MCSE 2003 CertYourself Section

The Microsoft® Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) credential is the premier certification for professionals who analyze the business requirements and design and implement the infrastructure for business solutions based on the Microsoft Windows® 2003 platform and Microsoft server software.

Microsoft recommend that MCSE candidates should have at least one year of experience implementing and administering a network operating system, implementing and administering a client operating system, and designing a network infrastructure, although this isn’t a prerequisite to obtaining the Microsoft® Certified Systems Engineer credential.

The Microsoft® Certified Systems Engineer credential doesn’t expire, but Microsoft release new versions of it as they upgrade their software.

Microsoft® Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) candidates on the Microsoft Windows® 2003 track are required to pass a minimum of seven exams. After passing the first exam, the candidate will be certified with the Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) credential. The seven exams must include the following:

Core Exams (6 Exams Required)

• Networking system exams (4 exams required).
  
  70-290 Managing and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Environment
  
  70-291 Implementing, Managing, and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure
  
  70-293 Planning and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure
  
  70-294 Planning, Implementing, and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Active Directory Infrastructure
• Client operating system exams (1 exam required)
  
  70-070 Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Windows® XP Professional
  
  70-210 Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional
• Design exams (1 exam required)
  
  70-297 Designing a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Active Directory and Network Infrastructure
  
  70-298 Designing Security for a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network
• Elective Exams (1 Exam Required)
  
  70-086 Implementing and Supporting Microsoft Systems Management Server 2.0
  
  70-227 Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration (ISA) Server 2000, Enterprise Edition
  
  70-228 Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft SQL Server™ 2000 Enterprise Edition
  
  70-229 Designing and Implementing Databases with Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Enterprise Edition
  
  70-232 Implementing and Maintaining Highly Available Web Solutions with Microsoft Windows 2000 Server Technologies and Microsoft Application Center 2000
  
  70-282 Designing, Deploying, and Managing a Network Solution for a Small- and Medium-Sized Business
  
  70-284 Implementing and Managing Microsoft Exchange Server 2003
  
  70-297 Designing a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Active Directory and Network Infrastructure
  
  70-298 Designing Security for a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network
  
  70-299 Implementing and Administering Security in a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network

As an alternative to the electives listed above, the following certifications may be substituted for an MCSE elective:

MCSA on Windows 2000
MCSE on Windows 2000
MCSE on Windows NT
CompTIA Security +
Unisys UN0-101

A candidate certified as an MCSE on Windows 2000 can achieve the MCSE on Windows 2003 certification by passing the following two upgrade exams:

70-292 Managing and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Environment for an MCSA Certified on Windows 2000

70-296 Planning, Implementing, and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Environment for an MCSE Certified on Windows 2000