SQL Server Database Administrator 2005/2008 Cert Guide

RobertKaucher

I know there has been some confusion about the SQL Server 2008 certifications, so I wanted to post a certification guide.

MCITP: Database Admin 2005 (3 exams)
· 70-431: MCTS – SQL Server 2005 Implementation and Maintenance
· 70-443: PRO: Designing a Database Server Infrastructure by Using Microsoft SQL Server 2005
· 70-444: PRO: Optimizing and Maintaining a Database Administration Solution by Using Microsoft SQL Server 2005

Or upgrade from MCDBA SQL Server 2000 (2 exams)
· 70-431: MCTS – SQL Server 2005 Implementation and Maintenance
· 70-447: Upgrade: MCDBA Skills to MCITP Database Administrator by Using Microsoft SQL Server 2005

MCITP: Database Administrator 2008 (two exams)
· 70-432: MCTS - Microsoft SQL Server 2008, Implementation and Maintenance
· 70-450: PRO: Designing, Optimizing and Maintaining a Database Administrative Solution Using Microsoft SQL Server 2008

Or upgrade from MCITP SQL Server 2005 (1 exam)
· 70-453: Upgrade: Transition Your MCITP SQL Server 2005 DBA to MCITP SQL Server 2008

Beav’s guide to study material for the 70-431

Study Material I have found for the SQL Server 2008 Exams:
SQL Server 2008 Tutorials on MSDN and SQL 2008 Books Online
T-SQL Tutorial

Links on Deitel’s web site for SQL Server 2008 virtual labs and tutorials. Lots of good stuff on this one.

Microsoft's Learning Plan for 70-443 (includes links to online resources and e-learning)
http://learning.microsoft.com/Manager/LearningPlan.aspx?LearningPlanGuid=%7ba0e01357-a1e3-45d6-a2ad-3879a13865b0%7d&clang=en-US

Articles on Data Pages and How they are Stored on Disk
http://www.akadia.com/services/sqlsrv_data_structure.html
http://www.improve.dk/blog/2009/03/26/deciphering-a-sql-server-data-page
http://sqlblogcasts.com/blogs/tonyrogerson/archive/2007/06/28/what-is-a-page-split-what-happens-why-does-it-happen-why-worry.aspx

aaronchristenson

I wish there was a book for the SQL Server 2008 upgrade exam. I have been holding out for one. When I was doing the upgrade for Windows Server 2008 exams they had not put out a book for 648, so I was forced to buy the books for the 2 exams that the upgrade covers. A week after I took 648 they put out a book for it and 647. I was so bummed. I just know that it would happen again.

bertieb

aaronchristenson wrote: »

I wish there was a book for the SQL Server 2008 upgrade exam.

I did the Microsoft 2005 > 2008 upgrade course late last year (I don't have any SQL exams but have been working with SQL for nearly 10 yrs) and most if it was focussed towards policies, encryption, resource governor, the 'new' geospatial data types and the various enhancements to reporting services - I suspect most of these would make likely material for the upgrade exam and there are various articles on technet etc which may help you get an early start

RobertKaucher

aaronchristenson wrote: »

I wish there was a book for the SQL Server 2008 upgrade exam. I have been holding out for one. When I was doing the upgrade for Windows Server 2008 exams they had not put out a book for 648, so I was forced to buy the books for the 2 exams that the upgrade covers. A week after I took 648 they put out a book for it and 647. I was so bummed. I just know that it would happen again.

Yes, I know the feeling. When I took my Server 2008 upgrade there weren't even books for the non-upgrade exams out!

I'm planning on finishing the MCITP DBA 2005 track this summer and then perhaps tackling the upgrade exam in the fall/winter. I'm not concerned about there not being more material for the upgrade as this is one of those things I think I need to over learn. I studied for the 431 for nearly 6 months and almost failed. I've promised myself I am going to do better for the 443/444, though.

I put way too much time into books and not enough into labs. So this time I want to do as much lab work as I can. Set up some RAID arrays and destroy a disk, kill power in the middle of a large update to some tables. Even do some clustering. You know, the fun stuff.