MCSA Windows Server 2012 obtained

Some of you may have seen my post about MCSE in 90 days well that's not likely to happen unless I can get both exams knocked out in the next week lol. However, my original 2015 goal was to obtain the MCSA and I just passed the 412.

I probably startled the online proctor because once I saw the pass screen I let out a whooo! I'm so happy right now.

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gncsmith

Congrats! Good job! Keep us up to date as you progress; I for one, am interested.

abyssinica

My warmest congratulations!

OctalDump

Congrats. You are doing pretty well here. Your employer should recognise this achievement and extend the deadlines. January tends to be quieter month, so maybe you can use that to your advantage.

Also, you should update your certification list on the left

- Cool, I see it's done. Now I am wondering if you did that before or after I made this comment.

SconnieInShorts

Congrats!! I'm hoping to get the 410 and 411 done before the first half of next year is gone. We'll see how that goes

seth479

OctalDump wrote: »

Also, you should update your certification list on the left - Cool, I see it's done. Now I am wondering if you did that before or after I made this comment.

I did it after reading your comment lol.

advanex1

Congratulations.

netsysllc

Congratulations. and good luck on the MCSE, I found the 413 to be very difficult, 414 not so bad.

rgun

Hi, I am currently preparing for 40-710, and wondering how I can setup my own lab environment ?

Which one is better regarding the virtual environment ?

1. Hyper-V platform (that runs on my Windows 8.1/Windows 10)

2. Nested Hyper-V on VMwared-Windows 2012 as based OS

Plus, I have checked there are thousands of lab setup videos on Youtube, but can anyone recommend me the best step-by-step one to follow ? thanks !

seth479

Good luck on your 410.

My lab was setup with 4 server VMs - 2 DCs and 2 member servers hosting various roles and features used throughout all three exams then I also had 1 Win8 client machine to test client side stuff out with. I see a lot of people on here and elsewhere recommend using VMware but I used Hyper-V and you're going to have to be familiar with Hyper-V anyway once you get to the 411 and 412 anyway so already having a Hyper-V setup running helps in my opinion and gives you more time to get used to the interface and different options within it.

My employer provides CBT Nuggets so I didnt use a lot of YouTube videos but the TechEd stuff helped me out and then I would watch some others here and there on DAC and trusts.

One thing I'd stress is getting hands on more than anything. Watching videos and reading is good but each test where I didnt lab as much as I could have, I failed. So definitely play around with things both in the GUI and PowerShell way. Also, the Microsoft Virtual academy has some labs setup too, not on everything you need to lab but I'd suggest those too.

Louie1277

rgun wrote: »

Hi, I am currently preparing for 40-710, and wondering how I can setup my own lab environment ?

Which one is better regarding the virtual environment ?

1. Hyper-V platform (that runs on my Windows 8.1/Windows 10)

2. Nested Hyper-V on VMwared-Windows 2012 as based OS

Plus, I have checked there are thousands of lab setup videos on Youtube, but can anyone recommend me the best step-by-step one to follow ? thanks !

Well for me what I did was installed on AD DS and a backup to copy everything i do on the main server. Then i installed a core server, and I run a win8 machine to remote in.

I wish there was a way you could nest hyper-v on any software . I run virtualbox for all my VM's I don't think people have figured out how to run a nest hyper-v. if they have i would like to know is would be perfect for my studies.

ed_003

Good work!!

OctalDump

Louie1277 wrote: »

I wish there was a way you could nest hyper-v on any software . I run virtualbox for all my VM's I don't think people have figured out how to run a nest hyper-v. if they have i would like to know is would be perfect for my studies.

It's not VirtualBox, but VMWare workstation has a specific mode for Hyper-V nested.

ewing384

Seth479, did you find the CBT Nuggets videos valuable? I have read others opinions that it's not worth the time and effort.

TIA.

Louie1277

OctalDump wrote: »

It's not VirtualBox, but VMWare workstation has a specific mode for Hyper-V nested.

Really what setting is that. I have vmware on my laptop too. Is it a certain version you have installed? I know that I tried looking for something like this a while back but you had to do a lot of changes to the drive and other stuff.

If that's the case I might change to VMware

seth479

I did find them useful for a base to build on but honestly probably wouldn't spend my own money to gain access to them. They're good to get an idea of things and follow along so you can see what things do though.

OctalDump

Louie1277 wrote: »

Really what setting is that. I have vmware on my laptop too. Is it a certain version you have installed? I know that I tried looking for something like this a while back but you had to do a lot of changes to the drive and other stuff.

If that's the case I might change to VMware

I'm not actually using VMWare workstation at the moment, but from memory it was version 11, and the option is for when you create a VM you can set the guest as Hyper-V.

DAVIS NGUYEN

Congrats!

powerfool

Congrats on you MCSA! Looks like we are heading down similar paths with our certification plans, though mine has been a bit backwards

Look to have plenty of effort put into that 342. 341 still takes considerable knowledge of Exchange, but 342 is something seriously special. I have been working with Exchange since 5.5 and have been Exchange-centric for about five years now working in large enterprise environment and 342 got the best of me twice before I was able to best it. As for Lync, I am thinking the same will be for 337; unfortunately for me, I don't have such a long background with it and its predecessors, so it will make it doubly-difficult. I did get 336 knocked out last week, so that is a great weight to get lifted. 337 will be one that comes down to the wire for me as I am planning to study for it a LOT and get some more hands-on experience (since passing 336 was a requirement before I could start doing so at work).

Now, I need to quickly get my MCSA behind me... though I will be doing the 417 to upgrade. I picked up the Sybex Windows Server 2012 R2 Complete Study Guide today. I have been reading it a bit on Safari Books Online and thought I would grab the physical copy as technical books just don't work well for me electronically. I was at Barnes & Noble today and they wanted list price ($99), while they only wanted $69 on their own website... asked if they would price-match their website and they said no. So, I ordered it on Amazon for $67 plus free same-day delivery. That's why B&N stock continues to drop... Anyhow, I hope to blast through it rather quickly. I have been using 2012 R2 rather heavily since Exchange 2013 SP1 was released. Much of the material is the same as it ever was. My last upgrade exam (to 200

had questions that would have been valid based on Windows NT 3.51 knowledge... I am hoping to take the exam next weekend and give myself a few days to study and use Second Shot, if necessary.

seth479

Good luck!

I've worked with Exchange for about 3 years so somewhat familiar with it but only been doing actual back-stuff and getting in to it the last 3 months or so and feel like both exams will be a challenge for me. Right now all I'm using is CBT Nuggets and labbing but I plan to pick up the books from the Microsoft Press Store since you get that 30% or 40% discount. The Lync stuff is what I'm really worried about because I honestly don't do much with it now so I might go another direction, just depends how I feel about the Exchange stuff.

powerfool

As far as Exchange goes, I would recommend the Inside Out books over any exam specific books. They go super in-depth and really give you intimate knowledge of the product that goes beyond anything else out there. I think the only better materials would be those for the now non-existent Exchange masters program. The story for Lync seemed considerably bleak until I stumbled upon the Sybex Mastering Microsoft Lync Server 2013 book... this is in the same league as the Exchange Inside Out series, in my opinion.

I have really been trying to get away from physical media as much as possible, but I have to make exceptions for books of the caliber.

I have to say I am less than impressed with any of the video training that is out there lately for just about anything I have looked at. We have access to CBT Nuggets at work and they just seem rather amateurish to me. I would really like video material that is on the level of these books that I have mentioned, because some people can just not get into a book. Personally, I like switching between different types of material based on my mood, but things just don't seem great on the training front, these days.

I think the saving grace for Lync is that the basic stuff is extremely easy to pick up. Once you get into Enterprise Voice, however, you are talking about several technologies and convergence and there is a lot to pick up.

nascar_paul

Louie1277 wrote: »

Really what setting is that. I have vmware on my laptop too. Is it a certain version you have installed? I know that I tried looking for something like this a while back but you had to do a lot of changes to the drive and other stuff.

If that's the case I might change to VMware

I'm running VMware Workstation 12 and the option is here:

VM -> Settings -> Processors (in the hardware tab) and you need to alter TWO areas: 1. Preferred Mode: "Intel VT-x/EPT or AMD-V/RVI" and 2. Enable "Virtualize Intel VT-x/EPT or AMD-V/RVI"

Basically, you're enabling the virtual processors' virtualization technology.