Study requirements for MCITP

han.net

Hi There ,

Im planning to do the MCITP course and want to prepare for it before hand . I need some advice on the best way of studying it and especially the lab requirements .

Regards

RobertKaucher

What do you mean "lab requirements?" Are you talking about the lab based exams?

han.net

I mean the a home lab to apply the skills to a physical environment

RobertKaucher

If I were starting my MCITP studies today this is what I would use:
1. The following print resources:
>>Amazon.com: Windows Server 2008 R2 Unleashed (9780672330926): Rand Morimoto, Michael Noel, Omar Droubi, Ross Mistry, Chris Amaris: Books: Reviews, Prices & more
>> Amazon.com: Group Policy: Fundamentals, Security, and the Managed Desktop (978047058185: Jeremy Moskowitz: Books: Reviews, Prices & more
>> Amazon.com: DNS on Windows Server 2003 (0636920005629): Cricket Liu, Matt Larson, Robbie Allen: Books

It might also be a good idea to look at this book as well: Amazon.com: Sams Teach Yourself SharePoint Foundation 2010 in 24 Hours (Sams Teach Yourself -- Hours) (9780672333163): Mike Walsh: Books: Reviews, Prices & more

Even though the DNS book is for Server 2003 all of it will be applicable to Server 2008 and 2008 R2. Then I would get either MeasureUp's test software or test software from Transcender/SelfTest.

For a lab I would like to have a minimum of 2 PCs with Core2 Duo and 2 GB RAM each (ideally 4). Ideal would be to have a thrid PC (a Pentium 4 would be fine) with several large SATA disks. A GB switch and extra GB NICs for all the test systems. Install FreeNAS or OpeFiler on the P4 system and use the disks as iSCSI shared storage. Practice different scenarios (multiple domains, multiple forests, server core, admin with PowerShell, setting up SharePoint, Hyper-V live migration). At the minimum you should practice the scenarios you find in the test prep software. Use it and a little imagination to drive your learning.

han.net

RobertKaucher wrote: »

If I were starting my MCITP studies today this is what I would use:
1. The following print resources:
>>Amazon.com: Windows Server 2008 R2 Unleashed (9780672330926): Rand Morimoto, Michael Noel, Omar Droubi, Ross Mistry, Chris Amaris: Books: Reviews, Prices & more
>> Amazon.com: Group Policy: Fundamentals, Security, and the Managed Desktop (978047058185: Jeremy Moskowitz: Books: Reviews, Prices & more
>> Amazon.com: DNS on Windows Server 2003 (0636920005629): Cricket Liu, Matt Larson, Robbie Allen: Books

It might also be a good idea to look at this book as well: Amazon.com: Sams Teach Yourself SharePoint Foundation 2010 in 24 Hours (Sams Teach Yourself -- Hours) (9780672333163): Mike Walsh: Books: Reviews, Prices & more

Even though the DNS book is for Server 2003 all of it will be applicable to Server 2008 and 2008 R2. Then I would get either MeasureUp's test software or test software from Transcender/SelfTest.

For a lab I would like to have a minimum of 2 PCs with Core2 Duo and 2 GB RAM each (ideally 4). Ideal would be to have a thrid PC (a Pentium 4 would be fine) with several large SATA disks. A GB switch and extra GB NICs for all the test systems. Install FreeNAS or OpeFiler on the P4 system and use the disks as iSCSI shared storage. Practice different scenarios (multiple domains, multiple forests, server core, admin with PowerShell, setting up SharePoint, Hyper-V live migration). At the minimum you should practice the scenarios you find in the test prep software. Use it and a little imagination to drive your learning.

many thanks for the advice and would like you please explain couple of points for me
1- what do you think about CBT Learning ?

2-how many Sata drive you recommend to have in the third PC ? and what size ?


3-what is Free NAS and Opefiler

4- Can cut expanses by just using virtualizaton like Citrex ?


Many thanks

RobertKaucher

han.net wrote: »

1- what do you think about CBT Learning ?

If you can get a good source, then go for it. But it should not be your primary source of learning. Make sure you look through this forum for the resource threads people have posted.
http://www.techexams.net/forums/mcts-mcitp-windows-2008-general/58793-server-2008-r2-enterpise-server-admin-exams.html

han.net wrote: »

2-how many Sata drive you recommend to have in the third PC ? and what size ?

Just two additional drives of 80 to 100 GB would be fine.

han.net wrote: »

3-what is Free NAS and Opefiler

They are Linux distros that you can use to create iSCSI LUNs for shared storage. This will let you practice things like live migration and (if it supports persitant reservations) clustering.

han.net wrote: »

4- Can cut expanses by just using virtualizaton like Citrex ?

Sure. You can certainly pass these exams using just a laptop with a few GB of RAM and Virtual PC, Virtual Box, or VMware. The scenario I described was a "dream" sort of situation.

You will learn things more though if you put together a few physical systems and run multiple VMs inside them.

za3bour

RobertKaucher wrote: »

Sure. You can certainly pass these exams using just a laptop with a few GB of RAM and Virtual PC, Virtual Box, or VMware. The scenario I described was a "dream" sort of situation.

You will learn things more though if you put together a few physical systems and run multiple VMs inside them.

wow it's a dream indeed you can pass and learn for sure using just a laptop with 4 GB of ram (like the one I'm using)

Make sure it's a 64 bit though that supports Hyper-V and install Windows 2008 R2 and 2-3 other machines. I'm using VMware and it's really good and it's free.

RobertKaucher

za3bour wrote: »

wow it's a dream indeed you can pass and learn for sure using just a laptop with 4 GB of ram (like the one I'm using)

It's not that big of a dream. You can put together a lab like that for under US$ 1000. Most IT people probably already have 1/2 the stuff floating around their homes already. If you live in the States it might be a bit easier, though. I mean you can get the Dell T series entry level servers for $400. PowerEdge 11G T110 Tower Server Details | Dell And that's with the Xeon. If you get one with the Celeron you can generally save $100. And these will certainly last you for a home lab for the next 3 to 5 years.

earweed

za3bour wrote: »

wow it's a dream indeed you can pass and learn for sure using just a laptop with 4 GB of ram (like the one I'm using)

Make sure it's a 64 bit though that supports Hyper-V and install Windows 2008 R2 and 2-3 other machines. I'm using VMware and it's really good and it's free.

I did the first 2 tests with less actually. A PC with 2 GB (ran VMWare worstation) and a second PC with 32 bit Server 2008 installed on it. The second PC was old and only 32 bit.

RobertKaucher

earweed wrote: »

I did the first 2 tests with less actually. A PC with 2 GB (ran VMWare worstation) and a second PC with 32 bit Server 2008 installed on it. The second PC was old and only 32 bit.

I had a laptop with Core2 Duo 2 GB RAM and 3 to 4 old junk PCs during my MCSE studies. I hardly did any labs for the MCITP as I was helping to teach MCSE level classes when I was studying for the MCITP EA. The fundamentals were all very fresh at that time.