Damn!

Cingular

Hey everyone~

Ok so here's my problem.

I'm desperatly wanting to get stuck into this beast of an exam known as the 70-291, but I don't have a proper server.

When I say proper I mean (rack optimised/dual cpu/raid arrays/).

I have been told the recommended setup for this exam is at least two domain controllers and a couple of clients.

All I have is 1 domain controller and 1 client connected over wireless.


Is it worth reading through the book with my current setup? I really want to get into it but don't want to get to the first exercise and find out I can't physically do it .

What should I do?

Cheers guys!!

dynamik

Have you looked into virtualization at all? What are the specs of the machine you have?

Cingular

I haven't looked at virtualisaton yet. Definately meaning to though!


My specs are;

CPU; Intel Pentium D Dual Core
RAM; 2GB Corsair MX2
HDD; 2 x 320GB SATA II @ 7500rpm
GFX; nVidia 8600GT

Not the best for VM ware. But it does ok as a server.

I am happy to build a server, if anyone is willing to help me out I would be much appreciative!!

dynamik

I think that's more than adequate for a personal VM lab. All my Server 2003 VMs run fine with only 256mb of RAM, so you could get six going and have 512mb left over for the host OS. CPU is not a huge issue in these types of situations since the machines just sit their idle most the time.

Check out: Virtual Box, VMware Server, VMware Workstation, and/or Virtual PC 2007.

I use Workstation myself, but it's $189 (you can get a 30 day trial). The others are all free.

royal

Sorry, you need at least the following to meet minimum requirements for virtualization:
http://www.engadget.com/2008/06/25/fastest-ever-windows-hpc-cluster-nets-68-5-teraflops/

Ok, lame joke, I know. But in all seriousness, your system will be fine. I typically run the same amount of memory per VM than dynamik does unless I'm running Exchange/SQL or the heavier type of applications.

Virtual PC/Server is a good start for you. I liked Virtual PC more since you can drag items into there. My favorite for day to day lab work is VMware Workstation though. But that costs $$$$.

TechJunky

Labs, what are those?

I wish I had the time for labs. I have a couple VM boxes setup and I use 256k memory as well. They run flawless for testing purposes.

Cingular

Hmmm!

So basically I can get away with building a fairly cheap box soley for the future of my MCSE testing and just run VM ware. That sounds much better!

I was getting ready to cough up $3,000 on a hardcore server .


Thank you for all the help/info thus far!

undomiel

Cingular wrote:

I was getting ready to cough up $3,000 on a hardcore server .

Well don't let that stop you!

seuss_ssues

i think the server that i used to learn my mcsa was around a 1 ghz processor and 512 mb of ram. Someone i knew was going to throw it away so i took it. You dont always have to have the best hardware to learn on. But i do agree virtualization is making it much more convenient and cheaper to learn this stuff.