Another "OMG 70-410" thread

Xenomeow

Hi everyone,

First post here and I have to say this site is so far fantastic! Lots of great reading to be had for many levels of certs. Well I managed to score basically my dream job. I am a Jr technician in a data center, my bosses hired me on with the expectation that i will be spending most of my time at work studying for my certification exams as well as doing basic daily tasks that are relevant to my current skill level. My work is going to be reimbursing me for any certifications I pass as well as reimbursing me for training materials. Honestly I am on cloud nine to have found this position, especially when i only had a 6 months tech support on my resume.


So with that being said, my boss has tasked me to start my MCSA/MCSE for server 2012 r2. As i said realer I have about six months tech support (inbound internet technical support call center for an ISP) and I just finished studying for my a+ (will be writing it next pay). As far as other background goes I have been repairing home PC's for friends and family for about the last 10 years, all within a windows environment. I have little to no direct windows server experience aside from the 10-15 installs I have done VIA Vmware.

Now I know 70-410 is going to be hard and I am fine with that. My boss is willing to give me the time I need to study and has also setup and poweredge r510 with 32gb of ram/ 4tb of hdd space for me to lab on. If there is any other hardware I need added to the lab as I go he is more then willing to throw it in the rack.

Given all that I am curious what books I should look in to on the 70-410? I have read that the mastering windows server 2012 r2 by Mark Minasi is a great book to get, if a little huge. I have also heard it covers all three MCSA exams at once, but with the overlap in all three exams it can be beneficial. I was also considering grabbing the microsoft press exam ref and training guide for server 2012 r2. But I have heard many mixed reviews on those books. saying they are a bit open ended and will not (alone) fully prepare you for the exam. There is also the wiley course book and the official microsoft course book. So many choices and all come with mixed reviews. I fully understand much of my time studying is going to be spent on technet and labing, but i would like a book (or four) to compliment my studies. Any of the books ideally should have as much labbing examples as possible, from what i have read about the exams is they are very "what do you do in this situation" vs theory. So given the background and my want for extensive lab examples, which books would you suggest?


Also of note, I have been looking in to CBT nuggets premium, which minus the crazy start up cost I see as a huge value for multiple certs. I mean a full course and the included practice tests pay for them selves after a couple exams.

mjnk77

Xen,

Welcome to the forum. As for books, I do not recommend using the Wiley book. I took mcsa classes at the local college, we used that book for 410 and it wasn't worth the $130+. The director and instructor changed the books for 411 to Training Guide Administering Windows Server 2012 R2 (MCSA). We enjoyed the book much more. We also used the cbt nuggets and trainsignal videos. For 412 Training Guide Configuring Advanced Windows Server 2012 R2 Services (MCSA).

As for you lab, I think you should be fine with the current hardware. You don't have the option to receive emails. When you do, I can send you some info. GL!