70-654 Windows Essential Business Server

darkerosxx

Decided to drop my aims for MCITP:EA and start taking only small-mid business certs, thus my taking the exam for MCTS: Windows Essential Business Server.

Looks like the Administrator's companion comes out May 13th, so pre-ordering that and will be setting up labs immediately and trying it out.

With all the different technologies included, this should be a fun one. Wish me luck!

Jordus

Why are you going down this route?

What does Essentials include that Standard/Enterprise/Datacenter doesnt? (aside exchange and SQL)

I think an understanding of the higher level versions would be sufficient to work on the mid-range editions as well?

darkerosxx

Essential Business Server is actually quite a bit different from the regular Server 2008. Check this out:

http://www.microsoft.com/ebs/en/us/compare-features.aspx

Having said that, obviously having the certs in all the technologies is one step better, but I'm looking to focus on small-medium business products and that's the market this product was created for.

dynamik

I find it humorous that you're going for the most bad-ass Linux certification and passing on the EA.

Regardless, good luck! (though I'm really not worried )

darkerosxx

dynamik wrote: »

I find it humorous that you're going for the most bad-ass Linux certification and passing on the EA.

Regardless, good luck! (though I'm really not worried )

Yeah, I just don't see myself working in the role MCITP:EA was meant for.

Thanks!

Jordus

Wow i didnt know it was multiple copies! Thats kinda cool

Let us know how it goes, i may think about sitting this exam at some point.

darkerosxx

Links:

Main Page:
Windows Essential Business Server 2008: Home Page

MS Press Book:
Amazon.com: Windows® Essential Business Server 2008 Administrator's Companion: J. C. Mackin, Charlie Russel: Books

Documentation:
Downloadable Documentation for Windows Essential Business Server

Google Shopping:
Microsoft Windows Essential Business Server 2008 Standard Edition - 5 user CALs, 1 server (1-4 CPU)

Microsoft Pricing for Server and CALs:
http://www.microsoft.com/ebs/en/us/pricing.aspx

Exam 70-654:
TS: Windows Essential Business Server 2008, Configuring

darkerosxx

70-654: Windows Essential Business Server 2008, Configuring

This credential is designed for information technology (IT) professionals who work in or consult with medium-sized businesses that use Windows Essential Business Server 2008.

A candidate for this exam should have at least one year of experience deploying, configuring, and managing network solutions in an environment that has the following characteristics:

• Windows Essential Business Server 2008
• up to 300 users
• company networks that have Internet connectivity
• individual users or user groups that connect to the company network from remote locations
• messaging (Internet and Microsoft Exchange Server)
• anti-spam/virus protection (Microsoft Forefront)
• branch offices

When you pass Exam 70-654: TS: Windows Essential Business Server 2008, Configuring, you complete the requirements for the following certification(s):
Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist:
(MCTS): Windows Essential Business Server 2008, Configuration

This exam measures your ability to accomplish the technical tasks listed below.The percentages indicate the relative weight of each major topic area on the exam.

Preparing for Deployment (22%)

• Select and configure hardware.
  • May include but is not limited to: Active Directory, DHCP, Exchange, firewalls, antivirus/anti-spam and DNS information, identify licensing requirements.
• Identify and resolve network infrastructure issues.
  • May include but is not limited to: TCP/IP, name resolution, and Active Directory

Installing and Configuring Essential Business Server (23%)

• Configure the operating system and data storage locations.
  • May include but is not limited to: volumes, partitions, attached storage
• Manage the transition to the Security Server.
  • May include but is not limited to: decommissioning existing firewalls, removing servers, Internet connectivity
• Handle failed installations.
  • May include but is not limited to: FSMO roles, Internet connectivity, third-party drivers
• Perform migration tasks.
  • May include but is not limited to: migrating firewall rules, Windows SharePoint Services, file and print services, Exchange services, DNS and DHCP services
• Configure System Center Essentials (SCE).
  • May include but is not limited to: SCE GPOs, Windows Server Update Service, SCE configuration
• Configure Forefront.
  • May include but is not limited to: content filtering, quarantine, file formats
• Install SQL Server.
  • May include but is not limited to: sort order, character sets

Managing Essential Business Server ( 37%)

• Add resources.
  • May include but is not limited to: mail enable users and groups; users, groups, computers, SCE “devices,” file shares, printers
• Manage software by using the System Center Essentials Console.
  • May include but is not limited to: deploying applications, uninstalling applications, application inventory, licensing
• Monitor errors, events, and performance.
  • May include but is not limited to: Administration Console, health reports, SCE Console, Performance and Reliability Monitor
• Backup and restore data and perform server recovery.
  • May include but is not limited to: Windows Server Backup, Exchange backup, SQL backup, Windows SharePoint Services backup, system state backup, Server Recovery, bare metal restore
• Add and configure Group Policy objects (GPOs) and Group Policy Preferences.
  • May include but is not limited to: drive mappings; registry settings; VPN connections; logon scripts; Group Policy Preferences
• Manage Exchange.
  • May include but is not limited to: e-mail domain names; out of office replies; mailbox quotas; message flow; item retention; database size
• Manage a SQL server.
  • May include but is not limited to: backups; security settings; attach, detach, or move a database

Configuring Remote Access (18%)

• Configure Remote Web Workplace.
  • May include but is not limited to: settings; permissions; content management; setting permissions; managing content – what should be on the page
• Manage VPN connections, including client connectivity and branch office connectivity.
  • May include but is not limited to: VPN permissions; VPN connections; security
• Configure Exchange 2007 Outlook Web Access (OWA).
  • May include but is not limited to: options; mobile devices; address books
• Configure mobile device access.
  • May include but is not limited to: certificates; security policy; wiping devices; Windows SharePoint Services for mobile access
• Configure Outlook Anywhere.
  • May include but is not limited to: allowing or disallowing access; configuring client certificates; DNS configuration
• Configure Terminal Services Gateway.
  • May include but is not limited to: configuration; CAP; RAP
• Configure certificates.
  • May include but is not limited to: third-party and private Certificate Authorities

darkerosxx

Buying servers from Dell to meet minimum recommendations with 1 cpu:

Pricing for servers: ~$1500-$2000/each(range depends on preferences for support and other parts), so total $4500-$6000 for 3 servers in Standard, $6000-$8000 for 4 servers in Premium
Pricing for Server Software: $4500 -$5000 for Standard, $5750-$6250 for Premium
Complete Setup: From $9000-$11000 for Standard, $11750-$14250 for Premium

darkerosxx

Essential Business Server is a lot more complicated than I have time to deal with. I have to take the exam by end of June to use the free voucher, so I switched to taking the Small Business Server 2008 exam.