MCSA (Microsoft Certified Solution Associate) is an entry level technology certification exam in Microsoft products. The MCSA (Microsoft Certified System Administrator) and MCSE(Microsoft Certified System Engineer)credentials were introduced by Microsoft in 90s and were the dominating titles in the world of Microsoft certifications. But in 2008 Microsoft replaced these certifications with MCTS (Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist) and MCITP( Microsoft Certified IT Professional). In 2012 april , Microsoft revamped their certification program and re introduced the credentials MCSA and MCSE . But this time the expansions are Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate and Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer.
Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites for MCSA certification.
Required exams and exam objectives
Installing and Configuring Windows Server 2012 70 – 410
Administering windows server 2012 70 – 411
Configuring Advanced Windows Server 2012 Services 70 – 412
Installing and Configuring Windows Server 2012 (Exam:70-410)
- Deploying and Managing Windows Server 2012
Windows Server 2012 Overview,Overview of Windows Server 2012 Management,Installing Windows Server 2012,Post-Installation Configuration of Windows Server 2012
- Introduction to Active Directory Domain Services
Overview of AD DS,Overview of Domain Controllers
- Managing Active Directory Domain Services Objects
Managing User Accounts ,Managing Group Accounts ,Managing Computer Accounts,Delegating Administration
- Automating Active Directory Domain Services Administration
Using Command-line Tools for AD DS Administration,Using Windows PowerShell for AD DS Administration Performing Bulk Operations with Windows PowerShell
- Implementing IPv4
Overview of TCP/IP,Understanding IPv4 Addressing,Subnetting and Supernetting,Configuring and Troubleshooting IPv4
- Implementing Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol
Installing a DHCP Server Role ,Configuring DHCP Scopes,Managing a DHCP Database,Securing and Monitoring DHCP
- Implementing Domain Name System
Name Resolution for Windows Client and Servers,Installing and Managing a DNS Server,Managing DNS Zones
- Implementing IPv6
Overview of IPv6,IPv6 Addressing, Coexistence with IPv6,IPv6 Transition Technologies
- Implementing Local Storage
Overview of Storage,Managing Disks and Volumes,Implementing Storage Spaces
- Implementing File and Print Services
Securing Files and Folders,Protecting Shared Files and Folders by Using Shadow Copies,Configuring Network Printing
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- Implementing Group Policy
Overview of Group Policy,Group Policy Processing,Implementing a Central Store for Administrative Templates
- Securing Windows Servers Using Group Policy Objects
Windows Operating Systems Security Overview,Configuring Security Settings,Restricting Software,Configuring Windows Firewall with Advanced Security
- Implementing Server Virtualization with Hyper-V
Overview of Virtualization Technologies ,Implementing Hyper-V,Managing Virtual Machine Storage,Managing Virtual Networks
Administering Windows Server 2012( Exam : 70-411)
- Deploying and Maintaining Server Images
Overview of Windows Deployment Services,Implementing Deployment with Windows Deployment Services
- Configuring and Troubleshooting Domain Name System
Installing the DNS Server Role,Configuring the DNS Server Role,Configuring DNS Zones,Configuring DNS Zone Transfers,Managing and Troubleshooting DNS
- Maintaining Active Directory Domain Services
Overview of AD DS,Implementing Virtualized Domain Controllers,Implementing RODC,Administering AD DSManaging the AD DS Database
- Managing User and Service Accounts
Automating User Account Management,Configuring Password-Policy and User-Account Lockout Settings, Configuring Managed Service Accounts
- Implementing a Group Policy Infrastructure
Introducing Group Policy,Implementing and Administering Group Policy Objects (GPOs),Group Policy Scope and Group Policy Processing,Troubleshooting the Application of GPOs
- Managing User Desktops with Group Policy
Implementing Administrative Templates,Configuring Folder Redirection and Scripts,Configuring Group Policy Preferences,Managing Software with Group Policy
- Configuring and Troubleshooting Remote Access
Configuring Network Access,Configuring Virtual Private Network (VPN) Access,Overview of Network Policies, Troubleshooting Routing and Remote Access,Configuring DirectAccess
- Installing, Configuring, and Troubleshooting the Network Policy Server Role
Installing and Configuring a NPS, NPS Authentication Methods,Monitoring and Troubleshooting a NPS
- Optimizing File Services
Overview of Distributed File System (DFS),Configuring DFS Namespaces,Configuring and Troubleshooting Distributed File System Replication (DFS-R)
- Configuring Encryption and Advanced Auditing
Encrypting Files by Using Encrypting File System,Configuring Advanced Auditing
- Implementing Update Management
Overview of WSUS,Deploying Updates with WSUS
- Monitoring Windows Server 2012
Monitoring Tools,Using Performance Monitor,Monitoring Event Logs
Configuring Advanced Windows Server 2012 Services( Exam: 70-412)
- Implementing Advanced Network Services
Configuring Advanced DHCP Features,Configuring Advanced DNS Settings
- Implementing Advanced File Services
Configuring Storage (Mirroring, RAID0, RAID1 & RAID 5)
- Implementing Distributed Active Directory Domain Services Deployments
Overview of Distributed AD DS Deployments,Deploying a Distributed AD DS Environment,Configuring AD DS Trusts
- Implementing Active Directory Domain Services Sites and Replication
Overview of AD DS Replication,Configuring AD DS Sites,Configuring and Monitoring AD DS Replication
- Implementing Active Directory Certificate Services
PKI Overview,Deploying CAs,Deploying and Configuring CA Hierarchy,Deploying and Managing Certificate Templates,Implementing Certificate Distribution and Revocation,Managing Certificate Recovery
- Implementing Active Directory Federation Services
Overview of AD FS,Deploying AD FS,Implementing AD FS for a Single Organization,Deploying AD FS in a B2B Federation Scenario
- Implementing Network Load Balancing
Overview of NLB,Configuring an NLB Cluster,Planning an NLB Implementation
- Implementing Disaster Recovery
Overview of Disaster Recovery,Implementing Windows Server Backup,Implementing Server and Data Recovery