MCTIP - The road is long! 70-640...

mattipler

Hi Guys,

Not posted on here for a while. But the time to live with my head in a book is upon me again. I'm working toward an MCTIP having already achieved the vista config qualification.

I've decided to work toward the 70-640 next so I'll probably be posting a lot, requesting help from you gucci-MCTIP boys. I'll be using the self-paced 70-640 press book and the accompanying exam engine which was more than enough when studying toward the Vista config MCTS. I know I need to improve my understanding of DNS greatly as well. I've a basic understanding from working toward my CCNA and from work but not the in depth understanding that I've read is required for the 70-640 (any links to straight forward DNS material appreciated).

I've a couple of questions for those of you that have attained your 70-640 if you don't mind....

1. I'm planning on installing 2008 on my home desktop system and then running virtual server from it - however I only have (and can have) 2GB of RAM in my desktop meaning I can only run 2-3 virtual servers to help with my labs. Will this be enough? If not, are there any simulators that are worth a look?

2. I've been told that the 70-640 is the hardest to achieve from the MCTS's required to sit the MCTIP? Would you generally agree or disagree with this?

3. I've been set the quarterly objective (by my boss) of having this "bagged" by March next year! Was very reluctant to agree to this as the study is being done in my own time so I fail to see how this can qualify as a measurable work "objective"! I plan to spend around 15 hours a week of my own time studying - I tend to learn quite slowly but learn well at that pace. Do you think next March is realistic - difficult / stupid question really (I know)?

4. Where do babies come from?

Cheers for those of you that have taken the time to read this post.

Ta.

Matt

sjones10

Hi Matt,

I have just started studying toward this qualification also however if you are in the uk you have to take 83-640 exam. You can use the same material to study however in is a practical exam where you have to configure 2 real VM'S. You then have a question and answer based exam.

I have found that there is a lot to learn for this exam and MSPRESS book can be quite hard going to get in to. I originally wanted to take this exam before xmas however with the amount i need to learn i dont think this will be possible.

All the best

Stuart

Essendon

You can get by with 3 VM's, although you may not be able to lab up the finer points of Certificate Services for example, or RMS or LDS. But like I said, you can get by. By keeping the RAM at a minimum, you may be able to squeeze in a fourth VM.

70-640 is the easiest to achieve, I'd say based on what other test-takers have said. I do have an MCSA and have passed the 642, but I can still say that 640 shouldnt be too much of a problem. It doesnt go too deep into anything, just make sure you lab out Group Policy and DNS well.

You may know this, but there are a few MCITP's. You can get to the MCITP : Server Administrator with three exams, 640 + 642 + 646. Easily doable by March, provided you put in the yards.

mattipler

Will this study material / study plan be suitable for someone with very little AD knowledge - does it start at the very basics and work you through to the top as it were?

dfosbenner

I found the 70-640 MS Press book to be very good. Nothing in there about where babies come from though.

Piers

mattipler wrote: »

Will this study material / study plan be suitable for someone with very little AD knowledge - does it start at the very basics and work you through to the top as it were?

In my time working with NT, Win2K and 2K3, I've never done much more in AD than assigning folder share permissions and unlocking password accounts. I'm also reading through the MSPress 640 book and I find things are coming along nicely, starting out simple and progressing into in-depth topics. I did the 642 first as I work towards the SA, it was more along the lines of what I've done in the past, it wasn't as hard to go through as the AD is for me right now.

Your slow and steady method would be perfect for just starting out, giving you time to go through the steps and learn the areas of importance.. Is the AD portion due by March, or the whole MCITP? 15 good hours a week would get you through 2 or 3 (or 4) chapters a week, allowing you to do a big test by the end of November or so, pinpoint some weaker areas, then a couple weeks to go through again and be ready for the test before Christmas..

texasit

I didn't find the 83-640 the hardest for me, so far the 646 was the hardest.I think it may be possible to finish your MCITP:EA by the end of March but I think the MCITP:SA would be easier to finish by March.I got my SA in about 5 months.
As for where babies come from there is a paragraph on that in chapter 13.I would suggest Sybex they go into more detail on that.