mcse - Microsoft Certified System Engineer

For A+ Certification, the examinee must pass both this examination and the A+ Operating System

Technologies examination. The Core Hardware examination measures essential competencies for a desktop computer hardware service technician with six months of on-the-job experience. The examinee must demonstrate basic knowledge of installing, configuring, upgrading, troubleshooting, and repairing desktop computer systems at the standard defined by this test specification.

For Salient Features & Applications

Installing & Configuring Windows XP Professional (70-270)

Installing Windows XP Professional

Perform and troubleshoot an attended installation of Windows XP Professional. Perform and troubleshoot an unattended installation of Windows XP Professional. Install Windows XP Professional by using Remote Installation Services (RIS). Install Windows XP Professional by using the System Preparation Tool. Create unattended answer files by using Setup Manager to automate the installation of Windows XP Professional. Upgrade from a previous version of Windows to Windows XP Professional. Prepare a computer to meet upgrade requirements. Migrate existing user environments to a new installation. Perform post-installation updates and product activation. Troubleshoot failed installations.

Configuring and Troubleshooting the Desktop Environment

Configure and manage user profiles and desktop settings. Create users and configure user environment by user profiles. Configure users for various roles. Configure and manage groups. Configure support for multiple languages or multiple locations. Enable multiple-language support. Configure multiple-language support for users. Configure local settings. Configure Windows XP Professional for multiple locations. Manage applications by using Windows Installer packages. Configure Internet and Remote Access and VPN connectivity.

Implementing and Conducting Administration of Resources

Monitor, manage, and troubleshoot access to files and folders. Configure, manage, and troubleshoot file compression. Control access to files and folders by using permissions. Optimize access to files and folders. Manage and troubleshoot access to shared folders. Create and remove shared folders. Control access to shared folders by using permissions. Manage and troubleshoot Web server resources. Connect to local and network print devices. Manage printers and print jobs. Control access to printers by using permissions. Connect to an Internet printer. Connect to a local print device. Configure and manage file systems. Convert from one file system to another file system. Configure NTFS, FAT32, or FAT file systems. Manage and troubleshoot access to and synchronization of offline files.

Implementing, Managing, Monitoring, and Troubleshooting Hardware Devices and Drivers

Implement, manage, and troubleshoot disk devices. Install, configure, and manage DVD and CD-ROM devices. Monitor and configure disks. Monitor, configure, and troubleshoot volumes. Monitor and configure removable media, such as tape devices. Implement, manage, and troubleshoot display devices. Configure multiple-display support. Install, configure, and troubleshoot a video adapter. Configure Advanced Configuration Power Interface (ACPI). Implement, manage, and troubleshoot input and output (I/O) devices. Monitor, configure, and troubleshoot I/O devices, such as printers, scanners, multimedia devices, mouse, keyboard, and smart card reader. Monitor, configure, and troubleshoot multimedia hardware, such as cameras. Install, configure, and manage modems. Install, configure, and manage Infrared Data Association (IrDA) devices. Install, configure, and manage wireless devices. Install, configure, and manage USB devices. Install, configure, and manage hand held devices. Install, configure, and manage network adapters. Manage and troubleshoot drivers and driver signing. Monitor and configure multiprocessor computers.

Monitoring and Optimizing System Performance and Reliability

Monitor, optimize, and troubleshoot performance of the Windows XP Professional desktop. Optimize and troubleshoot memory performance. Optimize and troubleshoot processor utilization. Optimize and troubleshoot disk performance. Optimize and troubleshoot application performance.

Configure, manage, and troubleshoot Scheduled Tasks. Manage, monitor, and optimize system performance for mobile users. Restore and back up the operating system, System State data, and user data. Recover System State data and user data by using Windows Backup. Troubleshoot system restoration by starting in safe mode. Recover System State data and user data by using the Recovery console.

Implementing, Managing, and Troubleshooting Network Protocol Services

Configure and troubleshoot the TCP/IP protocol. Connect to computers by using dial-up networking. Connect to computers by using a virtual private network (VPN) connection. Create a dial-up connection to connect to a remote access server. Connect to the Internet by using dial-up networking. Configure and troubleshoot Internet Connection Sharing (ICS). Connect to resources by using Internet Explorer. Configure, manage, and implement Internet Information Services (IIS). Configure, manage, and troubleshoot Remote Desktop and Remote Assistance. Configure, manage, and troubleshoot an Internet Connection Firewall (ICF).

Managing Windows Server 2003 Server (70-290)

Managing and Maintaining Physical and Logical Devices

Tools might include Device Manager, the Hardware Troubleshooting Wizard, and appropriate Control Panel items.

Manage basic disks and dynamic disks.

Optimize server disk performance.

Implement a RAID solution

De-fragment volumes and partitions.

Monitor and Troubleshoot server hardware devices.

Install and configure server hardware devices.

Configure driver-signing options.

Configure device properties and resource settings for a device.

Diagnose and resolve issues related to server hardware settings and hardware device driver upgrades.

Managing Users, Computers, and Groups

Manage local, roaming, and mandatory user profiles.

Create and manage computer accounts in an Active Directory environment.

Create and manage groups. Identify and modify the scope of a group.

Find domain groups in which a user is a member. Manage group membership.

Create and modify groups by using the Active Directory Users and Computers Microsoft Management Console (MMC) snap-in.

Create and modify groups by using automation.

Create and manage user accounts. Import user accounts.

Create and modify user accounts by using the Active Directory Users and Computers

Managing and Maintaining Access to Resources

Troubleshoot user authentication issues.

Troubleshoot Terminal Services.

Diagnose and resolve issues related to Terminal Services security.

Diagnose and resolve issues related to client access to Terminal Services.

Configure access to shared folders. Manage shared folder permissions.

Configure file system permissions.

Verify effective permissions when granting permissions.

Change ownership of files and folders.

Troubleshoot access to files and shared folders.

Troubleshoot print queues.

Manage a Web server. Manage Internet Information Services (IIS).

Manage security for IIS.

Managing and Maintaining a Server Environment

Monitor and analyze events. Tools might include Event Viewer and System Monitor.

Manage software update infrastructure. Manage software site licensing.

Manage servers remotely. Manage a server by using Remote Assistance.

Manage a server by using Terminal Services remote administration mode

Manage a server by using available support tools.

Monitor system performance.

Monitor file and print servers. Tools might include Task Manager, Event Viewer, and System Monitor.

Monitor disk quotas. Monitor print queues. Monitor server hardware for bottlenecks.

Monitor and optimize a server environment for application performance.

Monitor memory performance objects.

Monitor network performance objects.

Monitor process performance objects.

Managing and Implementing Disaster Recovery

Perform system recovery for a server.

Implement Automated System Recovery (ASR).

Restore data from shadow copy volumes.

Back up files and System State data to media.

Configure security for backup operations.

Manage backup procedures.

Verify the successful completion of backup jobs.

Manage backup storage media.

Recover from server hardware failure.

Restore backup data. Schedule backup jobs

Planning Windows 2003 Server Network Infrastructure (70-291)

Implementing, Managing, and Maintaining IP Addressing

Configure TCP/IP addressing on a server computer. Manage DHCP. Manage DHCP clients and leases. Manage DHCP Relay Agent. Manage DHCP databases. Manage DHCP scope options. Manage reservations and reserved clients. Troubleshoot TCP/IP addressing. Diagnose and resolve issues related to Automatic Private IP Addressing (APIPA). Diagnose and resolve issues related to incorrect TCP/IP configuration. Troubleshoot DHCP. Diagnose and resolve issues related to DHCP authorization. Verify DHCP reservation configuration. Examine the system event log and DHCP server audit log files to find related events. Diagnose and resolve issues related to configuration of DHCP server and scope options. Verify that the DHCP Relay Agent is working correctly. Verify database integrity.

Implementing, Managing, and Maintaining Name Resolution

Install and configure the DNS Server service. Configure DNS server options. Configure DNS zone options. Configure DNS forwarding. Configure DNS caching only.

Manage DNS. Manage DNS zone settings. Manage DNS record settings. Manage DNS server options. Manage DNS zone options.

Monitor DNS. Tools might include System Monitor, Event Viewer, Replication Monitor, and DNS debug logs

Implementing, Managing, and Maintaining Routing and Remote Access

Configure Routing and Remote Access user authentication. Configure remote access authentication protocols. Configure Internet Authentication Service (IAS) to provide authentication for Routing and Remote Access clients. Configure Routing and Remote Access policies to permit or deny access. Manage remote access. Manage packet filters. Manage Routing and Remote Access routing interfaces. Manage devices and ports. Manage routing protocols. Manage Routing and Remote Access clients. Manage TCP/IP routing. Manage routing protocols. Manage routing tables. Manage routing ports. Implement secure access between private networks. Troubleshoot user access to remote access services. Diagnose and resolve issues related to remote access VPNs. Diagnose and resolve issues related to establishing a remote access connection. Diagnose and resolve user access to resources beyond the remote access server. Troubleshoot Routing and Remote Access routing. Troubleshoot demand-dial routing. Troubleshoot router- to-router VPNs.

Implementing, Managing, and Maintaining Network Infrastructure and Security

Implement secure network administration procedures. Implement security baseline settings and audit security settings by using security templates. Implement the principle of least privilege. Install and configure software update infrastructure. Install and configure software update services. Install and configure automatic client update settings. Configure software updates on earlier operating systems. Monitor network protocol security. Tools might include the IP Security Monitor Microsoft Management Console (MMC) snap-in and Kerberos support tools. Troubleshoot network protocol security. Tools might include the IP Security Monitor MMC snap-in, Event Viewer, and Network Monitor. Monitor network traffic. Tools might include Network Monitor and System Monitor. Troubleshoot connectivity to the Internet. Troubleshoot server services. Diagnose and resolve issues related to service dependency. Use service recovery options to diagnose and resolve service-related issues

Planning Windows 2003 Server Network Infrastructure (70-293)

Planning and Implementing Server Roles and Server Security

Configure security for servers that are assigned specific roles. Plan a secure baseline installation. Plan a strategy to enforce system default security settings on new systems. Identify client operating system default security settings. Identify all server operating system default security settings. Plan security for servers that are assigned specific roles. Roles might include domain controllers, Web servers, database servers, and mail servers. Deploy the security configuration for servers that are assigned specific roles. Create custom security templates based on server roles. Evaluate and select the operating system to install on computers in an enterprise. Identify the minimum configuration to satisfy security requirements.

Planning, Implementing, and Maintaining a Network Infrastructure

Plan a TCP/IP network infrastructure strategy. Analyze IP addressing requirements. Plan an IP routing solution. Create an IP subnet scheme. Plan and modify a network topology. Plan the physical placement of network resources. Identify network protocols to be used. Plan an Internet connectivity strategy. Troubleshoot connectivity to the Internet. Troubleshoot TCP/IP addressing. Diagnose and resolve issues related to Network Address Translation (NAT). Diagnose and resolve issues related to name resolution cache information

Diagnose and resolve issues related to client configuration. Diagnose and resolve issues related to client computer configuration. Diagnose and resolve issues related to DHCP server address assignment. Plan a host name resolution strategy. Plan a DNS namespace design. Plan zone replication requirements. Plan a forwarding configuration. Plan for DNS security. Examine the interoperability of DNS with third-party DNS solutions. Plan a NetBIOS name resolution strategy. Plan a WINS replication strategy. Plan NetBIOS name resolution by using the Lmhosts file. Troubleshoot host name resolution. Diagnose and resolve issues related to DNS services. Diagnose and resolve issues related to client computer configuration

Planning, Implementing, and Maintaining Routing and Remote Access

Plan a routing strategy. Plan routing for IP multicast traffic. Identify routing protocols to use in a specified environment. Plan security for remote access users. Plan remote access policies. Analyze protocol security requirements. Plan authentication methods for remote access clients. Implement secure access between private networks. Create and implement an IPSec policy. Troubleshoot TCP/IP routing. Tools might include the route, tracert, ping, pathping, and netsh commands and Network Monitor.

Planning, Implementing, and Maintaining Server Availability

Configure Active Directory service for certificate publication. Plan a public key infrastructure (PKI) that uses Certificate Services. Identify the appropriate type of certificate authority to support certificate issuance requirements. Plan the enrollment and distribution of certificates. Plan for the use of smart cards for authentication. Plan a framework for planning and implementing security. Plan for security monitoring. Plan a change and configuration management framework for security. Plan a security update infrastructure. Tools might include Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer and Microsoft Software Update Services. Plan network traffic monitoring. Tools might include Network Monitor and System Monitor.

Planning & Implementing Active Directory Infrastructure (70-294)

Planning and Implementing an Active Directory Infrastructure

Plan a strategy for placing global catalog servers. Evaluate network traffic considerations when placing global catalog servers. Evaluate the need to enable universal group caching. Plan flexible operations master role placement. Plan for business continuity of operations master roles. Identify operations master role dependencies. Implement an Active Directory service forest and domain structure. Create the forest root domain. Create a child domain. Create and configure Application Data Partitions. Install and configure an Active Directory domain controller. Set an Active Directory forest and domain functional level based on requirements. Establish trust relationships. Types of trust relationships might include external trusts, shortcut trusts, and cross-forest trusts. Implement an Active Directory site topology. Configure site links. Configure preferred bridgehead servers.

Managing and Maintaining an Active Directory Infrastructure

Manage an Active Directory forest and domain structure. Manage trust relationships. Manage schema modifications. Add or remove a UPN suffix. Manage an Active Directory site. Configure site boundaries. Configure replication schedules. Configure site link costs.

Monitor Active Directory replication failures. Tools might include Replication Monitor, Event Viewer, and support tools. Monitor Active Directory replication. Monitor File Replication service (FRS) replication. Restore Active Directory services. Perform an authoritative restore operation. Perform a non-authoritative restore operation. Troubleshoot Active Directory. Diagnose and resolve issues related to Active Directory replication. Diagnose and resolve issues related to operations master role failure. Diagnose and resolve issues related to the Active Directory database.

Planning and Implementing User, Computer, and Group Strategies

Plan Group Policy strategy. Plan a Group Policy strategy by using Resultant Set of Policy (RSoP) Planning mode. Plan a strategy for configuring the user environment by using Group Policy. Plan a strategy for configuring the computer environment by using Group Policy. Configure the user environment by using Group Policy. Distribute software by using Group Policy. Automatically enroll user certificates by using Group Policy. Redirect folders by using Group Policy. Configure user security settings by using Group Policy. Deploy a computer environment by using Group Policy. Distribute software by using Group Policy. Automatically enroll computer certificates by using Group Policy. Configure computer security settings by using Group Policy. Managing and Maintaining Group Policy Troubleshoot issues related to Group Policy application deployment. Tools might include RSoP and the gpresult command. Maintain installed software by using Group Policy. Distribute updates to software distributed by Group Policy. Configure automatic updates for network clients by using Group Policy. Troubleshoot the application of Group Policy security settings. Tools might include RSoP and the gpresult command.

Designing Active Directory & Network Infrastructure (70-297)

Creating the Conceptual Design by Gathering and Analyzing Business and Technical Requirements

Environment. Analyze current network administration model. Analyze network requirements. Analyze DNS for Active Directory service implementation. Analyze the current DNS infrastructure. Analyze the current namespace. Analyze existing network operating system implementation. Identify the existing domain model. Identify the number and location of domain controllers on the network. Identify the configuration details of all servers on the network

Analyze security requirements for the Active Directory service. Analyze current security policies, standards, and procedures. Identify the impact of Active Directory on the current security infrastructure. Identify the existing trust relationships.

Identify constraints in the current network infrastructure. Interpret current baseline performance requirements for each major subsystem. Analyze the impact of the infrastructure design on the existing technical

Design the Active Directory and Network Services infrastructure to meet business and technical requirements

Create the conceptual design of the Active Directory forest structure. Design the Active Directory replication strategy. Create the conceptual design of the organizational unit (OU) structure. Create the conceptual design of the DNS infrastructure. Create the conceptual design of the WINS infrastructure. Create the conceptual design of the DHCP infrastructure. Creating the Logical Design for an Active Directory Infrastructure Design an OU structure. Identify the Group Policy requirements for the OU structure. Design an OU structure for the purpose of delegating authority. Design a security group strategy. Define the scope of a security group to meet requirements.

Define user roles. Design a user and computer authentication strategy. Identify common authentication requirements. Select authentication mechanisms.

Design a user and computer account strategy. Specify account policy requirements. Specify account requirements for users, computers, administrators, and services. Design an Active Directory naming strategy.

Identify NetBIOS naming requirements. Design migration paths to Active Directory. Define whether the migration will include an in-place upgrade, domain restructuring, or migration to a new Active Directory environment.

Design the administration of Group Policy objects (GPOs).

Creating the Logical Design for a Network Services Infrastructure

Design a DNS name resolution strategy. Create the namespace design. Identify DNS interoperability with Active Directory, WINS, and DHCP. Specify zone requirements. Specify DNS security. Design a DNS strategy for interoperability with UNIX Berkeley Internet Name Domain (BIND) to support Active Directory. Design a NetBIOS name resolution strategy. Design a WINS replication strategy

Design security for remote access users.

Design remote access policies. Specify logging and auditing settings. Design a DNS service implementation. Design a strategy for DNS zone storage. Specify the use of DNS server options. Identify the registration requirements of specific DNS records. Design a remote access strategy. Specify the remote access method. Specify the authentication method for remote access. Design an IP address assignment strategy. Specify DHCP integration with DNS infrastructure. Specify DHCP interoperability with client types.

Creating the Physical Design for an Active Directory and Network Infrastructure

Design DNS service placement. Design an Active Directory implementation plan. Design the placement of domain controllers and global catalog servers. Plan the placement of flexible operations master roles. Select the domain controller creation process. Specify the server specifications to meet system requirements. Design Internet connectivity for a company. Design a network and routing topology for a company. Design a TCP/IP addressing scheme through the use of IP subnets. Specify the placement of routers. Design IP address assignment by using DHCP. Design a perimeter network. Design the remote access infrastructure. Plan capacity. Ascertain network settings required to access resources. Design for availability, redundancy, and survivability.

Skills measured by exam (70-298)

Creating the Conceptual Design for Network Infrastructure Security by Gathering and Analyzing Business and Technical Requirements
Analyze business requirements for designing security. Considerations include existing policies and procedures, sensitivity of data, cost, legal requirements, end-user impact, interoperability, maintainability, scalability, and risk.
Analyze existing security policies and procedures.
Analyze the organizational requirements for securing data.
Analyze the security requirements of different types of data.
Analyze risks to security within the current IT administration structure and security practices.

Design a framework for designing and implementing security. The framework should include prevention, detection, isolation, and recovery.
Predict threats to your network from internal and external sources.
Design a process for responding to incidents.
Design segmented networks.
Design a process for recovering services.

Analyze technical constraints when designing security.
Identify capabilities of the existing infrastructure.
Identify technology limitations.
Analyze interoperability constraints.

Creating the Logical Design for Network Infrastructure Security
Design a public key infrastructure (PKI) that uses Certificate Services.
Design a certification authority (CA) hierarchy implementation. Types include geographical, organizational, and trusted.
Design enrollment and distribution processes.
Establish renewal, revocation and auditing processes.
Design security for CA servers.

Design a logical authentication strategy.
Design certificate distribution.
Design forest and domain trust models.
Design security that meets interoperability requirements.
Establish account and password requirements for security.

Design security for network management.
Manage the risk of managing networks.
Design the administration of servers by using common administration tools. Tools include Microsoft Management Console (MMC), Terminal Server, Remote Desktop for Administration, Remote Assistance, and Telnet.
Design security for Emergency Management Services.

Design a security update infrastructure.
Design a Software Update Services (SUS) infrastructure.
Design Group Policy to deploy software updates.
Design a strategy for identifying computers that are not at the current patch level.

Creating the Physical Design for Network Infrastructure Security
Design network infrastructure security.
Specify the required protocols for a firewall configuration.
Design IP filtering.
Design an IPSec policy.
Secure a DNS implementation.
Design security for data transmission.

Design security for wireless networks.
Design public and private wireless LANs.
Design 802.1x authentication for wireless networks.

Design user authentication for Internet Information Services (IIS).
Design user authentication for a Web site by using certificates.
Design user authentication for a Web site by using IIS authentication.
Design user authentication for a Web site by using RADIUS for IIS authentication.

Design security for Internet Information Services (IIS).
Design security for Web sites that have different technical requirements by enabling only the minimum required services.
Design a monitoring strategy for IIS.
Design an IIS baseline that is based on business requirements.
Design a content management strategy for updating an IIS server.

Design security for communication between networks.
Select protocols for VPN access.
Design VPN connectivity.
Design demand-dial routing between internal networks.

Design security for communication with external organizations.
Design an extranet infrastructure.
Design a strategy for cross-certification of Certificate Services.

Design security for servers that have specific roles. Roles include domain controller, network infrastructure server, file server, IIS server, terminal server, and POP3 mail server.
Define a baseline security template for all systems.
Create a plan to modify baseline security templates according to role.

Designing an Access Control Strategy for Data
Design an access control strategy for directory services.
Create a delegation strategy.
Analyze auditing requirements.
Design the appropriate group strategy for accessing resources.
Design a permission structure for directory service objects.

Design an access control strategy for files and folders.
Design a strategy for the encryption and decryption of files and folders.
Design a permission structure for files and folders.
Design security for a backup and recovery strategy.
Analyze auditing requirements.

Design an access control strategy for the registry.
Design a permission structure for registry objects.
Analyze auditing requirements.

Creating the Physical Design for Client Infrastructure Security
Design a client authentication strategy.
Analyze authentication requirements.
Establish account and password security requirements.

Design a security strategy for client remote access.
Design remote access policies.
Design access to internal resources.
Design an authentication provider and accounting strategy for remote network access by using Internet Authentication Service (IAS).

Design a strategy for securing client computers. Considerations include desktop and portable computers.
Design a strategy for hardening client operating systems.
Design a strategy for restricting user access to operating system features.