News
Windows 2003 Exams Added to MCDBA Roster
New Windows 2003 exams can be used to fulfill core networking requirements of the MCDBA on SQL 2000 track.
Microsoft announced on its Web site that the new Windows 2003 exams currently
under development can be used to fulfill the core networking requirements
of the MCDBA on SQL Server 2000 credential.
Specifically, 70-290: Managing and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003
Environment and 70-291: Implementing, Managing, and Maintaining a Windows
Server 2003 Network Infrastructure, make up two of the three choices available
for that segment of the track. Exam 70-215: Windows 2000 Server is the
other option and has been available since June 2000. Both 70-290 and 70-291
are expected to be available in August.
According to a Microsoft FAQ, the company is making the change "to
provide MCDBA candidates with the opportunity to fulfill core and elective
requirements while demonstrating their Windows Server 2003 expertise."
The FAQ also notes that candidates who decide to take 70-290 and 7-291
for the track will no longer be able to count 70-028: and 70-019: Designing
and Implementing Data Warehouses with SQL Server 7.0 towards fulfilling
the MCDBA on SQL 2000 requirements. The company explains on the FAQ that
it's "introducing new exam requirements to allow candidates to fulfill
MCDBA requirements based on compatible technologies." By this, the
company seems to acknowledge that such a unique technical incompatibility
exists between SQL Server 7.0 and Windows 2003 that distinctive paths
have to be carved within the MCDBA. [Microsoft has been asked for
clarification and comment, but it couldn't provide them as of this posting.]
Microsoft has also added another exam, 70-293: Planning and Maintaining
a Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure, to the MCDBA roster; the
exam is now an elective option. Exam 70-293 is also under development
(the exam's beta testing period ends June 29).
To view the exam objective guides:
To see the MCDBA requirements, click
here. To read Microsoft's FAQ on the changes, click
here.
About the Author
Michael Domingo has held several positions at 1105 Media, and is currently the editor in chief of Visual Studio Magazine.