Out of the 70-640 & the 70-642, which one should be done first?

erpadmin

I keep reading that the 70-642 should be done first because the DNS items will help in the 70-640. But if I have enough knowledge of DNS, then it should be ok to take the 70-640 first and just bone up on DNS anyway.

If you have already embarked on the MCITP EA: (or SA), what makes sense to do first? The 70-643 and 70-647 are getting done 3rd and 4th regardless and the 70-680 will be dead last. (I have more exposure to Server 2008 (R1 and R2) then I do with Windows 7...but it sounds like it will be cake if I just spend a few minutes on W7).

Thanks.

earweed

W7 will not be cake unless you spend a lot of time studying it. Why do you think I haven't taken it even though I have a voucher I could use for anything. I'll probably take it once I get done with WGU just so I can do the 70- 686 and get the extra MCITP.
Most people with experience have been recommending the 642 first. I'm really not sure of why except for DNS. I found 642 to be more interesting yet I only got a 700 on the test.
The 640 is a lot more material and do it just as self study as the COS for that course is a shambles. Try doing the IT Academy as it helps somewhat.

erpadmin

earweed wrote: »

W7 will not be cake unless you spend a lot of time studying it. Why do you think I haven't taken it even though I have a voucher I could use for anything. I'll probably take it once I get done with WGU just so I can do the 70- 686 and get the extra MCITP.
Most people with experience have been recommending the 642 first. I'm really not sure of why except for DNS. I found 642 to be more interesting yet I only got a 700 on the test.
The 640 is a lot more material and do it just as self study as the COS for that course is a shambles. Try doing the IT Academy as it helps somewhat.

Yes, I have read that the 680 is not easy, and when I said a few minutes, I didn't mean to sound literal. I definitely plan on spending a good amount of time on it. I will still start with the servers first though.

From what I read on the Amazon reviews, it is because of DNS that people take the 642 first and then jump on 640. I have configured DNS on a DC for W2K3 servers a couple of years ago, so I have no problem getting reacclimated to that in 2K8 servers.

I am open with doing either, but just want to make sure I am ok before I take that leap. I seriously need to get over my fear of taking MS exams.

earweed

No need to fear MS. They are just another vendor. DPYO!
I failed my first MS test so I know how that feels and that was just the Vista client test which was way easier than W7. The 2k8 tests, from what I've heard, are a lot more straightforward than the 2k3 tests were.
Did you get a copy of Mastering Windows 7 when it was available? I have it if you nedd it. I'd just need your WGU email address if you want it.

erpadmin

earweed wrote: »

No need to fear MS. They are just another vendor. DPYO!
I failed my first MS test so I know how that feels and that was just the Vista client test which was way easier than W7. The 2k8 tests, from what I've heard, are a lot more straightforward than the 2k3 tests were.
Did you get a copy of Mastering Windows 7 when it was available? I have it if you nedd it. I'd just need your WGU email address if you want it.

Definitely won't mind that! PM on the way....

EDIT: Oh and btw....during the preparation, my fear of the MS exam will definitely dissipate. Just have to take my first one (pass or fail) to get over it. Then the DPYO principle can apply.

joe48184

I decided to go with 642 first only because I recently got my CCNA and after reviewing the 642 material, it looks like a logical extension of what I've been studying.

That being said...

"IF" I had more of an AD background I would have gone 640 first.

earweed

joe48184 wrote: »

I decided to go with 642 first only because I recently got my CCNA and after reviewing the 642 material, it looks like a logical extension of what I've been studying.

That being said...

"IF" I had more of an AD background I would have gone 640 first.

You have it backward about the AD background. If you don't have any or just very little AD background you should do the 640 first as that teaches you about AD. With my very limited AD background I would have been lost doing 642 first.

joe48184

earweed wrote: »

You have it backward about the AD background. If you don't have any or just very little AD background you should do the 640 first as that teaches you about AD. With my very limited AD background I would have been lost doing 642 first.

Keep in mind that with a poll as openended as this one is, the answer is going to be very subjective based on past experience. I've been doing Server work since the NT4 days and if you've done anything Server related since 2k was released, AD is at the heart of everything. Speaking strictly for myself and my background, and after recently spending a great deal of time with Cisco, 70-642 made more since. Again it's all subjective based on past experience.

That being said, If the OP said whats best if you've never done any Server related support / configuration or deployments what would be the better choice.. then I would say like you, 70-640 make more since.

earweed

The OP has some AD experience so he'd benefit by doing the 642 first.

za3bour

It's a close vote, I voted for 642 first

joe48184

I do like the input on this thread though, I have some friends following it to get insite from the different experiences people have.

MentholMoose

earweed wrote: »

You have it backward about the AD background. If you don't have any or just very little AD background you should do the 640 first as that teaches you about AD. With my very limited AD background I would have been lost doing 642 first.

I agree, AD is probably the most important MS concept to know in general and for the exams (it's in pretty much every exam). That said if you already have AD experience, I don't know if it matters which one you do first. I had experience and did the 640 first, followed by the 642.

erpadmin

I want to thank everyone for participating in this thread. I have gained tremendous insight from this thread and my own reviewing elsewhere. I have decided to start early and tackle the 70-642 first. I should be in full swing prep mode by middle of September. As EW stated, I do have AD experience since 2000 and I've configured DNS in both 2000 and 2003. I haven't done any real subnetting (and by hand no less) in years, but that type of stuff comes back to you once you get into the groove and there are various resources I can use to help get me in that swing.

I did purchase the entire cert pak from MS press on the EA plus the Sybex guide for the 642. I plan on going for the exam between the end of October and sometime in November. At the extreme latest, by December 12, 2010.

Depending on on my studies at WGU go, as well based on how MS exams are, I believe I will schedule the 70-640 and 70-643 for the 12 CU in WGU and knock that out and then roll on with the normal classes. I'm going to make those classes in red in my signature to signify that those are MS classes (which you pass by passing the test for the MCITP: EA objectives). Once complete, I'll knock out the SA, plus the the two the classes for the SQL 2008 track. I might even take the Virtualization one, but we'll see.....

Between those resources, my experience, the virtual lab I will build and plus this board, I feel pretty confident that my fear of the MS exams will dissipate. If I have any questions (and I will try my best to not sound like a "noob", "n00b", or whatever...), believe me, I will ask them.

I was around for the MCSE NT 4.0 track...but there weren't any real resources to properly prepare for the exams (I felt). Didn't have access to a separate lab for practice, I wasn't going to **** (even during that time) and the money for pursuing it just wasn't there. Now, I have no excuse...just gonna get it done and that's that.

Thank you all for your insight. Very much appreciated.