Preparation Guide for Exam 70-292

Managing and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Environment for an MCSA Certified on Windows 2000

Updated: May 13, 2008

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Exam newsExam news
Audience profileAudience profile
Credit toward certificationCredit toward certification
Preparation tools and resourcesPreparation tools and resources
Skills measuredSkills measured

Exam news

This exam became available on August 14, 2003.


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Audience profile

The Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) on Windows Server 2003 upgrade exam is available only to candidates who are currently certified as an MCSA or an MCSE on Microsoft Windows 2000 Server. The MCSA on Windows Server 2003 credential is intended for IT professionals who work in the typically complex computing environment of medium-sized to large companies. Candidates should have 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

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Credit toward certification

When you pass the Managing and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Environment for an MCSA Certified on Windows 2000 exam, you do not achieve Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) status. This exam is intended for people who are already certified as an MCSA on Windows 2000. You will earn credit toward the following certifications:

Core credit toward Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) on Windows Server 2003 certification

Core credit toward Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) on Windows Server 2003 certification

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Preparation tools and resources

In addition to your hands-on experience working with the product, we recommend that you use the following tools and training to help you prepare for this exam.

Classroom training for this exam

Workshop 2209: Updating Systems Administrator Skills from Microsoft Windows 2000 to Windows Server 2003.

Microsoft Press self-paced training products

MCSA/MCSE Self-Paced Training Kit (Exams 70-292 and 70-296): Upgrading Your Certification to Microsoft Windows Server 2003

Microsoft certified practice tests

MeasureUp: Visit the MeasureUp Web site to take a practice test.

Self Test Software: Visit the Self Test Software Web site to take a practice test.

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, featuring 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.

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Skills measured

This exam measures your ability to manage and maintain a Windows Server 2003 environment. Before taking the exam, you should be proficient in the job skills listed in the following matrix. The matrix shows which Official Microsoft Learning Products may help you reach competency in the skills being tested in the exam.

KEY:The course provides a general introductory overview of this task. You will need to supplement the course with additional work. = The course provides a general introductory overview of this task. You will need to supplement the course with additional work.    The course includes some material to prepare you for this task. You will need to supplement the course with additional work. = The course includes some material to prepare you for this task. You will need to supplement the course with additional work.    The course includes material to prepare you for this task. = The course includes material to prepare you for this task.
Skills measured by Exam 70-292Workshop 2209
Managing Users, Computers, and Groups  

Create and manage groups

Identify and modify the scope of a group

Find domain groups in which a user is a member

Manage group membership

Create and modify groups by using the Active Directory Users and Computers Microsoft Management Console (MMC) snap-in

Create and modify groups by using automation

The course includes material to prepare you for this task.

Create and manage user accounts

Create and modify user accounts by using the Active Directory Users and Computers MMC snap-in

Create and modify user accounts by using automation

Import user accounts

The course includes material to prepare you for this task.

Troubleshoot user authentication issues

The course includes material to prepare you for this task.

Managing and Maintaining Access to Resources 

Troubleshoot Terminal Services

Diagnose and resolve issues related to Terminal Services security

Diagnose and resolve issues related to client access to Terminal Services

The course includes material to prepare you for this task.

Managing and Maintaining a Server Environment  

Manage software update infrastructure

The course includes material to prepare you for this task.

Manage servers remotely

Manage a server by using Remote Assistance

Manage a server by using Terminal Services remote administration mode

Manage a server by using available support tools

The course includes material to prepare you for this task.

Manage a Web server

Manage Internet Information Services (IIS)

Manage security for IIS

The course includes material to prepare you for this task.

Managing and Implementing Disaster Recovery  

Perform system recovery for a server

Implement Automated System Recovery (ASR)

Restore data from shadow copy volumes

Back up files and System State data to media

Configure security for backup operations

The course includes material to prepare you for this task.

Implementing, Managing, and Maintaining Name Resolution  

Install and configure the DNS Server service

Configure DNS server options

Configure DNS zone options

Configure DNS forwarding

The course includes material to prepare you for this task.

Manage DNS

Manage DNS zone settings

Manage DNS record settings

Manage DNS server options

The course includes material to prepare you for this task.

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

The course includes material to prepare you for this task.

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

The course includes material to prepare you for this task.

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.


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