Server 2003 - Which book do you recomend for server 2003?

Author

Which book do you recomend for server 2003?

simond

2004-03-22, 5:56 am

Hi guys,
I need a bit of help please.I've completed MCP awhile ago(Win2000)and i need your recomendation.Which book should i buy for win2003 server?is it good idea to take on windows server 2003?

thanks all

isles1

2004-03-22, 8:26 am

It depends on what you are currently working with and what your job requires, if anything.

How many 2000 exams have you passed? IMHO it cannot hurt to pursue the 2003 track, but from what I hear (and based on the betas I have taken) the 2003 track is more challenging.

Do not expect to pass the 2003 exams (or the 2000 "upper level" exams) just by reading alone. Many people spend months studying documentation, review guides and setting up a lab environment on top of working with the product in a professional environment.

As for books, Syngress Study Guides are good. So are MS Press. ExamCram2 books are good for a last minute review of key areas. TechNet articles are great documentation for 2003 Server products.

Good luck!

simond

2004-03-22, 9:47 am

isles1,
Nothing is easy,just have to work hard for it and shall get there.

I've completed 70-210 only,you think i should take this as my second exam?

much appreciated

isles1

2004-03-22, 9:52 am

quote:
Originally posted by simond
isles1,
Nothing is easy,just have to work hard for it and shall get there.

I've completed 70-210 only,you think i should take this as my second exam?

much appreciated

Well said.

What exam are you thinking of taking?

simond

2004-03-22, 11:05 pm

isles1,
To be honest not sure which exam i should take on.What you think?

Thanks Champ

KScheler

2004-03-24, 2:45 pm

Since you're just starting out, I'd recommend going the 2003 track. 210 counts towards it. I recommed 70-290, the 2003 Server exam as your next exam. Get a good book, set up a home lab with a couple of computers or use virtual software like VirtualPC or VMWare and go thru the labs.

Good luck.

Thunder Cloud

2004-03-24, 8:58 pm

I noticed you have an A+ cert - if you get the Net+ cert, the two combined will count as your elective, if you want to pursue the MCSA (2000 or 2003) cert.

More info can be found at Microsofts web site under training and certification.

www . microsoft . com/traincert

quote:
Originally posted by simond
isles1,
To be honest not sure which exam i should take on.What you think?

Thanks Champ

sandy7000

2004-03-31, 8:46 pm

I'm a networking student and have to take 70-290,291,293,294 to fulfill requirements to graduate. It's never been done before by any other student in my college as far as I know.

I know you all are much further ahead of me. Where can I find books that tear this material down to the bones? I need to start from the beginning, not the middle where you all are. Are there video programs that are good?

isles1

2004-04-01, 8:37 am

quote:
Originally posted by sandy7000
I'm a networking student and have to take 70-290,291,293,294 to fulfill requirements to graduate. It's never been done before by any other student in my college as far as I know.

I know you all are much further ahead of me. Where can I find books that tear this material down to the bones? I need to start from the beginning, not the middle where you all are. Are there video programs that are good?

Why is the college starting you in the middle? Passing those 4 exams will not get you any MS cert besides MCP. Seems silly to skip the OS cert.

There must be some prereq courses that cover basic networking before you would be required to attempt those four 2003 exams. Besides, as a networking student, I am surprised you feel as though you would are starting in the middle...if you have taken any courses and worked with 2003 Server, I would think you should have a good foundation to start studying...is the college going to provide any courses to help you study for these MS tests?

sandy7000

2004-04-01, 11:40 am

I'll be taking 270 within the next several wks. 290, 291, 293, 294 are to substitute for Network Admin courses so that I can graduate. (It's a long story.)

These classes at the same amount of credits aren't offered within 3 hrs. of my school. I can't do the class on line w/ a diff. school because according to our financial aid dept., you can't be registered in 2 schools at once. The option the Assoc. Dean gave me was to get these certification exams completed. It's not what level I earn through Microsoft (i.e. MCP). It's about passing exams that would be equivalent to what I would've received in class. Actually, unfortunately, it's about 8 times what I would've learned in class (damn my luck). My take is that the Dean is trying to prevent students taking cert exams to sub for this teacher's classes. Many students have left the program rather than deal with him.

Either way, I've found some structured info on servers that I can start with in the textbook for the 270 exam.

I didn't want to go this in depth online. I just wanted some titles of books you all know to be good to start learning server stuff with.

Anyway, thank you for taking the time to reply.

sandy7000

2004-04-01, 11:47 am

I've noticed the online materials seem to be aimed at "cramming" in answers to certain questions. I was hoping to find college style textbooks as I'm not about to ask this teacher to order me an extra one so I can bypass his class.

isles1

2004-04-01, 12:17 pm

Your best bet for these cert exams would be to setup a lab with at least 2 servers and 2 or 3 clients. Then get your hands on Syngress and/or MS Press review books for these exams. You will go through great pains if you expect to learn the material and pass the exams by reading books alone.

Course Technology publishes books for cert exams that are setup more like a textbook than a study guide. Their Network+ book by Tamara Dean is great. Not too sure if they have any for MS exams.

In all honesty, if you are lacking basic fundamental knowledge (such as networking protocols, etc) it is not going to be so easy to jump into these exams. I would suggest reviewing the objectives for the CompTIA Network+ exam before getting into the MCP stuff.

There are many people who have been taking MS certs for years and work in the industry who find the new 2003 exam quite difficult. You do have your work cut out for you.

Will you be enrolled in ANY type of computer class before embarking on this task? What is your time frame for passing all of these tests? Are the exam fees and materials included in your tuition I assume you are paying this school? IMHO, I do not think self self study is a good substitute for in-class, instructor led training with hands-on experience.

sandy7000

2004-04-01, 2:33 pm

Thank you for your advice.

I have the Course Technology books for Win XP and Network+. I didn't realize that reviewing the Network+ exam would be helpful! I had compartmentalized the exams too much. I really appreciate your advice esp. re: Virtual PC and VMWare.

Definately, this is best with an instructor and an organized class. My final option will be to transfer if I can't get through 270 & 290 by September. What have I got to lose? If I succeed, it will be great resume material. If I don't, it's only a couple hundred $. (No, I'm not rich.) All of it will mix tog. to make me a better Networking Specialist.

Carpe diem

Mikes95XLT

2004-04-05, 9:39 pm

Hey guys I am in the same situation as sandy. I am doing an independant study of Microsoft exams, and next semester I will possbily be taking the 70-290 exam at the end of the semester (November) for 3 hours of credit.

I do not know which books to pursue. I have heard that the MSPress books are not bad, but then I read reviews on them and everyone hates them. Someone told me that the Win2k books are much better and easier to understand, and I could go that way first with the 2000 track (70-210, etc).

I would have two computers to work with, possibly three with this study (little dorm room networking) and would be able to mess around with my own little lab. How hard do you think this would be for me assuming I don't take the classroom training?

BTW: I have A+ and Network+ too

I have been looking at these books to use...
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/A...3372155-7344760
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...=glance&s=books

Anyone recommend these?

Thanks for any info you can give me.

Particle

2004-04-06, 6:37 am

Never used on MS Press book, but have used New Riders (for NT4) and Sybex for 4 W2K exams and found them pretty good. Usually 1 or 2 very small things that they miss, that you hear mention of, but I just then find out something about them.
They have good explanations, not just a cram of the course, good examples for you to try out, test questions in the book and on CD.
I've not had any classroom training for any MS exam, so it's not completely necessary. I did all the work through books, home lab, and on the job (Server support).

Mikes95XLT

2004-04-06, 10:21 am

Yanno, I was thinking about doing the Sybex books for the exams cause I have always liked them, but everywhere I read reviews on books it seems like nobody likes any books at all.

So you found the Sybex books relevant to the material? How good were they with detail? Would you recommend them for the W2K exams?

sandy7000

2004-04-06, 6:45 pm

I've purchased several sets of materials regarding Server 2003 & Win XP. The cd set from Serebra at cert21.com is $99, but tears 270 (and eventually 290, 291, 293, 294)down to the bones. At first, I thought, "this is going to be too simple." Now, it's very in depth. The best part is the presentation. It gives it a little at a time and is very repetitive which cements it in my mind. (No, I don't work for the company.)

I'm using a hand held tape recorder and recording the material to listen to while walking or dozing

. This is another trick to memorize. I do that with the prep exams I've purchased. I'm finding bits are sticking with me. I'm studying about 2 hours/day, (but will have to go up to 4).

Hang in there, Mikes95XLT! I'm willing to create a study "group" of sorts with you, either here or via email. Send me a message if desired. We can beat this stuff! Even if we don't, we'll be the better for trying

Commodore64

2004-04-06, 11:25 pm

Hi,

For 70-270 (passed before Christmas), I use Sybex book and Exam Cram, Even with 2 books, I found numerous material (Certicate Authority, CRL, etc.) in exam not cover by Sybex and ExamCram.

For 70-290 (I take it next wednesday), I use two books : Sybex 70-290 and Microsoft 70-290 Training Kit. I like Sybex for first reading because it contain a lot more explanation than Microsoft book. The Ms-book assume more knowledge and contain material not cover by the Sybex book. After my exam, I can say if my choice is correct or not. I hope less surprise in this exam with the help of Ms book.

Particle

2004-04-08, 7:08 am

I don't think any book is going to be completely perfect. I went for Sybex because I liked the style of writing, the presentation and the CD taht comes with it. You have to fill in the gaps from elsewhere.

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