MCSE Data Platform - nachodba's log

nachodbanachodba Member Posts: 201 ■■■□□□□□□□
I recently switched contracts on my job and now I'm required to get this cert within 90 days. Not a huge deal since I already passed one of my upgrade exams from my MCITP DBA 2008 but just a drag since I didn't need it for my last position.

I plan on using my virtual lab and the official MSPress Books (maybe), with a lot of technet, msdn and labbing.
2020 Goals
work-life balance

Comments

  • evoxdcevoxdc Member Posts: 22 ■■■□□□□□□□
    Sorry for Necroing this post but how did you make out with your efforts? I considering the SQL server paths and curious hear the choices you made.

    Did you pick up the MS Press books and did they help at all?
    Considering Studying: MCSA Server 2012 (70-410/411/412), Linux+
    Reviewing: Java, C++, Reading up on Networking theory, Algorithms and general programming
    Studying: the color of my ceiling, taking a break
    Working on: Getting finances together. Personal programming project planning. Mental Detox before I have meltdown ;)
    Completed: M.S. in Information Systems Management[/b] w/ a focus on Systems Tools and Information Security
  • nachodbanachodba Member Posts: 201 ■■■□□□□□□□
    Unfortunately shortly after making this post two of my DBA coworkers left and I didn't have much time after that. I have been getting to play with new technologies so although I haven't made any progress on the certification I have had a chance to grow. I will say that I found the MS Press books to be great, but opinions vary on them. I would rent them from Amazon.com and give them a quick read.

    If I ever decide to continue with the MCSE Data Platform I'll post updates.
    2020 Goals
    work-life balance
  • DatabaseHeadDatabaseHead Member Posts: 2,753 ■■■■■■■■■■
    Keep it going!
  • nachodbanachodba Member Posts: 201 ■■■□□□□□□□
    You're right, might as well. I'll at least get my lab setup tonight after work.
    2020 Goals
    work-life balance
  • DatabaseHeadDatabaseHead Member Posts: 2,753 ■■■■■■■■■■
    Heck yeah I am going to hit another module here at work, watch it on 1.5x speed. :)
  • nachodbanachodba Member Posts: 201 ■■■□□□□□□□
    In case anyone is interested, I found an excellent guide on setting up an Active Directory Domain on a VM using VMWare Workstation.

    virtxpert

    I plan on getting this setup tonight and get at least two SQL Servers configured with Always On by tomorrow night.
    2020 Goals
    work-life balance
  • nachodbanachodba Member Posts: 201 ■■■□□□□□□□
    Well I was able to get my SQL 2016 Availability Group setup last night and got a great sample database by using the Stack Overflow database. For instructions on getting this database, see https://www.brentozar.com/archive/2015/10/how-to-download-the-stack-overflow-database-via-bittorrent/.

    Also while setting up the lab i realized that my current disk setup wasn't up to par. I had to purchase another 1TB WD Black to get to the point where I could run 4 VMs - 1 Active Directory Domain Controller, 2 SQL Servers and a management workstation - all at once without getting terrible slow down.
    2020 Goals
    work-life balance
  • nachodbanachodba Member Posts: 201 ■■■□□□□□□□
    Well. I just found out that the 70-458 exam (upgrade MCTS SQL 2008 to MSCA SQL 2012 Part 2) expires on Sunday. I went ahead and scheduled the exam for Sunday at 9AM so I can get late nights for the week dedicated to studying for the exam. The exam covers 70-462 and 70-463, I'm not so much concerned with the Administration as I am the Data Warehousing. Luckily I have my new lab and the official MS Press for 70-463.

    Even if I fail this exam, I know I will learn a lot about Data Warehousing over the next week. The downside if I fail is I will have to take all the SQL 2016 exams, but work should reimburse so it's not a huge loss.
    2020 Goals
    work-life balance
  • nachodbanachodba Member Posts: 201 ■■■□□□□□□□
    Microsoft just released the Certifications for SQL 2016. The MCSA is now only 2 exams, as opposed to three. I cancelled my 70-458 exam and decided to just concentrate on the MCSA: SQL 2016 Database Administration ​certification.
    2020 Goals
    work-life balance
  • DatabaseHeadDatabaseHead Member Posts: 2,753 ■■■■■■■■■■
    Any material out for those 2 test MCSA? Development, BI or Admin?
  • nachodbanachodba Member Posts: 201 ■■■□□□□□□□
    None yet. They will likely be released within the next few months. I've been working with 2016 in my lab at work since CTP3 was out so I might try for the beta exams on the Admin track.
    2020 Goals
    work-life balance
  • DatabaseHeadDatabaseHead Member Posts: 2,753 ■■■■■■■■■■
    Nice! I myself would focus on the BI side, probably already said that 2 or 3 times already..... It's what I know the best, in fact I know SSDT formerly BIDS better than I know SSMS installs and backups etc..... I do use SSMS daily for the last 3 - 4 years so that's been mastered and then some but no reason to cert in something you have little to no experience in!
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