The Microsoft Born to Learn Blog reports that the new series of exams for Microsoft Sharepoint 2010 is here. This is great news for those of you looking to add these skills to your resume as the new Sharepoint 2010 has many new features that will make the product popular and increase the demand for individuals certified with those skills. Sharepoint 2010 is a collaborative software tool that gives companies an increasing amount of control over their communications and business intelligence capabilities. You can find out more about this product right from the source at Microsoft. You can even download a free trial.

The MCITP: SharePoint Administrator 2010 is the professional level certification for Sharepoint technology. Let’s take a look at some of the exam requirements.

TS: Microsoft SharePoint 2010, Configuring (70-667)
To be a candidate for this exam, you want to have about a year of experience with Sharepoint technologies as well as similar experience with “Internet Information Services (IIS), Windows Server 2008, and Active Directory, and networking infrastructure services.”  Taking this exam you’ll be faced with questions from the following domains:

• Installing and Configuring a SharePoint Environment
• Managing a SharePoint Environment
• Deploying and Managing Applications
• Maintaining a SharePoint Environment

When you pass this exam you’ll earn your MCTS: SharePoint 2010, Configuration certification as well as get credit toward your Sharepoint MCITP.

PRO: SharePoint Server 2010, Administrator (70-668)
You’ll need to be able to deploy and design the infrastructure for Microsoft SharePoint Server 2010 in order to pass this exam. According to Microsoft candidates will be “senior administrators” with “a minimum of two years of experience administering, deploying, managing, monitoring, upgrading, migrating, and designing SharePoint servers.” The domains of this exam include:

• Designing a SharePoint 2010 Farm Topology
• Planning SharePoint 2010 Deployment
• Defining a SharePoint 2010 Operations Strategy and Business Continuity
• Planning for Search and Business Solutions

Training for the new Sharepoint 2010 is in production is should start hitting the shelves soon. To learn more about Sharepoint 2010 or any other IT certification, give us a call at 1-800-418-6789. Thanks and good luck with your certifications.

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As an incentive, it looks like they’re giving away some Xbox 360 systems to lucky winners. All the rules and small print are available from Microsoft. The deadline to get your survey in is June 30.

Virtualization is all about reducing costs and reducing risk. No wonder it’s such a popular technology. Now Microsoft has put all the information you need about their Virtualization Certifications all in one place. Check out Microsoft’s Virtualization Certification page for an overview of their programs, detailed requirements for each certification path and more information about becoming MCTS and MCITP certified in Microsoft Virtualization technologies.

Microsoft Virtualization MCTS and MCITP Certifications

• Windows Server 2008 R2, Server Virtualization (MCTS)
• Windows Server 2008 R2, Desktop Virtualization (MCTS)
• Windows Server Virtualization, Configuring (MCTS)
• Windows Server 2008 R2, Virtualization Administrator (MCITP)

Another cool feature you’ll find on this page is a downloadable PDF Virtualization Certification Roadmap that plots your course towards these valuable certifications. If you have any questions about Microsoft IT certifications, including virtualization, give PrepLogic a call at 1-800-418-6789. Thanks, and good luck.

Many of our callers recently have asked what the difference is between TS: Windows Server 2008 Active Directory, Configuring (83-640) and TS: Windows Server 2008 Active Directory, Configuring (70-640). It’s an excellent question that’s very important to your Microsoft exam training, so here’s the answer:

The difference between the (83-640)  and (70-640) is the format of some of the questions you’ll be be asked.

The (83-640) exam consists mostly of multiple choice questions, but also includes some performance-based “virtual-lab questions.” The (70-640) exam includes only multiple choice questions.

That’s the only difference. The content you need to know to pass is the same for either the (83-640) or (70-640) exams. The performance-based “virtual lab” questions on the (83-640) exam allow a technician to prove their knowledge by completing various tasks in a lab environment. These are tasks that you must know in order to pass either exam. So, your study and preparation will likely be the same for either version of the exam.

The price of admission is the same, whether you’re taking the (83-640) or (70-640). Like all Microsoft exams, (83-640) or (70-640) are available only at Prometric Test Centers. Microsoft vouchers are essentially “one size fits all,” so you can take either exam with a Prometric Microsoft Voucher.

Here’s a short rundown of each version of this Server 2008 Active Directory Exam:

(83-640) TS: Windows Server 2008 Active Directory, Configuring

• Valid for credit toward MCTS and MCITP certification
• Includes multiple choice and “virtual lab” questions
• Available in select countries (including United States)
• Is the only version available in the United States
• Available in English only
• May be taken at Prometric Test Centers
• Check with your local Prometric Test Center for more details

(70-640) TS: Windows Server 2008 Active Directory, Configuring

• Valid for credit toward MCTS and MCITP certification
• Includes only multiple choice questions
• Available internationally outside of the United States
• Not available in the United States
• Available in English, Brazilian Portuguese, Chinese [Simplified], French, Japanese, Korean, Russian, and Spanish.
• May be taken at Prometric Test Centers
• Check with your local Prometric Test Center for more details

If you have any questions about your TS: Windows Server 2008 Active Directory, Configuring exam, or about the training materials you should use, give PrepLogic a call at 1-800-418-6789. Our guys have heard every question a million times before and we’re always ready and available to serve you. Good luck on your exam.

Holcomb is an avid video gamer and is pursuing a computer science degree.  And you can see his dedication to the IT business just by looking at his twitter name; pcbobsledder.  He also likes to have fun at work. Check him out as he does The Holcy Dance in his free time in Vancouver.

Be sure to check out Holcomb as he continues his quest for Olympic gold. The 4-man bobsleigh event concludes Saturday, February 27.

UPDATE

They did it!

CompTIA A+ certified technician Steven Holcomb and his “Night Train” U.S. Olympic 4-man Bobsleigh team took the Gold Medal.  It was the first time the U.S. won the gold in that event since 1948, and almost certainly the first Olympic Gold Medal for an A+ certified technician.

First, the test itself: 83-640 is a performance-based exam with a multiple choice component.  So, you get the best of both worlds.  Sounds great, right?  In theory, a virtual lab would be a better demonstration of a candidate’s ability to actually use the given product, rather than simply memorize and regurgitate facts on a fully multiple choice exam.   That creates trust between the successful candidate and an employer and adds value to the certification as a whole.  Win for everyone.

Unfortunately, it looks like there’s a few snags.  Distribution appears to be a big one.  83-640 is offered here in the US, but only in specific areas.  The official word from Microsoft is that before an area can begin offering the virtual lab, they have to meet some fairly stringent infrastructure requirements.  This is because the content for the labs is offered over the Internet on virtual machines.  Once the area meets the infrastructure requirements, they have to test a bunch of people.  Once Microsoft seems reasonably sure that the area can adequately handle the load, they pull 70-640 from the roster.

In practice, things seem a little spotty.  Pay attention to the comments on the page we linked above.  One imagines offering content over the Internet, rather than on site, would pose some serious security and QoS risks, even on the best of days.

So, moving forward, what does this mean for Microsoft certs?  For the time being, not a lot.  Microsoft is quick to point out that the expense of developing and delivering lab based exams is prohibitive, and they are proceeding with caution.  Comments on both borntolearn and technet blog posts all indicate that we may see a single new lab exam sometime next year, but as to when all of Microsoft’s exams will switch format—that remains to be seen.

• Do you want to be number 15,124?
• Are you ready to advance your career?
• Is now the time to show that you have Server 2008 leadership and problem solving skills?

Excellent! Let’s take a look at what it takes to become a certified MCITP Server Administrator

MCITP: Server Administrator

With the MCITP Server Administrator certification you’ll illustrate and demonstrate your mastery of the skills involved with Server 2008 and be prepared several different job roles including:

• Windows Server Administrator
• Server Systems Administrator
• Monitoring Operator
• Network Administrator

The MCITP certification topics combine a number of the prerequisites of the MCTS (Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist). In the process of earning the MCITP certification, you’ll develop your technical skills as a Server Administrator and ready yourself for a career in the field. Preparing for your MCITP certification will teach you:

• Everyday management of the server operating system, file structure and directory services
• Software distribution and updates
• Server monitoring
• Server troubleshooting
• Server configuration
• Auditing policy implementation
• Scheduled vulnerability assessment scan performance

How to Earn Your MCITP: Server Administrator Certification

You’re required to pass three exams for your MCITP Server Administrator certification:

• Exam: 70-642 Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure, Configuring
• Exam: 70-640 Windows Server 2008 Active Directory, Configuring
• Exam: 70-646 Windows Server 2008, Server Administrator

How to Upgrade to the MCITP: Server Administration Certification from MCSA or MCSE

Microsoft has provided an easy upgrade path for people who already hold an MCSA or MCSE 2003 certification. By following the paths for these upgrades, you can earn your MCITP Server Administrator in two exams instead of three.

Passing the upgrade exam (either 70-648 or 70-649) gives you credit for multiple MCTS certifications on Windows Server 2008 and reduces the number of exams you have to pass for your MCITP Server Administrator Certification to one. Learn more about upgrading your Server 2003 MCSA and MCSE to Windows Server 2008 here.

Introducing Microsoft Server 2008 Total MCITP Video Training

Total Server 2008/MCITP Video Training gives you everything you need for the next generation of Microsoft certifications. With this package you get over 150 hours of total LearnSmart Video Training and PrepLogic Practice Exams for three MCITP certifications; MCTIP Server Administrator, MCITP Enterprise Administrator and MCITP Database Administrator. This complete training package includes all of the following:

• Eight complete video courses
• Over 150 hours of video training
• Authentic Server 2008/MCITP practice exams
• Earn three Microsoft MCITP Certifications
• Enterprise Administrator, Server Administrator, Database Administrator

Right now you can get a full guide to the MCITP and your introduction to the Total Server 2008/MCITP Video Training package.  Check out PrepLogic’s complete MCITP certification guide.