70-643 and Only One Book

RIS

Hello,

This is my first post here and I hope it won't be to long that it scares most off of reading it, but there is a lot to confess.

I started studying for an MCSE in the NT 4.0 track in 2000 and after about 6 months of researching newsgroups on the subject I decided to switch to the W2K track and drop learning NT. I started by using the MS Press books for that endeavor and after about 3 years of studying and working on a test network of about 4 machines I just got it into my head that I would never be able to pass the tests since it all seemed so complex even after all of that effort. I kept reading that you should never attempt the exams unless you had real world experience using the material so I finally landed a temp job assisting in the rollout of XP on a hospital's multiple campuses and after a few months landed a field tech job that I worked for a year getting sent out on practically every type job imaginable for an entry level technician. I then moved into a job working helpdesk for a company that had a Citrix setup and about 1500 employees and did both end-user support and field work there for 2 years. Then I went to work in a data center in Operations and did that for about 2 years and got laid off over a year ago. All this and until a week ago I had never attempted an exam. I decided that while I wasn't working I would try to get ready for the 70-290 since I now had some real world experience and I took it and passed it last week with a 792! It was a great feeling because somehow, someway I had convinced myself that I would never be able to do it and it really wasn't that bad.

I am now interested in preparing for the 70-643 and want to take it in 2 weeks. The only book that I have to attempt this is the Server 2008 Unleashed book and although I used Transcender's for the 70-290 I would like to avoid spending any money as I have been unemployed for a year now and things are getting tight.

Have any of you passed this exam with just one book or is that an unrealistic idea?

Hyper-Me

Well, you chose what is (in my opinion) the hardest exam in the MCITP EA path.

I tried to study for 643 with just the trainsignal videos (big mistake).

The MS Press book would probably be enough, but if you can't afford anything else I would seriously do some googling/reading on technet.com on the topics you dont feel totally comfortable with. That should get you there easily.

RIS

Hyper-Me wrote: »

Well, you chose what is (in my opinion) the hardest exam in the MCITP EA path.

I tried to study for 643 with just the trainsignal videos (big mistake).

The MS Press book would probably be enough, but if you can't afford anything else I would seriously do some googling/reading on technet.com on the topics you dont feel totally comfortable with. That should get you there easily.

I only have the Server 2008 Unleashed book.

Yeah, I chose this exam because it looked like it might have similar concepts to the 70-290. Have any of you passed both the 70-290 and the 70-643 that could shed some light on that idea?

Is there an affordable practice test software that could help that anyone could recommend?

Hyper-Me

I wouldnt consider most of the practice tests affordable.

Unfortuantely, i doubt that Server 08 unleashed goes into the detail required for the 643. It gets very granular on its questions, moreso than any other MS exam ive taken. (havent taken 290).

I would recommend picking up the MS Press book, you can get used copies for a 20 spot.

broc

Hyper-Me wrote:

I would recommend picking up the MS Press book, you can get used copies for a 20 spot.

Or even a lot less than that:

Amazon.com: Used and New: MCTS (Exam 70-643): Configuring Windows Server 2008 Applications Infrastructure self paced training kit

I read the MS and nothing else and passed the 70-643 a few weeks ago. Can't remember my score but the MS book had pretty much everything covered in the exam.

alokin123

I didnt like the IIS coverage in the MSPress book. There wasnt enough examples on appcmd for my liking.

freebies always help + look at the sticky for 70-643:

TS
TechNet Webcast: Developing for Windows Server 2008 Terminal Services (Level 300)
TechNet Webcast: Windows Server 2008: Centralizing Application Access with Terminal Services (Level 300)
TechNet Webcast: Windows Server 2008 Terminal Services RemoteApp and Web Access (Level 300)
TechNet Webcast: Windows Server 2008 Terminal Services Security and Authentication (Level 300)
TechNet Webcast: Windows Server 2008 Terminal Services Session Broker (Level 300)
TechNet Webcast: Scaling Terminal Services Out (Part 1 of 2) (Level 300)
TechNet Webcast: Scaling Terminal Services Out (Part 2 of 2) (Level 300)
TechNet Webcast: Deploying Remote Programs with Windows Server 2008 Terminal Services (Level 300)
TechNet Webcast: A Technical Overview of Windows Server 2008 Terminal Services (Level 200)
TechNet Webcast: How Microsoft IT Deployed Windows Terminal Services 2008 and Terminal Server Gateway Technologies (Level 300)
TechNet Webcast: 24 Hours of Windows Server 2008 (Part 05 of 24): Terminal Services Gateway and Terminal Services Web Access (Level 200)
TechNet Webcast: Terminal Services Easy Print (Level 300)
Microsoft Webcast: Overview of Windows Server 2008 Terminal Services (Level 100)
Momentum Webcast: Building on Terminal Services for Secure Access (Level 100)
TechNet Webcast: Windows Server 2008 Terminal Services Licensing (Level 300)
TechNet Virtual Lab: Managing Terminal Services Gateway and RemoteApps in Windows Server 2008 Beta 3
TechNet Virtual Lab: Microsoft Windows Server 2008 Beta 2 Terminal Services Gateway and Remote Programs
TechNet Virtual Lab: Microsoft Windows Server 2008 Beta 2 Terminal Services Gateway and Remote Programs
TechNet Webcast: 24 Hours of Windows Server 2008 (Part 06 of 24): Deploying and Migrating to Terminal Server (Level 200)

IIS
Videos : The Official Microsoft IIS Site
http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=7832121
http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=7832126
http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=7832123
http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=7832118
http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=7832120
http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=7832124
http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=7832125
IIS.net : TRY IT NOW
TechNet Webcast: IIS 7.0: End-to-End Overview of the New Web Application Server from Microsoft (Level 200)
TechNet Webcast: 24 Hours of Windows Server 2008 (Part 09 of 24): IIS 7.0 Centralized Configuration (Level 300)
TechNet Webcast: 24 Hours of Windows Server 2008 (Part 08 of 24): IIS 7.0 Advanced Management (Level 200)
TechNet Webcast: 24 Hours of Windows Server 2008 (Part 10 of 24): IIS 7.0 Diagnostics and Troubleshooting (Level 300) Configuration (Level 300)
TechNet Webcast: 24 Hours of Windows Server 2008 (Part 11 of 24): IIS 7.0 Web and Applications Support (Level 300)
TechNet Webcast: 24 Hours of Windows Server 2008 (Part 12 of 24): Migrating and Upgrading to IIS 7.0 (Level 300)

Failover Clustering
TechNet Virtual Lab: Windows Server 2008 Enterprise Failover Clustering Lab
TechNet Virtual Lab: Creating Highly Available Services with Failover Clustering

RIS

broc wrote: »

Or even a lot less than that:

Amazon.com: Used and New: MCTS (Exam 70-643): Configuring Windows Server 2008 Applications Infrastructure self paced training kit

I read the MS and nothing else and passed the 70-643 a few weeks ago. Can't remember my score but the MS book had pretty much everything covered in the exam.

Wow, thats crazy. Wonder why so cheap? Maybe the used ones wont have the included cd and I would really want that because I like to read the .pdf versions on my pc or phone. Ok, thanks. I will order that book.

Seeing as how I have studied other material and know more than my certifications indicate, do any of you think that 2 weeks to prepare is realistic? Seeing as how this is one of the harder ones in the track should I start with a different exam to get my feet wet in Server 2008?

RIS

alokin123 wrote: »

I didnt like the IIS coverage in the MSPress book. There wasnt enough examples on appcmd for my liking.

freebies always help + look at the sticky for 70-643:

TS
TechNet Webcast: Developing for Windows Server 2008 Terminal Services (Level 300)
TechNet Webcast: Windows Server 2008: Centralizing Application Access with Terminal Services (Level 300)
TechNet Webcast: Windows Server 2008 Terminal Services RemoteApp and Web Access (Level 300)
TechNet Webcast: Windows Server 2008 Terminal Services Security and Authentication (Level 300)
TechNet Webcast: Windows Server 2008 Terminal Services Session Broker (Level 300)
TechNet Webcast: Scaling Terminal Services Out (Part 1 of 2) (Level 300)
TechNet Webcast: Scaling Terminal Services Out (Part 2 of 2) (Level 300)
TechNet Webcast: Deploying Remote Programs with Windows Server 2008 Terminal Services (Level 300)
TechNet Webcast: A Technical Overview of Windows Server 2008 Terminal Services (Level 200)
TechNet Webcast: How Microsoft IT Deployed Windows Terminal Services 2008 and Terminal Server Gateway Technologies (Level 300)
TechNet Webcast: 24 Hours of Windows Server 2008 (Part 05 of 24): Terminal Services Gateway and Terminal Services Web Access (Level 200)
TechNet Webcast: Terminal Services Easy Print (Level 300)
Microsoft Webcast: Overview of Windows Server 2008 Terminal Services (Level 100)
Momentum Webcast: Building on Terminal Services for Secure Access (Level 100)
TechNet Webcast: Windows Server 2008 Terminal Services Licensing (Level 300)
TechNet Virtual Lab: Managing Terminal Services Gateway and RemoteApps in Windows Server 2008 Beta 3
TechNet Virtual Lab: Microsoft Windows Server 2008 Beta 2 Terminal Services Gateway and Remote Programs
TechNet Virtual Lab: Microsoft Windows Server 2008 Beta 2 Terminal Services Gateway and Remote Programs
TechNet Webcast: 24 Hours of Windows Server 2008 (Part 06 of 24): Deploying and Migrating to Terminal Server (Level 200)

IIS
Videos : The Official Microsoft IIS Site
http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=7832121
http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=7832126
http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=7832123
http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=7832118
http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=7832120
http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=7832124
http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=7832125
IIS.net : TRY IT NOW
TechNet Webcast: IIS 7.0: End-to-End Overview of the New Web Application Server from Microsoft (Level 200)
TechNet Webcast: 24 Hours of Windows Server 2008 (Part 09 of 24): IIS 7.0 Centralized Configuration (Level 300)
TechNet Webcast: 24 Hours of Windows Server 2008 (Part 08 of 24): IIS 7.0 Advanced Management (Level 200)
TechNet Webcast: 24 Hours of Windows Server 2008 (Part 10 of 24): IIS 7.0 Diagnostics and Troubleshooting (Level 300) Configuration (Level 300)
TechNet Webcast: 24 Hours of Windows Server 2008 (Part 11 of 24): IIS 7.0 Web and Applications Support (Level 300)
TechNet Webcast: 24 Hours of Windows Server 2008 (Part 12 of 24): Migrating and Upgrading to IIS 7.0 (Level 300)

Failover Clustering
TechNet Virtual Lab: Windows Server 2008 Enterprise Failover Clustering Lab
TechNet Virtual Lab: Creating Highly Available Services with Failover Clustering

Oh, nice! Thanks for this!

alokin123

RIS wrote: »

Wow, thats crazy. Wonder why so cheap? Maybe the used ones wont have the included cd and I would really want that because I like to read the .pdf versions on my pc or phone. Ok, thanks. I will order that book.

Seeing as how I have studied other material and know more than my certifications indicate, do any of you think that 2 weeks to prepare is realistic? Seeing as how this is one of the harder ones in the track should I start with a different exam to get my feet wet in Server 2008?

It depends what you are comfortable with. I did 70-642 then 70-646 before i did 70-640. Although there are only 4 topic areas in 70-643 the IIS and TS topics need to be known very thoroughly. The Deploying Servers section has so much crammed into it its not funny. You could potentially get asked something very obscure on the exam for that topic area. I don't mean to scare you off but just stating reality.

RIS

alokin123 wrote: »

It depends what you are comfortable with. I did 70-642 then 70-646 before i did 70-640. Although there are only 4 topic areas in 70-643 the IIS and TS topics need to be known very thoroughly. The Deploying Servers section has so much crammed into it its not funny. You could potentially get asked something very obscure on the exam for that topic area. I don't mean to scare you off but just stating reality.

Which one of those did you find the hardest and which one the easiest?

alokin123

RIS wrote: »

Which one of those did you find the hardest and which one the easiest?

With regards to the 2008 exams, i probably found 70-642 the hardest mainly because it was the first exam i had done in about a year so it took a little time to get used to the questions and interface and exam scenario. I got a 975 on the 70-646 but i didnt find it the easiest. I thought the 70-647 was the hardest. But overall i think they were all pretty close on level of difficulty.
Having said that, in hindsight Microsoft could have done a lot better in making the 2008 exams more challenging and interesting. Answering multiple choice questions doesn't really prove anything. If they could make all of the exams like the 83-640 then it would make the exams more interesting.
None of the exams are insanely difficult nor are they incredibly easy. If you knuckle down and get some hands on you will probably pass. The exam questions are a lot clearer than they were in the 2003 track and you can easily always eliminate at least 1 wrong answer.

broc

RIS wrote: »

Wow, thats crazy. Wonder why so cheap? Maybe the used ones wont have the included cd and I would really want that because I like to read the .pdf versions on my pc or phone. Ok, thanks. I will order that book.

It will have the CD, I ordered many books from Amazon this way (20+) and they all come with the CDs. Actually, 90% of them are news! And the other are "as new" with maybe a couple of scuffs mark on the cover.

I spend a lot of time looking for bargain