An MCSA/MCSE Training Kit designed to help maximize your performance on Exam 70-284, an elective for the new Microsoft Windows Server 2003 certification. This kit packs the tools and features exam candidates want most - including in-depth, self-paced training based on final exam content; exam tips from an expert, exam-certified author; and a robust testing suite. It also provides real-world scenarios, case study examples, and troubleshooting labs for the skills and expertise you can apply to the job. Focusing on managing a Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 - based messaging system, the official study guide covers topics from installation and configuration to managing, monitoring, and troubleshooting server performance, security features, recipient objects and address lists, and supportive technologies. Ace your exam preparation by working at your own pace through the lessons, hands-on exercises, and practice tests. The flexible, best-of-class test engine on CD-ROM features 300 practice questions. Choose timed or untimed testing mode; generate random tests or focus on discrete objectives or chapters; and get detailed explanations for right and wrong answers - including pointers back to the book for further study.

Amazon.com® Reader Reviews (Ranked by Helpfulness)

Average Amazon.com® Rating:  Based on 52 Ratings

Covers the concepts needed to pass - 2009-04-06
Reviewer Rating:
I originally received this book from my company since they are requiring each tech in our company to pass both the 70-290 and the 70-291. Initially looking through the book I was scepticle that it would adequately prepare me.
After 1.5 months studying 2-3 hours daily and using this book as my primary source I passed with an 842. A coworker also used this book and passed with a 905.

Each section seemed to cover the topics adquately and even more the reading of it was not dry and difficult as I expected. Both of us especially focused on each Exam Tip which is frequently emphasized throughout the book. We typed these out into about 15 pages of single spaced notes we used to review serveral times a week.

A note about my work experience. Many of the topics in this book were mostly unfamiliar with me. Concepts such as TCP/IP Troubeshotting and DHCP I use regularly and the chapters about this were more of a review for me. However, I rarely if ever do anything with DNS, IPSEC, Shadow Copies, WSUS, Security Monitor, Replication Monitor, Network Monitor, Routing and Remote Access, etc as part of my normal job. I went into these sections with at best a novice understanding and at time no experience at all before studying. Yet by the time I took the test I scored well in all areas except Routing and Remote Access.
My recommended study steps is...

1. Read the book once through for a general overvue. Highlight anything that is not familiar to you.

2. Read through the book a 2nd time especially focusing on things you are unfamiliar with. Make notecards of every command line command with switches that are discussed in the book. These will be on the exam.

3. Read the Exam tips at least 5-7 times before taking the exam.

4. Google anything that does not seem to be clear from the book or that seems confusing. The only thing I had to do this on was for the NSlookup command. I found a few websites that were great expalining what to use this command for.

5. Set a realistic test date to push yourself as the test nears. Not setting a date (for me) can be a recipe for not being focused and taking it much later than I should.

Good luck with it!

Excellent Book! - 2009-02-14
Reviewer Rating:
I don't know if it's because I've studied IP subnetting in the past, but this book presented it in a way where I was able to make the most sense out of it.
I've used 3 books from Microsoft Press now and have made a decision to stay with these books for my MS certs.

MCSA/MCSE Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-291): - 2009-06-15
Reviewer Rating:
70-191 test is 48 questions. I spent a month reading the book and qoing over the test prep and failed by 4 points. ARG! The book is detailed and well put together. I would recommend reading this in conjunction with Test King's question and answer guide as well.
Happy Studying!

Another good study aid from MS press books - 2009-01-25
Reviewer Rating:
This book goes into a lot of depth in certain areas that will make your head swim at first, I read it twice and even then used Sybex and CBT and Testout. DNS and RRAS are some pretty tough areas unless you do this sort of task almost daily in your job function. I used 2 Server 2003 SP2 machines for my labs plus an XP machine. If you use it live temporarily at home for the labs make sure you unplug your switch if used or unplug them when done in case you forget to undo the tasks you had just done for the lab- otherwise you'll be scratching your head wondering why the rest of your home pc's can't get out. Other users claim the 70-291 test is "the beast" and I concur, if you just read and don't do your labwork you're destined to fail. The test really expects you to know what you're doing and remember answers can appear to be correct but might be off just a hair. Overall a very good study aid, I used 7 months between 70-290 and this one to prepare and made sure I felt comfortable knowing all areas. The payoff is super if you pay the cost studying now!

Good resource for system administration but out of date for an exam - 2009-01-22
Reviewer Rating:
I used this book for the primary purpose of getting in depth in windows 2003 and simplified my job and the secondary purpose for taking MCSA certificated.

Well, this book is written in a very easy way to get understanding and most of useful information that I could learn from this book in order to simplified my system administration at my workplace. My favourite chapter was DNS and DHCP but I got a little bit stuck in the chapter of RAS. While RAS chapter require me to have a lot of equipment to hand on the practice, its also difficult to understand while this subject is a little bit complex. The practic procedule on chapter 11 also did not well description which get me confuse with the procedure to test with Security template. Read charefully on the practice test on this chapter.

Whether Windows 2003 already release its services pack 2, i recommend the reader to read the latest edition of this book before prepare for an exam.

Thank,
Kanel

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