Embarking on MCSA/Good study material

I am looking to put together the study material for the 70-270,290,291, and 292. I am going to self study, is that feasable with little server experience?
Also is it worth purchasing a copy of server 2003?
I was thinking of maybe a combo of sybex books and ms books?
Does this sound about right, do you have any suggestions for additional/different material?
Also is it worth purchasing a copy of server 2003?
I was thinking of maybe a combo of sybex books and ms books?
Does this sound about right, do you have any suggestions for additional/different material?
Comments
I'd say so as long as you have access to at least one PC with lots of RAM for practice. Install VMWare or MS Virtual Server and get a trial copy of Server 2k3 here
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/evaluation/trial/default.mspx
I find CBT's work well for me. I tend to read a chapter of the big blue and then follow it up with a few CBT videos then practice on the home and work labs when I get the time.
As for training material, I'd recommend going to the bookstore and grabbing a stack of books off the "Networking/Systems Admin/MCSE" shelf, have yourself a nice cup of coffee, and peruse through them until you find the books you like. Chances are, you'll end up getting yourself the MS Press books. Other than that, check out the CBT Nuggets and TestOut video training courses.
Free Microsoft Training: Microsoft Learn
Free PowerShell Resources: Top PowerShell Blogs
Free DevOps/Azure Resources: Visual Studio Dev Essentials
Let it never be said that I didn't do the very least I could do.
Anyways, I have a unix server and installed vmware on it the other day. The 2003 copy I picked up is 5cal, so I should be able to esablish 5 hosts, right?
I run windows xp under vmware on the unix server...but that required the xp cd. I dont need a couple copies of the xp cd do I?
I prefer Sybex over MS books as for me they are more easier to read and not as boring. They just seam to make it more enjoyable and easier to read and learn than the MS books do. Get hold of some practice tests and heaps of hands on practice, that is the most important aspect of passing these exams , that u can perform all the tasks and are familiar with working with all the Windows consoles.