Announcing an all-new Self-Paced Training Kit designed to help maximize your performance on 70-642, the required exam for the new Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS): Windows Server 2008 Networking Infrastructure Configuration certification. This 2-in-1 kit includes the official Microsoft study guide, plus practice tests on CD to help you assess your skills. It comes packed with the tools and features exam candidates want most including in-depth, self-paced training based on final exam content; rigorous, objective-by-objective review; exam tips from expert, exam-certified authors; and customizable testing options. It also provides real-world scenarios, case study examples, and troubleshooting labs for skills and expertise that you can apply to the job.

Work at your own pace through the lessons and lab exercises. Focusing on Windows Server 2008 networking, this official study guide covers configuring remote access, Network Access Protection (NAP), network authentication, IPv4 and IPv6 addressing, and Domain Name System (DNS) replication; capturing and deploying Microsoft Windows Deployment Services images; creating virtual machines; and installing server core.

Then assess yourself using 300+ practice and review questions on the CD, featuring multiple, customizable testing options to meet your specific needs. Choose timed or untimed testing mode, generate random tests, or focus on discrete objectives. You get detailed explanations for right and wrong answers including pointers back to the book for further study. You also get an evaluation version of Windows Server 2008 and an exam discount voucher making this kit an exceptional value and a great career investment.

Key Book Benefits

In-depth coverage of exam objectives and sub-objectives plus instructive case studies and troubleshooting scenarios to enhance your performance on the job

300+ practice and review questions

Test engine that enables customized testing, pre-assessment and post-assessment, and automated scoring and feedback

Complete objective-by-objective review section, plus a handy exam-mapping grid

Evaluation version of Windows Server 2008

15 percent exam discount voucher from Microsoft (limited-time offer)

Entire study guide in searchable eBook format

Amazon.com® Reader Reviews (Ranked by Helpfulness)

Average Amazon.com® Rating:  Based on 5 Ratings

Passed the exam - 2008-12-22
Reviewer Rating:
This book prepared me for the 70-642 test. I downloaded evaluation copies of windows server 2008 and ran them in virtual server. I found that reading the ebook (included) was easier than reading the real book (I ended up doing both). After reading the book, doing the labs and taking the practice tests in custom mode (so I could review the answers) I was able to pass the test.

I noted only one typo in one of the practice tests so I would recommend this study guide.

Very good source - 2008-11-23
Reviewer Rating:
This text book is very helpful for passing the 70-642 exam. It is easy to understand and the examples reinforce the lesson. You must have a copy of Server 2008 and 2 servers (or a virtual server) to complete the lessons.

Does the job - 2009-10-28
Reviewer Rating:
This is a good book for learning Windows Server 2008 network infrastructure from the beginning, or brushing up what you already know from Windows 2000 or Windows Server 2003. It is a long book, and yes, it is a bit dry (as one of the other reviewers said), but I wouldn't ding the authors for that. Let's face it, this material IS dry, and you can't really pump any sunshine into it to make it any thing else than that. Having said that, if you are really going to be a Windows networking professional, you MUST know this material thoroughly. I used this book as part of the material I studied to help me successfully pass the 70-649 Windows Server 2008 upgrade test, and it would be equally good to help you pass that, or the stand alone 70-642 Windows Server 2008 network infrastructure test. Make sure that you do the hands-on exercises. Set yourself up a training lab using either Virtual Server 2005 R2 or Hyper-V and play with this stuff until you know it well. You can read and read and read, but there is no substitute for getting actual hands-on experience, and with virtual machines, there is no reason not to get lots of hands-on experience. If you don't have a subscription to TechNet Plus (highly recommended for anyone who is a network professional), then download a free evaluation copy of Windows Server 2008 Enterprise Edition from the Microsoft web site. There are a few mistakes and corrections that are cleaned up by an errata page located at: [...] Enjoy!

Good start, but it falls apart at the end - 2009-08-20
Reviewer Rating:
It seems to be a recurring theme among the Microsoft Press books I've been studying for the Windows Server 2008 exams: they get off to a great start with rich information and good detail, but then 1/2 to 2/3 through the book, it's like somebody flipped a switch and can't wait to get the book done. They hurry through what's left with pages of "recipe" step-by-step examples explaining how to do tasks, but not WHY you should do something this way instead of that way. As this book gets to the end, the coverage is sparse. No way do I feel near ready for the exam. Hands on is an essential ingredient in learning this material and being ready for the exam, and I'll do that on my own, but I still expect a better job than this book does for exam prep. Specifically, the chapters on NAP, Connecting to Networks, and Managing Files are very weak.

Interestingly, several of the authors in the MS Press series have contributed to portions of several of the books, and some of them have done books for earlier versions, like Windows 2003. Don't rest on your laurels guys! You gotta do better!

Worst Study Guide Ever! - 2009-04-24
Reviewer Rating:
I have taken many a cert test in my 11 years working in the IT field. This tome ranks at the bottom of the many resources I have ever used in that time. The author is dry throughout the book, rarely giving real world examples to put things in perspective. Many complex topics are poorly defined, especially the many command line commands Microsoft is testing these days. I will never by another book by these authors.

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Top Level Categories:
Certification
Operating Systems

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Certification > Microsoft
Microsoft > MCTS
Operating Systems > Windows Server 2008
Windows Server 2008 > Networking