70-227

(70-227) ISA Server 2000

SYNOPSIS • MCSA 2003 ^vs • MCSE 2000 ^vs • MCSE 2003 ^vs

Microsoft’s exam 70-227, “Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration (ISA) Server 2000, Enterprise Edition?is an elective requirement for these certifications: MCSE (Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer) on Microsoft Windows 2000; and MCSE (Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer) on Microsoft Windows NT 4.0.

It is designed for candidates who “operate in medium to very large computing environments that use the Microsoft Windows 2000 Server operating system.?Moreover, candidates should “have a basic understanding of DNS, FTP, HTTP, HTTPS, IMAP, POP3, RDP, SMTP, and SSL.?
There is no specific prerequisite for this exam, but Microsoft recommends that candidates have “a minimum of one year experience implementing and administering network operating systems?in the type of environment described here.

This exam is moderately difficult and costs $125 USD. It may be taken from Pearson Vue or Thomson Prometric.

At one time this exam had a passing score of around 720, but this is subject to change. “Beginning with the release of the Microsoft Windows Server?2003–related exams, Microsoft will provide numerical scores on exams. By the end of September 2003, most exams will have the new score report format, which includes this numerical score... The new scale requires a minimum passing score of 700 on all exams. The maximum score on the exams will vary depending on the complexity of the skills being measured.?- Microsoft Exam and Testing Procedures FAQ

Note that Microsoft does not document the format of a particular exam: “Microsoft exams might include adaptive testing technology and simulation items. Microsoft does not identify the format in which exams are presented.?In the past, though, this exam was form-based multiple choice with around 55 questions.

The topics covered by this exam include:

• Installing ISA Server
• Configuring and Troubleshooting ISA Server Services
• Configuring, Managing, and Troubleshooting Policies and Rules
• Deploying, Configuring, and Troubleshooting the Client Computer
• Monitoring, Managing, and Analyzing ISA Server Use

For more information:
http://www.microsoft.com/traincert/exams/70-227.asp