I sat for 216 back at the end of April and crashed and burned. I had used a Sybex study guide (from the 1st edition of the 2000 core exams); online anytime learning (New Horizons) along with their test product, Measure Up (256 question bank), and a Brain Dump from Cram Session to prepare the first time. I have passed 210 and 215 back in late 2001 and early 2002, so this is the third one I have tackled.

Previously, I have passed several other certification exams (A+, Microsoft, Novell) and I have a year of work experience in a small telecom company where I was the help desk person but I also did internal network support (Hybrid NT/Linux network), so many of the concepts were familar to me.

I have been trying to get psyched up to retake 216, and also looking for additional materials to supplement what I have now (the New Horizons stuff and the Sybex book). I have downloaded a few of the RFC's on DNS to try and get a better grasp of DDNS and the history of DNS (I still feel like I am getting an incomplete picture of DNS from all the study materials).

To get to the point, I don't have a lot of confidence that the materials I have at my disposal will prepare me for the second shot at this.

From what I have seen in the postings to this forum, I am not alone, and would appreciate some recommendations for good study materials in the following areas, where I still feel weak:

RRAS

Routing (specifically, adding static routes and placing the right TCP/IP address on routers for internal routing; I am sure everyone who has practiced for the test or taken it has seen this question).

DNS and how it works with DHCP, WINS

WINS

DHCP

SUBNETTING

IPSEC

Certificate Sevices

Thanks,

Jim

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Have you make ample use of www.microsoft.com/technet ?
this is the best source for additional information to supplement a book.

simply go there and type in what you want to know about and see what comes up.

make use of its

product & technologies
how to
and other sections of the site beside the search function.

DNS-

http://search.microsoft.com/default...=us/itresources

WINS-

http://search.microsoft.com/default...=us/itresources

DHCP-

http://search.microsoft.com/default...=us/itresources

IPSec-

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/tr...cc_tcp_naoc.asp

be sure to check the left menu bar to explore. also just search for ipsec or any other combination. (I can't remember how much in depth they go into this on the test... so just read as much and see how much you can absorb.)

Certificate

read the following link. more link on certificate there. (too lazy to cutpaste )

http://www.examnotes.com/forums/sho...&threadid=45068

RRAS-

http://search.microsoft.com/default...=us/itresources

Explore around the links provided, it usually leads to other very good documentation and information on its implementation. take the time to read beyond the need to just pass the exam so when the time come for you to retake the test, you will be more than ready.

also. note this URL

http://www.microsoft.com/seminar/mm...Audience=100404

when you are cleaning your house or doing miscellaneous things... instead of having tv on or listening to mp3 for background noise, listen to one of the seminar. you don't have to sit there and pay close to attention, but don't under estimate the little bit of information you can pick up unconsciously. Use the time wisely... you can never know enough in this line of work.

good luck.

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For the 216, I used;

MS Press Kit book
Transcender
Technet.com

Strictly six full weeks of studying. Repition increases memory management.

Best of luck next time

__________________
Riding the endless light of fortunes...

http://www.darkroads.com

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My advice at this point is to skip 216 for now and instead go to the 217 and 219 exams. Why? Preparing for the Active Directory exams first will enable you to become very intimately knowledgable of DNS and its different flavors and configurations, which will ease your entry into the 216 material and overall lessen the total amount of time you'll spend preparing for all three of those exams. It's the path of least resistance, so to speak!

__________________
Due to financial problems, the light at the end of the tunnel will be shut down until further notice.

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Make sure to get some hand on experience. The more you install and configure the various networking features and services of Windows 2000, the better. RRAS is really easy to understand if you set up a remote access sever and dial in from another computer. DNS, WINS, NAT, and all the rest are really fun to work with. This is how you will not only pass the test but learn the skills you'll need when things come up in the wild. You don't need a lot of equipment. Two PCs and som network cable will get you through most everything just fine. Good luck either way!!! (Whether you put it off till last or take it on the chin.)

I missed this one the first time, myself but I went back to my lab and churned it out a couple weeks later. What I was missing the first time didn't come from another book, it came from actually learning to subnet and more work with WINS and DNS. Oh yes, Microsoft Knowledge Base and Technet that's where you go for the drill down when stuff does not work. If you don't have 2k server, I think you can get it with the Microsoft MOC book. Check Amazon if cash is a big concern.

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Jeff is so right as usual! You will need plenty of hands on to make it through this extremely tough exam! Some may make it through the 210 and 215 without any hands on, but believe me when I say it doesn't happen very often with the 216. If you don't get the required hands on for this one, then we'll be reading one more time about how unfair the exam was when you make the post that states you failed it again!

Therefore, let me recommend a new certification product that I recently had the pleasure of running across. In fact, I think so much of this new product that I will highly recommend it to anyone and everyone seeking Microsoft certifications. This new product is the MCSE: Windows 2000 Core Requirements Virtual Lab simulator from Sybex. I recently downloaded the demo version and liked it so much that I ordered it myself, even though I already have a hands on home lab that I have used to pass all my exams thus for.

But please don't take my word for it, why don't you download the demo version for yourself at the following:

http://www.sybex.com/sybexbooks.nsf...enForm&5019Demo

And for a review of the product, you can click on the link below:

http://http://www.mcmcse.com/win2k/...ybexlabs.shtml

Finally, if you're interested in purchasing the product after you have, of course, taken it for a test drive, then click on the following link for the best price available that I could find anywhere on the net!

http://www.bookpool.com/.x/irdamt390i/sm/0782150195

Remember to get plenty of hands on along with lots of good study time, and I can promise you that you will be virtually assured of passing this exam that everyone so unaffectionately calls the beast! Good luck!

__________________
Due to financial problems, the light at the end of the tunnel will be shut down until further notice.

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I think the previous postings by other members are very good suggestions in terms of using other study resources for the 216.

Just to add my 2-cents worth, buy Transcender's practice exam for the 216. I've used Transcender as one of my study resources and they're an excellent study material for the 216 as with my previous exams. I've never used MeasureUp so can't comment on it but why not give Transcender a try?

I've also used Sybex and found it be okay. I felt it wasn't that bad as a study material but I certainly didn't rely on it as my sole study guide. I've also used the W2K Server Resource Kit. Now IMO, that's the ultimate study guide for the beast and if you can afford it it's well worth it as reference material. It's better to get it at bookpool.com.

I've noticed you've mentioned subnetting as one area you need to work on. I don't know if I can recommend any good book or resource on subnetting but several years ago I've used the ExamCram book on TCP/IP because I liked the concise explanation on subnetting. I've learned subnetting not only through classroom training and self-study guides but also from on-the-job experiences and it was from that I finally understood the concept of subnetting. And that itself took a while before it became very clear to me. Once you find a study materials you're comfortable with I'd recommend putting in a lot of practice time in subnetting. As you've already know from your first attempt with the beast you've got to know how to subnet.

Just to reiterate what Jeff and Zaraspook said - besides books and other study materials you really need a lot of hands-on practice with the software. In my case, a lot of studying and a lot of hands-on practice on my home network was the answer to tackling and beating the beast.

__________________
"Lord help me, I'm just not that bright." --Homer Simpson

Last edited by buckwheat on 07-05-02 at 09:01 PM

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I have found that the best Subnetting guide on the net is the MCSEFREAK'S guide at:
http://www.mcsefreak.com/subnetting.htm

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