Upgrading Your MCSE Certification on Windows Server 2003

Upgrading Your MCSE Certification on Windows Server 2003

You have your MCSE on Windows Server 2003, and you want to upgrade to Windows Server 2008. The first thing to remember is that this is a series of new certifications and, while there is an upgrade path, you are not earning an MCSA or MCSE on Windows Server 2008. Rather, you will earn a MCTS or MCITP on Windows Server 2008. Also remember that the era of the MCSA/MCSE certifications has ended – it is now MCTS and MCITP (and others beyond the scope intended here), and they have an entirely different focus.





The Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) is concerned with and focused on a deep understanding and use of a specific Microsoft product. The MCITP, on the other hand, represents a broader view of a series of products or integrated products, and it is concerned with planning and developing of the network architecture and design. The important thing to remember is that the MCTS is not
a prerequisite for the MCITP,

per se. In other words, you earn the MCTS de facto by simply passing the required tests for MCITP. You will earn the MCTS on several products if your goal is to earn the MCITP Server Administrator or Enterprise



Administrator on Windows Server 2008.

There are two MCITP tracks available for Windows Server 2008, the MCITP: Server Administrator or the MCITP: Enterprise Administrator (doesn’t mean you can’t get both; they are two separate certifications with different requirements and target audiences). Regardless of which track you
wish to pursue, you will need to take the 70-649 TS: Upgrading your MCSE on Windows Server 2003 to Windows Server 2008,
Technology Specialist exam. Passing this exam will earn you the: MCTS: Windows Server 2008 Active Directory, Configuration (equivalent to the 70-640 exam), the MCTS: Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure Configuration (equivalent to the 70-642 exam), and the MCTS: Window Server 2008

Application Infrastructure Configuration (equivalent to the 70-643 exam). One thing to keep in mind is that if you take and pass the 70-649 test, you also earn the same MCTS certifications that you would have earned by just taking the 70-648 exam.



Now that you have the 70-649 exam, you can decide which of the
MCITP tracks you
wish to pursue. If you want to earn the MCITP: Server Administrator, then you will need to pass the 70-646 Pro: Windows Server 2008, Server Administrator exam. If, on the other hand, you are interested in the MCITP: Enterprise Administrator, you still need to take the 70-649 TS: Upgrading your MCSE on Windows Server 2003 to Windows Server 2008, Technology Specialist, but in addition, you
will also need to take two other tests (for a total of 3 tests).

You can take either the 70-620: TS Microsoft Windows Vista,
Configuring OR70-624 TS: Deploying and Maintaining Windows Vista Client and 2007 Microsoft Office System Desktop (your choice here, but one of the two is required). The last test you need to take is the 70-647: Windows Server 2008, Enterprise Administrator. Once
you have taken all three – congratulations, you are now a MCITP: Enterprise Administrator. The value of certifications cannot be over-emphasized. A certification clearly demonstrates that an individual has met certain requirements and has a specific level of knowledge and skills. There have been significant changes to the Microsoft Certification programs in response to new technologies,
and pressure from companies and individuals. Introducing a differentiation of the ubiquitous MCP
Certification (take a test, any test, and you are an MCP) and the MCTS (product-specific) provides a qualitative approach to certification and applicability to job roles. The new MCITP certification relates more closely to the real job roles of IT professionals as it
can cover multiple disciplines. Understanding the upgrade path from Windows Server 2003 to 2008 can be daunting. There are several exams that can be used for different certifications and just understanding the difference
between the MCTS and the MCITP can be challenging, but very rewarding in the end.



Conclusion

There must be value and worth in earning a Microsoft certification if the program has lasted over 16 years and granted over 2 million certifications. Our old friend the MCSE is soon to phased
out. Those who hold this cherished certification should be proud of their achievements, and those who are on the path to earn the new
MCITP will continue the Microsoft Certification tradition established in 1992. While the new certifications have different names and professional focus, they will still command respect within the IT community. Their relevancy is assured by tying the MCTS to a particular product and demanding a deep knowledge of this product. The MCITP assures that anyone possessing this certification has a breadth of knowledge on various products and is concerned with the network architecture and design. These are exciting times in the Microsoft Certification world.



Learn More

Learn more about how you can improve productivity, enhance efficiency, and sharpen your competitive edge.

Check out the following Testkingdom courses:

Microsoft 2003 MCSA Self Study

Microsoft 2003 MCSE Self Study 

MCITP: Database Administrator Self Study 

MCITP: Enterprise Administrator Upgrade Self Study

MCITP: Enterprise Support Technician Self Study

MCITP: Server Administrator Self Study

MCITP: Server and Enterprise Administrator Combo Self Study

Managing Projects with Microsoft Office Project Server 2007 Self Study

MCTS: Microsoft Exchange Server 2007, Configuration Self Study



For more information  visit http://www.testkingdom.com or mail us
support@testkingdom.com to get direct consoling training advisor.
Our courses and enhanced, hands-on labs offer practical skills and tips that you can immediately put to use.

Our expert instructors draw upon their experiences to help you understand key concepts and how to apply them to your specific work situation. Choose from our more than 700 courses, delivered through Classrooms, e-Learning, and On-site sessions, to meet your IT and business training needs.

Upgrading Your MCSA on Windows Server 2003 Certification

Upgrading Your MCSA on Windows Server 2003 Certification

Let us say that you have your MCSA on Windows Server 2003, and you want to
upgrade your certification to Windows Server 2008, or you are not certified at
all on Windows Server 2003 and want to earn your
MCTS on Windows Server 2008. The first
thing to remember is that this is a series of new certifications and while there
is an upgrade path from Server 2003 to Server 2008, you are NOT earning an MCSE
on Windows Server 2008,

rather an MCTS or MCITP on windows
Server 2008. Also remember that the era of the
MCSA/MCSE certifications has ended –
it is now MCTS and MCITP (and others beyond the scope covered here) and have an
entirely different focus.

MCITP Online Training
- MCITP Online Certification -
MCITP Online Exams

The Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) has a different focus
then the Microsoft Certified Information Technology Professional (MCITP), and
the former is not a prerequisite for the latter (nor is it a “lesser”
certification!). The MCTS certification
is aimed at IT professionals who work with a specific Microsoft product or
platform. An IT pro who has earned an MCTS is expected to possess depth and
breadth of knowledge

and skills on a particular product or platform. They are expected to manage and
maintain the product or platform on a daily basis. They are also more concerned
with the day-to-day operations and short-term planning rather than long-term
planning and design and design.









There are three MCTS tracks available on Windows Server 2008:

MCTS: Windows Server 2008 Active Directory Configuration; MCTS: Windows Server
2008 Network Infrastructure Configuration, and MCTS: Windows Server 2008
Applications Infrastructure Configuration. You can take each of the tests
individually, or you can take the upgrade path by taking only one test. The
easiest route to upgrade your certification, if you are already an MCSA on
Windows Server 2003, is take (and pass, of course) the 70-648 TS: Upgrading your
MCSA on Windows Server 2003 to Windows Server 2008, Technology Specialist exam.
Passing this exam will earn you the MCTS: Windows Server 2008 Active Directory,
Configuration (equivalent to the 70-640 exam) and the MCTS: Windows Server 2008
Network Infrastructure Configuration (equivalent to the 70-642 exam). The last
of the three MCTS certifications – MCTS: Window Server 2008 Application
Infrastructure Configuration – is earned by passing the 70-643 exam. The other
part to earning your MCTS on any one of the three paths is to pass the 70-646
exam Windows Server 2008, Server Administrator.