Windows 7 Specialist Series Exams
The first Specialist Series exam released for Windows 7 is Exam 70-680: TS: Windows 7, Configuring. By passing this exam, a candidate will earn the MCTS Windows 7 Configuration certification.  According to the exam’s details, this exam is for people who “operate in computing environments that use Microsoft Windows 7 as a desktop operating system in an enterprise environment.” In addition to the Specialist Series certification you can earn with this exam, it’s a core component of more advanced certifications including MCITP: Enterprise Administrator and two newly announced certifications, MCITP: Enterprise Desktop Administrator 7 and MCITP: Enterprise Desktop Support Technician 7 (see below for more about them).  Keep reading after the jump for  a short breakdown of the topics areas you’ll need to know for this exam:

• Installing, Upgrading, and Migrating to Windows 7 (14 percent)
• Deploying Windows 7 (13 percent)
• Configuring Hardware and Applications (14 percent)
• Configuring Network Connectivity (14 percent)
• Configuring Access to Resources (13 percent)
• Configuring Mobile Computing (10 percent)
• Monitoring and Maintaining Systems that Run Windows 7 (11 percent)
• Configuring Backup and Recovery Options (11 percent)

Two additional Specialist Series exams have been announced. Exam 70-681: TS: Windows 7, Deploying is expected to come out before the end of the year. Word on the street is that exam 70-681 will be the successor to exam 70-624: TS: Deploying and Maintaining Windows Vista Client and 2007 Microsoft Office System Desktop. The other Specialist Series exam is Exam 70-683: TS: Windows 7, Pre-installing for OEMs. This was just released a few days ago. This exam tests your abilities related to specialized Windows 7 images for OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers. Think Dell).  When you pass this exam, you become certified as a MCTS: Windows 7, Pre-Installing for OEMs. This may be a useful credential to have as Windows 7 grows as an integrated OS with new desktop, laptops and netbooks. Check out some of the buzz about Windows 7 and Google Chrome here.

Windows 7 Professional Series
Microsoft also has plans for MCITP Professional Series certifications for Windows 7. One of these certifications is the MCITP: Windows 7, Enterprise Desktop Support Technician. This has been generating a lot of debate over the past few months and the final requirements are still up in the air (including requirements for an upgrade option that involves Exam 70-682:  Windows 7, Upgrading to Windows 7 MCITP Enterprise Desktop Support Technician).
Here’s the most recent party line about this credential:

MSL will be offering a MCITP: Windows 7, Enterprise Desktop Support Technician certification. The requirements are not yet finalized. We expect to have final requirements shortly. Candidates wishing to pursue this certification can safely proceed to prepare for 680: Win 7, Configuring and 685: Win 7, EDST. Additional requirements will be announced by the end of December 2009. Upgrade requirements have not been determined yet and will be announced at the same time.

You can check out the whole conversation here.

Microsoft does list some of the certification requirements:

• Exam 70-680: TS: Windows 7, Configuring
• Exam 70-685: PRO: Windows 7, Enterprise Desktop Support Technician

We’ve shown you what’s required for 70-680. Here’s what you’ll need to know to pass exam 70-685:

• Identifying Cause of and Resolving Desktop Application Issues (20 percent)
• Identifying Cause of and Resolving Networking Issues (23 percent)
• Managing and Maintaining Systems That Run Windows 7 Client (21 percent)
• Supporting Mobile Users (18 percent)
• Identifying Cause of and Resolving Security Issues (18 percent)

MCITP: Windows 7, Enterprise Desktop Administrator
An additional Windows 7 Professional series certification is MCITP: Windows 7, Enterprise Desktop Administrator. To get this certification, you’ll need to pass two exams:

• Exam 70-680: TS: Windows 7, Configuring
• Exam 70-686: PRO: Windows 7, Enterprise Desktop Administrator

This is what you’ll be tested on in order to pass your 70-686 exam:

• Planning and Managing a Client Life Cycle Strategy
• Designing a Standard Image
• Designing Client Configurations
• Designing a Windows 7 Client Deployment
• Designing Application Packages for Deployment
• Identifying and Resolving Deployment and Client Configuration Issues

The demand for Windows 7 certifications has been great, especially since the product’s official release. Many people who were disappointed by Windows Vista are excited to finally add newer OS credentials to their resume. PrepLogic has begun to introduce Windows 7 products to their individual selection as well as to our Unlimited Access training package.  Be sure to stay tuned in the upcoming weeks as new products are released.

• 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.

How to Upgrade Your MCSE 2003 to MCITP

Step One: Pass Microsoft Exam (70-649) Upgrading Your MCSE on Windows Server 2003 to Windows Server 2008

Step Two: Pass Microsoft Exam (70-646) Windows Server 2008 Server Administrator to become a MCITP Server Administrator

By following those first two steps, you’ll become an MCITP Server Administrator.

An alternative is to shoot for the MCITP Enterprise Administrator.

Step Two (Alternate): Pass Microsoft Exam (70-647) Windows Server 2008 Enterprise Administrator

AND

Pass Microsoft Exam (70-624) Deploying and Maintaining Windows Vista Client and 2007 Microsoft Office System Desktops

or

Pass Microsoft Exam (70-620) Configuring Microsoft Windows Vista Client

By following this path, you can become an MCITP Enterprise Administrator

How to Upgrade Your MCSA 2003 to MCITP

Step One: Pass Microsoft Exam (70-648) Upgrading from Windows Server 2003 MCSA to Windows Server 2008

Step Two: Pass Microsoft Exam (70-643) Configuring Windows Server 2008 Applications Infrastructure

Step Three: Pass Microsoft Exam (70-646) Windows Server 2008 Server Administrator to become a MCITP Server Administrator.

Alternately, you can go another route to become an MCITP Enterprise Administrator

Pass Microsoft Exam (70-647) Windows Server 2008 Enterprise Administrator

AND

Pass Microsoft Exam (70-624) Deploying and Maintaining Windows Vista Client and 2007 Microsoft Office System Desktops

or

Pass Microsoft Exam (70-620) Configuring Microsoft Windows Vista Client.

Do that, and you’ll become an MCITP Enterprise Administrator.

Here’s some facts I’ve dug up about these exams:

The Windows Server 2008 Server Administrator exam is a challenging test of a candidate’s ability to administer a complex network infrastructure with less than 200 computers and users accounts.

On this exam, the exam will test in depth concepts, such as the following six subjects specifically targeted by Microsoft:

• Managing the server operating system, file, and directory services

• Software distribution and updates

• Profiling and monitoring assigned servers

• Troubleshooting The official objectives for this exam are:

• Planning for Server Deployment

• Planning for Server Management

• Monitoring and Maintaining Servers

• Planning Application and Data Provisioning

• Planning for Business Continuity and High Availability

The 70-620 exam is a multiple choice, computer based test that will certify a candidate as a Microsoft technology specialist on Windows Vista Desktop Support and analysis. This exam and certification replace the older Microsoft MCDST (Microsoft certified desktop support technician) certification that was available in a two exam format.

The 70-620 exam will ask a varied number of questions that will challenge a candidate’s understanding of Windows Vista and its differences between Windows XP. Additionally, candidates will be expected to understand many of the new features and important aspects of the new Vista features, such as optimization, the Aero desktop, and mobile computing. The official domains of this exam are:

• Installing and Upgrading Windows Vista

• Configuring and Troubleshooting Post-Installation System Settings

• Configuring Windows Security Features

• Configuring Network Connectivity

• Configuring Applications Included with Windows Vista

• Maintaining and Optimizing Systems That Run Windows Vista

• Configuring and Troubleshooting Mobile Computing

For people who already have an MCSE on Windows Server 2003 certification, they created Exam (70-649). It’s meant for technology people that currently work in advanced computing environments for medium-sized to larger businesses and companies. You’ve got to have your MCSE on Windows Server 2003 before you can take this exam. They’ll still give you credit for passing the test if you take it without an MCSE, but they won’t give you credit for any certifications. So you only want to take it if you’ve got your MCSE 2003 already. Exam (70-648) is kind of like a mash-up of two individual Microsoft exams, the (70-640) and the (70-642). Exam (70-648) covers the skills about core technology features and function of Windows Server 2008, from the stuff you already know as a Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) on Windows Server 2003.

Finding training for these exams is tricky, since so much of the material is composite material.  The best way to do this is with an all-inclusive training package that gives you all of the training for many different exams. PrepLogic has the Unlimited Access collection that works kind of like Netflix. With this approach, you could get the training for each of source exams and use that to prepare.  This way you wouldn’t be stuck with any extra titles or duplicate content. The point of upgrading your existing certification and not starting from scratch is to save money.  Server 2003 is going to be around for awhile, so there’s no immediate need to upgrade, but soon enough companies are going to find the money in their budgets to upgrade to Server 2008.  For more information visit PrepLogic online at www.preplogic.com or call us at 1-800-418-6789