MCTS: SQL Server 2005

[SQLScholar]

Hey all,

I am really tempted to do an

MCTS: SQL Server 2005

I was originally looking to do an MCDBA but it seems that that is old hat now.

Only thing i am worried about is that we seem to be in a transitional period. As the books they sugguest (6) 3-4 arent available till mid this year. As i want to do this from home, and not on a course - do i have any chance of doing this with other books??? Would rather do this then an old course, but i really want to start now!

Anyone else done/looked at doing one of these or similar have any advice?

Many thanks

Dan

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There are 2 types of computer, the prototype and the obsolete!!
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No D, just plank - and its not my fault

 

[Catadmin]

Plank,

SQL Server 2005 was only just released at the end of November, so most of the good books haven't really even been written yet. Remember, Microsoft is going to recommend their own Microsoft Press books for any certs, which may or may not be the best books for you to look at. I recommend keeping an eye out for any SQL Server 2005 books and glancing through them before you buy them to make sure they are going to be helpful for you.

The MCDBA for SQL Server 2000 is still going to be good for a few years (until they come out with the post-SQL Server 2005 iteration of SQL Server). So, if you have never learned anything about SQL Server before, it is a good place to start. Heck, you could just get an eval copy of SQL Server 2000, grab some books of the clearance tables at your local bookstores (I recommend Sybex books if you can find them) and practice with that just to get your hand in while waiting for the 2k5 books to come out.

If you don't want to wait, I definitely recommend learning all you can about SQL Server 2000. Also, Microsoft has a link for downloading SQL Server Express 2005.

http://msdn.microsoft.com/sql/express/default.aspx

Throw it on your box and play around, read the Books Online help files, subscribe to a few newsletters (I find TechRepublics SQL newsletters quite helpful) and when the books come out, you should be good to go. Also, there is a good Cert newsletter I subscribe to, called "The Cert Times" (

http://www.certtimes.com).

You might want to sign up and see if they have resources that can help you too.

Looking at Microsoft's website, they apparently haven't decided whether or not MCDBAs with a 2000 cert can take one or two tests to do a straight upgrade. However, New Horizons is offering classes for the SQL Server 2000 MCDBA to "upgrade" their experience. I don't know if the class #s are the same where you are, but here's the local New Horizon's class #s and titles:

2733 Updating Your Database Administration Skills to Microsoft SQL Server 2005

2734 Updating Your Database Development Skills to Microsoft SQL Server 2005

http://www.newhorizons.com

is the website

I hope this information helps. Let me know if I didn't answer your questions.



Catadmin - MCDBA, MCSA
"The only stupid question is the one that *wasn't* asked.