MCSE-WHICH TRACK TO CHOOSE?

• MCSA Windows Server 2012 is the pre-requisite to a range of MCSE qualifications.

• The MCSE: Messaging and MCSE: Communications tracks are for those specializing in Exchange Server and Lync Server technologies.

• The MCSE: SharePoint track is also an option for those planning to work with SharePoint on a regular basis.

MOVING ON FROM MCSA

• They include the MCSE: Server Infrastructure, MCSE: Private Cloud, and Microsoft Specialist: Server Virtualization with Windows Server and System Center qualifications.

THE “NOT SO EASY” ONES

Take a look at your job role and ask yourself the following questions:

– How much do I work with System Center 2012 R2?

– How much do I work with Microsoft Virtualization technologies?

CHOOSING THE RIGHT ONE FOR YOU

• You work primarily with Microsoft infrastructure, using Microsoft Virtualization and want to evaluate the System Center 2012 R2 suite:

SCENARIO 1

• Exam 70-413 Designing and implementing a server infrastructure – The MCSA is concerned with how the roles work and how they are configured, the MCSE: Server Infrastructure is concerned with how the roles work together. Candidates must consider design scenarios created to test how they would fulfill particular design briefs.

• Exam 70-414 Implementing an Advanced Server Infrastructure – This exam introduces the System Center 2012 R2 suite of products. You will look at Virtual Machine Manager, Operations Manager, Data Protection Manager, Orchestrator and Service Manager. If you are not sure as to whether the System Center suite is for you, then by the end of your MCSE: Server Infrastructure study you will have a clear idea of how each of the suite's products fits together, how System Center works with Server 2012 and how well the suite will fit in to your network.

MCSE: SERVER INFRASTRUCTURE IS THE CHOICE FOR YOU.

• You work primarily with Microsoft infrastructure and you use Hyper-V and Virtual Machine Manager to manage your virtualization environment. Or you currently work with a third-party hypervisor and will be transitioning to Hyper-V and Virtual Machine Manager.

SCENARIO 2

• Exam 74-409 Server Virtualization with Windows Server and System Center – This exam tests a candidate's knowledge in two key areas. First, you must understand all out-of-the-box features for Windows Server 2012 R2 Hyper-V role, including Networking, Storage, VM creation and settings, and high-availability features such has Hyper-V failover clustering and Hyper-V Replica.

• Secondly, candidates will require detailed knowledge of System Center Virtual Machine Manager, including Installation of VMM, Virtual Machine deployment, backup and restore of your VMM environment, Networking and cloud resources.

• You will be able to implement a virtualized environment on a network using Windows Server 2012 R2 and System Center 2012 R2 Virtual Machine Manager.

MICROSOFT SPECIALIST: SERVER VIRTUALIZATION WITH WINDOWS SERVER AND SYSTEM CENTER IS FOR YOU

• You work in a datacenter managing the virtual environment for your internal business units or for your customers. You now wish to gain an in-depth knowledge of the System Center 2012 R2 product suite.

SCENARIO 3

• Exam 70-247 Configuring and Deploying a Private Cloud with System Center 2012 R2 – This exam tests a candidate's knowledge on installing and configuring Virtual Machine Manager, Operations Manager, Data Protection Manager, App Controller, Orchestrator and Service Manager. Unlike Exam 70-414, which only covers an overview of these products, 70-247 focuses on each of these in detail. You will gain knowledge required to install these products in their environments, driving automation and centralized control over their resources.

• Exam 70-246 Monitoring and Operating a Private Cloud with System Center 2012 – This exam is concerned with the centralized monitoring of the System Center suite itself, and covers the Service Manager product in greater detail.

MCSE: PRIVATE CLOUD IS FOR YOU