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Study guide for MCSE: Desktop Infrastructure

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 There is an increasing demand for skilled and certified Engineers/Specialists and Architects. You will definitely increase your value for employers if you achieve the Microsoft MCSE: Desktop Infrastructure certification!

MCSE Desktop Infrastructure is Microsoft newest certification for Remote Desktop Services based on Windows Server 2012 combined with System Center, App-V, and multiple deployment methods (MDT/WDS/System Center). For now MCSE Desktop Infrastructure is the highest certification you can achieve on Microsoft Remote Desktops Services.

 Unfortunately there is no Microsoft Certified Solutions Master (MCSM) track available for the Desktop or Cloud (System Center) track and there are no signs that Microsoft is planning to add these to the MCSM program at some point.

 The Microsoft MCSE: Desktop Infrastructure certification track requires you to pass 5 exams. First you will need to pass the three exams for the MCSA Windows Server 2012 Certification:

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 There is an upgrade path available if you already have any of the following Microsoft MCITP/MCSA Certifications:

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 If you can upgrade then you can reduce the total number of exams to three instead of five!

 Once you have the MCSA: Windows Server 2012 certification you can start with the final two exams for MCSE Desktop Infrastructure:

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 If you really want to (and yes you can!) then you can finish the MCSE Desktop infrastructure track in 4 to 5 months if you have to pass 5 exams by planning an exam every 3 to 4 weeks until you have passed the five exams. If you can upgrade to MCSA 2012 then you can finish the track in 2-3 months by planning an exam every 3-4 weeks until you have passed the three exams. If you already have MCSA Server 2012 than you can finish the track in 1-2 months by planning an exam every 3-4 week until you have passed the two final exams.

 If you have some hands-on or lab/poc experience  with Server 2012, Remote Desktop Services then this will help to pass the exams. This 4 to 5 month schedule will be more difficult if you do not have any hands-on experience with Windows Server 2012 and Remote Desktop Services

 

There are a number of basic study rules that I recommend:

 Study rule 1#: Book the exam before you start studying, this will make sure that you have a deadline to work to. Do not reschedule the exam unless absolutely necessary, use the time pressure that you might experience to put more effort into studying.

 Study rule 2#: Once you get studying and you pass the 1st exam then continue with studying for the other required exams right away. If you take a break between the exams that is longer than 1-2 two weeks it will take you more effort to get used to studying and you will forget what you learned from the previous exams.

 Study rule #3: Enjoy learning and studying Microsoft stuff :) If you really like to learn about Microsoft products then this will help.

 Study rule #4: Follow @MSLearning on twitter and the Born to Learn blog on for information on upcoming exams, beta exams or special promotions.

 Study rule #5: You can always use Microsoft TechNet to find information on all Microsoft products and related topics.

 Study rule#6: For every exam read the official Microsoft exam guide thoroughly so you will now what topics will be tested in the exam.

 

***Study 70-415 Implementing a Desktop Infrastructure: ***

  • Book exam 70-415 Implementing a Desktop Infrastructure
  • Read the exam details carefully and especially all information listed under “Skills Measured” These skills have been identified as sections that will be covered in the exam and you  can expect one more questions on in this exam for each topic listed.
  • Purchase the self study book from Microsoft Press when it becomes available in September 2013
  • CBT Nuggets has a training recorded on video than can be purchased here
  • Use Microsoft TechNet wiki , the TechNet Library  or the TechNet Blogs for more information or to find answers to questions you might have.
  • Build a virtual test farm and install the required servers to test/try all the technology listed in the exam details under “Skills Measured” with Server 2012.  Microsoft has evaluation versions available for Windows Server 2012 and for the System Center products.
  • The exam is based on the original versions of the products, so System Center / App-v SP1/SP2,Windows Server 2012 R2 or Windows 8.1  features where not available during the writing of the exam questions. The questions asume the feature set of the original product releases.
  • You can use Windows 8 Hyper-V, Server 2012 Hyper-V, Virtualbox (free) or VMware Player (free) to setup your virtual test environment. Note that the Remote Desktop Services Virtualization host role that you will need to test the VDI deployment will require a physical server (or virtualization software that allows to run a Hypervisor virtualized on a Hypervisor, also known as Hypervisor nesting )
  • For additional questions on this exam you can ask questions in the TechNet Training and Certification forum or contact Microsoft Born to learn on twitter at @MSLearning or on the Born to Learn blog

S***tudy 70-416 Implementing Desktop Application Environments: ***

  • Book exam 70-416 Implementing Desktop Application Environments
  • Read the exam details carefully and especially all information listed under “Skills Measured” These skills have been identified as sections that will be covered in the exam and you  can expect one more questions on in this exam for each topic listed.
  • Purchase the self study book from Microsoft Press when it becomes available in September 2013
  • There are no CBT Nuggets or Train Signal video training recordings available yet for exam 70-416.
  • Use Microsoft TechNet wiki , the TechNet Library  or the TechNet Blogs for more information or to find answers to questions you might have.
  • Build a virtual test farm and install the required servers to test/try all the technology listed in the exam details under “Skills Measured” with Server 2012.  Microsoft has evaluation versions available for Windows Server 2012, for App-V 5 and for the System Center products.
  • The exam is based on the original versions of the products, so System Center / App-v SP1/SP2,Windows Server 2012 R2 or Windows 8.1  features where not available during the writing of the exam questions. the questions asume the feature set of the original product releases.
  • You can use Windows 8 Hyper-V, Server 2012 Hyper-V, Virtualbox (free) or VMware Player (free) to setup your virtual test environment. Note that the Remote Desktop Services Virtualization host role required to build a test VDI deployment will require a physical server (or virtualization software that allows to run a Hypervisor virtualized on a Hypervisor, also known as Hypervisor nesting )
  • For additional questions on this exam you can ask questions in the TechNet Training and Certification forum or contact Microsoft Born to learn on twitter at @MSLearning or on the Born to Learn blog

Good luck with achieving the MCSE: Desktop Intrastructure certification!

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