| Exam news | |
| Audience profile | |
| Credit toward certification | |
| Preparation tools and resources | |
| Skills being measured |
Exam 70-291 became available on August 14, 2003.
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 |
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:
| • | 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 |
| • | Core credit toward Microsoft Certified Database Administrator (MCDBA) on Microsoft SQL Server 2000 certification |
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.
| • | Course 2276: Implementing a Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure: Network Hosts |
| • | Course 2277: Implementing, Managing, and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure: Network Services |
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| • | 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. |
| • | 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. |
This certification exam measures your ability to implement, manage, and maintain a Windows Server 2003 network infrastructure. 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: |
| Skills measured by Exam 70-291 | Course 2276 | Course 2277 | ||||||||||||
| Implementing, Managing, and Maintaining IP Addressing | ||||||||||||||
Configure TCP/IP addressing on a server computer. | ||||||||||||||
Manage DHCP.
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Troubleshoot TCP/IP addressing.
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Troubleshoot DHCP.
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| Implementing, Managing, and Maintaining Name Resolution | ||||||||||||||
Install and configure the DNS Server service.
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Manage DNS.
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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.
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Install and configure software update infrastructure.
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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.
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Manage remote access.
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Manage TCP/IP routing.
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Implement secure access between private networks. | ||||||||||||||
Troubleshoot user access to remote access services.
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Troubleshoot Routing and Remote Access routing.
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| Maintaining a Network Infrastructure | ||||||||||||||
Monitor network traffic. Tools might include Network Monitor and System Monitor. | ||||||||||||||
Troubleshoot connectivity to the Internet. | ||||||||||||||
Troubleshoot server services.
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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 the exam objectives listed in this preparation guide to prepare for the exam, regardless of its format.
| • | Learn more and download samples |