Get in-depth exam preparation for Exam 70-431, the core MCTS exam for the new Microsoft IT Professional certifications—as you build real-world job skills. Includes reviews, case studies, code samples, and more.

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Average Amazon.com® Rating:  Based on 49 Ratings

A superb guide to SQL 2005 - 2009-09-25
Reviewer Rating:
This text book is simply superb.
It begins with the assumption that you are new to everything SQL and introduces the theory and necessary practices to get you up to speed in SQL Server 2005 implementation and maintenance as quickly as possible. The book requires dedication and time to work through. Most of the practices, particularly those involving the use of SQL Server Management Studio wizards and dialog boxes ( the graphical interface of SQL ) are superbly explained. SQL Server Agent Jobs, Database Snapshots, Mirroring and Log Shipping to name but a few are all beautifully presented and one can certainly apply the book lessons quickly in a work environment. However SQL 2005 implementation and maintenance involves more than just the use of the graphical user interface. Database Administrators must be comfortable working with Transact SQL. The book introduces Transact SQL and moves through the structure and syntax of the language at pace. Those users coming from a non programming background or with no previous exposure to older versions of SQL Server will most probably find Transact SQL challenging and may require further study in the topic beyond that provided by the text book. Overall though an excellant book, both as a preparatory guide for the Microsoft SQL Server 2005 exam and a reference guide. Highly recommended.

All you need to pass the exam - 2009-09-24
Reviewer Rating:
The exam is half Q&A, half simulation. I passed the exam (960/1000) using only this book, and several web blogs that discussed this exam and it's simulation questions.

You must practice with SSMS if you want any hope to pass the sims. My office is still SS 2000, so here is what I did to prepare:
1. spent $500 on parts from New Egg to build a test box (quad core, 4 gig memory)
2. installed VMware ESXi v4.0 hypervisor (it's free) ... the MS hyperV product is crap!
3. created 4 separate virtual servers
4. installed Windows 2003 (I am MSDN so easy for me) & SS 2005 (free with this book) on all 4 servers
5. installed AdventureWorks
6. backed up the template so I could restore a server to 'fresh & clean' in 5 minutes
7. worked most of the examples in the book, includng Mirroring, Clustering, Alerts, Log Shipping, Linked Servers, etc.

The questions on the CD are excellent practices for the real exam.

For the SSMS simulation:
1. know how to configure Linked Servers (especially the different security models)
2. know how to set up backup & restore operations
3. *NOTE* MS Best-Practices - if you change from Full recovery to Bulk-Logged, set TORN_PAGE_DETECTION ... not mentioned in the book, but found the hint on a blog.
4. know how to read Activity Monitor

Outside of the hands-on skills you need, this book is the only material you need to study. I found it lively and entertaining ... quite exciting to read. The 70-444 book will put you to sleep!

Nice resource for study - 2009-09-07
Reviewer Rating:
Some people are going to tell you that to pass an exam you will not need the books, I tell you that you must read and practice with the books. They are a great source of information and goes beyond from answer exams questions.

Very good book! - 2009-08-30
Reviewer Rating:
This exam material, as another microsoft's material, is a great way to study for certification exam. It explains whit several details about the contents. I recommend!!!!

Great beginning - 2009-07-05
Reviewer Rating:
This book was a team effort from the Solid Quality Learning team. The authors include: Daren Bieniek, Randy Dyess, Mike Hotek, Javier Loria, Adam Machanic, Antonia Soto and Adolfo Wiernik. In my experience, sometimes group projects like that fail because of too many hands in the pot. Not in this case. This book is excellently written. The Self-Paced Training Kits (SPTK), are designed for just that - for a person to be able to buy it, and work through the material, either to prepare for the certification exam, or because they want to deepen their knowledge of a product, to either be more proficient in their job or to advance their career. This book will help reach all of those objectives and more. At nearly a thousand pages it is chock full of information to absorb; fortunately it is structured in such a way as to make that possible.

Each chapter begins with a brief introduction of the concepts to be covered. Each concept has its own section. Then there is a great lesson Summary to review and highlight the objectives of the chapters and what you should now know. Then there is a written review, both theoretical questions and practical case studies. The software on the student CD, has self tests, that can be used for chapter review of certification prep. They can be used both in a learning mode or exam mode.

This book was used in the Microsoft academy that I attended. It is a great resource that I am sure to reference for years to come.

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