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Preparation Guide for Exam 70-656

TS: Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack, Configuring

Updated: August 4, 2008
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Audience profileAudience profile
Credit toward certificationCredit toward certification
Preparation tools and resourcesPreparation tools and resources
Skills measuredSkills measured

Exam news

This Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (TS) exam, Exam 70-656: TS: Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack, Configuring, became available in June 2008. This exam is available in English, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Italian, and Portuguese (Brazil).

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Audience profile

Candidates for this exam are IT professionals who focus on configuring desktops. These professionals include network administrators, SMS (configuration manager) administrators, field consultants, technical business consultants, and any technical workers who are responsible for the types of tasks that can be automated or improved by using the Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack (MDOP).

Candidates are also expected to have the following:

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Active Directory knowledge and concepts, including Group Policy

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Windows Server 2003 or Windows Server 2008 knowledge and experience

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fundamental knowledge of Microsoft SQL Server 2005

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fundamental knowledge of Windows Server 2008 Terminal Services

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fundamental knowledge of Systems Management Server (SMS) 2003

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fundamental knowledge of Microsoft Operations Manager (MOM)

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experience managing Windows-based desktops in an Enterprise environment

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Credit toward certification

When you pass Exam 70-656: TS: Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack, Configuring, you complete the requirements for the following certification:

•Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS): Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack, Configuration
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Preparation tools and resources

To 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 being measured" section below.

Classroom trainingMicrosoft E-LearningMicrosoft Press booksPractice tests

Course 7197: Managing Enterprise Desktops using the Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack (five days)

There is no Microsoft E-Learning training currently available.

There are no Microsoft Press books currently available.

MeasureUp (Measureup.com)

Self Test Software (Selftestsoftware.com)

Microsoft online resources

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Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack: Visit the Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack Web site for detailed product information.

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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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TechNet: Designed for IT professionals, this site includes how-to instructions, best practices, downloads, technical resources, newsgroups, and chats.

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MSDN: Designed for developers, the Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) features code samples, technical articles, downloads, newsgroups, and chats.

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Skills measured

This exam measures your ability to accomplish the technical tasks listed in the following table.

Skills measured by Exam 70-656
Configuring Group Policy Objects (GPOs) by Using Advanced Group Policy Management (AGPM)

Configure Group Policy Object Roles.

Configure AGPM.
This may include, but is not limited to: Install and configure AFPM, configure an AGPM Server Connection, Approve a pending GPO, create a controlled GPO, Edit a controlled GPO, Review a controlled GPO

Deploy a controlled GPO.

Manage controlled GPOs.
This may include, but is not limited to: Create, edit or review a controlled GPO

Monitoring Desktops by Using Microsoft Desktop Error Monitoring (DEM)

Install DEM.
This may include, but is not limited to: Using SCOM Setup Wizard, hardware and software prerequisites for DEM

Configure the Management Server for client monitoring.
This may include, but is not limited to: Client Monitoring Configuration Wizard

Configure Microsoft System Center Operations Manager (SCOM) administrative template settings.

Configure clients for client monitoring.

Managing Software Inventory by Using the Asset Inventory Service (AIS)

Deploy AIS clients.
This may include, but is not limited to: using Group Policy, using SMS/ConfigMgr, deploying the AIS client manually, computer groups

Manage computers that report to AIS.
This may include, but is not limited to: AIS computer management tasks, retire a computer, run computer reports and reports on retired computers

Configure software inventory by using AIS.
This may include, but is not limited to: Force a software inventory update, run software reports, generate software reports

Repairing and Diagnosing Computer Systems by Using the Diagnostics and Recovery Toolset (DaRT)

Install and configure DaRT.
This may include, but is not limited to: Crash Analyzer

Restore deleted files.
This may include, but is not limited to: Search, when files are recoverable, how long files are recoverable, what are the variables

Recover computer systems.
This may include, but is not limited to: ERD Commander, boot disk, networking and system tools

Configuring Application Virtualization Servers

Configure the Application Virtualization infrastructure.
This may include, but is not limited to: Application Virtualization Streaming Server, Application Virtualization Sequencer, Application Virtualization clients, branch offices / micro branch offices

Configure Application Virtualization components.
This may include, but is not limited to: Component interaction, Application Virtualization Management Console, Lightweight Streaming Server, Application Virtualization Management Web Service, Application Virtualization data store, Application Virtualization Management Server, Application Virtualization clients

Install Application Virtualization servers.
This may include, but is not limited to: System requirements, upgrading

Configure Active Directory for Application Virtualization.
This may include, but is not limited to: Security groups, multiple domains/forests

Configure security for Application Virtualization.
This may include, but is not limited to: Firewalls, certificates, TLS

Configuring Application Virtualization Clients

Deploy Application Virtualization clients.
This may include, but is not limited to: Terminal Services client, standard client

Deliver and maintain virtualized applications.
This may include, but is not limited to: Deliver pre-configured applications, configure multiple application versions, maintain centrally managed applications

Manage Application Virtualization clients.
This may include, but is not limited to: Client Management Console, root node, System Tray / SFTTray.exe switches, disconnected operation mode

Configure client options.
This may include, but is not limited to: Application node, File Type Associations node, Desktop Configuration Servers node, Automate client configurations with SFTMime

Deploying and Managing the Application Virtualization Sequencer

Install the Application Virtualization Sequencer.
This may include, but is not limited to: Paths, parse items, exclusion items, wizard settings

Configure the Application Virtualization Sequencer infrastructure.
This may include, but is not limited to: Virtual Drive (Q), Partitioning

Sequence applications for virtualization.
This may include, but is not limited to: Sequencing wizards, Package Configuration Wizard, Installation Wizard, Application Wizard

Manage application sequencing.
This may include, but is not limited to: Upgrading existing sequencer packages, perform package branching, install a hard-coded application into a virtual environment, sequence a web-based application, sequence an application using the MSI utility

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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