Product Description

Written by the premier author in Windows administration, William Stanek, and addressing the needs of Windows 2003 administrators preparing for the Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) exams, MCSE Core Required Exams in a Nutshell is invaluable. With the recent revisions of the MCSE exams including simulations, success is even more difficult. Not only does this book provide the resources administrators need to succeed on the exams, but to succeed in the real world as well. They can think of this book as the notes they would have highlighted and then recorded for every essential nugget of information related to the skills measured in Exams 70-290, 70-291, 70-293, and 70-294 (and by association Exams 70-292 and 70-296).

To begin with, MCSE Core Required Exams in a Nutshell allows readers to see all of the topics expected for mastery in each of the exams. Then, each exam is covered in three parts: Exam Overview, Study Guide, and Test Your Knowledge sections. This makes for easy reference and a great study aid. The Exams covered include:

• EXAM 70-290: Managing and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Environment
• EXAM 70-291: Implementing, Managing, and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure
• EXAM 70-293: Planning and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure
• EXAM 70-294: Planning, Implementing, and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Active Directory Infrastructure

Once they have completed the exams successfully, administrators will find the book to be a valuable reference to core Windows administration skills.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #73496 in Books
• Published on: 2006-05-19
• Format: Illustrated
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 736 pages

About the Author
William R. Stanek has over 20 years of hands-on experience with advanced programming and development. He has written 61 books including: "Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Administrator's Pocket Consultant", "Windows Server 2003 Inside Out", "Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 Administrator's Pocket Consultant", and "Microsoft IIS 6.0 Administrator's Pocket Consultant". These are currently the best sellers in their respective markets. Mr. Stanek has an MS degree in Information Systems with distinction, and a BS degree in Computer Science magna cum laude. He served in the Persian Gulf War as a combat crewmember on an electronic warfare aircraft. He flew on numerous combat missions into Iraq and was awarded nine medals for his wartime service, including one of the United States of America's highest honors, the Air Force Distinguished Flying Cross. Currently, he resides in the Pacific Northwest with his wife and children.

Customer Reviews

Super as a final review before the test.
This is a very well written book with a lot of very important information in it. I believe that it is the only MCSA/MCSE resource I have come across yet that has a section on WSUS which is lightly tested on 70-290. I used this book as my sole study literature for the 70-290 and passed with a score of 828. Of course I did use testing software, but this was the major source. I found the material for that test to be spot on. Just a few weeks ago I used this book for my final review after studying for the 70-291 (failing with a 678, one question in DNS would have done it) and again found it to be very useful. However, with the depth of the testing done for the 70-291 it is difficult to say this book is sufficient even for a final review of the 70-291. It is true that the book covers the most essential concepts for topics such as DNS, but my experience from my test and from discussing with others (some of whom had taken the test multiple times before passing) is that this test focuses much more on the advanced points of DNS than it does on the essentials. It is simply assumed that you have mastered the fundamentals and I believe the book, as "the notes you should have taken," should focus more on those advanced topics and only outline the basics.

Final verdict: four stars.

70-290: An excellent pretest, final review.

70-291: Adequate to very good in all topics except DNS. I highly recommend Windows Server 2003 Help and Support as well as TechNet for some of the finer points on this. I also highly suggest supplementing lots of labs on WSUS for this test as well. *I passed my 70-291 and there was even more WSUS on the it the second time.*

70-293: Very good review. I do have to disagree with the author's observation that the 293 is the hardest of the core exams. It was certainly easier in my opinion than the 291. The material covered was essential and the final test/labs were very in line with the test.

70-294: This book certainly covers the 290 and 294 the best. I read the MOAC book, used the included test prep software and reviewed with this book and passed. It was all I needed. The coverage it gives for this test is very practical and easy to read and under stand.

I believe this is a very good boook to help you pass the tests and will serve you well as a refresher for any technical interviews.

Extremely informative
This book explains everything dealing with Server 2003, it's a great investment, if you're trying to obtain your certifications, this is a great guide to use. It provides explanations and details of key components needed to know for the tests. Also, there are practice tests at the end of each study guide within the book!

It's truly worth the money!!

Poor Choice
This book is poor. The editing is horrible with lots of confusing language.