Linux Essentials (made up of just one exam: 010-150)Shawn recommends Linux Essentials for those who are brand new to the Linux world because "it sort of eases the learning curve. It's not a prerequisite, but it's a great [way] to eliminate that 'deer in the headlights' look for folks who've never used Linux at all. I'm almost fanatic about Linux in the server room."
Both the Server 2012 and Server 2016 courses include virtual labs for CBT Nuggets learners. "We wanted to provide complete coverage of the exam objectives along with virtual labs containing a real network of machines to provide the ultimate learning experience," Garth said.Learn more about the certifications from our Roadmap to Success: MCSA: Windows Server 2012 or Roadmap to Success: MCSA: Windows Server 2016.
exam 70 410 cbt nuggets linux
CompTIA Linux+/LPIC-1(made up of two exams: LX0-103 and LX0-104 ) Shawn says, "Certifications from LPI are great because they cover a broad range of topics system administrators will encounter."
Microsoft MCSA: Linux on Azure (made up of two exams: 70-533 and LFCS)Trainer Ben Finkel made a surprise appearance when we were talking with Garth and Shawn. He chimed in and made a pitch for Microsoft Azure.
LPI LPIC-2 (made up of two exams: 201-400* and 202-400*)Shawn pointed out that "even seasoned sysadmins can learn ways to do their jobs faster, better, and/or more efficiently with the LPIC-2." He went on to say, "Being a system administrator is more than knowing the tools and systems. It really requires the ability to think outside the box. While it's always nice to have the certification, ultimately it prepares [you] to be a solid sysadmin, which makes you far more valuable as an employee (or potential employee)."
Learn more about the certification from our Roadmap to Success: LPIC-2.*Please note that LPI recently released v4.5 of the LPIC-2 certification. The updated certification is made up of the 201-405 and 202-405 exams, but v4.0 exams (201-400 and 202-400) will be available until August 2017.
PowerShell 4 FoundationsWe asked Garth why PowerShell was such an important skill set for sysadmins. "PowerShell is huge! It's quickly becoming the most desired skill set employers are looking for in IT professionals as it brings so much value to teams in terms of efficiency through infrastructure management and automation. Plus, Microsoft has been baking PowerShell into everything, operating systems, server software, client software, the cloud, and even their certification exams." Garth went on to say, "Microsoft is serious about making PowerShell the only tool you'll need to manage and automate everything in your environments, and how incredibly easy it is to learn. You don't need to be a programming wizard to master PowerShell, but you'll certainly feel like a wizard once you have."
What does that mean for you? Well, if you've been thinking about pursuing MCSA Windows Server 2012, you still have plenty of time. However, keep in mind that you do have to pass three exams to earn the certification. So we put together a comprehensive study plan for the first of these three exams: the 70-410. By the end, you'll be on your way to Windows Server 2012 success!
Before you jump into watching videos, do your homework so you'll have a better understanding of the 70-410 exam. Visit the Microsoft Learning Center's MCSA Windows Server 2012 section to learn about the exam, exam requirements, and study resources. If you are feeling especially brave, you could try a practice exam to get a feel for the exam and test your baseline knowledge. Don't get discouraged by your score, though. Remember, you're just starting your MCSA Windows Server 2012 journey.
Because there's a lot to cover in regard to the 70-410 exam, we will stick to the nitty gritty for the next 17 weeks of this study plan, making it easy for you to identify what videos you need to watch, available supplemental resources, and how to get hands on with Server 2012.
Watch: Videos 18-24. Learn about configuring basic and dynamic disks, managing volumes, designing storage spaces, and other storage-related topics.Learn: Read our blog post to learn how to maximize practice exams. Follow that by reading Derek Schauland's What You Need to Know About Storage Spaces to Pass Exam 70-410 article.Action item: Take a practice exam to see where you're at by this stage of the journey!
Watch: Videos 25-32 cover topics such as creating and configuring shares, configuring various permissions, and configuring offline files.Learn: Use those handy flashcards again, as well as the PowerShell flashcards.Action item: Use your practice exam results from last week to identify areas that you need to strengthen and keep labbing it up.Action item: Check out Microsoft's Windows Server 2012 R2 and Windows Server 2012 Technical Library.
Watch: Videos 43-49 cover topics such as Windows firewall configuration, Hyper-V fundamentals, and configuring dynamic memory.Learn: Read the Hyper-V article from Microsoft's Technet library, because Hyper-V is such a crucial part of Server 2012, you need to understand it well. Then flashcard it up to reinforce what you have been learning!Action item: Take a practice exam. Use the results to guide you during the second half of this training journey.
Watch: Videos 67-72 cover topics including IP fundamentals, configuring IP address options, and authorizing DHCP servers.Action item: It's time to schedule your exam! Why? It helps keep you accountable and on track in your training.
Watch: Videos 73-76 address creating and configuring scopes, configuring DHCP reservations, and configuring Client and Server for PXE Boot.Learn: Return to your flashcards this week. Follow that up by re-doing 2-3 virtual labs from Weeks 2-8 of this study plan.Action item: Take a practice exam and use the result to guide you during the home stretch.
Watch: Videos 77-81 focus on DNS fundamentals, configuring Forwarders and Root Hints.Learn: Use Microsoft Technet to deepen your understanding of Active Directory, yet another key component of Server 2012.Action item: Review Microsoft's Exam Policies and FAQs, so you'll be better prepared for exam day. Hard to believe that it's approaching so quickly, isn't it?
Watch: Videos 82-86 cover DNS cache management, Active Directory fundamentals, and installing domain controllers.Learn: Review the skills you'll be measured on during the 70-410 exam, and how much of each skill is covered on the exam.
Watch: Videos 87-90 focus on topics such as creating and managing Active Directory Groups and OUs, creating group policy objects, and configuring security policies.Learn: Use Microsoft Technet to dig deeper into the concept of group policy.Action item: Along with doing the virtual labs, as always, take another practice exam.
Watch: Videos 91-93. You'll wrap up Garth's amazing 70-410 course by covering these three topics: Configuring application restriction policies and configuring Windows Firewall. Garth closes his course in Video. 93 with some exam tips and by wishing you good luck!Action item: Use virtual labs to strengthen any potential weak areas for you; then take one final practice exam! Generally speaking, if you score 90 percent or better on a practice exam, you should be ready to conquer the real deal!
You made it! Congrats. Use this week to brush up on any terms or concepts that might still trip you up. Spend at least 3-5 hours on those areas. It's been a long journey, so take a deep breath and relax. Speaking of which, make sure you get a good night's sleep before exam day. Good luck!
After earning a prerequisite certification, learners must take one additional exam to earn the MCSE: Cloud Platform and Infrastructure certification which, like all expert-level certifications under Microsoft's new certification structure, allows learners to choose from a pool of exams to customize a certification to their needs. Learners must pass one of the following exams to earn the MCSE certification:
Question types: Active screen; Build list; Case study; Drag and drop; Hot area; Multiple choice/Best answer; Multiple choice/Single answer; Multiple choice/Multiple answer; Short answerLearn more about Microsoft exam formats and question types.
Microsoft exams have a reputation for being challenging. Many learners find they have to take an exam more than once to achieve a successful outcome. Fortunately, Microsoft is aware of the level of challenge associated with their exams, and often provides an Exam Replay, allowing learners to retake exams at a fraction of the cost. Please note that the Exam Replay may not always be available. As of this post's publication date, each of the exams associated with the MCSE: Cloud Platform and Infrastructure include an Exam Replay, but that may change. Learners should research Exam Replay availability to avoid missing out on the opportunity.
Microsoft MCSE certifications are valid for three years. According to Microsoft, recertification exams are currently available for all MCSE and MCSD specialties. Recertification exams cover material from the same exams taken to originally earn the credential, with particular emphasis on the most recent technology and process changes. With the new elective exam structure for continuing education, learners have the opportunity to take an elective exam of their choosing each year to "re-earn" the certification.
MCSE: Productivity (choose from the elective exam pool: 70-345, 70-339, 70-333, 70-334, 70-331, 70-332, 70-341, or 70-342)Learn more from the Roadmap to Success: MCSE: Productivity
Linux LPI LPIC-2: Linux Engineer (made up of two exams: 201-400 and 202-400* OR 201-450 and 202-450)Learn more from the Roadmap to Success: LPIC-2 *Please note that the 201-400 and 202-400 exams will be retired in August 2017 2ff7e9595c
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