MCSE: Server Infrastructure

Posted on October 24, 2012 by Thomas Maurer

Some hours ago I passed the last exam for the MCSE Server Infrastructure. This is my second MCSE (Microsoft Certified Solution Expert) certification, some months ago I passed all necessary exams for the MCSE: Private Cloud. The MCSE Server Infrastructure is the follow up certification of the MCITP Enterprise Administrator.

The Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE): Server Infrastructure certification validates your ability to build comprehensive server infrastructure solutions. Show that you have the skills needed to run a highly efficient and modern data center, with expertise in identity management, systems management, virtualization, storage, and networking.

To get this exam I had to upgrade my existing MCSA: Windows Server 2008 to the MCSA: Windows Server 2012 with the exam 70-417. If you don’t have the MCSA: Windows Server 2008 certification you have to get the MCSA: Windows Server 2012 certification by taking exam 70-410, 70-411 and 70-412. After you have the MCSA: Windows Server 2012 you have to pass 70-413 and 70-414 to get the MCSE: Server Infrastructure certification.

Exam 70-410: Installing and Configuring Windows Server 2012 (Beta)

Posted on June 23, 2012 by Thomas Maurer

Windows Server 2012 RC Logo

Last week I took the Microsoft Private Cloud Exam 70-246: Monitoring and Operating Private Cloud with System Center 2012 and got with this the MCSE: Private Cloud certification. I also did the beta exam 70-410: Installing and Configuring Windows Server 2012.

Now to my experience with the this exam. First of all you can see that Hyper-V is one of the new key features in Windows Server 2012 and you will get a lot of questions about Hyper-V. I got something round 45 questions. The question do pretty much match the list on the exam site. And I would recommend that you check out the new TechNet articles about Windows Server 2012. But I am sure it is much easier to pass the exam if you have worked with the new release of Windows Server 2012. Download the evaluation versions of Windows Server 2012 Release Candidate and test the new features.

You as mentioned on the exam site you should check out the following topics:

New features in Hyper-V. So I would recommend reading my blog post about the new features in Hyper-V 2012.
Upgrading to Windows Server 2012
New PowerShell cmdlets. Here my blog posts about Networking and Disk Management with PowerShell can help you.
NIC Teaming
Active Directory and GPOs
Print server
Windows Server Core. This blog post about adding and removing the GUI can may help you.
Storage
Networking

You can get more information on the official Microsoft Certification site for exam 70-410: Installing and Configuring Windows Server 2012.

MCSE: Private Cloud

Posted on June 22, 2012 by Thomas Maurer

MCSE: Private Cloud

Yesterday I passed the Microsoft exam 70-246: Monitoring and Operating Private Cloud with System Center 2012. And I can now finally call myself a Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert for Private Cloud or MCSE: Private Cloud.

The new (reborn) Microsoft Certifications MCSA (Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate) and MCSE (Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert) were first shown at the Microsoft Management Summit this year.

At the moment there are the following certifications public

Private Cloud (System Center)

MCSE: Private Cloud

For the MCSE: Private Cloud you have to do the following

MCSA: Windows Server 2008 or MCSA: Windows Server 2012
70-247: Configuring and Deploying a Private Cloud with System Center 2012 or 70-659: TS: Windows Server 2008 R2, Server Virtualization (until January 2013)
70-246: Monitoring and Operating Private Cloud with System Center 2012

Windows Server

SQL Server

Now I am not the first one here in Switzerland who passed these exams, for example Marcel Zehner and Michel Lüscher did the exams at exams at MMS 2012 in Las Vegas and they got the results last week. Congrats guys