FAQShop.com : System Center Certifications Announced

System Center Certifications Announced

Contributed By: Cliff Hobbs [MVP ConfigMgr/ SMS]
With the launch of the new versions of SMS (ConfigMgr) and MOM (SCOM), Microsoft has overhauled the certifications for these two products.

Full details were disclosed in a Live Meeting a recording of which you can listen to here.

However, here is a summary of the information.

NOTE: I’ve re-ordered some of the information to improve the flow.

Design Principles

Microsoft had three key design principles in mind when they created the new certifications:

Principle 1 – Targeted and Flexible

To create certifications that reflect specific job roles
To create credentials that allow individuals to identify custom skill sets

Principle 2 – Rigorous and Credible

Use advance testing technologies such as simulations, case studies and other complex methodologies
To create straightforward exam paths that test more completely and accurately

Principle 3 – Relevant and Simple

Technology exams verify depth in using technology
Professional exams verify relevant role skills

New Generation Framework

A three tiered model:

Tier 1 (bottom) – Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS)

Core Technical Skills
Proven skills on Microsoft Technologies
Achieved through 1 – 3 exams
Certification retires with product support
Focused on key product or technology
Does not include job role skills

Tier 2 (middle) – Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP)/ Professional Developer (MCPD)

Professional Skills
Proven ability to perform on the job
Achieved through 1 – 3 exams
Technology Specialist a pre-requisite
Focused on a single job role
Recertification required

Tier 3 (top) – Microsoft Certified Architect

Business IT Skills
Proven ability to deliver business solutions
Rigorous entry process
Work closely with mentor
Culminates in oral review board
Recertification required

System Center Certifications

Two technology-focused certifications and a job-role certification – your choice

Path 1

MCTS in either System Center Operations Manager (SCOM) or Configuration Manager (ConfigMgr)
A single exam in either to achieve MCTS for that product

Path 2

MCITP SCOM
3 exams required to achieve MCITP

System Center Roadmap

SCOM MCTS – Exam 70-400 “Microsoft System Center Operations Managing, Configuring” due 2^nd January 2008
ConfigMgr MCTS – Exam 70-401 “Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager, Configuring” due 6^th March 2008
SCOM MCITP – Exam 70-402 “IT Operations and Service Management” due TBA

Candidates for MCTS SCOM:

Operations administrators or engineers
1-3 years experience supporting multiple Windows-based desktops and servers
From mid to large enterprises

Candidates for MCTS ConfigMgr:

Use ConfigMgr to deploy and manage software and manage assets
1 or more years experience using Systems Management Server (SMS)
Have a working knowledge of ConfigMgr’s new features
Have experience of Active Directory (AD) and Windows Server System

Exam Objectives for Exam 70-400 “Microsoft System Center Operations Managing, Configuring”

Configuring SCOM 2007

Configure notification
Manage roles
Configure SCOM options
Discover and deploy Agents within a trusted AD Forest
Discover and deploy Agents to non-AD systems

Deploy and configure Management Packs

Import a Management Pack
Configure overrides
Configure a self-tuning threshold
Migrate a Microsoft Operations Manager (MOM) 2005 Management Pack to SCOM 2007
Configure diagnostics and recoveries for a Rule or Monitor

Build and deploy custom Management Packs

Configure security options
Configure discovery for Management Packs
Create Monitors and Rules
Create a distributed application
Create a synthetic transaction

Maintain SCOM

Maintain a SCOM infrastructure
Create Views
Create Tasks
Failover from Root Management Server (RMS)
Back up and restore SCOM
Managing and maintaining Reports

Configure client monitoring

Configure Audit Collection Service (ACS)
Configure Agentless Exception Monitoring (AEM)
Configure Collective Client Monitoring (CCM)
Configure Business Critical Client Monitoring (BCCM)

ConfigMgr MCTS – Exam 70-401 “Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager, Configuring” due 6^th March 2008

Deploying a ConfigMgr server

Setup and configure AD Schema
Migrate from an SMS 2003 hierarchy to ConfigMgr 2007
Configure a ConfigMgr hierarchy
Setup and configure security accounts

Configuring a ConfigMgr infrastructure

Configure Client Agents
Configure Site Boundaries
Configure core Site System roles
Configure Discovery methods
Configure Client installation
Configure ConfigMgr infrastructure for Internet-based Client management

Managing resources

Build a ConfigMgr Collection using Queries
Meter software usage
Manage assets
Manage inventory flow
Identify unhealthy Clients

Distributing applications

Manage Packages
Manage Programs
Manage Advertisements
Schedule distribution
Track success/ failure rates for distribution
Manage Distribution Points

Deploying operating systems (OSs)

Capture reference computer image
Manage Task Sequences
Configure Site System roles related to Operating System Deployment (OSD)
Deploy OS Packages
Customise User State Migration (USM)
Deliver applications

Securing a network infrastructure

Configure Network Access Protection (NAP)
Maintain NAP
Migrate Inventory Tool for Microsoft Updates (ITMU) to Windows Server Update Services (WSUS)
Deploy software updates
Manage vulnerability compliance

Managing and maintaining a ConfigMgr infrastructure

Manage system health
Configure automatic Maintenance Tasks
Create custom Reports
Maintain Clients
Manage systems using Desired Configuration Management DCM)
Manage Wake-On-LAN (WOL)

Readiness Portfolio for System Center

Exam 70-400 “Microsoft System Center Operations Managing, Configuring”

Instructor-led course number 50028 “Managing System Center Operations 2007” due in the November Courseware library

E-learning

Course Collection: 3386 Implementing System Center Operations Manager 2007
Course 3387: Deploying System Center Operations Manager
Course 3388: Monitoring System Center Operations Manager

NO Microsoft Press material currently in the pipeline

Exam 70-401 “Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager, Configuring”

Instructor-led course number 6451A “Planning, Deploying and System Center Configuration Manager” due to be available 5^th February 2008

Microsoft Press book “Microsoft® System Center Configuration Manager 2007 Administrator's Companion” by Steven D. Kaczmarek and the Microsoft System Center Team due 30^th January 2008 but available for pre-order NOW from the FAQShop Bookstore (which also contains other ConfigMgr and SCOM-related books amongst many others).

NO E-learning courses currently in the pipeline

No information on Exam 70-402 for MCITP in Operations Manager

You might be wondering

Can these exams be used as an elective for Server certifications?
TBD. Considering MCTS certifications as elective for MCSA and MCSE credentials.

Do you have to take these exams in order?
No. But you will not earn the certifications until you have completed the requirements.

Is there an upgrade path from any existing certifications?
No, there are no upgrade paths.

What about other System Center Certifications?
No plans to date.

What happens to the existing SMS exams?
Exam 70-089 (SMS 2003) will continue to be valid as an MCP certification and Server elective

Exam 70-086 (SMS 2.0) is set to retire on 28^th March 2008 (for details see http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcpexams/status/examstoretire.mspx)

When will the next exams be in beta? Can I participate?
70-400 (MCTS SCOM 2007) concludes 25^th October

70-401 (MCTS ConfigMgr 2007) begins 25^th November

70-402 (MCITP SCOM 2007) TBD

Next Steps

To learn more about System Center:
http://www.microsoft.com/systemcenter/

Watch for Preparation Guides in the coming weeks

Participate in beta:
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcpexams/status/beta.mspx

For help contact your RSC:
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/support

Subscribe to the MCP Newsletter:
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/newsletters