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Home > Archive > 70-067 server > August 2000 > Oportunity knocked my door today... Please help!
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Oportunity knocked my door today... Please help!
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| Hi guys!
As the title says oportunity knocked my door today, and I am desperately looking for help!
Let me explain:
I have been working at a graphic design company for the past 3 years (please do not flame me for being a designer)however ever since I started working with computers, I felt that graphic design was not what I was looking for, so besides doing my regular work, I always read and studied anything I could laid my hands on. In fact as time passed by, I was of great help to the network admin, helping him with the basic tasks such as installing and configuring NICs, configuring new clients (on our Win NT enviroment), troubleshooting basic configuration problems (even troubleshooting the sys registry. Since I work at a Japanese/American company I used to be the one in charge of installing dual booting systems (incluiding kb remaps and so on), etc. Even though I liked what I did to help the admin, I always wanted to learn more, in fact even though about going the MCSE way, however I never had the time neither the funds to do so.
Well, two days ago the network admin left the company without warning, so here they were trying to hire a new one.
Guess what? Since the co. manager always paid attention at my interests in networks, believe it or not, he offered me the chance of my life!!! Here it goes:
Our co. network is a based on a Win NT server (and a mix of Win 9x and Mac clients) doing basically file and printer sharing, no mission critical apps are currently running on the server as every client have their own backup routine at their worksation cdr. Well they offered me the chance of becoming admin as long as I can prove them I can handle the task. One of the things they are asking me to do is, at least get an MCP (Win NT Server or Workstation, in a couple of months period (co. paid for  ). They are even willing to lend me the spare Win NT server, so I can take it home for a couple of months (so I do not mess with the live network!)until I passed the MCP.
Since I was to leave to the US on vacations on October (I currently live in Japan),If everything goes well, my company will even sponsor a 10 day training course at an MS certified training center.
My questions *Please*!
Even though I have been working on Win 9x and know quite much about it, I have never truly worked on NT. How long do you think, If I put a lot of effort will take me to be confident enought as to start preparing myself for an MCP certification, without any prior NT experience??? Please note that I do not want to go the braindumps way, but will like to start building myself on work experience.
Which test shall I go for first> Workstation or Server?
Since I do not have Workstation on my laptop, can I for a few days only (promise!)install server and study as I it was workstation? Any main differences?
Any self study method recommended besides reading and practicing in a home lab?
Any short training course recommended to help me pass my first required examination (once again not a boot camp)???
Any help will be gratefull appreciated!
Kisses,
Lynda
PD. Please excuse my English, but I am japanese | |
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| Lynda,
Congratulations on your opportunity! What an exciting time for you!
A few things, I wouldn't be all too worried about being new to the NT environment since it sounds like you have experience with Win 95. This experience will not go to waste! Since it looks like your company is willing to pay for a Microsoft Certified class, I would recommend taking the (822) NT Workstation and (903) NT Server Classes. Each class is normally 5 days. Microsoft does suggest these two classes before taking the Workstation or Server exam. I have taken Networking Essentials and Workstation. I will be taking Server tomorrow, and honestly I am finding a huge over lap in both Workstation and Server. You really can't study for one and not be studying for the other. I did find I was a little brain fried after taking a weeks worth of classes since there is a lot of information thrown at you, but I did find them very helpful. (You also get a trial workstation and server software to study with). I also found very helpful are the various practice exams available (most are free) on the www. www.cramsession.brainbuzz.com has good study guides to help you along. These are good to get an idea of what is actually on the exams. The practice exams will help you see how the questions on the exams are actually worded.
As far as what test, first. I would take Workstation first. There have been a few people that have posted to this site that have taken both tests on the same day. You probably could get a way with two weeks at the most between each test and you'll do fine, especially if you take the above classes.
If you decide not to take the classes, there are some really good books available to study by. Exam Cram is one that comes recommened.
I hope this helps you. I wish you luck on your future exams and potential job! Let me know if I can be of any more help.
Survivor | |
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| Hi, congratulations on your opportunity. It's great!!!!! I was also in Admin department and had no knowledge of computers and networks. I've been in IT for 3yrs and also given the opportunity to study for my MCSE and 2 x MCP and so far I am doing well. I first wrote my workstation exam (Got 80% and on Wednesday morning I wrote Server and got 90%. I had a better understanding for server after I wrote workstation, because it overlaps alot. In server they ask alot of Performance Monitor, RAS and Netware questions. You can get some nice study material at http://fravo.com (It's for free).
It will help very much if you setup the server at home and connect a workstation to it, because then you can see if the stuff what you implement on the server work.
Good Luck????? Thumbs up. Keep in touch
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| Lynda,
You are in great shape. Do not underestimate your capabilities. I jumped right into the MCSE classes with no NT experience whatsoever. I use Exam Cram study guides and the Transcenders and I have my MCP already. Will have my MCSE before the end of the year and I started this 7/99.
You are fortunate to have an employer who notices you, knows your value, potential and who will PAY! Congratulations and GO FOR IT and don't look back. | |
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| Lynda, you are going to do just fine. It sounds like you have the right attitude to get the training you need, and your employer seems to want to help.
If you are going to try to get an MCSE for NT 4.0, then you better hurry. Microsoft is discontinuing most exams (if not all) on 12/31/2000 in order to push the Win2K MCSE. But if you work and study you can do it. I would suggest you go to www.cramsession.com and look over the material there. That is a good place for free information.
Good Luck and Congratulations
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LANlord :-)
MCNE,MCSE,CCNA | |
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| I would suggest you start off with Networking Essentials to get an understanding of the networking world. Even though I had a couple years experience in the field working on networks...I learned a lot when I studied and passed the Networking Essentials Exam. Starting off with a through understanding of the basics alowed me to be more independent thus not relying on others to help me troubleshoot problems.
Then I studied and passed NT Workstation 4.0. This gave me a thorough understanding of the basics for NT in general even though I had a couple years experience with NT. Now I am studying NT Server 4.0 and I am finding that Server expects one to have a understanding of NT Worstation. I guess like a prerequisite.
Anyway that is my experience. Man you are lucky as hell!!! I am happy for you. I think the most important thing that I can offer to any employer is my desire to know
"why" something is like it is. Because I want to know "why" all the time...I spend a lot of time investigating the answer to problems even though I may have fixed it. This sets me apart from others who do not take pride in their work. Correcting myself.....pride and "why" are my best qualities.
Good luck!!
Sam Cederas
Cary, N.C. | |
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| quote:
You are fortunate to have an employer who notices you, knows your value, potential and who will PAY! Congratulations and GO FOR IT and don't look back.[/B]
yeah the person is fortunat to have an employer like that. Unfortunately for me once I complete my certification coupled with my 3 years experience ...my current employer will not be able to afford me.
I enjoy this group. Finally registered so I can post.
Sam Cederas
Cary, N.C.
MCP | |
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Open up all the NT books and start to study like you did in the school. Get yourself a good background about your system. No need to of hurrp for any certification yet. Just do your best and keep the network running. As long as your boss accepted your performance. Then you shall start to look for all the great stuff about the certification. | |
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| Great news about your oppurtunity.
I had no experience with computer and have passed my network essentials exam and recently my workstation exam.
I used panpage and rampage for my network essential exam ( I was recommended to do this first)and I highly recommend this help.
Best of luck in the future |
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