| Exam news | |
| Audience profile | |
| Credit toward certification | |
| Preparation tools and resources | |
| Skills measured |
Exam 70-296 became available on August 28, 2003.
| • | This exam retired in March 2008 |
The Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) on Windows Server 2003 upgrade exam is available only to candidates who are currently certified as MCSEs on Microsoft Windows 2000 Server. The MCSE 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 implementing and administering a network operating system 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 |
In addition, candidates should have experience in the following areas:
| • | Implementing and administering a desktop operating system |
| • | Designing a network infrastructure |
When you pass the Planning, Implementing, and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Environment for an MCSE 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 MCSE on Microsoft Windows 2000. You will earn credit toward the following certifications:
| • | Core credit toward Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) on Windows Server 2003 certification |
In addition to your hands-on experience working with the product, we highly recommend that you use the following tools and training to help you prepare for this exam.
| • | Workshop 2210: Expert Track: Updating Systems Engineer Skills from Microsoft Windows 2000 to Windows Server 2003 |
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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 exam measures your ability to plan, implement, 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: |
| Skills measured by Exam 70-296 | Workshop 2210 | ||||||||||||
| Planning and Implementing Server Roles and Server Security | |||||||||||||
Configure security for servers that are assigned specific roles. | |||||||||||||
Plan security for servers that are assigned specific roles. Roles might include domain controllers, Web servers, database servers, and mail servers.
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| Planning, Implementing, and Maintaining a Network Infrastructure | |||||||||||||
Plan a host name resolution strategy.
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| Planning, Implementing, and Maintaining Server Availability | |||||||||||||
Plan services for high availability.
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Plan a backup and recovery strategy.
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| Planning and Maintaining Network Security | |||||||||||||
Plan secure network administration methods.
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Plan security for wireless networks. | |||||||||||||
Plan security for data transmission.
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| Planning, Implementing, and Maintaining Security Infrastructure | |||||||||||||
Configure Active Directory directory service for certificate publication. | |||||||||||||
Plan a public key infrastructure (PKI) that uses Certificate Services.
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Plan a framework for planning and implementing security.
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Plan a security update infrastructure. Tools might include Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer and Microsoft Software Update Services. | |||||||||||||
| Planning and Implementing an Active Directory Infrastructure | |||||||||||||
Plan a strategy for placing global catalog servers.
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Implement an Active Directory directory service forest and domain structure.
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| Managing and Maintaining an Active Directory Infrastructure | |||||||||||||
Manage an Active Directory forest and domain structure.
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Restore Active Directory directory services.
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| Planning and Implementing User, Computer, and Group Strategies | |||||||||||||
Plan a user authentication strategy.
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| Planning and Implementing Group Policy | |||||||||||||
Plan Group Policy strategy.
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Configure the user environment by using Group Policy.
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| Managing and Maintaining Group Policy | |||||||||||||
Troubleshoot issues related to Group Policy application deployment. Tools might include RSoP and the gpresult command. | |||||||||||||
Troubleshoot the application of Group Policy security settings. Tools might include RSoP and the gpresult command. |
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.
| • | Learn more and download samples |