Microsoft Certification 101: Guide to Microsoft Certifications By the IT Pros from TrainSignal

Why Should I Get Microsoft Certified?

There are a few reasons worth mentioning to get certified by Microsoft:

Microsoft certifications are the most well known IT certifications in the world.
Microsoft certifications are easily recognized by hiring managers and human resource managers
Microsoft certifications have strong support by book publishers, learning companies, video training companies (like Train Signal), and IT Pros around the world. For example, if you go to a bookstore you will find a Microsoft certification book on any exam. Because of this broad support of Microsoft’s certifications paths, you will have more resources to help you obtain your certification.
Over 85% of the servers in use by companies today are Windows Servers; Over 90% of the desktops in use today run the Windows desktop operating system; Over 85% of the end users use Microsoft Office; Over 85% of the email servers in the world run Microsoft Exchange. Is that enough of reasons to choose to be certified by Microsoft?

What Does the Microsoft Certification Structure Look Like?

Microsoft Certification Structure Recently, the structure of the Microsoft Certification lineup has changed:

Technology Series: Specialist certifications train IT professionals in implementation, building, troubleshooting, and debugging of a specific Microsoft technology.
Professional Series: Professional credentials validate the skill set required for a particular job.
Master Series: Master certifications identify individuals with the deepest technical skills available on a particular Microsoft product.
Architect Series: The Certified Architect program makes it easy for companies to identify experienced IT architects who have completed a rigorous peer review process.

What Happened to the MCP, the MCSA, and the MCSE?

In previous years some of the most well known Microsoft certifications were the MCP, MCSA, and MCSE. While you can still obtain these certifications, they are only valid for “legacy products”. The MCP, MCSA, and MCSE all apply to older (but still in use) Microsoft products such as Windows Server 2003, Windows XP, and Exchange 2003. For a detailed look at which of our training courses prepare you for specific MCSE/MCSA exams: Click Here For The Exam Preparation Chart

If you already posses one of these certifications, it will help you obtain a new MCTS or MCITP certifications (fore more information on your upgrade path, visit the Microsoft Certification Transition Site).

What is the MCTS and What Are the Training Options?

The Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) is achieved by passing a single test. Let's look at the most popular MCTS certifications offered by Microsoft and which TrainSignal video training courses are available to prepare you for that MCTS certification:

MCTS: Windows Server 2008 Active Directory Configuration

The 20 hour TrainSignal Windows 2008 Active Directory Training (70-640) video training course is ideal to prepare you for the MCTS covering Windows 2008 Active Directory. Microsoft Certified Trainer, "Coach" Culbertson not only covers AD inside and out but the course also comes with Transcender's 70-640 practice exams.

Requirement: Pass Exam 70-640
Covers Group Policy, Certificate Management, Active Directory, and AD Server Roles

MCTS: Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure Configuration

TrainSignal's Windows 2008 Network Infrastructure Training (70-642) not only covers exam 70-642 but also teaches you how to configure Windows 2008 Networking in real-world scenarios. Microsoft Certified Trainer, Ed Liberman gives you a unique training style with real-world scenarios. Transcender's practice exams are also included.

Requirement: Pass Exam 70-642
Covers IP Addressing, IP Services, Name Resolution, File and Print Services, Network and Remote Access, and Monitoring Network Services

MCTS: Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure Configuration

TrainSignal's Windows Server 2008 Applications Infrastructure Training (70-643) will teach you all about server deployment, Hyper-V, IIS services, and more! This course is taught by "Coach" Culbertson, veteran Microsoft Instructure and video trainer, who's original style is entertaining but most importantly eductional. You will find Transcender's practice exams will help you prepare for the real exam.

Requirement: Pass Exam 70-643
Covers Windows Deployment Services, Terminal Services, Web, and Media Services

MCTS: Windows Vista - Configuration

TrainSignal's Vista Training is 19 hours long and taught by MCSE and veteran trainer, Scott Skinger. It includes Transcender's practice exams which prepare you for the 70-620 Vista exam. TrainSignal's Vista course not only gives you the knowledge to pass the exam but also shows you how to configure and administer Vista in a fictitious company.

Requirement: Pass Exam 70-620
Covers installing and upgrading Vista, configuring and troubleshooting Vista, Securing Vista, Configuring Network Connectivity, Applications included with Vista, and Maintaining & Optimizing Vista

MCTS: Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 Certifications

Our TrainSignal SharePoint Server 2007 Training provides complete coverage for exams 70-630 and 70-631. Award-winning Microsoft Certified Trainer and SharePoint expert, "Coach" Culbertson provides 10 hours of training that prepares you to become a SharePoint MCTS! Besides exam preparation, our TrainSignal SharePoint Server 2007 video training courses shows you how to setup your own SharePoint lab, install SharePoint, create web application, new sites, wikis, blogs, document libraries, and much more. Finally, don't forget about the Transcender practice exams software that is included with our SharePoint course.

MCTS: Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 - Configuration

Requirement: Pass Exam 70-630
Covers Deploying and Upgrading SharePoint 2007, Managing Searching, Configuring Content Management and Business Forms, Managing Business Intelligence, Administration of SharePoint, and Securing SharePoint 2007

MCTS: Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 - Configuration

Requirement: Pass Exam 70-631
Covers monitoring and securing SharePoint 2007, Managing Customizations, and how to Configure Network Infrastructure to work with SharePoint Server 2007

MCTS: Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 - Configuration

Dave Shackleford, MCSE and Microsoft MVP is the author of TrainSignal's Exchange Server 2007 Training. In this 21 hour course, Dave uses the Cash Cow Capital Group (a fictitious company) in all scenarios to demonstrate the power of Exchange in a real organization. TrainSignal Exchange Server 2007 Training covers installation, the Server Management Console, Exchange Management Shell, exchange database, how to go live, recipients, public folders, address lists, and so much more! Also included in the training package is the Transcender MCTS 70-236 practice exams.

Requirement: Pass Exam 70-236
Covers Installing and Configuring Exchange Server 2007, Creating and Modifying Recipients and Public Folders, Maintaining and Optimizing the Messaging System, Monitoring and Reporting, Troubleshooting and Recovering Exchange Server 2007

What is the MCITP and What Are the Options?

As you see from the Microsoft Certification Structure graphic above, the MCITP is the Microsoft Certified IT Professional Certification. The MCITP builds on top of the MCTS certification. In other words, you must first pass the appropriate MCTS Certification test in order to move on to your chosen MCITP exam or exams. Microsoft offers a number of different MCITP courses today including: Consumer Support Technician, Enterprise Messaging Administrator, Enterprise Support Technician, Enterprise Administrator, and Server Administrator. TrainSignal offers training on the MCITP Server Administrator certification.

MCITP: Server Administrator

Requirement: Pass MCTS Exams 70-640, 70-642, and PRO Exam 70-646
Exam 70-646 is the PRO level exam required to achieve your MCITP. This exam covers tier-2 troubleshooting of Windows Server 2008, daily Monitoring & Management of Servers, Change Management Projects, Auditing Policies, Vulnerability Assessment Scans, and Monitoring of Firewall and Audit Logs