(70-299) Server 2003 Network Security Admin

SYNOPSIS • MCSA 2003 ^vs • MCSE 2003 ^vs

Microsoft’s exam 70-299, “Implementing and Administering Security for a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network?is a core or elective requirement for the MCSE (Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer) on Microsoft Windows 2003, MCSE (Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer):Security on Microsoft Windows 2003, MCSA (Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator): Security on Microsoft Windows Server 2003 or MCSA (Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator) on Microsoft Windows Server 2003 certifications. It is designed for candidates who “operate in medium to very large computing environments that use the Windows Server 2003 network operating system.?There is no specific prerequisite for this exam but Microsoft recommends that candidates have “a minimum of 6 to 12 months of experience designing network infrastructures? in the type of environment described here.

As well, Microsoft says that a candidate “should have at least 6 to 12 months of experience administering client and network operating systems in environments that have the following characteristics:

• 250 to 5,000 or more users
• Three or more physical locations
• Three or more domain controllers
• Network services and resources such as messaging, database, file and print, proxy server, firewall, public key infrastructure (PKI), Internet, intranet, remote access, and client computer management
• Connectivity requirements such as connecting branch offices and individual users in remote locations to the corporate network and connecting corporate networks to the Internet

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

“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.?

The topics covered by this exam include:

• Implementing, Managing, and Troubleshooting Security Policies
• Implementing, Managing, and Troubleshooting Patch Management Infrastructure
• Implementing, Managing, and Troubleshooting Security for Network Communications
• Planning, Configuring, and Troubleshooting Authentication, Authorization, and PKI

For more information:
http://www.microsoft.com/traincert/exams/70-299.asp