Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA)

ICT Curriculum Roadmap for Systems Administrator

Published: July 6, 2009
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Related Links
•Visit the ICT home page
•Visit the systems administrator overview page
•Learn more about MCSA
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Microsoft products

The Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) credential applies to these products:

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Windows XP

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Windows Vista

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Windows Server 2003

Step 1. Assess your foundational knowledge

Before beginning the MCSA curriculum, view the following table and move through each prerequisite in the order presented. Assess your knowledge against this list to determine your starting point. If you have knowledge gaps, use the learning and assessment resources to learn more. In some cases, a certification exam is available to validate your knowledge.

Prerequisites skills and knowledge—Self-assess checklistClassroom trainingE-LearningRelated studyAssessment resourcesCertification exam

Fundamental understanding of computers, the Internet, and personal productivity programs: Digital literacy curriculum

Microsoft Digital Literacy*

Microsoft Digital Literacy*

 

Microsoft Digital Literacy certificate test*

 

Knowledge of computer hardware and components as in the CompTIA A+ Essentials Certification: Download file from Comptia.org (PDF, 164 KB)

Microsoft Official Academic Course (MOAC): ALS A+ Certification Package, Third Edition (Wiley.com)

 

Faster Smarter A+ Certification

 

CompTIA A+ Certification (Comptia.org)

Knowledge of computer networking and components as in the CompTIA Network+ Certification: Download file from Comptia.org (PDF, 60 KB)

MOAC: ALS Network+ Certification Package, Fourth Edition (Wiley.com)

 

Faster Smarter Network+ Certification

 

CompTIA Network+ Certification (Comptia.org)

*Available to Microsoft IT Academy members

Step 2. Gain and apply skills

To begin the MCSA curriculum, use the suggested pathway in the following tables. Visit the following Web site to learn more about the MCSA requirements and training resources.

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Learn about the MCSA requirements and training resources


MCSA Course 1: Client Operating System—Learning outcomesClassroom trainingE-LearningRelated studyAssessment resourcesCertification exam

Knowledge of desktop operating systems, such as Windows XP (may substitute Windows Vista-roadmap below)

Microsoft Official Courseware (MOC) Course 2272*: Implementing and Supporting Microsoft Windows XP Professional

or

MOC Course 2285*: Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Windows XP Professional

or

MOAC: 70-270 Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Windows XP ProfessionalPackage, Second Edition (Wiley.com)

Course 4119 and 4122: Core Training and What's New in Microsoft Windows XP Professional Service Pack 2

or

Course 2285*: Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Windows XP Professional Service Pack 2

Microsoft Windows XP Step by Step Deluxe, Second Edition

Assessment tools for Course 2285*: Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Windows XP Professional Service Pack 2

MCP Exam 70-270: Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Windows XP Professional (Exam 70-270 is available at an academic discount)

*Available to Microsoft IT Academy members

MCSA Core Course 2: Learning outcomesClassroom trainingE-LearningRelated studyAssessment resourcesCertification exam

Knowledge of Windows Server 2003 environment

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Learning outcomes 1

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Learning outcomes 2

MOC Course 2274*: Managing a Windows Server 2003 Environment

and

MOC Course 2275*: Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Environment

or

MOC Course 2273: Managing and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Environment (blended classroom and e-learning)

or

MOAC: 70-290 Managing and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Environment Package (Wiley.com)

Course 2274: Managing a Windows Server 2003 Environment

and

Course 2275: Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Environment

or

Course 2273: Managing and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Environment (blended classroom and e-learning)

MCSA/MCSE Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-290): Managing and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Environment

Assessment tools for Course 2274*: Managing a Windows Server 2003 Environment

and

Assessment tools for Course 2275*: maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Environment

MCP Exam 70-290: Managing and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Environment (Exam 70-290 is available at an academic discount)

*Available to Microsoft IT Academy members

MCSA Core Course 3: Learning outcomesClassroom trainingE-LearningRelated studyAssessment resourcesCertification exam

Implementing, managing, and maintaining a Windows Server 2003 network infrastructure

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Learning outcomes 1

Learning outcomes 2

MOC Course 2276*: Implementing a Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure: Network Hosts

and

MOC Course 2277*: Implementing, Managing, and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure: Network Services

or

MOAC: 70-291: Implementing, Managing, and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure Package (Wiley.com)

Course 2276*: Implementing a Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure: Network Hosts

and

Course 2277*: Implementing, Managing, and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure: Network Services

MCSA/MCSE Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-291): Implementing, Managing, and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure

Assessment tools for Course 2276*: Implementing a Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure: Network Hosts

Assessment tools for Course 2277*: Implementing, Managing, and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure: Network Services

MCP Exam 70-291: Implementing, Managing, and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure (Exam 70-291 is available at an academic discount)

*Available to Microsoft IT Academy members

Elective exams

For information on MCSA elective exam choices, visit the following Web site or choose one from the suggested options in the following table.

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Learn about MCSA elective exam choices


MCSA elective choicesClassroom trainingE-LearningRelated studyAssessment resourcesCertification exam

Security

(This elective will satisfy one of the two exam requirements for the MCSA + Security credential)

MOC Course 2824*: Implementing Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration Server 2004

Course 2826*: Upgrading to Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration Server 2004

MCSA/MCSE Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-350): Implementing Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration Server 2004

Assessment tools for Course 2826*: Upgrading to Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration Server 2004

MCP Exam 70-350: Implementing Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration (ISA) Server 2004

or     

Messaging

(This elective will satisfy the requirements for the MCSA + Messaging credential)

MOC Course 2400*: Implementing and Managing Microsoft Exchange Server 2003

Collection 5148*: Implementing and Managing Microsoft Exchange Server 2003

MCSA/MCSE Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-284): Implementing and Managing Microsoft Exchange Server 2003

Assessment tools for Collection 5148*: Implementing and Managing Microsoft Exchange Server 2003

MCP Exam 70-284: Implementing and Managing Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 (Exam 70-284 is available at an academic discount)

or     

CompTIA Certifications: Hardware (A+) and Networking (Net+)

 

 

 

 

CompTIA A+ Certification (Comptia.org)

and

CompTIA Network+ Certification (Comptia.org)

*Available to Microsoft IT Academy members

Desktop Option: Windows Vista—Skill outcomesClassroom trainingE-LearningRelated studyAssessment resourcesCertification exam

Knowledge of desktop operating systems, such as Windows Vista

MOC Course 5115*: Installing and Configuring the Windows Vista Operating System

and

MOC Course 5116*: Configuring Windows Vista Mobile Computing and Applications

and

MOC Course 5117*: Configuring Windows Vista Mobile Computing

or

Microsoft Official Academic Course in development. (For more information, visit Wiley.com)

Collection 5347*: Installing and Configuring Windows Vista

and

Collection 5354: Configuring Windows Vista Networking and Security

and

Collection 5360: Configuring Windows Vista Applications and Devices

MCTS Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-260): Configuring Windows Vista Client

Assessment tools for Collection 5347*: Installing and Configuring Windows Vista

and

Assessment tools for Collection 5354*: Configuring Windows Vista Networking and Security

and

Assessment tools for Collection 5360*: Configuring Windows Vista Applications and Devices

Exam 70-620: TS: Microsoft Windows Vista, Configuring (Exam 70-620 is available at an academic discount)

*Available to Microsoft IT Academy members