Our class, Microsoft Course No. XXXX, is the Microsoft approved version of the Self Paced Training in a classroom environment. It is part of MCSE certification track, to prepare you for Exam 70-059.

The class is meant to prepare you for the use of Microsoft's implementation of TCP/IP. We will cover the basic networking concepts underlying TCP/IP, such as ARP, IP, TCP, ICMP and IGMP. IP address and subnet masking are an important part of the course, and a good deal of time will be allowed for complete coverage of these important concepts. We'll get hands on experience with Microsofts Window Internet Name Server, Microsoft's implementation of DNS (Domain Name Service), and new to NT 4.0, Microsoft's version of DHCP (Domain Host Configuration Protocol). We will emphasize practical experience and get as much hands on and practical advise as possible. We'll be sure to cover those subjects emphasized on the examinations.

The business of writing MCSE study aids is booming, and there are a bewildering number of additional training guides available if you feel the need for additional reading and preparation before taking the exam. Some of these are better than others. These books are available at most major bookstores and many large computer stores. They can also be purchased on the Internet, and reviews of many are available online. Since most of these books represent a substantial monetary investment, it’s always best to read independent reviews and ask the opinions of others who have used them. A word of caution: some of these books contain incorrect or outdated information! Some publishers maintain websites devoted to providing updates and/or corrections to their material. Always check these sites for the publications you’re using. A list of supplemental texts which I’ve used and found to be helpful is attached. Exclusion from this list doesn’t imply anything negative about other books, but may simply indicate that I haven’t personally used that particular text.

There are also several vendors who offer test simulations; Transcender Corporation is probably the best known of these. Microsoft provides the PEP tests to acquaint you with the format and test structure, as well. Practice tests can be extremely valuable in teaching you to "think through" the types of questions you’ll encounter on the exam. However, to get the real benefit of the practice exams, you must understand the answers, not just memorize them.

Exam 70-059 is one of the more difficult exams. You'll have to do a lot more than just memorize information and then answer a "definition" type question. You will need to understand the concepts well enough to really apply them to real life situations. If you ask most people about their experiences with this exam you'll find that they'll agree with this assessment. The value of taking this class is that you'll be able to see and work with the things that you'll be tested on during the examination. While you might be able to pass the TCP/IP exam without practical experience or exposure to the product, you would be absolutely no good to a potential employer if that were the case. We will aim at making you as conversant as possible with TCP/IP.

This course will require a lot of outside study on your part. You will be given reading assignments in preparation for each class, and there will be several worksheets and quizzes to prepare you to answer the types of questions you’ll see on the certification exam. If this is your first elective exam, you can pride yourself on taking one of the more difficult, but one of the most important exams that Microsoft offers. TCP/IP is THE networking protocol standard. To be a valuable network engineer, you must have a good level of knowledge and comfort with TCP/IP. You will be amazed how many network problems which were once a mystery suddenly have their solutions become quite clear to you by the time you understand how TCP/IP works. Also, TCP/IP is required as part of the MCP+Internet certification. If you would like to collect a bunch of letters after your name, you should consider taking both TCP and IIS as your elective examinations.

If you have Internet access, you’ll find a wealth of material and support on the web, and through mailing lists and newsgroups devoted to MCP/MCSE issues. The attached resource list shows just a few of these.

As your instructor, facilitator, guru, and hopefully, friend, I’m here to facilitate your learning experience and help you attain your goal of Microsoft certification. If you have questions or comments, please don’t hesitate to let me know.

BOOKS:

TCP/IP Study Guide, Sybex Publishing. Be sure to get the latest edition, because the first edition was oriented to Windows NT 3.51 with just a short chapter on NT 4.0. The quality of the Sybex books varies considerably from one topic to another, but this TCP/IP book contains a lot of material on exam-related subjects and has a lot of practical exercises and tips and tricks.

TCP/IP Exam Cram, Certification Insider Press. I recommend this book with a couple of caveats: 1) be sure to check the website for the "errata" (corrections of typos and just plain errors in the original printing) and 2) use this book only AFTER reading other, more comprehensive study guides, studying the MS texts and using the operating system. When used in this way, it can be a valuable means of focusing on the areas emphasized in the MS test.

Windows NT Resource Kit, Microsoft. The Resource Kit contains more in-depth discussion of the topics covered in the Self Study Kit, and goes beyond the "hows" to explain the "whys." Although not necessary to pass the exam, using the Resource Kit will better acquaint you with the operating system and how to get the most out of it.

ONLINE RESOURCES:

Microsoft Knowledge Base – comprehensive online technical support

http://www.microsoft.com/Support/

Microsoft Certification and Training – for list of topics covered in exam 70-059

http://www.microsoft.com/mcp/mktg/cert.htm

MCSE Links Unlimited – a treasure chest of websites to help you in the certification process

http://home4.swipnet.se/~w-44665/

Transcender Corporation – source for practice exams

http://www.transcender.com

The Saluki MCSE lists – includes a general MCSE discussion list and MCSE-tech

The MCSE newsgroups – individual newsgroups devoted to each test topic.