Back to Course Catalog > Microsoft Certification > Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer MCSE
Description
The Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) Certification is the premier credential for technical professionals who analyze the business requirements and design and implement the infrastructure for business solutions based on the Microsoft Windows® 2000 platform and Microsoft server software. Implementation responsibilities include installing, configuring, and troubleshooting network systems.

By earning the premier MCSE credential, individuals are demonstrating that they have the skills necessary to lead organizations in the successful design, implementation, and administration of the most advanced Microsoft Windows platform and Microsoft server products.

Audience
The MCSE Certification is geared toward systems analysts, network analysts, technical support engineers, systems engineers, and technical consultants. The Windows 2000 track of the MCSE credential is designed for IT professionals working in the typically complex computing environment of medium to large organizations.

Prerequisites
An MCSE candidate should have at least one year of experience implementing and administering a network operating system in environments with the following characteristics:

    • 200 to 26,000 supported users.
    • 5 to 150 physical locations.
    • Typical network services and applications including file and print, database, messaging, proxy server or firewall, dial-in server,
       desktop management, and Web hosting.
    • Connectivity needs including connecting individual offices and users at remote locations to the corporate network and
       connecting corporate networks to the Internet.
    • In addition, an MCSE candidate should have at least one year of experience in implementing and administering a desktop
       operating system and designing a network infrastructure.

Certification Track
For more information on the specific courses offered in either the MCSE Windows 2000, or the MCSE Windows Server 2003 certification tracks, please refer to the Windows 2000 certification chart, or the Windows 2003 certification chart.

Acquired Skills
By passing your MCSE Certification exam, you are certified to design and implement infrastructure systems using the Microsoft Windows 2000 platform and Microsoft server software, based on your analysis of business needs. You are able to install, configure, and troubleshoot network systems.

Requirements
Unless you hold a MCSE Certification in Windows NT 4.0, you must take five core exams and choose two elective exams. If you have already passed the three Windows NT 4.0 exams, you may take two core exams (one of which replaces four of the five core exams) and two elective exams. Microsoft has retired the Windows NT 4.0 Certification, so even if you hold an MCSE in Windows NT 4.0, you must maintain your certification before the end of 2001 by passing the Windows 2000 requirements. Microsoft also plans to offer exams in Windows XP Professional and Windows .NET Server later in 2001.

For more information on the MCSE credential go to www.microsoft.com/mcse.

Learning Path to Microsoft Windows 2000 Systems Engineer

Core Exam: Client Operating System
Choose one exam from this group:
Microsoft Windows 2000 Network & Operating System Essentials (3 days)
Implementing and Supporting MS Win XP Professional (5 days)
Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Windows XP Professional for Systems Administrators (3 days)

Core Exam: Networking System
3 Exams Required:
Implementing Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional and Server (5 days)
Implementing a Microsoft Windows 2000 Network Infrastructure (5 days)
Implementing and Administering Microsoft Windows 2000 Directory Services (5 days)

Core Exam: Design
1 Exam Required:
Designing a Microsoft Windows 2000 Directory Services Infrastructure (3 days)
Fundamentals of Network Security * ** (3 days)
Designing a Microsoft Windows 2000 Networking Services Infrastructure (4 days)
Designing a Secure Microsoft Windows 2000 Network (5 days)

Elective Exams
2 Exams Required:
Deploying & Managing Microsoft Internet Security & Acceleration Server (3 days)
Implementing Microsoft Windows 2000 Clustering (3 days)
Designing a Secure Microsoft Windows 2000 Network (5 days)
Implementing a Microsoft Windows 2000 Network Infrastructure * (5 days)
Querying MS SQL Server 2000 with T-SQL (2 days)
Programming a Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Database (5 days)
Designing a Microsoft Windows 2000 Migration Strategy (2 days)
Designing and Implementing OLAP Solutions with Microsoft SQL Server 2000 (5 days)
Administering a Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Database (5 days)
Supporting and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 Network ( 5 days)
Fundamentals of Network Security (4 days)
Developing and Deploying Microsoft Biztalk Server 2000 Solutions (5 days)
Designing B2B Integration Solutions (3 days)
Implementing and Managing Microsoft Exchange 2000 (5 days)
CompTia Security+ (5 days)
Managing a Microsoft Windows 2000 Network Environment (5 days)

Learning Path to Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Systems Engineer

Core Exams: Client Operating System (1 Exam Required)
Individuals new to Technology or Experienced with Non-Windows Platforms:
Implementing and Supporting MS Win XP Professional (5 days)
Microsoft Windows 2000 Network & Operating System Essentials (3 days)
Implementing Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional and Server * (5 days)
Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Windows XP Professional for Systems Administrators (3 days)

Current Windows 2000 Systems Administrators Upgrading Core Skills:
Updating Systems Administrator Skills from Microsoft Windows 2000 to Windows Server 2003 (2 days)
Designing a Microsoft Windows 2000 Migration Strategy (3 days)
Updating Support Skills from Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 to Microsoft Windows Server 2003 (5 days)
Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Windows XP Professional for Systems Administrators (3 days)
Plan & Maintain a MS Win Server 2003 Network Infrastructure (5 days)
Plan, Implementing, & Maintain a MS Win Server 2003 Active Directory Infrastructure (5 days)

Core Exam: Networking System
4 Exams Required:
Managing a MS Win Server 2003 Environment (5 days)
Maintaining a MS Win Server 2003 Environment (3 days)
Updating Support Skills from Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 to Microsoft Windows Server 2003 (5 days)
Implementing a MS Win Server 2003 Network Infrastructure: Network Hosts (2 days)
Implementing, Managing, and Maintaining a MS Win Server 2003 Network Infrastructure: Network Services (5 days)
Updating Support Skills from Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 to Microsoft Windows Server 2003 (5 days)
Plan, Implementing, & Maintain a MS Win Server 2003 Active Directory Infrastructure (5 days)

Core Exam: Design
1 Exam Required:
Designing a MS Win Server 2003 Active Directory & Network Infrastructure (5 days)
Designing Security for MS Networks (3 days)

Electives Exams
1 Exam Required:
Querying MS SQL Server 2000 with T-SQL (2 days)
Programming a Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Database (5 days)
Deploying & Managing Microsoft Internet Security & Acceleration Server (3 days)
Administering a Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Database (5 days)
Designing Security for MS Networks (3 days)

* For an MCSE on Windows NT 4.0, the MCSE credential itself satisfies the elective requirement for Windows Server 2003 because it proves the ability to support another version of the platform; therefore, no elective is required.
** Test objectives for both the 70-290 and 70-291 exams are covered in the 2208 course.