70-623: November 2007 Archives
Takeaway: Although several Windows Vista exams are still in beta, others are ready and waiting at your local Pearson VUE and Prometric testing centers. Here's what you need to know regarding new Windows Vista certification options.
For the last several years, Windows XP marked the most contemporary Microsoft client OS certifications an IT professional could possess. But all that's changing with the introduction of Windows Vista.
While Vista's been available to volume license customers since November 2006, its wider release in late January seemingly made the new OS' launch official. With Vista now appearing on store shelves, in advertisements and within corporate environments, it's also registering on technology professionals' certification radar screens.
Although several Windows Vista exams are still in beta, others are ready and waiting at your local Pearson VUE and Prometric testing centers. Here's what you need to know regarding new Windows Vista certification options.
Exam 70-620: Windows Vista Configuration
Officially launched January 4, 2007, Exam 70-620: Microsoft Windows Vista, Configuring earns Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: Windows Vista, Configuration certification.
The certification is aimed at technical staff having at least a year of experience providing phone support in organizations ranging from retail stores to enterprise-scale environments.
Microsoft recommends candidates have experience
To successfully pass the exam, candidates must demonstrate proficiency
Technology professionals must also demonstrate expertise configuring
Further, candidates must also prove their ability to maintain and optimize Vista performance.
Exam 70-621: Upgrading Your MCDST Certification To MCITP Enterprise Support
Exam 70-621: Upgrading Your MCDST Certification To MCITP Enterprise Support is in beta until April 12, 2007. Successfully navigating the exam enables Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technicians to upgrade their certification to Microsoft Certified IT Professional: Enterprise Support Technician. The test is aimed at
The upgrade exam tests candidates' ability to:
Candidates must also prove knowledge configuring and troubleshooting Windows' native tools, managing and maintaining Vista workstations and supporting mobile systems (including Tablet PC and mobile device components).
Among the changes already made to the exam in beta are an increased emphasis on supporting and troubleshooting applications installed on Windows Vista systems.
Exam 70-622: Microsoft Desktop Support - Enterprise
In beta until March 30, 2007, those passing Exam 70-622: Microsoft Desktop Support--Enterprise, earn Microsoft Certified IT Professional: Enterprise Support Technician certification.
The exam targets IT professionals who
Earning this accreditation requires candidates to prove their knowledge
As with Exam 70-621, Exam 70-622 also experienced changes in beta. Specifically, additional focus was being placed on the same issue: supporting and troubleshooting applications installed on Vista workstations.
Exam 70-623: Microsoft Desktop Support--Consumer
Exam 70-623: Microsoft Desktop Support -- Consumer is scheduled for beta testing through April 5, 2007. Candidates passing the test earn Microsoft Certified IT Professional: Consumer Support Technician accreditation.
The exam targets IT professionals who are typically employed as consumer (residential) support technicians. Exam 70-623 tests small-office and home network administration skills, with emphasis on desktop apps, mobile device management, malware removal and hardware support, among other issues. Microsoft recommends candidates have experience deploying, managing and repairing desktop operating systems before attempting the exam.
The test measures consumer support technicians' ability to
Exam 70-624: Deploying and Maintaining Windows Vista Client And 2007 Microsoft Office System Desktops
Exam 70-624 beta tested early this year and earns Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: Deploying And Maintaining Vista Client And Office System 2007 Desktops certification.
Microsoft recommends Exam 70-264 candidates have at least one year of hands-on experience managing day-to-day desktop issues. They should also have familiarity with
The exam tests one's ability to
Summary
These Windows Vista-centric exams form a firm foundation for upgrading certifications and keeping one's resume current. As Windows Vista gains share, and as the Longhorn server platform reaches market, additional exams testing Vista knowledge are sure to appear. Thus, while others may be moving slowly to adopt the new OS, those IT professionals looking to stay ahead of the pack should ensure they familiarize themselves with these exams.
For the last several years, Windows XP marked the most contemporary Microsoft client OS certifications an IT professional could possess. But all that's changing with the introduction of Windows Vista.
While Vista's been available to volume license customers since November 2006, its wider release in late January seemingly made the new OS' launch official. With Vista now appearing on store shelves, in advertisements and within corporate environments, it's also registering on technology professionals' certification radar screens.
Although several Windows Vista exams are still in beta, others are ready and waiting at your local Pearson VUE and Prometric testing centers. Here's what you need to know regarding new Windows Vista certification options.
Exam 70-620: Windows Vista Configuration
Officially launched January 4, 2007, Exam 70-620: Microsoft Windows Vista, Configuring earns Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: Windows Vista, Configuration certification.
The certification is aimed at technical staff having at least a year of experience providing phone support in organizations ranging from retail stores to enterprise-scale environments.
Microsoft recommends candidates have experience
- Repairing network issues
- Troubleshooting Windows desktops
- Configuring security and applications
- Repairing logon problems
- Resetting passwords
- Eliminating desktop program conflicts
To successfully pass the exam, candidates must demonstrate proficiency
- Installing and upgrading the new OS
- Configuring and troubleshooting Vista's post-installation system settings
- Configuring security features (including user account controls, Windows Defender and Windows Firewall).
Technology professionals must also demonstrate expertise configuring
- Network connectivity
- Applications included with Vista (including Windows Mail, Windows Meeting Space, Windows Calendar, Windows Fax and Scan and Windows Sidebar)
- Mobile computing features.
Further, candidates must also prove their ability to maintain and optimize Vista performance.
Exam 70-621: Upgrading Your MCDST Certification To MCITP Enterprise Support
Exam 70-621: Upgrading Your MCDST Certification To MCITP Enterprise Support is in beta until April 12, 2007. Successfully navigating the exam enables Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technicians to upgrade their certification to Microsoft Certified IT Professional: Enterprise Support Technician. The test is aimed at
- IT professionals working in medium- and large-scale companies.
- IT professionals with three to five years of experience working as lead desktop support technicians (tier 2 support techs) deploying Windows, administering security and configuring Vista.
The upgrade exam tests candidates' ability to:
- Install Windows Vista
- Configure and troubleshoot post-installation settings
- Manage security (including the new BitLocker feature)
- Configure networking
- Troubleshoot connectivity problems.
Candidates must also prove knowledge configuring and troubleshooting Windows' native tools, managing and maintaining Vista workstations and supporting mobile systems (including Tablet PC and mobile device components).
Among the changes already made to the exam in beta are an increased emphasis on supporting and troubleshooting applications installed on Windows Vista systems.
Exam 70-622: Microsoft Desktop Support - Enterprise
In beta until March 30, 2007, those passing Exam 70-622: Microsoft Desktop Support--Enterprise, earn Microsoft Certified IT Professional: Enterprise Support Technician certification.
The exam targets IT professionals who
- Work in larger organizations
- Have three to five years of experience as lead desktop support technicians
- Have familiarity with older Windows desktop operating systems as well as Windows Vista.
Earning this accreditation requires candidates to prove their knowledge
- Deploying Windows Vista (including deploying from custom images and analyzing business requirements)
- Managing security (including patch management)
- Administering and maintaining Vista boxes and configuring and troubleshooting network connectivity.
As with Exam 70-621, Exam 70-622 also experienced changes in beta. Specifically, additional focus was being placed on the same issue: supporting and troubleshooting applications installed on Vista workstations.
Exam 70-623: Microsoft Desktop Support--Consumer
Exam 70-623: Microsoft Desktop Support -- Consumer is scheduled for beta testing through April 5, 2007. Candidates passing the test earn Microsoft Certified IT Professional: Consumer Support Technician accreditation.
The exam targets IT professionals who are typically employed as consumer (residential) support technicians. Exam 70-623 tests small-office and home network administration skills, with emphasis on desktop apps, mobile device management, malware removal and hardware support, among other issues. Microsoft recommends candidates have experience deploying, managing and repairing desktop operating systems before attempting the exam.
The test measures consumer support technicians' ability to
- Install and upgrade Windows Vista
- Customize and configure post-installation settings
- Configure security
- Administer and troubleshoot network connectivity (including Vista's media center)
- Troubleshoot and repair corrupted installations.
Exam 70-624: Deploying and Maintaining Windows Vista Client And 2007 Microsoft Office System Desktops
Exam 70-624 beta tested early this year and earns Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: Deploying And Maintaining Vista Client And Office System 2007 Desktops certification.
Microsoft recommends Exam 70-264 candidates have at least one year of hands-on experience managing day-to-day desktop issues. They should also have familiarity with
- Deploying Windows clients, applications, and upgrades
- Using mass deployment tools
- Working in the Windows pre-installation environment.
The exam tests one's ability to
- Install Microsoft Office 2007
- Configure Vista's automated installation features
- Mass deploy Vista
- Leverage the Business Desktop Deployment Workbench
- Administer the Application Compatibility Toolkit
- Migrate user-state data (including using the Microsoft Systems Management Server 2003 Operating System Deployment Pack).
Summary
These Windows Vista-centric exams form a firm foundation for upgrading certifications and keeping one's resume current. As Windows Vista gains share, and as the Longhorn server platform reaches market, additional exams testing Vista knowledge are sure to appear. Thus, while others may be moving slowly to adopt the new OS, those IT professionals looking to stay ahead of the pack should ensure they familiarize themselves with these exams.
