70-432 Virtual lab

spud2005

Hi all,

Just finished, the Microsoft SQL Server 70-432 book. Most of the stuff went way over my head. and the book doesn't really explain things to well, especially with the lab. I tried working with the hands on lab that they include in the book for some reason it not working correctly or I am doing it wrong. I was wondering if there are any virtual labs out there that are free. I search but most are for the second and third book. Any help would be great.

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RobertKaucher

That book is just for preping for the cert. It will not teach you SQL Server.

I suggest that you look in the other posts on this forum, as the other members and I have posted a ton of material.

To start off I suggest you take a look here:
http://www.techexams.net/forums/sql-server-exams/52826-mcitp-dba-2008-resources.html

Start with these two books

Amazon.com: Sams Teach Yourself Microsoft SQL Server T-SQL in 10 Minutes (9780672328671): Ben…

Amazon.com: SQL Server 2008 Administration: Real-World Skills for…

Then read this:

Amazon.com: SQL Server 2008 Administration in Action (9781933988726): Rod Colledge: Books

Then do the SPTKit from MS Press.

spud2005

Thanks Robert, for the material links. I am hoping to take the 70-432 test by the end of this year and any material to understand SQL server a little better will help me in this goal..

spud2005

Just place an order for the 3 books you suggested. I can't wait to get started. Starting to see an end to the rainbow of my heldesk career.

RobertKaucher

spud2005 wrote: »

Just place an order for the 3 books you suggested. I can't wait to get started. Starting to see an end to the rainbow of my heldesk career.

Be aware that this is just the start of the path for you. You might be able to get a Jr. DBA positon some place, but more than likely you will need to transition to a server or sys admin role that has SQL Server as one of the many servers that you manage.

Only after a few years of that are you going to find something in the DBA realm with the associated pay. It took me 3 years after I started to learn SQL Server to get a job like what I was looking for and I consider myself lucky that it happened that quickly.

spud2005

I'll be happy for a Jr DBA job right now. I found myself wanting to be a "jack of all trade" learning a bit of ccna, php, etc but ended up doing mobile, voip, and computer tech support. It be nice to focus on one thing and get certified..