Have the 70-290 / 70-291 been replaced?

highoctanerock · 05-22-2011, 08:42 AM

I'm looking to take my Windows Server exams. It says I should take the 70-290 & the 70-291. Both discuss maintaining Windows Server 2003. Have these exams been replaced with something new for Server 2008?

If so which Server 2008 exams should I focus (get started) on?

**JMPC** · 05-22-2011, 09:39 AM

As far as I know they are still valid for the MS certifications. Which certification are you going for? Microsoft has a list of which exams are required for each cert:
Training Catalog

highoctanerock · 05-22-2011, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMPC

As far as I know they are still valid for the MS certifications. Which certification are you going for? Microsoft has a list of which exams are required for each cert:
Training Catalog

I'm going after my MCSA and need to finish up my Windows Server exams. I'm confused because some schools say it's better to go into configuring Server 2008 now because it's the latest that Microsoft is offering, but you say they're still valid - Hmmmmmm - still confused!

**lfcgeorge** · 05-22-2011, 02:14 PM

I recently passed my 70-290 and have my 70-291 exam on 1st June so they are definately still valid. Server 2003 is still used a lot in the real world so having these exams are beneficial plus you can always update to Server 2008 after you get your MCSA which is what I plan on doing

highoctanerock · 05-22-2011, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lfcgeorge

I recently passed my 70-290 and have my 70-291 exam on 1st June so they are definately still valid. Server 2003 is still used a lot in the real world so having these exams are beneficial plus you can always update to Server 2008 after you get your MCSA which is what I plan on doing

My question is, wouldn't it be better to just start with Server 2008 rather than having to update it?

**lfcgeorge** · 05-22-2011, 05:42 PM

Yeah why not, go for all of them.

highoctanerock · 05-23-2011, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lfcgeorge

Yeah why not, go for all of them.

What resources did you use for the 70-290 (books, tutorials etc)?

**lfcgeorge** · 05-23-2011, 04:54 PM

CBT Nuggets for a stack of videos which are not free.
ProProfs: Knowledge Sharing Tools & Free Online Education for study guides and practice tests free of charge.
Also used Microsofts E-Learning Center for study guides but I obtained an access code from my College to be granted those resources.

highoctanerock · 05-24-2011, 09:13 AM

Just a little bit of news for you Tech People reading this Thread:

SERVER 2003 70-290 / 70-291 are being done away with! Especially topics like Exchange/Messaging that will not be valid in Server 2008. This advice from another IT colleague.

JEEZ LOUISE, how difficult it is to get advice from People in the IT INDUSTRY!!!!

**lfcgeorge** · 05-24-2011, 10:03 AM

They are STILL VALID.

Plus think about how many companies who cannot afford to upgrade to Server 2008!!?? Loads of companies still use 2003 Server so obviously doing the course is still beneficial.

Plus if you have the MCSA you can upgrade to MCTS/MCITP Server 2008 Qualifications without having to take as many exams.

So wise up and don't post stupid useless information kid.

highoctanerock · 05-24-2011, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lfcgeorge

They are STILL VALID.

Plus think about how many companies who cannot afford to upgrade to Server 2008!!?? Loads of companies still use 2003 Server so obviously doing the course is still beneficial.

Plus if you have the MCSA you can upgrade to MCTS/MCITP Server 2008 Qualifications without having to take as many exams.

So wise up and don't post stupid useless information kid.

Well they may still be valid now but if schools are not offering the 2003 Server exams anymore then that kind of tells me something.

If you have your Server 2003 certifications it doesn't mean you don't have to do all 3 of the 2008 exams if you were to upgrade. That's TWICE the work to me. Especially since there are things on 2008 that are not on 2003.

I'm sold on doing my Server 2008!!!

**lfcgeorge** · 05-24-2011, 04:50 PM

You say your going for your MCSA? Good luck on getting that doing Sever 2008 exams, see if you have already done exams that count towards obtaining an MCSA and your going to give it up now then that's a very silly choice.

Pasted From:
Windows Server Certification | Microsoft Server exam list | Microsoft Certified Professional

If you are a Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) or a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) on Windows Server 2003, you can apply your skills and knowledge to earn multiple Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) or Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP) certifications on Windows Server 2008.

Having a Windows Server 2003 certification is also valuable in today's competitive IT marketplace. If you have started your certification on Windows Server 2003, we encourage you to continue your studies and earn either the MCSE or MCSA certification on Windows Server 2003. These certifications are relevant for current business needs and prepare you to upgrade your certification to Windows Server 2008.

greenbrucelee · 05-25-2011, 04:40 AM

Schools will tyell you anything to get your cash.

Just so you know going for certifications that do not reflect your work experience level can be as bad as having no certifications at all. Schools wont tell you this though.

If you do not work with server 2008 then you shouldn't go for it it.

Just so you know XP will be around for years to come not every business in world can migrate to a new OS or server OS just because Microsoft decide to release one.

If you are a system engineer then the MCSE/A is the correct track for you but if you have no experience as a systems engineer then it is not.

There are certs for beginners and people wanting to get into IT and there are certs for people who work in IT.

Beginner certs are:compTIA A+, CompTIA Network+, MCTS windows 7 and at a push 70-270 but everything else is for people who work in IT.

**lfcgeorge** · 05-25-2011, 06:02 AM

Well said Greenbrucelee.

Millions of companies still use XP and Server 2003 and will do for a few more years.. Why? Well simply because they work, I mean why change something if it already works and gets the job done daily..

When I search for jobs the qualifications I see required are mostly MCSA/E. It all makes sense.

greenbrucelee · 05-25-2011, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lfcgeorge

Well said Greenbrucelee.

Millions of companies still use XP and Server 2003 and will do for a few more years.. Why? Well simply because they work, I mean why change something if it already works and gets the job done daily..

When I search for jobs the qualifications I see required are mostly MCSA/E. It all makes sense.

If your looking for jobs at your level then the MCSE etc should be required however for a begginner it shouldn't be. I mean how many IT managers in reality will let someone with no experience regardless of their certs manage, support, design and maintain their network infrastructure? the answer is none unless they are mental.

I have said this before and will say it again when your looking for jobs say for 1st line support for example and you see that the MCSE is required then that job has either been doctored up by a HR department who have no knowledge of the IT industry or it has been created by an IT manager who used to be an accountant and really doesn't know the IT business as much as he/she think he does.

highoctanerock · 05-25-2011, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greenbrucelee

If your looking for jobs at your level then the MCSE etc should be required however for a begginner it shouldn't be. I mean how many IT managers in reality will let someone with no experience regardless of their certs manage, support, design and maintain their network infrastructure? the answer is none unless they are mental.

I have said this before and will say it again when your looking for jobs say for 1st line support for example and you see that the MCSE is required then that job has either been doctored up by a HR department who have no knowledge of the IT industry or it has been created by an IT manager who used to be an accountant and really doesn't know the IT business as much as he/she think he does.

Nonsense! I take it you havent applied for jobs lately have you. Most companies require CERTIFICATIONS - EVEN WITH EXPERIENCE. If you're a seasoned IT person with years of experience behind you and you don't have certifications, well that's just stupid.

Once again GreenBrucelee another misconception of yours; Who told you that schools lie about not needing experience? I know the school I go to never made me believe experience wasn't important.

I recently had a conversation with hiring manager for a company in my area who told me his company is doing away with Server 2003. He said most companies are doing the same gradually with big jumps into Server 2008. What does that tell you? Just because some companies decide to stick with XP doesn't mean the majority are not considering or are making plans to migrate to Windows 7. It's all part of technology....

highoctanerock · 05-25-2011, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lfcgeorge

Well said Greenbrucelee.

Millions of companies still use XP and Server 2003 and will do for a few more years.. Why? Well simply because they work, I mean why change something if it already works and gets the job done daily..

When I search for jobs the qualifications I see required are mostly MCSA/E. It all makes sense.

That's probaly one of the stupidest things I've heard an IT person say - "Why change something if it already works". Jeez, I don't know because we would never progress with that kind of mentality!

We've come from Windows NT, Windows Server 2000, Windows Server 2003 and now 2008. You think engineers were saying to themselves "Why change if it already works"? Technology is about change lfcGeorge. It's a constant change. If your not comfortable with change lfcGeorge you're probably in the wrong field.

greenbrucelee · 05-25-2011, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by highoctanerock

Nonsense! I take it you havent applied for jobs lately have you. Most companies require CERTIFICATIONS - EVEN WITH EXPERIENCE. If you're a seasoned IT person with years of experience behind you and you don't have certifications, well that's just stupid.

Once again GreenBrucelee another misconception of yours; Who told you that schools lie about not needing experience? I know the school I go to never made me believe experience wasn't important.

I recently had a conversation with hiring manager for a company in my area who told me his company is doing away with Server 2003. He said most companies are doing the same gradually with big jumps into Server 2008. What does that tell you? Just because some companies decide to stick with XP doesn't mean the majority are not considering or are making plans to migrate to Windows 7. It's all part of technology....

Yes companies do require certifications but if you read what I said which I will reapeat. Having certifications beyond your experience level can be as bad as having none. I would not hire someone for their first job in IT in 1st line support who had the MCSE because the first thing I would think is that they have used braindumps to get the MCSE.

Secondly its a fact that many schools and Training providers will sell courses to people that they have no business doing say for example the CCNA. Not many IT managers will let someone with no experience regardless of wether they are a CCNA or not manage and support their CISCO kit. I have dealt with many people who have said this school or this TP said if I do this course it will get me a job and it hasn't its actually made their job search harder because they have been over certified for their experience level.

think of this analogy: just because you can drive doesn't mean you will get a job as a stock car racer. Most stock car racers start of in go karting as young kids and it takes years of experience before they do stock cars same goes for IT just because you can pass some exames, say the MCSE doesn't mean you will get a job managing and maintaining a network infrastructure without having previous experience to build up to that level.

If you goto the microsoft website it says IT professionals working towards the MCSE will have atleast 12-18 months experience and most responsible IT managers will also know this and hire accordingly.

Third yes lots of companies who have the money and resources to do so will migrate and yes thats technology but not every company has the resources or budget to so and a lot of companies will still use XP and server 2003 long after Microsoft stop supporting it in 2014 it and thats because it's trusted and they have no need to upgrade at the present time. It costs a lot to migrate just because MS bring out a new OS, windows 8 is on the horizon and you cant expects small - medium sized business to jump to that after dishing out on windows 7 this is another reason why many businesses still use xp and will still use it. I know companies that still user server 2000 and windows 2000, I know one that still has an FTP setup running windows 98.

I have certs see my sig. I have been studying IT since I was 16 and I have been working in IT for last 8 years.

**lfcgeorge** · 05-25-2011, 11:25 AM

LOL! Im talking about Server 2003-2008, theres no real MAJOR differences. You think about it, WHY did Microsoft go out of their way and hand out FREE upgrades to Windows 7 if you bought an OEM machine within a certain date? Why have ACER Machines got XP Images so you can downgrade from Windows 7>XP or vice versa? (Speaking from experience working with ACER Moldels, could be other OEMs doing the same). Why have we got Windows XP Mode within Windows 7 Virtual PC? Your going on about technology changing, do you mean Hardware? That's the main thing that's changing in todays technology world, not blooming Operating SOFTWARE Systems!

To all NON IT passionate people around the world, if they where to ask me what operating system can get my job done between XP and 7? I would say either, they both have the same performance aspects, only real thing your average Jim would notice is the visual effects of 7 and XP users would lose out in IE9, oh.. the world is over!!

You know one of the most important things a company want's from you is to bring them a secure effective IT Infrastructure at a cost-effective price. This is why theres a such thing as Site Surveys, to bring only what is needed to the office. Not all high-end technology which just sits around burning the Directors pockets.

Now go back to college and come back when you have some sort of idea of what your talking about.

greenbrucelee · 05-25-2011, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lfcgeorge

LOL! Im talking about Server 2003-2008, theres no real MAJOR differences. You think about it, WHY did Microsoft go out of their way and hand out FREE upgrades to Windows 7 if you bought an OEM machine within a certain date? Why have ACER Machines got XP Images so you can downgrade from Windows 7>XP or vice versa? (Speaking from experience working with ACER Moldels, could be other OEMs doing the same). Why have we got Windows XP Mode within Windows 7 Virtual PC? Your going on about technology changing, do you mean Hardware? That's the main thing that's changing in todays technology world, not blooming Operating SOFTWARE Systems!

To all NON IT passionate people around the world, if they where to ask me what operating system can get my job done between XP and 7? I would say either, they both have the same performance aspects, only real thing your average Jim would notice is the visual effects of 7.

Now go back to college and come back when you have some sort of idea of what your talking about.

exactly all out machines at work which are HP had the downgrade option and guess what they have all been downgraded.

And yes thats what I mean by not all companies have the resources to upgrade to a new OS because it means upgrading the hardware too. It was the same when they was the big fuss when NT 3.51 was released it did its job so why bother changing.