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Self-Assessment
Self-Assessment
Based on recent statistics from Novell, as many as 300,000 individuals are at some stage of the certification process but haven't yet received Certified Novell Administrator (CNA), Certified Novell Engineer (CNE), or other Novell certification. We also know that easily twice that number may be considering whether to obtain Novell certification of some kind. That's a huge audience!
The reason we include a self-assessment in this Exam Cram 2 book is to help you evaluate your readiness to tackle CNE (and even the Master CNE [MCNE]) certification. It should also help you understand what you need in order to master the topic of this book—namely, Test 050-676, “Upgrading to NetWare 6.” But before you tackle this self-assessment, let's talk about concerns you may face when pursuing CNE certification and what an ideal CNE candidate might look like.
CNEs in the Real World
The following section describes an ideal CNE candidate, but we know full well that only a few real candidates meet that ideal. In fact, our description of that ideal candidate might seem downright scary. But take heart: Although the requirements to obtain CNE certification might seem pretty formidable, they are by no means impossible to meet. However, you should be keenly aware that it does take time, requires some expense, and consumes substantial effort to get through the process.
More than 150,000 CNEs are already certified, so CNE certification is obviously an attainable goal. You can get all the real-world motivation you need from knowing that many others have gone before, so you'll be able to follow in their footsteps. If you're willing to tackle the process seriously and do what it takes to obtain the necessary experience and knowledge, you can take—and pass—all the certification tests involved in obtaining CNE certification. In fact, we've designed these Exam Cram 2s to make it as easy on you as possible to prepare for these exams. But prepare you must!
The same, of course, is true for other Novell certifications, including these:
Certified Novell Administrator (CNA)— This entry-level certification requires passing a single core exam in NetWare 6, 5, or 4/intraNetWare, or GroupWise 5.
Master CNE (MCNE)— This certification requires NetWare 6 CNE certification, CompTIA's IT Project+ certification, passing an additional three exams (including one core exam), and completion of the Novell Education Certification Agreement. Current MCNEs wanting to recertify must fulfill the same requirements except for the additional exams.
Certified Directory Engineer (CDE)— This certification requires a senior-level certification such as Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE), Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP), Cisco Certified Internetworking Expert (CCIE), or IBM Certified Specialist, plus two core exams and a live laboratory exam.
Other Novell certifications— The requirements for these certifications range from one or more tests (Novell Authorized Instructor [NAI] or Certified Novell Instructor [CNI]), plus a requirement for minimum time spent as an instructor (Master CNI [MCNI]).
The Ideal CNE Candidate
To give you some idea of what an ideal CNE candidate is like, here are some relevant statistics about the background and experience such an individual might have:
Don't worry if you don't meet these qualifications or even come very close—this is a far from an ideal world, and where you fall short is simply where you'll have more work to do. |
Academic or professional training in network theory, concepts, and operations. This includes everything from networking media and transmission techniques through network operating systems, services, protocols, routing algorithms, and applications.
Four or more years of professional networking experience, including experience with Ethernet, Token Ring, modems, and other networking media. This must include installation, configuration, upgrading, and troubleshooting experience, plus some experience working with and supporting users in a networked environment.
Two or more years in a networked environment that includes hands-on experience with NetWare 5.x and NetWare 6. Some knowledge of NetWare 4.x is also advisable, especially on networks where this product remains in use. Individuals must also acquire a solid understanding of each system's architecture, installation, configuration, maintenance, and troubleshooting techniques. An ability to run down and research information about software, hardware components, systems, and technologies on the Internet and elsewhere is also becoming an essential job skill.
A thorough understanding of key networking protocols, addressing, and name resolution, including Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), Internetwork Packet Exchange/Sequenced Packet Exchange (IPX/SPX), Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP), and Service Location Protocol (SLP) version 2.
A thorough understanding of Novell's naming services, Directory Services, and file and print services.
Familiarity with key NetWare-based TCP/IP-based services, including Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) Web servers, Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP), and Domain Name System (DNS); familiarity with one or more of the following: ZENworks, BorderManager, GroupWise, and ManageWise; and familiarity with other supporting Novell products and partner offerings.
Working knowledge of Windows NT and Windows 2000 (the server and workstation versions) and knowledge of Microsoft implementation of key technologies, such as Internet Information Server (IIS), Internet Explorer, and Windows Internet Name Service (WINS).
To meet all these qualifications, you'd need a bachelor's degree in computer science, plus three or more years of work experience in a technical position involving network design, installation, configuration, and maintenance. We believe that fewer than half of all CNE candidates meet these requirements and that, in fact, most meet fewer than half of these requirements—at least when they begin the certification process. But because all 150,000 people who already have been certified have survived this ordeal, you can survive it, too—especially if you heed what this self-assessment can tell you about what you already know and what you need to learn.
Putting Yourself to the Test
The following series of questions and observations is designed to help you figure out how much work you must do to pursue Novell certification and what types of resources you may consult on your quest. You should be absolutely honest in your answers, or you'll end up wasting money on exams you're not yet ready to take. There are no right or wrong answers—only steps along the path to certification. Only you can decide where you really belong in the broad spectrum of aspiring candidates.
Two things should be clear from the outset, however:
Even a modest background in computer science will be helpful.
Hands-on experience with Novell products and technologies is an essential ingredient to certification success. If you don't already have it, you'll need to get some along the way; if you do already have it, you still need to get more along the way!
Educational Background
The following questions concern your level of technical computer experience and training. Depending on your answers to these questions, you might need to review some additional resources to get your knowledge up to speed for the types of questions that you will encounter on Novell certifications tests.
Have you ever taken any computer-related classes? [Yes or No]
If Yes, proceed to question 2; if No, proceed to question 4.
Have you taken any classes on computer operating systems? [Yes or No]
If Yes, you'll probably be able to handle Novell's architecture and system component discussions. If you're rusty, you should brush up on basic operating system concepts, especially virtual memory, multitasking regimes, program load and unload behaviors, and general computer security topics.
If No, you should consider some basic reading in this area. We strongly recommend a good general operating systems book, such as Operating System Concepts by Abraham Silberschatz, Peter Baer Galvin, and Greg Gagne (Wiley). If this title doesn't appeal to you, you should check out reviews for other, similar titles at your favorite bookstore.
Have you taken any networking concepts or technologies classes?
[Yes or No]
If Yes, you'll probably be able to handle Novell's networking terminology, concepts, and technologies (brace yourself for occasional departures from normal usage). If you're rusty, you should brush up on basic networking concepts and terminology, especially networking media, transmission types, the OSI reference model, networking protocols and services, and networking technologies, such as Ethernet, Token Ring, Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI), and wide area network (WAN) links.
If No, you might want to read several books in this topic area. The two best books that we know of are Computer Networks by Andrew S. Tanenbaum (Prentice Hall) and Computer Networks and Internets, with Internet Applications by Douglas E. Comer and Ralph E. Droms (Prentice Hall). We also strongly recommend Laura Chappell's book Novell's Guide to LAN/WAN Analysis (Hungry Minds/Novell Press), for its outstanding coverage of NetWare-related protocols and network behavior; even though it is now a bit out of date, it's still a worthwhile reference. In addition, James Gaskin's Mastering NetWare 6 (Sybex) is a worthy resource for those who want to be well prepared for CNE topics and concepts. Skip to the next section, “Hands-on Experience.”
Have you done any reading on operating systems or networks?
[Yes or No]
If Yes, you should review the requirements stated in the first paragraphs after Questions 2 and 3. If you meet those requirements, you can move on to the next section, “Hands-on Experience.” If No, you should consult the recommended reading for both topics. A strong background will help you prepare for the Novell exams better than just about anything else.
Hands-on Experience
The most important key to success on all the Novell tests is hands-on experience, especially with NetWare 6, plus the many system services and other software components that cluster around NetWare—such as GroupWise and ZENworks—which appear on many of the Novell certification tests. If we leave you with only one realization after taking this self-assessment, it should be that there's no substitute for time spent installing, configuring, and using the various Novell and ancillary products on which you'll be tested repeatedly and in depth.
The following questions concern your level of hands-on experience with Novell products. As in the previous section, your answers to these questions might require some additional hands-on practice on your part to get your knowledge up to speed for Novell certifications tests.
Have you installed, configured, and worked with the following:
NetWare 5.x? NetWare 6? [Yes or No]
The more times you answer Yes, the better off you are. You need to make sure you understand the basic concepts covered in Test 050-677, “Foundations of Novell Networking: NetWare 6,” and the advanced concepts covered in the “Advanced Novell Network Management” test, 050-682.
You should also study the eDirectory interfaces, utilities, and services for Test 050-664, “Novell eDirectory Design and Implementation.”
You can download objectives, practice exams, and other information about Novell exams from the company's education pages on the Web, at www.novell.com/education.
If you haven't worked with NetWare, eDirectory, and whatever product or technology you choose for your elective subject, you must obtain one or two machines and a copy of NetWare 6. Then, you must learn the operating system and TCP/IP, IPX, and any other software components on which you'll be tested.
In fact, we recommend that you obtain two computers, each with a network board, and set up a two-node network on which to practice. With decent NetWare-capable computers selling for under $600 apiece these days, this shouldn't be too much of a financial hardship. You can download a limited-use and limited-duration evaluation copy of NetWare 6 from the company's Web page, at www.novell.com/products/netware/nw6_eval.html. Evaluation copies of many Novell products are available, and you can browse the product offerings at www.novell.com/products.
For all Novell exams, you can check to see if Novell Press (an imprint of Pearson Education) offers related titles. Also, David James Clarke, IV, is working on NetWare 6 upgrades to his outstanding CNE Study Guide series. When they become available, these updates should become essential items in your test preparation toolkit.
For any specific Novell product that is not itself an operating system (for example, ZENworks, GroupWise, BorderManager), have you installed, configured, used, and upgraded this software? [Yes or No]
If Yes, skip to the next section, “Testing Your Exam-Readiness.”
If No, you must get some experience. Experience is a must with any Novell product test, be it something as simple as Web Server Management or as challenging as eDirectory installation and configuration. Again, you can download an evaluation copy of NetWare 6 at www.novell.com/products/netware/nw6_eval.html or search for evaluation copies of other Novell products at www.novell.com.
If you have the funds, or if your employer will pay your way, you should consider checking out one or more of the many training options that Novell offers. This could be something as expensive as taking a class at a Novell Authorized Education Center (NAEC) or a less-expensive option such as taking one of Novell's Self-Study Training programs. You should be sure to check out the training options that Novell itself offers and those that it authorizes third parties to deliver, at www.novell.com/education/train_product.
Before you even think about taking any Novell test, you should make sure you've spent enough time with the related software to understand how it can be installed and configured, how to maintain such an installation, and how to troubleshoot the software when things go wrong. This will help you in the exam—and in real life!
Testing Your Exam-Readiness
Whether you attend a formal class on a specific topic to get ready for a test or use written materials to study on your own, some preparation for the Novell certification tests is essential. At $125 a try—whether you pass or fail—you want to do everything you can to pass on your first try. That's where studying comes in.
We have included two sample tests in this book (and a third on the CD-ROM), and we recommend that you take all of them. (We also have exams that you can take online through www.examcram.com.) If you still don't hit a score of at least 76% after taking two or more tests, you should keep at it until you get there. For any given subject, you should consider taking a class if you've tackled self-study materials, taken the test, and failed anyway. The opportunity to interact with an instructor and fellow students can make all the difference in the world—if you can afford that privilege. For information about Novell courses, you can visit Novell Education at www.novell.com/education and follow the Training by Product link.
If you can't afford to take a class, you should still invest in some low-cost practice exams from commercial vendors because they can help you assess your readiness to pass a test better than any other tool. The following Web sites offer practice exams online for less than $100 each (and some for significantly less than that):
www.stsware.com— Self Test Software
www.measureup.com— MeasureUp
www.boson.com— Boson
www.certify.com— CyberPass
www.real-questions.com— real-Questions.com
The next question deals with your personal testing experience. The more familiar you are with Novell's test format, the better your chances will be to score well on the tests:
Have you taken a practice exam on your chosen test subject? [Yes or No]
If Yes, and if your score meets or beats the cut score for the related Novell test, you're probably ready to tackle the real thing. If your score isn't above that crucial threshold, you should keep at it until you break that barrier.
If No, you should obtain all the free and low-budget practice tests you can find (see the previous list) and get to work. You should keep at it until you can break the passing threshold comfortably.
Taking a good-quality practice exam and beating Novell's minimum passing grade, known as the cut score, is the best way to assess your test readiness. When we're preparing ourselves, we shoot for 10% over the cut score—just to leave room for the “weirdness factor” that sometimes shows up on Novell exams. |
Other Test Preparation Resources
In addition to the general exam-readiness information in the previous section, Novell test mavens also recommend checking the Novell Application Notes, Novell Support Connection CD. Novell Support Connection CDs are for “meaningful technical support issues” that relate to your test's topics. Although we're not sure exactly what the quoted phrase means, we have also noticed some overlap between technical support questions on particular products and troubleshooting questions on the tests for those products. For more information on these CDs or to subscribe, you can contact an authorized Novell reseller; call 800-828-3362 (in North America) for a reseller in your area or 800-377-4136 (in North America) or 303-297-2725 to order directly from Novell.
Onward, Through the Fog!
After you've assessed your readiness, undertaken the right background studies, obtained the hands-on experience that will help you understand the products and technologies at work, and reviewed the many sources of information to help you prepare for a test, you'll be ready to take a round of practice tests. When your scores are positive enough to get you through the exam, you're ready to go after the real thing. If you follow our assessment regime, you'll not only know what you need to study, but you'll know when you're ready to set a test date. Good luck!
