Brief Course Description
Microsoft's MCSA certification programme is a globally recognised industry certification, offered by Microsoft. The MCSA is a natural progressor for those who have completed the A+ and Network+ certifications and both these exams can be used as credit towards attaining the MCSA certificate.

To acquire the MCSA, candidates must complete 4 examinations - Windows administration technologies. In the process of attaining the MCSA, candidates will acquire the MCP certificate and they can use the MCSA certification as a pre-cursor to the MCSE certificate.

This course will provide individuals with the knowledge necessary to understand and identify the tasks involved in supporting Windows 2003 networks and will provide an overview of networking concepts and how they are implemented in Windows 2003.

Course Audience
Holders of the A+ and Network +certification or anyone interested and/or required to implement, manage, and troubleshoot Server 2003 and XP. The MCSA course is considered mid-level between MCP and MCSE certifications.

Main Course Objective
The main course objective of this MCSA preparation course is:
To be able to configure, support and administer Windows 2003 based Networks and understand the security, access and optimisation requirements of same, and to prepare candidates for attainment of the MCSA certification by passing the following Microsoft examinations: 70-270; 70-290; 70-291 and 70-299.

Course Breakdown
The programme will be presented in a structured format by the trainer – Mr. Damian Murphy (MCT 101). Below is a breakdown of the general course knowledge, skills and competence to be gained by attending and participating in this programme:

Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Windows XP professional
Configuring the Windows 2003 Environment
Define a network and describe the different types of networks and network operating systems.
Define domains, trees, and forests.
Describe the implementation of Windows Directory Services with Active Directory service.
Administration tools
Control Panel, System Properties
System Information, Event Viewer, Windows Task Manager, Performance, Printers, Shared Folders, Disk Management, Backup, Security Management, Network, Management Console
Windows 2003 security: User Accounts, Groups, User Rights, Permissions
Access to Resources using Groups
Scope of Networks, Connectivity Components, Network Topologies, Network Technologies
Introduction to Protocols Protocols and Data Transmissions
TCP/IP Protocol Suit, Name Resolution, Examining the Data Transfer Process, Routing Data
DNS, zones, queries resolution
Classful IP Addressing, Subnetting a Network, Planning IP Addressing
Assigning TCP/IP Addresses
Implementing and Managing DHCP
Optimizing IP Address Allocation
Managing Data by Using NTFS
Topics. NTFS Permissions, Disk Quotas, Securing Data with EFS
Network Access to File Resources
Optimizing Performance in Windows 2003
Configuring Windows XP for Mobile Computing
Configuring and Managing Disks
Disaster Recovery
Implementing Servers
Troubleshooting startup and logins

Course Dates
We anticipate that the course will de delivered between September 2009 – March 2010, with any holiday dates and finish date to be presented just prior to programme commencement.

Training Strategy
We aim to use a number of teaching / training resources to make the course as dynamic as possible; here is a short list of resources (not an exhaustive list) that we will be using during the training sessions:

Whiteboard, Smartboard
Desktop Computers for Computer Based Training
Reference to the MCSA: Windows Server 2003 Core Requirements pack
Virtual software
General Topic Handouts
Practical exercises using Microsoft software

Course Fees
EUR1,600 including courseware and tuition, and excluding examination fees.