use service recovery options to diagnose and resolve service-related issues.
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
Microsoft Press Books
Practice Tests
Microsoft Online Resources
TechNet: Designed for IT professionals, this site includes how-to instructions, best practices, downloads, technical chats, and much more.
MSDN: The Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) is a reference for developers. It features code samples, technical articles, newsgroups, chats, and more.
Training and certification newsgroups: A newsgroup exists for every Microsoft certification. By participating in the ongoing dialogue, you take advantage of a unique opportunity to exchange ideas with and ask questions of others, including more than 750 Microsoft Most Valuable Professionals (MVPs) worldwide.
Have Questions? For advice about training and certification, connect with peers: For questions about a specific certification, chat with a Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP): To find out about recommended blogs, Web sites, and upcoming Live Meetings on popular topics, visit our community site:
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