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.

Every PrepLogic Practice Exam question includes a “Feedback Link” that allows you to provide feedback or alert us to items you believe may be in error. From time to time we like to address some of your remarks here in our blog. Let’s take a look at some of our recent Practice Exam Feedback.

Our first comment is in regards to a question in our Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) (312-50) Practice Exam. The question is:

You are a security consultant hired to perform a wireless penetration test. Which of the following would be considered part of the test? Select the best answers.

A.) Application Testing and Code Review
B.) Cordless Communications Testing
C.) Privacy Review
D.) Infrared Systems Testing
E.) PBX Testing
F.) Intrusion Detection System Testing

The correct answers are B, C and D.

Vincent writes in to say that “IDS testing should be a part of any Pen Testing for WAN or LAN.”  This is an excellent point for discussion. It’s true that IDS, in theory, can be used in the testing of wireless network vulnerabilities, but it isn’t a standard practice according to the CEH exam. IDS testing is essentially meant for wired communications. This journal article notes the need for improvements to IDS systems in order to account for the inherent vulnerabilities in wireless networks, but at this time, IDS systems are not used in this way. In the wireless penetration test example given, Cordless Communications Testing, Privacy Review and Infrared Systems Testing would be considered part of the test.

Our next comment comes from the feedback for our CISSP® Practice Exam. The question is:

Which of the following is NOT a preventative physical access control? Select the best answer.

A.) Biometrics
B.) Fences
C.) Call back systems
D.) CCTV (Closed-Circuit TV)

The correct answer is C, Call back systems, which is a preventative technical access control.

Our commenter asks “Isn’t biometrics considered more of a technical control than a physical control?” While it is true that Biometrics is a technical control, it is also a physical control.  Consider that a technical access control mechanism is one that prevents access to systems with the intention of protecting information. Laptops with built-in fingerprint scanners would be an example of biometrics used as a technical access control mechanism.  Physical access control mechanisms are distinguished from technical access control mechanisms, in that they restrict you from physically entering a space you don’t belong.  A finger print scanner at a secure entryway would be a biometric physical access control mechanism. Of the choices listed, Call back systems are not a preventative physical access control.

The final comment we will address today is from PrepLogic’s A+ Practical Application (220-702) Practice Exam. The question is:

You upgrade a system that contains a layered service provider from a previous version of Windows Vista.  The system loses network connectivity when configured for dynamic address assignment. How would you verify that this upgrade is the probable issue? Select the best answer.

A.) Open a command prompt with administrator rights, issue netsh winsock reset and check the listings.
B.) Open a command prompt, issue ipconfig and check for a “169.254.x.x” IPv4 address.
C.) Unplug and reinsert the network card, check for a loose cable and try to ping a nearby host.
D.) Call the Internet Service Provider and contact a network administrator.

The correct answer is B.  The 169.254.x.x is an APIPA address, signifying that the computer has no current network visibility.

An A+ candidate writes that “an APIPA does not verify an upgrade issue. There are many possible reasons for an APIPA. The only thing it verifies is that there is no network connectivity.” One of the biggest problems with Layered Service Providers is corruption of the TCP/IP stack, usually as a result of improper or incomplete removal of the service.  This is a widely known issue.  If the TCP/IP stack does become corrupted, the computer no longer can access the network and, thus, the computer pulls an APIPA address rather than one assigned by DHCP.  We can verify that the upgrade is the problem on the simple notion of causality.  Before the upgrade, my computer had access to the network.  After the upgrade, my computer pulls an APIPA address, leaving me to believe the TCP/IP stack is corrupted, since the question includes no additional information regarding improper DHCP configuration is included in the stem.

Remember, if you have any comments or questions about a practice question, simply submit your comment and our editorial team will review it. If we made a mistake (we’re only human!) we’ll correct it in a practice exam update. Thanks for your feedback, and good luck on your exams.

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.

• MOS: Microsoft Office Word 2010 (Exam 77-881)
• MOS: Microsoft Office Word 2010 Expert (Exam 77-887)
• MOS: Microsoft Office Excel 2010 (Exam 77-882)
• MOS: Microsoft Office Excel 2010 Expert (Exam 77-888)
• MOS: Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2010 (Exam 77-883)
• MOS: Microsoft Office Outlook 2010 (Exam 77-884)
• MOS: Microsoft Office Access 2010 (Exam 77-885)
• MOS: Microsoft SharePoint 2010 (Exam 77-886)
• MOS: Microsoft Project 2010, Managing Projects (Exam 77-178)

All of these certifications are still in development and will be available within the next few months from Microsoft. The other part of this story is that everyone who earned an MCAS certification will have their credential switched to an MOS certification. Nothing about the credential will change other than the name. For a more through explanation, check out what the people at Microsoft have to say about the new series of certifications. For more info about Microsoft Office certifications and other productivity training, check back with PrepLogic or give our team a call at 1-800-418-6789.