Microsoft Certification Stuff: CBT-Upgrading Your MCDST Certification to MCITP Enterprise Support

Trainer: Timothy L. Warner
Running Time: 9 Hours

Will you have the professional-level certification you need when your current or future employer shifts from XP/Office 2003 to Vista/Office 2007?

Prepare for that future by upgrading from MCDST to MCITP certification.

You can get MCITP certified by passing just one Microsoft exam: 70-621. And with Tim Warner’s help you’ll do it. Tim has mapped each video in his latest training series to that test.

And while Tim’s training is preparing you for the exam, you’ll become a Vista-based Enterprise Support Technician — an expert in Vista deployment and application/network troubleshooting. Tim will show you how to:

Plan for and perform Vista installations
Perform post-installation configuration
Administer Vista security (user account control)
Configure Vista networking
Support built-in Vista Applications like Windows Mail and Windows Meeting Space
Maintain Vista with new Microsoft tools
Manage Vista mobile features like Tablet PC and Power Management
Troubleshoot Vista using support tools and methodologies

70-621 is a composite exam developed from 70-620 and 70-622. Tim has passed the 70-621 exam, has carefully reviewed all of Microsoft’s review materials for the 70-621 and its two source tests and distilled everything he’s learned down to the exam’s essentials.

There are no holes in his training. The entire course was designed with your MCITP certification in mind.

Microsoft Windows Vista: Upgrading Your MCDST Certification to MCITP Enterprise Support Exam-Pack 70-621 Contents:

Course Overview
Installing Windows Vista, Part 1
Installing Windows Vista, Part 2
Performing Post-Installation Configuration, Part 1
Performing Post-Installation Configuration, Part 2
Administering Windows Vista Security, Part 1
Administering Windows Vista Security, Part 2
Configuring Windows Vista Networking, Part 1
Configuring Windows Vista Networking, Part 2
Supporting Built-In Applications, Part 1
Supporting Built-In Applications, Part 2
Maintaining Windows Vista, Part 1
Maintaining Windows Vista, Part 2
Managing Windows Vista Mobile Features, Part 1
Managing Windows Vista Mobile Features, Part 2
Troubleshooting Windows Vista, Part 1
Troubleshooting Windows Vista, Part 2

Here’s what you’ll learn in each video of the Microsoft Windows Vista: Upgrading You MCDST Certification to MCITP Enterprise Support (Exam -Pack 70-621) series:

Video #1 - “Course Overview” - In this introductory nugget we set the stage for the rest of the series. Specifically, we define the term “enterprise support technician” as well as the myriad roles an EST actually performs in the IT industry. Next we examine this series from a “bird’s eye” perspective so you can gain an excellent conceptual understanding of the course. Finally, we take a long, detailed look at the 70-621 exam, and how this series can help you attain your goal of upgrading your MCDST certification to the MCITP in Enterprise Support. Topics include:

What is an Enterprise Support Technician?

Course Overview

Understanding the 70-621 Exam

Video #2 - “Installing Windows Vista Part 1″ - In this nugget we lay the foundation for the rest of the nugget series. First we must understand what design decisions went into Vista’s development. Next, we consider the planning and implementation requirements for performing clean and upgrade installations of Windows Vista. This nugget contains lots of practical advice as well as “exam alert” tips. Topics include:

Understanding Windows Vista

Planning and Performing a Clean Installation

Planning and Performing an Upgrade Installation

Relevant Exam Objectives

Installing Windows Vista

Identifying System Requirements

Upgrading from Earlier Version of Windows

Video #3 - “Installing Windows Vista Part 2″ - In this nugget we examine how companies can perform mass/automated deployments of Windows Vista. By necessity, this involves some discussion of the Business Desktop Deployment (BDD) tools, Windows Pre-installation Environment (PE), and Lite Touch/Zero Touch installation methodologies. Next we learn how to cleanly migrate user state data during refresh (wipe and load) and in-place upgrade Vista installation scenarios. Windows Product Activation 2.0 is a big advancement in the Microsoft OS licensing front, so we’ll learn how that works. Finally, we will discuss effective troubleshooting techniques for resolving installation problems with Windows Vista. Topics include:

Understanding the Windows Vista Deployment Process

Administering User State Migration

Troubleshooting Windows Product Activation

Troubleshooting Installation Problems

Relevant Exam Objectives

Deploying from a Custom Image

Troubleshooting Installation Issues

Video #4 - “Performing Post-Installation Configuration Part 1″ - By now we have performed our initial installation of Windows Vista; where do we go from here? Well, we start by understanding how to install, upgrade, configure, and maintain device drivers. We then learn the “ins and outs” of that fancy new user interface (UI) in Vista known as Aero. Although Parental Controls are available only in consumer editions of Windows Vista, they sometimes come in handy for small office environments. To that end, we will learn how to control and monitor user behavior with this tool. Finally, we dive into the built-in accessibility options in Vista to assist those with vision, hearing, or fine motor difficulties have a more enjoyable and productive experience with the Windows Vista OS. Topics include:

Managing Device Drivers

Configuring Windows Aero

Administering Parental Controls

Configuring Accessibility Options

Relevant Exam Objectives

Configuring and Troubleshooting Post-Installation System Settings

Troubleshooting Post-Installation Configuration Issues

Configuring and Troubleshooting Windows Aero

Configuring and Troubleshooting Parental Controls

Video #5 - “Performing Post-Installation Configuration Part 2″ - Internet Explorer 7.0 is a vast improvement over IE 6.0 with respect to security and overall useability. In this nugget we examine some of these new features in IE 7.0 in great detail. We also learn all about User Account Control (UAC), the much-loved (or hated, depending upon your perspective) new user account security feature built into Windows Vista. UAC and IE 7.0 are covered extensively on the 70-621 exam, so these topics in particular are crucial for your certification exam success. Topics include:

Configuring Internet Explorer 7.0

Administering User Account Control (UAC)

Configuring Windows Internet Explorer

Managing Local Security Policy

Configuring Windows Defender

Configuring and Troubleshooting User Account Control

Configuring and Troubleshooting Windows Defender

Troubleshooting Security Configuration Issues

Troubleshooting Authentication Issues

Configuring Windows Firewall

Enabling BitLocker Drive Encryption

Troubleshooting Security Configuration Issues

Configuring Security Settings in Windows Firewall

Configuring BitLocker

Configuring Networking

Managing Network Services

Troubleshooting Network Protocols

Configuring Remote Access

Configuring and Troubleshooting Networking

Configuring and Troubleshooting Network Protocols and Services

Configuring and Troubleshooting Remote Access

Troubleshooting Connectivity Issues

Troubleshooting Access to Network Resources

Using the Network and Sharing Center

Configuring Wireless Access

Administering Network Security

Configuring and Troubleshooting Wireless Networking

Configuring Network Security

Troubleshooting Access to Network Resources

Using the Network and Sharing Center to Configure Networking

Troubleshooting Connectivity Issues

Configuring Media Applications

Administering Windows Mail

Managing Windows Meeting Space

Configuring and Troubleshooting Media Applications

Configuring Windows Mail

Configuring Windows Meeting Space

Using Windows Calendar [calendar subscription update intervals]

Configuring Windows Fax and Scan [create new fax account]

Managing Windows Sidebar [discuss sideshow;close sidebar;move to other side of screen]

Configuring Windows Calendar

Configuring Windows Fax and Scan

Configuring Windows Sidebar

Configuring Event Forwarding

Administering the Task Scheduler

Managing and Maintaining Systems that are Running Windows Vista

Configuring and Managing the Task Scheduler

Configuring and Troubleshooting Event Forwarding

Troubleshooting Performance and Reliability

Applying Updates

Administering Data Protection

Troubleshooting Performance and Reliability Issues

Applying and Troubleshooting Updates

Configuring Data Protection

Understanding Mobile Computing

Configuring Display Settings

Using the Sync Center

Configuring and Troubleshooting Mobile Computing

Configuring Mobile Display Settings

Configuring Mobile Devices

Managing Power Options

Configuring Tablet PC Options

Configuring Tablet PC Software

Configuring Power Options

Understanding Troubleshooting Methodology

Performing Remote Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting the Operating System

Configure and troubleshoot access to resources

Troubleshoot authentication issues

Troubleshooting Policy Settings

Troubleshooting Device Drivers

Managing Printers

Configure and troubleshoot access to resources

Troubleshooting Policy Settings

Relevant Exam Objectives

Video #6 - “Administering Windows Vista Security Part 1″ - Ah, Group Policy! In this nugget we examine the local “flavor” of Group Policy, paying specific attention to (a) some of the enhancements to GP that Vista brings to the table; and (b) how the local security policy can be leveraged to reduce the attack surface of a Windows Vista computer. The second half of this nugget deals with Microsoft’s on-board antimalware tool, Windows Defender. Again, Defender is a hot topic on the 70-621 exam, so listen closely and learn thoroughly! Topics include:

Relevant Exam Objectives

Video #7 - “Administering Windows Vista Security Part 2″ - As Windows Firewall was an excellent extension to Windows XP in the Service Pack 2 release, so is the Windows Firewall with Advanced Security tool a wonderful addition to Windows Vista. In this nugget, we learn how to manage this full-featured software firewall that gives us (among many other things) bi-directional stateful packet inspection functionality to our OS. The other “centerpiece” of this nugget is BitLocker drive encryption. You will learn how the technology works, and then watch a demo that makes understanding BitLocker a snap. Topics include:

Relevant Exam Objectives

Video #8 - “Configuring Windows Vista Networking Part 1″ - In this nugget we compare and contrast local-area and wide-area networking from Windows XP to Windows Vista. Perhaps the biggest change from XP to Vista with regard to networking is the Network and Sharing Center, which is introduced in this nugget. Additionally, we consider the basics of setting up both LAN and WAN connections in Vista and performing network troubleshooting. Topics include:

Relevant Exam Objectives

Video #9 - “Configuring Windows Vista Networking Part 2″ - In this nugget we continue our journey through the wild and wooly world of Windows Vista networking. Here we examine in much greater detail the inner workings of the Network and Sharing Center, and configure discovery options and resource sharing. Because we are enterprise support technicians, we must also consider the built-in networking troubleshooting tools that are included in Windows Vista, and learn how to use them to solve network-related issues. Topics include:

Relevant Exam Objectives

Video #10 - “Supporting Built-In Applications Part 1″ - In this nugget we consider the first-party applications that are bundled with the Windows Vista operating system. First we take a look at media applications: Windows Media Player and Windows Media Center. Next we learn how to manage two current-gen replacements for older technologies: Windows Mail, which is the successor to Outlook Express; and Windows Meeting Space, which is the successor to NetMeeting. Topics include:

Relevant Exam Objectives

Video# 11 - “Supporting Built-In Applications Part 2″ - Topics include:

Relevant Exam Objectives

Video #12 - “Maintaining Windows Vista Part 1″ - The Windows Vista Product Team made some great functionality changes to both the age-old Event Viewer as well as the Task Scheduler. In this nugget we deep-dive into configuring event forwarding, in which we can “subscribe” to some or all event log data from one or more remote Windows Vista workstation computers. We will also examine the greatly enhanced Task Scheduler, and learn both how to get around in the tool as well as what types of related questions we can expect to see on the 70-621 exam. Topics include:

Relevant Exam Objectives

Video #13 - “Maintaining Windows Vista Part 2″ - If you have used the Performance console in Windows XP, then you are in for a treat. In this nugget we work with the new Reliability and Performance Monitor tool to obtain a detailed picture with regard to a Windows Vista computer’s system health. We also contrast how Windows Update and Automatic Update work in Windows Vista vis-a-vis Windows XP. Finally, we take control of data protection by understanding the Encrypting File System, or EFS. Topics include:

Relevant Exam Objectives

Video #14 - “Managing Windows Vista Mobile Features Part 1″ - The Microsoft Windows Vista Product Team did a great job at improving the operating system’s performance and behavior when it is run on mobile computers. In this nugget we first define our terms (for instance, what exactly IS a “mobile computer”?). Next, we manage display settings to maximize battery life as well as to make our laptop more flexible when giving presentations. We also consider the new Windows Vista Sync Center, which constitutes a single, unified interface for all of your device-PC and PC-device synchronization pairings. Topics include:

Relevant Exam Objectives

Video #15 - “Managing Windows Vista Mobile Features Part 2″ - In this nugget we continue our discussion of Windows Vista features designed with mobile computers in mind. Specifically, we cover power options, which represents a significant portion of the 70-621 upgrade exam. We also learn about Tablet PC functionality in Windows Vista. For instance, you might be surprised to learn that we no longer are required to purchase a specific edition of Windows Vista to enjoy Tablet PC features. Topics include:

Relevant Exam Objectives

Video #16 - “Troubleshooting Windows Vista Part 1″ - Topics include:

Relevant Exam Objectives

Video #17 - “Troubleshooting Windows Vista Part 2″ - Topics include:

Relevant Exam Objectives