Exam 70-690:

TS: Windows HPC Server 2008, Configuring and Managing

Published:August 13, 2009
Language(s):English
Audience(s):IT Professionals
Technology:Windows Server 2008
Type:Proctored Exam

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Preparing for an Exam
This exam is scheduled to retire on July 31, 2013.
 
The Microsoft Certification website and this preparation guide contain a variety of resources to help you prepare for an exam. Preparing for and Taking an Exam — FAQ provides answers to frequently asked questions about exam registration ,preparation ,scoring ,and policies , including:
  • The most effective way to prepare to take an exam.
  • The relationship between Microsoft training materials and exam content.
  • Microsoft policy concerning the incorporation of service pack and revision updates into exam content.
  • Exam question types and formats.
  • Exam time limits and number of questions asked.
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 should have three to four years of experience using Windows HPC Server 2008 or two to three years of experience using Windows Compute Cluster Server 2003 and are experienced using a scripting shell such as Windows PowerShell 2.0. Candidates for this exam are IT professionals whose main area of responsibility is managing or deploying HPC or compute clusters. These IT professionals might have the following job roles:
• IT specialists who work in environments in which Windows HPC Server 2008 is part of an overall solution
• IT professionals who manage systems that run Windows HPC Server 2008
• IT professionals who work with third-party applications that are built to run on Windows HPC Server 2008
Credit Toward CertificationWhen you pass Exam 70-690: TS: Windows HPC Server 2008, Configuring and Managing, you complete the requirements for the following certification(s):
Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: Windows HPC Server 2008, Configuration
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.
Planning and Deploying the Cluster Infrastructure
  • Plan the networks.
    • This objective may include but is not limited to: configuring the network hardware, selecting a network topology
  • Plan external services for the cluster.
    • This objective may include but is not limited to: DHCP, DNS, Active Directory Domain Services, Windows Deployment Services (WDS)
  • Configure the head node.
    • This objective may include but is not limited to: requirements for installing HPC pack
  • Configure networks.
    • This objective may include but is not limited to: enterprise, private, application, third-party high-speed interconnect
Deploying Hardware and Managing Devices
  • Create and modify node templates.
    • This objective may include but is not limited to: pre/post deployment steps, streamline software installs, enable network direct, customize disk partitioning
  • Prepare nodes for deployment.
    • This objective may include but is not limited to: validating networks, PXE boot
  • Deploy nodes.
    • This objective may include but is not limited to: redeploying
  • Diagnose provisioning issues.
    • This objective may include but is not limited to: multiple sources of event data and logs
  • Validate cluster state by using cluster diagnostic tools.
    • This objective may include but is not limited to: checking network/interconnect, diagnosing cluster setup
Managing the Cluster
  • Manage nodes.
    • This objective may include but is not limited to: HPC PowerShell, using clusrun, cluscfg, job.exe, and node.exe command-line utilities
  • Manage users and groups.
    • This objective may include but is not limited to: adding or removing user/groups, change user characteristics, set/clear credentials, install client utilities
  • Manage node state.
    • This objective may include but is not limited to: maintain action, assigning a node template, modifying node roles
  • Monitor nodes.
    • This objective may include but is not limited to: performance metrics; reports and charts
Managing Job Scheduler
  • Submit a job.
    • This objective may include but is not limited to: submitting jobs remotely, key job submit options
  • Monitor a job.
    • This objective may include but is not limited to: monitoring tasks
  • Manage resources.
    • This objective may include but is not limited to: node groups
  • Create a job template.
    • This objective may include but is not limited to: enforce users and group permissions by using templates, enforce usage parameters on cluster resources
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 There is no classroom training currently available.
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
  • Earn Train Learn: HPC Training Program
  • Learning Plan: Get started with a step-by-step study guide that is based on recommended resources for this exam.
  • Windows Server 2008 – Learning Portal: Find special offers and information on training and certification.
  • 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.
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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