70-113 Post Mortem: TS Windows Server 2008 (Performance|Pilot)

Let me start off with a warning about this exam.

This test is not available everywhere, and for good reason.   It is a complicated exam which launches a Real Virtual Lab environment which is run off of a server across the Internet.

The key word there being "Internet", which this often implies not having Routing issues, connection problems, speed, latency (Lag) and other client to server remote connection issues.

Lets just say, I ran into some of those issues – And you might as well.   I went in with an expectation to potentially have some problems.  Exam launched, Click connect to visit the lab and BAM – no connection.   3 hours later of them ‘resetting the exam‘ I was then able to connect into the server.   Sadly I did not have the amount of time to fully take advantage of the exam, but I did have the opportunity to read, review and comment.

The labs are interesting, it’s a true server (help files and all) and command line and other decisions and exploitations and choices you’d make on a server host.   But beware.

I encountered all that I mentioned, lag, connection issues, delay, and a slew of other ‘technical’ issues which can happen to anyone.   Great exam for what it is worth (and I commented away based upon the content and delivery) But do approach this Pilot with an expectation that you MAY encounter issues.   Prometric CAN work them out, but the Helpdesk will likely have no idea what is going on and what to do (Hopefully this 3 hour ‘lesson’ will prepare them for the next person who takes it)

Good luck, and Good Testing!

Do you have what it takes to be a Master?

That’s right! New Mastery in the form of a “Master” Cert.
It is rumoured to be above the current MCITP, and equally above the old-school MCSE, yet below (and a pre-requisite) of the MCA (Architect).

It will be offered in 3 varieties.

  • Exchange Server 2007
  • SQL Server 2008
  • Windows Server 2008
  • It is covered at an EXTREMELY high-level here at Microsoft Certified Master Program
    And also is briefly mentioned here on Trika’s Blog

    There is a little bit of depth to be found here:
    http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/master/products/default.mspx

    However, outside of these high-level ideas of it, and its very narrow focus on a set of core technologies (Hey, where is my MOSS Mastery?!)

    It appears to be just another Certification to join the pile – definitely a precursor to the MCA with these requirements:

    To achieve Master certification, candidates must fulfill the following training requirements:

  • Attendance of required sessions
  • Successful completion of all in-class (written and lab) exams
  • Successful completion of qualification lab exam
  • And if history has shown us anything, when you have ‘class attendance requirements’ that usually translates into “This is going to cost you some serious $$$” Not only from ‘attendance’ but also from your inability to be producing revenue or working as you’re going to classes.

    Perhaps this is trying to go the way of the “Masters” programs available within the ‘Educational’ community, but today you can phone that in, and the technology and extreme depth this is looking to promote is not something earned in the classroom – It’s earned in the trenches.

    Who knows how this will be implemented, we’ll certainly find out as time moves on – Adoption is key though – Look at the CCIE Program for Cisco…

    CWUG officially moves to Mondays – Meeting this Monday May 19th

    That’s right, the Chicago Windows Users Group is now officially meeting on Mondays.
    Which can have a number of implications, one certainly of which is – we’ll be meeting on Mondays! :)

    This coming meeting we’ll have some great sessions, with the master of Server – Jeff Gettis covering territory on Windows Server 2008 (Should be an amazing time!). Dan Rey presenting on the Windows Easy Transfer Companion (beta) in a hands on lab. And last but not least, Brian Vanderjack with an interesting and compelling session on Project management. This will be Brian’s first time presenting in front of the CWUG audience though he is no shy soul in front of an audience nor let alone in front of students. Brian is not only a professional project manager for a living, PMP but also teaches Project Management courses with the University of Phoenix, so it should be a treat to have a man of his caliber in front of the group of us!

    I look forward to seeing you all at this months CWUG and to have a great time!

    Below are the details of the meeting via the email Blast, and sign up information!

    Thanks to Michael Niehaus for his presentation on the Microsoft Deployment Toolkit 2008 (previously Business Desktop Deployment or BDD 2007) and Bart Tubalinal and Tony Coppa for their presentation on SharePoint at our downtown Chicago meeting! Don’t forget we’re switching to the 3rd Monday evening every month for our in person meeting and will be in Downers Grove for May and June and back in Chicago for July. We will also be adding Live Meeting presentations that you can attend from virtually anywhere over the summer months (CWUG points awarded for participation on the Live Meetings as well!). Meeting sign up for Monday’s meeting included below.

    When: Monday, May 19th

    5:00 – 5:30 p.m. Food/Networking
    5:30 – 6:00 p.m. Room Introductions
    6:00 – 6:15 p.m. Welcome/Windows Vista Gadget Contest
    6:15 – 7:15 p.m. Jeff Gettis – Windows Server 2008 Migration
    7:15 – 7:30 p.m. Break
    7:30 – 8:30 p.m. Dan Rey – Windows Easy Transfer Companion (beta) Hands on Lab
    7:30 – 8:30 p.m. Brian Vanderjack – Introduction to Project Management

    Where: Microsoft Corp. 3025 Highland Pkwy., Suite 300, Downers Grove, IL 60515, (630) 725-4000

    http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/InviteOnly.aspx?EventID=3E-D3-87-C6-4B-C8-6D-81-2F-FE-E7-33-84-19-12-C4&Culture=en-US

    For May, Chris Urban’s Management Track will be this Thursday at 6 p.m.:

    Module 6 Preparing for and Managing Software Distribution

    Lesson 1: Overview of the Software Distribution Processes

    Lesson 2: Preparing the Site for Software Distribution Objects

    Lab A: Preparing a Site for Software Distribution

    Lesson 3: Configuring Software Distribution Objects

    Lesson 4: Creating and Configuring Collections

    Lesson 5: Creating and Configuring Packages and Programs

    Lesson 6: Distributing and Advertising a Program

    Lesson 7: Monitoring and Troubleshooting Software Distribution

    Lab B: Deploying and Application Using Software Distribution

    Module 7 Deploying Operating Systems Using Configuration Manager 2007

    Lesson 1: Overview of Operating System Deployment

    Lesson 2: Task Sequences in Operating System Deployment

    Lesson 3: Capturing an Operating System Image

    Lab A: Capturing a Reference Computer Using Configuration Manager 2007

    Lesson 4: Deploying an Operating System

    Lesson 5: Configuring Operating System Image Deployments Using PXE

    Lab B: Deploying Operating Systems Using PXE

    Christopher Urban has invited you to present at an online meeting using Microsoft® Office Live Meeting service.

    Join the meeting.

    Audio Information

    Telephone Conferencing

    Choose one of the following:

    · Start the Office Live Meeting client, and then in the Voice & Video pane, click Join Conference. The conferencing service will call you at the number you specify. (Recommended)

    · Dial the conferencing service directly, and enter the participant code shown below:
    Toll-free: +1-8665006738
    Toll: +1-2034808000
    Participant Code: 4161075

    First-Time Users

    To save time before the meeting, check your system to make sure it is ready to use Office Live Meeting.

    Troubleshooting

    1. Copy this address and paste into your web browser:

    https://www.livemeeting.com/cc/microsoft/join

    2. Copy and paste the required information:

    Meeting ID: 9Z6GS3

    Entry Code: G*/mh#5cB

    Location: https://www.livemeeting.com/cc/microsoft

    CWUG JUNE MEETING:

    Monday, June 16th Downers Grove

    Annual CWUG Computer Donation Drive

    Microsoft Assessment and Planning Solution Accelerator

    Sync Toy 2.0 (beta)

    http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/InviteOnly.aspx?EventID=3E-D3-87-C6-4B-C8-6D-81-D0-A2-CD-23-FB-BD-21-F8&Culture=en-US

    CWUG JULY MEETING:

    Monday, July 21st downtown Chicago

    Windows Live – production software and a look at betas

    Windows Vista Gadget Contest Submission Deadline

    Be sure to check out the user group’s website and Facebook group at:

    CWUG Portal: http://portal.cwug.net

    Facebook group (open to members of the Chicago, IL network): http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=4397556247

    We’re adding another Team Microsoft ride this summer in a little less than a month! Join Team Microsoft for the Trek 100 on Saturday, June 7th (9:30 a.m. for the 20 or 42 mile rides) or the CowaLUNGa Bike Tour 2008 on Saturday, August 2nd. When you sign up just join Team Microsoft – we’ve already had a couple people register for both rides.

    “Team Microsoft is a group of Microsoft employees, partners, customers, friends and family who all have the same goals: to give big, have fun and ride hard.”

    So start biking, attend a meeting either virtually this week or in person next Monday in Downers Grove and enjoy the rest of spring!

    The CWUG Crew