Windows XP Professional

Introduction Introduction MCSA/MCSE Windows XP Professional Exam Prep (Exam 70-270)is designed for network administrators, network engineers, and consultants who are pursuing the Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) or Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) certifications for Windows XP Professional. This book covers the "Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Windows XP Professional" exam (70-270), a core exam for the MCSA and MCSE certifications. The exam is designed to measure your skill and ability to implement, administer, and troubleshoot computers running Windows XP Professional. Microsoft not only tests you on your knowledge of the desktop operating system, but it has purposefully developed questions on the exam to force you to problem-solve in the same way that you would when presented with a real-life error. Passing this exam demonstrates your competency in administration. This book covers all the objectives that Microsoft has established for exam 70-270. It doesn't offer end-to-end coverage of the Windows XP operating system; rather, it helps you develop the specific core competencies that you need to master as a network administrator. Also, this book has been updated to include coverage of the SP2 release. In the book, you will see special SP2 icons by the new SP2 material the 70-270 exam covers. You should be able to pass the exam by learning the material in this book, without taking a class. How This Book Helps You When anyone embarks on a certification track, the first thought is to get certified, put some letters after your name, strengthen your resume, and move on to the next step. Selecting a method of study for that certification often is a choice between a hands-on laboratory class of a few days, or a self-study method pieced together with books and your own lab environment that is not bound by any time limits. Your choice depends on how you study best and what type of reference material you want available to you after you have passed the exam. People study in a combination of different ways--by doing, by seeing, and by hearing/writing. This book's design fulfills all three of these study methods. For the kinesthetic, there are hands-on study strategies listed at the beginning of each chapter. You will also discover Challenge exercises and Step by Step instructions that walk you through the skills you need to master in Windows XP Professional. The visual learner can find plenty of screen shots explaining the concepts described in the text. The auditory learner can reinforce skills by reading out loud and copying down key concepts and exam tips scattered throughout the book. Finally, the Fast Facts section enables everyone to brush up on the essentials and be wholly prepared when walking into the test center to take the exam. While reading this book, you will realize that it stands the test of time. You will be able to turn to it over and over again. This book gives you a self-guided tour of all the areas that are covered by the "Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Windows XP Professional" exam. The goal is to teach you the specific skills you need to achieve your MCSA or MCSE certification. You'll also find helpful hints, tips, examples, exercises, and references to additional study materials. Organization This book is organized around the individual objectives from Microsoft's preparation guide for the "Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Windows XP Professional" exam. Every objective is covered in this book. The objectives are not covered in exactly the same order in which you'll find them in the official preparation guide (which you can download from http://www.microsoft.com/learningCraft, Melissa is the author of 'Windows XP Professional ', published 2005 under ISBN 9780789733634 and ISBN 0789733633.