MCTS: SQL Server 2005 1

[SQLScholar]

Hey all,

I am really tempted to do an

MCTS: SQL Server 2005

I was originally looking to do an MCDBA but it seems that that is old hat now.

Only thing i am worried about is that we seem to be in a transitional period. As the books they sugguest (6) 3-4 arent available till mid this year. As i want to do this from home, and not on a course - do i have any chance of doing this with other books???

Anyone else done/looked at doing one of these or similar have any advice?

Many thanks

Dan

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There are 2 types of computer, the prototype and the obsolete!!
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No D, just plank - and its not my fault

 

[jrbarnett]

Dan

I did an MCSA boot camp with the SQL Server 2000 admin elective, but since I completed that in December 2004 I've done my other MCP's by buying the books, self study and taking the exams when I felt ready, which has got me 70-229, 70-293 and 70-294 all in 2005.
I'm now fairly close to being ready to take my 70-297 and get my MCSE.

Advice? You have to be motivated to do any self study, as it takes away from your own leisure time. Therefore it helps to have a good incentive to get it completed.

If you haven't got a test lab for trying things out, I'd get a couple of old machines for a network or a decent new one with a couple of Gb RAM to run Virtual PC or VMWare (you'll need this to run a domain controller, SQL member server and client workstation plus the host operating system at a decent speed).

Using trial versions of software as supplied with the books is fine, but MS do a developers version of SQL Server 2000 for about £30 (I'm sure a SQL 2005 version will come along soon) which will provide full Enterprise edition functionality and run on 2000 Pro / XP Pro machines. This will get you the SQL practical experience without the overhead of running it within a virtual host.

The MCTS: SQL 2005 is still very new, so as you say, the books will be along in a few months time. Certainly however, you can use the Microsoft e-Learning material for SQL 2005, free until November this year, at

https://www.microsoftelearning.com/sqlserver2005/

Having checked a bookshop close to where I work yesterday, there are several SQL 2005 books now available, but I've not worked with SQL 2005 so can't really give an informed opinion at all.

Hope that this helps.

John

 

[SQLScholar]

Thanks John.

Much appreciate your opinion on this.

Anyone else?

----------------------------------------
There are 2 types of computer, the prototype and the obsolete!!
----------------------------------------
No D, just plank - and its not my fault

 

[mrdenny]

I'd recommend getting the MCDBA first then moving on to the MCITP. This will give you a good foundation in SQL 2000 before adding in all the new pieces of SQL 2005.

Also most companies aren't going to be jumping on the SQL 2005 boat right away, and you may find the SQL 2000 cert more useful.

The MCDBA cert will also cover more basic T/SQL and database design, while the MCIPT tests will probably cover more of the new features of SQL 2005.

I wouldn't expect to see the MCIPT tests ready for a few months more as the beta tests haven't been scorred yet (I was one of the beta test takers) much less the tests rewritten for production use. Not to mention there can't be test prep books until the tests are ready.

Denny
MCSA (2003) / MCDBA (SQL 2000)

--Anything is possible. All it takes is a little research. (Me)

http://www.mrdenny.com

 

[Skittle]

I concur with Mrdenny.

I was tempted to wait for SQL 2005 before pursuing certs in this area early last year. In the end I but decided it would be more beneficial to get MCDBA and then upgrade.

One more exam to go...the dreaded 70-290.

Dazed and confused
(N+, MCAD .NET)

 

[mrdenny]

There is also the fact that the MCTS exam isn't quite ready yet, and the MCIPT exams aren't close to being ready.

Denny
MCSA (2003) / MCDBA (SQL 2000) / MCTS (SQL 2005)

--Anything is possible. All it takes is a little research. (Me)

http://www.mrdenny.com

 

[SQLScholar]

I know there not ready as yet, but in my view i will need quite sometime to cover all the material (books and online). What i thought, was by the time its covered - the course will be out and ready to do.

Dan

----------------------------------------
There are 2 types of computer, the prototype and the obsolete!!
----------------------------------------
No D, just plank - and its not my fault

 

[Skittle]

Passed my MCDBA last exam today. 70-290 on first attempt.

I'm sure it says somewhere at Microsoft that all IT people now have to salute me when I walk down a corridor and donate 2% of their annual salary to me.

...Doesn't it??



Dazed and confused