- Topics Mentioned
- Software:
- SQL Server 2008
Hello Train Signal blog readers! This is Mel, and I just finished my Advanced SQL Server 2008 Database Administration Training and wanted to take a minute here to tell you a little bit about it.
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.
Hi Mel,
This is regarding your Advanced SQL Server admin training course. Just want to let you know that you are communicating the concepts really well, but I am sorry to tell you that you are not going into practical demos that indepth, which is what anyone would expect in an advanced course and not just a slide walthrough with just the audio. For example, in your clustering topic, you spent lot of time just talking about the topic and when it came to the demo you conveniently mentioned that you do not the setup to show the clustering demo. And the reason you gave was that it takes up 5 digit figure to have the infrastructure, which is not true. Just like how your other demos use the Virtual Machines, you could have easily setup the cluster demo using VMs as well. A course for that price, everyone would buy thinking they would practically learn all the topics. I am very disappointed in this course.
Raman,
We’re sorry to hear that you were disappointed with our course, but we’re glad you felt compelled to give us your honest feedback about your experience. We’ll contact you shortly via email about your concerns and how we can address them.
Thanks