Best "entry level" MS cert for basic domain administration

Paul Boz

I have never been a system admin for a Windows domain and it's not really in my goals to do so, but the nature of my work puts me on countless networks every year (penetration testing) so I would like at least an entry-level cert from Microsoft that shows basic competency in domain administration. I know a fair bit about Windows domains and how to exploit them but don't know a ton beyond that. I have server 2k8 to play with and a virtually unlimited budget for training materials / cbt's, etc. I checked MS' website for the MCSA and only see that server 2k3 and server 2k are available. Any ideas?

Thanks for any help guys.

meadIT

MCITP: Server Administrator for 2008 is the approximate equivalent to MCSA for 2003.

Slowhand

The entry-level exams for Windows Server 2008 would be the following:
~ 70-640: Windows Server 2008 Active Directory, Configuring
~ 70-642: Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure, Configuring
~ 70-643: Windows Server 2008 Applications Infrastructure, Configuring

These three exams comprise the Windows Server 2008 Technology Specialist exams that apply towards MCITP: Enterprise Administrator, (the Vista exam and the corresponding PRO exam are also needed for that cert,) while the first two TS exams in the list apply towards MCITP: Server Administrator. My advice, if you're not interested in going deep into Windows administration, is to start with at least 70-640 and 70-642, then maybe do 70-643, giving you a Technology Specialist certification on each topic. If you decide to stop there, you'll still have the straight-up technical skills to work with pretty much any Windows Server 2008 network. If you decide to do one or two more exams, you'll have either the Server Admin or Enterprise Admin MCITP on your resume, which will definitely be attractive to potential employers/clients as Server 2008 becomes more prominent.

Paul Boz

I've been doing some reading and I may just get the server 2k3 MCSA and do the upgrade path when its available. I have both OS and rarely see server 2k8 anyway. At least when compared to how many 2k3 domains I see.

Slowhand

Paul Boz wrote: »

I've been doing some reading and I may just get the server 2k3 MCSA and do the upgrade path when its available. I have both OS and rarely see server 2k8 anyway. At least when compared to how many 2k3 domains I see.

Fair enough. To upgrade from the MCSA to MCITP: Server Administrator, you'll want to do two exams: 70-648 to upgrade to the two TS exams, and then 70-646 to earn the full MCITP. (They won't let you do a single upgrade-exam, unfortunately.)

blargoe

Given your specialty, and I'm guessing you're not running across many 2008 domains just yet, I think the 2003 MCSA or MCSE with the Security specialization would match you best, and then upgrade to 2008.

Slowhand

A word of advice: when doing the MCSA, go for the Vista exam as your client OS, even if you know XP better or use it more. That exam counts towards both the MCSA/MCSE paths, as well as MCITP: Enterprise Administrator. Should you ever decide you really want to go all the way to the most advanced pro-level Microsoft exam, you'll have your options open. Should you decide to do the MCSA and then the Server Admin cert upgrade, you won't have wasted any extra time on superfluous exams.

Paul Boz

I wish I could use Windows 7 for the client OS because it's what I'm using for the primary OS on all of my systems now. I suppose Vista is a hell of a lot more conceptually and functionally similar to 7 than XP is though, so that's good advice.

JDMurray

Is the "Networking Essentials" cert still offered by MS? That was suppose to be pretty easy.

dynamik

If you're that bent on doing Windows 7 for your client exam, put it off until the end. I know you're an exam demon, but if you do the rest of the entire MCSE and MCITP:EA tracks first, it might be out by then

The MCSE still seems to be the most comprehensive and well-respected cert at the time, so I'd set my sights on that.

If you're looking for a good Windows security book, check this out: Amazon.com: Protect Your Windows Network: From Perimeter to Data (Addison-Wesley Microsoft Technology Series): Jesper M. Johansson, Steve Riley: Books

At that used price, there's no reason not to have that on your bookshelf.

I haven't read this, but I hear good things about it as well: Amazon.com: Hacking Exposed Windows: Microsoft Windows Security Secrets and Solutions, Third Edition: Joel Scambray: Books

1MeanAdmin

Since you mention "entry level", mostly work with 2003 and may not want to take 4 exams, as a bare minimum, definitely take 70-290 and maybe 70-291.