I will also give you a brief outline of the different SQL Server certification paths and levels and point you to some SQL Server certification resources that you might find useful.

What is SQL Server 2008?

Let’s start from the basics — what is Microsoft SQL Server?

Well, it’s not Microsoft Excel or Access, although these two simple data management tools do have some similarities.

Excel offers some great tools for managing and manipulating data. Access on the other hand is more focused on the desktop or workgroup level, but it’s still not the right solution for managing large scale database projects.

This is where SQL Server comes in. Microsoft SQL Server is focused on managing enterprise level data and also includes tools for business intelligence to help you make smart decisions based on your large amounts of data.

SQL Server 2008 Certification Paths

There are three certification tracks for SQL Server 2008:

• SQL Server Database Administration
• SQL Server Database Development
• SQL Server Business Intelligence

As far as certification levels are concerned, there are three certification/exam levels for for SQL Server 2008 that map to the above mentioned certification tracks:

• MCTS: Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist
• MCITP: Microsoft Certified IT Professional
• MCM: Microsoft Certified Master

SQL Server 2008 Database Administration Certification

If you’re interested in becoming a certified SQL Server database administrator, the MCTS Exam 70-643 (Implementation and Maintenance) is your starting point. This is an entry level certification that will allow you to work with SQL Server performing database administrator tasks such as installing, configuring and maintaining SQL Server 2008.

The 70-643 exam is covered in detail in my SQL Server 2008 Administration Training.

One level up is the MCITP Exam 70-450 which focuses on designing, optimizing and maintaining a database server infrastructure using SQL Server 2008. This is an advanced certification for which you need to have at least two to three years of experience with SQL and have earned your MCTS in SQL Server 2008 that’s mentioned above.

And this is the exam that my new Advanced SQL Server 2008 Administration Training will prepare you for.

Here’s a quick visual overview of the exams and certifications for the SQL Server 2008 Database Administration track.

 

You can learn more about each of the individual SQL certification paths and exams at microsoft.com/learning:

MCTS SQL Server 2008 Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist:

• Exam 70-432: SQL Server 2008, Implementation and Maintenance
• Exam 70-433: SQL Server 2008, Database Development
• Exam 70-448: SQL Server 2008, Business Intelligence Development and Maintenance

MCITP SQL Server 2008 Microsoft Certified IT Professional:

• Exam 70-450: Designing, Optimizing and Maintaining a Database Administrative Solution Using SQL Server 2008
• Exam 70-451: Designing Database Solutions and Data Access Using SQL Server 2008
• Exam 70-452: Designing a Business Intelligence Infrastructure Using SQL Server 2008

SQL Server 2008 Training

If you’re brand new to database administration or SQL, then I would strongly suggest starting out with my free introductory SQL 101 training that’s available on this site. I put together 10 lessons that will provide you with all of the basics you’ll need to get started with SQL training.

As I mentioned above, both my entry level SQL Server 2008 Administration Training for the MCTS 70-643 exam and the Advanced SQL Server 2008 Administration Training for the MCITP 70-450 exam are now available.

And you can purchase them separately or as a package — all the details are below.

SQL Server 2008 Administration Training

Get complete exam coverage for the MCTS 70-643 exam PLUS a free full version Transcender Practice Exam.

Develop hands-on experience as a SQL Server 2008 Administrator as you learn how to configure and maintain your own enterprise data management system.

Get into the in-demand DBA field with this entry level certification training

Watch a Demo & Learn More

New! Advanced SQL Server 2008 Database Administration Training

Learn how to design, optimize and maintain an enterprise level database server infrastructure.

Master SQL Server 2008 Backup and Recovery, High Availability, Failover Clustering, Data Encryption, PowerShell and a whole lot more.

Prepare for your MCITP70-450 exam with this in depth training that includes a full version Transcender Practice Exam.

Advance your career with this in-demand certification training.

Watch a Demo & Learn More

New! SQL Server Database Administration Training Package

I hope you enjoy my SQL Server Administration training and if you have any comments or suggestions please leave me a comment or send me a message — I would love to hear what you think about my training.

SQL 101 Part 10: Database Setup covers:

• Setting up your own database

Download: SQL 101 Exercise Files

Continue watching: SQL 101 Training

Take your database administration or development career to the next level with our lineup of SQL Server 2008 Training.

SQL 101 Part 9: Data Control Language covers:

• CREATE LOGIN Statement
• CREATE USER Statement
• Creating a Login
• Creating a User
• Deleting Login Account

Download: SQL 101 Exercise Files

Continue watching: SQL 101 Training

Take your database administration or development career to the next level with our lineup of SQL Server 2008 Training.

SQL 101 Part 8: Data Definition Language covers:

• DML vs. DDL
• CREATE and DROP Statements
• Creating a New Table in a Database

Download: SQL 101 Exercise Files

Continue watching: SQL 101 Training

Take your database administration or development career to the next level with our lineup of SQL Server 2008 Training.

SQL 101 Part 7: Basic Programming Logic covers:

• Conditional Expressions
• Nested Statement
• CASE Statement
• Adjusting Results Column Names

Download: SQL 101 Exercise Files

Continue watching: SQL 101 Training

Take your database administration or development career to the next level with our lineup of SQL Server 2008 Training.

SQL 101 Part 6: The DELETE Statement covers:

• DELETE – With Job Security
• DELETE Statement Demo

Download: SQL 101 Exercise Files

Continue watching: SQL 101 Training

Take your database administration or development career to the next level with our lineup of SQL Server 2008 Training.

SQL 101 Part 5: The UPDATE Statement covers:

• UPDATE Statement Definition
• Updates Based on a Value
• Nested Statements
• Updating All Rows

Download: SQL 101 Exercise Files

Continue watching: SQL 101 Training

Take your database administration or development career to the next level with our lineup of SQL Server 2008 Training.

SQL 101 Part 4: The INSERT Statement covers:

• INSERT Statement Definition
• INSERT Statement Demo

Download: SQL 101 Exercise Files

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Take your database administration or development career to the next level with our lineup of SQL Server 2008 Training.

SQL 101 Part 3: Introduction to Structured Query Language covers:

• SELECT Statement
• SELECT WHERE Statement
• SELECT ORDER BY Statement
• SELECT – Multi Table Statement

Download: SQL 101 Exercise Files

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Take your database administration or development career to the next level with our lineup of SQL Server 2008 Training.

SQL 101 Part 2: Database Concepts covers:

• Key Terms and Concepts
• Multiple Values Per Field
• Repeating Fields
• The Ultimate Solution
• Primary Keys
• Foreign Keys
• Our Database Schema
• Table Relationships

Download: SQL 101 Exercise Files

Continue watching: SQL 101 Training

Take your database administration or development career to the next level with our lineup of SQL Server 2008 Training.

SQL 101 Part 1: Intro to SQL Server covers:

• What is SQL?
• Flat Files
• Relational Databases
• SQL Vender Variations

Download: SQL 101 Exercise Files

Continue watching: SQL 101 Training

Take your database administration or development career to the next level with our lineup of SQL Server 2008 Training.