The IT Certification Megathread: Straight Outta CompTIA

The Something Awful Forums > Discussion > Serious Hardware/Software Crap > The IT Certification Megathread: Straight Outta CompTIA

Jesus Stick: Dec 14, 2004; Bomb Hills, Not Countries

Sulphuric Sundae posted:

That's what I'm thinking for myself. If I know I have to have all four tests done in the next 7 months, I will be motivated to study. From now, that's a little less than 8 weeks study time for each exam.

That sounds like the worst thing I've ever heard.

That said, I HIGHLY suggest 640 first. I, amongst others, think it was the worst of the MCITP:EA tests and covers the biggest range of new concepts if you don't have a lot of server admin experience.

# ¿ Dec 24, 2012 06:05

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# ¿ Apr 23, 2024 23:42

Jesus Stick: Dec 14, 2004; Bomb Hills, Not Countries

Tab8715 posted:

Isn't this backwards? I started reading the 640 but I think I need to know how to configure a server before messing with AD.

There really is no catch-all 'configure a server' test that would help before AD would. The stuff covered in 640 includes most of what you'd need to know.

There are some enterprise network server design exams I think, but not that apply to an MCITP:EA and you're already pressed for time.

# ¿ Dec 28, 2012 08:16

Jesus Stick: Dec 14, 2004; Bomb Hills, Not Countries

QuarkJets posted:

I've read through the first 50 pages or so of the CompTIA Security+ guide, and they very strongly emphasize that you need to have a Network+ cert before bothering with Security+. I'm skeptical, since of course the guys who administer the tests and write the books want you to pay for and take as many certification tests as possible. If I do exactly as the OP says, read the book a few times and copy the port chart from memory, will I be screwed by my lack of Network+ chops or am I probably okay?

I really just need Security+ (for helping me out in one facet of a job that I already have) and don't want to spend more time and money getting Network+ if I can avoid it.

Except for some general terminology, and like, some port numbers, there is very little in N+ that you'd need for S+

# ¿ Jan 7, 2013 02:48

Jesus Stick: Dec 14, 2004; Bomb Hills, Not Countries

MJP posted:

I just took the 2012 exam. The MS book is the only one out there for the 70-417 now, but it's actually readable and logical. It's as good as the Sybex books I used for 2k3 and ten times better than the 70-648 book to upgrade.

The one thing you want to know for 2012: so much of it is Hyper-V that if you use Virtualbox, you're gonna have to find another VM solution. Reason being you can't install the Hyper-V role on a 2012 server that doesn't have its processor exposed to the OS. There's nothing in Virtualbox that allows full CPU exposure - at least, nothing I could find in the Virtualbox forums. You may wanna plunk down for just a separate physical box to do the Hyper-V labs on, if you've got the dollars for it.

Definitely know your Hyper-V, and be prepared for a lot of stuff on Server 2012/Win 8 features that work well in Server 2012 environments, and at least understand basic Powershell cmdlet structure.

I'm sitting for the 70-417 tomorrow and that seems to be what I've heard. Hyper-V doesn't really worry me at all, but I've got a separate machine here at home I've been playing on it with. Only thing I haven't played with is Clustering and Hyper-V Replicator since I only have the one box, but eh, I'm not worried. The MS Press book I think did a pretty good job, although I hate that none of the books have exercises to do at the end of the chapters anymore.

# ¿ Apr 17, 2013 05:00

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