The Active Directory directory service of the Windows Server 2008 operating system provides the means to manage the identities and relationships that make up an organization’s network. Thus, to help develop, deliver, and manage rich user experiences and applications; provide a highly secure network infrastructure; and increase technological efficiency and value, an organization needs a Microsoft Certified Master (MCM) on Windows Server 2008 R2: Directory. An MCM will have a demonstrated and proven expertise in the entire Active Directory product suite, including Active Directory Domain Services, Active Directory Lightweight Directory Services, Active Directory Federation Services, and Active Directory Certificate Services. The Microsoft Certified Master on Windows Server 2008 R2: Directory certification will develop the next generation of technical leaders in this critically important IT service.
Join the exclusive community of Active Directory technical experts
All Microsoft Certified Masters become an immediate part of an exclusive community of Active Directory experts that includes fellow MCM graduates and members of the Active Directory product group as well as valuable resources to which they can contribute and from which they can draw the collective knowledge of that community at any time.
All Microsoft Certified Masters become an immediate part of an exclusive community of Active Directory experts that includes fellow MCM graduates and members of the Active Directory product group as well as valuable resources to which they can contribute and from which they can draw the collective knowledge of that community at any time.
Certified individuals prove their technical mastery
In designing and building customer-specified directory solutions, Microsoft Certified Masters understand how design decisions affect the final solution. They troubleshoot and diagnose Active Directory services configuration and performance issues, and they have the detailed knowledge and skills that are required to successfully operate and manage enterprise-class Active Directory customer solutions based on the following services:
In designing and building customer-specified directory solutions, Microsoft Certified Masters understand how design decisions affect the final solution. They troubleshoot and diagnose Active Directory services configuration and performance issues, and they have the detailed knowledge and skills that are required to successfully operate and manage enterprise-class Active Directory customer solutions based on the following services:
Active Directory Domain Services
- Use Active Directory Domain Services, formerly known as Active Directory Services, to design the central location for configuration information, authentication requests, and information about all of the objects that are stored within an organization’s forest.
Active Directory Lightweight Directory Services
- Optimize use of the Active Directory Lightweight Directory Service, formerly known as Active Directory Application Mode, for directory-enabled applications.
- Build a location to support the application configuration and directory data and another location for security accounts.
Active Directory Certificate Services
- Use certificates to prove the identity of users or computers, as well as to encrypt data during transmission across unsecured network connections.
- Enhance security by binding the identity of a person, device, or service to a private key.
Active Directory Federation Services
- Design a highly secure, highly extensible, and Internet-scalable identity access solution that allows organizations to authenticate users from partner organizations.
- Grant external users secure access to your organization’s domain resources.
- Simplify integration between untrusted resources and domain resources in an organization.
Optimize your Windows Server 2008 R2 Active Directory investment by hiring an MCM
According to research firm Gartner Group, 80 percent of all unplanned downtime is caused by people and process issues, not by hardware and software failure.* Optimize your IT investment resources and take full advantage of the power and diversity of Active Directory by employing a Microsoft Certified Master to lead your design, migration, implementation, and critical troubleshooting activities.
According to research firm Gartner Group, 80 percent of all unplanned downtime is caused by people and process issues, not by hardware and software failure.* Optimize your IT investment resources and take full advantage of the power and diversity of Active Directory by employing a Microsoft Certified Master to lead your design, migration, implementation, and critical troubleshooting activities.
Advanced training deepens the technical skills of experienced Windows Server 2008 R2 Active Directory professionalsThe MCM program—a mixture of presentations, whiteboard discussions, group study, and goal-based labs—provides the most in-depth and comprehensive training that is available today for Active Directory and Windows Server 2008.
Prerequisites
Prerequisites for entry into the program include the following knowledge and experience:
1. Five or more years of hands-on experience installing, configuring, and troubleshooting Active Directory in complex enterprise environments.
2. A thorough understanding of Active Directory design and architecture.
3. A 300-level understanding of site component topology, forest operations and topology, the Active Directory distributed file system, file replication services, security, client interactions, and Group Policy.
For example, you should be able to:
Prerequisites for entry into the program include the following knowledge and experience:
1. Five or more years of hands-on experience installing, configuring, and troubleshooting Active Directory in complex enterprise environments.
2. A thorough understanding of Active Directory design and architecture.
3. A 300-level understanding of site component topology, forest operations and topology, the Active Directory distributed file system, file replication services, security, client interactions, and Group Policy.
For example, you should be able to:
- Troubleshoot and repair broken replication for common issues (for example, secure channel, beyond TSL, and name resolution dependencies)
- Understand USN Rollback, and how to correct any potential failure points
- Effectively use BASL, site links, site costing, change notification, or other advanced features
- Understand how FRS and DFSR function (and differ)
- Understand common issues with FRS, and how to repair them, such as Journal Wrap, Morphed Folder, and Auth/Non-Auth Restore
4. A basic understanding of Active Directory Certificate Services, Active Directory Federation Services, and Active Directory Lightweight Directory Services.
5. Functional skills in basic protocol analysis, Hyper-V, scripting, PKI, and IP addressing and routing.
6. Ability to speak, understand, and write fluent English.
7. An MCSE certification on Microsoft Windows 2000 Server or Windows Server 2003, or a Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP): Enterprise Administrator certification.
If you have either or both of the preceding MCSE certifications, you must also have passed:
Exam 70-219: Designing a Microsoft Windows 2000 Directory Services Infrastructure (retired exam)
or
Exam 70-297: Designing a Windows Server 2003 Active Directory and Network Infrastructure
If you have the MCITP: Enterprise Administrator certification, no additional exams are required.