Saturday, February 9, 2008

SQL Server 2008 certifications

Microsoft has released some news on SQL Server 2008 certifications. In short, they'll be releasing three MCTS certifications this year based on three roles. Each role will require one exam to earn the MCTS certification.
  • Database Administrator
  • Database Developer
  • Business Intelligence Developer

There will also be three MCITP tracks geared to the same three roles. The SQL 2008 MCITP tracks arent' decided yet and probably won't come out until about six months after SQL Server 2008 goes live (Q3 2008).

The three MCTS Certifications will be:

  1. 70-432
    MCTS: SQL Server 2008, Implementation and Maintenance
    Role: Database Administrator
    Expected go live date: August 2008
    Beta target: June 2008
    Focused on Database Admin role, unlike the 70-431 exam which covers multiple roles
    Test topics ():
    - Installing and configuring
    - Maintaining SQL Instances
    - Managing Security
    - Maintaining a database
    - Data Management Tasks
    - Monitoring and Troubleshooting
    - Optimizing
    - Implementing High Availability

  2. 70-433
    MCTS: SQL Server 2008, Database Development
    Role: Database Developer
    Expected go live date: September 2008
    Beta target: July 2008
    Test topics (not complete yet):
    - T-SQL (triggers, stored procedures, views)
    - Connecting to Datasources

  3. 70-448
    MCTS: SQL Server 2008, Business Intelligence Development and Maintenance
    Role: Business Intelligence Developer
    Expected go live date: August 2008
    Beta target: June 2008
    Test topics (not complete yet, similar to 70-445):
    - Configuring, deploying, maintaining, and implementing
    - SSIS
    - SSRS
    - SSAS

A common question is, which certification should I pursure? MCDBA (SQL Server 2000), MCITP SQL Server 2005 or MCTS SQL Server 2008?

This largely depends on what your company is using. You should pursue what your company wants you to pursue. But, if foresee your job changing in the six months or so, here's what I see:

  • SQL Server 2000 maintream support ends in April 8, 2008. Additionally, you can no longer take any MCDBA exams after March 2009.
  • SQL Server 2005 is established with SP2 currently out.
  • SQL Server 2008 isn't even released and many businesses don't want to give it a try until SP1 is released.

With this information, if you or your company are unsure which certification, I suggest SQL Server 2005. Additionally, if you're certifiec in SQL Server 2005, it'll only take one test to become both a MCTS and a MCITP in SQL Server 2008 (though that one test won't be out until 2009).

If you're interested in SQL Server 2005 MCITP certifications you can check out these books:

Darril Gibson
http://mcitpsuccess.com/



Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Windows Server 2008 certifications

It's official. Microsoft has released Server 2008 to manufacturing.

With the RTM version out, you might be interested in the new MCITP certifications.
Unlike Windows Server 2003 which have MCSA and MCSE certifications, Windows Server 2008 has MCITP: Server Administrator and MCITP: Server Engineer.

Here are the required tests if you're taking them from scratch:

MCITP: Server Administrator
  1. 70-642: TS: Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure, Configuring

  2. 70-640: TS: Windows Server 2008 Active Directory, Configuring

  3. 70-646: Pro: Windows Server 2008 Administrator

MCITP: Enterprise Administrator

  1. 70-620: TS: Configuring Microsoft Windows Vista Client
    Or 70-624: TS: Deploying and Maintaining Windows Vista Client & Office
    Or 70-621: PRO: Upgrading Your MCDST Certification to MCITP Enterprise Support
  2. 70-643: TS: Windows Server 2008 Applications Platform, Configuring
  3. 70-642: TS: Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure, Configuring
  4. 70-640: TS: Windows Server 2008 Active Directory, Configuring
  5. 70-647: Pro: Windows Server 2008 Enterprise Administrator

There's also an upgrade path if you're an MCSA or MCSE.

MCSA Upgrade Path

If you're an MCSA, you can take the 70-648 upgrade exam

Once you pass, you'll get credit for these two exams:

  1. 70-642: TS: Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure, Configuring
  2. 70-640: TS: Windows Server 2008 Active Directory, Configuring

You will then need to take:

  1. 70-646: Pro: Windows Server 2008 Administrator

MCSE Upgrade Path

If you're an MCSE, you can take:

Once you pass, you'll get credit for these three exams:

  1. 70-642: TS: Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure, Configuring
  2. 70-640: TS: Windows Server 2008 Active Directory, Configuring
  3. 70-647: Pro: Windows Server 2008 Enterprise Administrator

You will then need to take:

  1. 70-647: Pro: Windows Server 2008 Enterprise Administrator
  2. 70-620: TS: Configuring Microsoft Windows Vista Client
    Or 70-624: TS: Deploying and Maintaining Windows Vista Client & Office
    Or 70-621: PRO: Upgrading Your MCDST Certification to MCITP Enterprise Support

There aren't many books out there yet covering the information you need for the Windows Server 2008 exams, but many are being written as we speak.

While you're waiting on them, you might like to finish up your MCITP: Database Administrator certification. There are books available for this MCITP certification.

Darril Gibson
http://mcitpsuccess.com/