Subject: NT 4.0 Enterprise Brain Dump

Brain Dump for NT Server 4.0 Enterprise Server 70-68.

Passed Enterprise Server today with a 803. A real close call but I

pulled it off. Used the Sybex book along with Transcender. Got

through the test in 70 minutes with 20 minutes to review. Contrary to

popular opinion, I DID NOT mark the long questions, instead I chose to

answer them as I went along. If I felt I was spending too much time

on any question, I took a stab at an answer, marked it and went back.

Time was an issue but was not a problem.

Several things surprised me about the test:

Got HAMMERED with scenario questions. 10 right out of the gate and a

total of 19 or 20 scenario questions. Several questions of the global

groups in local groups flavor, pretty straight forward. However, got

several more questions concerning group membership combined with user

rights and permissions. Nothing like that on the Transcender tests !

! ! ! If you don't know your Local Groups, default memberships and

what local groups allow you to do, your in trouble. This also holds

true for the User right. Know these cold!

Trust questions were tricky but not bad. The test makes use of

multiple exhibits which was A) surprising to see and B) somewhat

difficult to move back and forth between. If you haven't seen the

multiple exhibits, be prepared for this one. On the exhibits, keep a

close eye on the trusts that are set up. I had 2 questions that the

proposed solution did not meet the requirements because

the trusts (as shown in the exhibits) were not set up properly.

Questions regarding RAS dealt mainly with password and data

encryption. Know that NT Workstation Uses password encryption by

default.

Standard questions about the blue screen of death along with creating

an emergency repair disk.

Keep chanting to yourself....."The Emergency Repair disk is not bootable

The Emergency Repair disk is not bootable."

And you'll be fine with these questions.

Remember that when Microsoft talks about Directory Services, they are

referring to the Security Account Manager.

Normal questions regarding PDC's and BCD's. When can you promote when

can't you promote. Watch out for the questions about installing a

server in a domain other than the one you originally intended to

install it in. If it is a member server, you can go ahead and install

it and change the configuration later. If it is a PDC or BDC, wait

and install it when the time is right. Otherwise the SAM will screw

things up and you won't be able to move it into the domain.

The questions regarding RAID, Performance and Network Monitor, User

Profiles were right from the Transcender test. If they weren't word

for word, the were structured the same. Questions on share permission

were straight forward. Remember in Network Monitor, the data moves

from the sending computer to the monitoring computer. IE Sending

Computer- - - >Receiving Computer.

The < - -> Is used to capture network addresses.

Nothing on Registry Hacks or IIS. One gimmie question on what does

WINS and DNS do.

Do not underestimate this test. As a semi "Paper MCSE" I could not

have passed this test if I did not set up a server in the house,

create the groups and shares, deny access to directory to certain

groups, etc...... I also crashed my server on several occasions by

removing the registry, boot.ini files and did an Emergency repair.

The theory becomes reality "real quick" after you revive the server.

You'll be lucky if you pass this test based on the book alone. You

need the practical experience to bring this one home. Now its off to

Exchange 5.0. Once I pass that I'll be a MCSE.

John H.

Libertyisland