MCSE Windows Server 2003 Brings Major Changes

The Windows Server 2003 operating system introduces major changes to Microsoft networking. And you'll need a thorough understanding of them to pass the MCSE Windows Server 2003 exam. The differences between Windows Server 2003 and its predecessor are so significant that Microsoft has begun referring to the transition as a migration rather than an upgrade.

This terminology is important because a migration implies changing to a whole new operating system and a whole new way of doing things which is exactly what Windows Server 2003 involves. It may not seem so at first glance because Windows Server 2003 on the surface has a similar appearance and interface out of the box. When you get into it though you'll discover major differences.

Prior knowledge of NT Workstation provides a solid foundation for studying for the MCSE Windows Server 2003 exam but it's not enough by itself. Windows Server 2003 includes numerous features you will not have encountered before and there are new ways to complete old tasks. In other words, don't expect the MCSE Windows Server 2003 exam to be a no brainer just because you're an expert user of the old NT software.

The MCSE Windows Server 2003 exam covers a lot of ground. Installing, configuring, and administering sum up about all you can do with a computer operating system other than actually writing and developing the code. Let's break the exam down into it's component parts. The first section deals with installation of Windows Server 2003. Installation may seem like a simple operation and it usually is but the reality is that installation issues can be the source of the most frustrating troubleshooting experiences some IT professionals ever experience.

The second part of the exam centers around configuration. Configuration of an operating system involves specifying settings what will govern how the system behaves. The final part of the exam deals with administering Windows Server 2003. The word administer is generally used as a synonym for manage which is to exert control. One of the many enhancements of Windows Server 2003 is the ability administrators are granted to apply the degree of control desired in a flexible and granular manner.

A complete list of the learning objectives for the MCSE Windows Server 2003 exam is available on the Microsoft website. The objectives are quite broad and performance based. But don't think this excuses you from understanding any of the theory behind the concepts tested on the exam. What it does mean is that a thorough understanding of the theory without any practical knowledge or experience working with Windows Server 2003 will not likely be sufficient preparation to pass the exam.

You might be tempted to compare the new MCSE Windows Server exam to the old NT exam and think of it as a replacement exam. You'll be sorry if you make this assumption. The fact is that the MCSE Windows Server 2003 exam requires more in-depth knowledge of basic networking concepts along with the essentials of installing, using, and troubleshooting Windows Server 2003.

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