Microsoft MCSA 2003 Certification

A Firebrand Training

9

Day Course

Microsoft MCSA 2003 Certification - Overview

Build your information technology (IT) career with the Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) on Microsoft Windows Server 2003 credential. Here's why MCSA can be the right choice for you:

It's relevant. Get started by proving your client side and networking skills with Exams 70-270, 70-290 and 70-291
It's valuable. The MCSA certification was introduced in October 2001. Within the first five months, over 22,000 individuals had earned the certification, making it the fastest-growing Microsoft certification

Experienced to IT?

The Microsoft Certified Systems Administration (MCSA) on Microsoft Windows Server 2003 credential is a new way to enhance and validate the skills you use in day-to-day management of Microsoft technologies.

The 9 day accelerated MCSA 2003 Firebrand Training provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to install, configure, support, and troubleshoot Microsoft Windows 2003-based networks with a focus on information security in the enterprise. This is an accelerated, residential, fully-immersed course, designed for computer professionals that require effective, real-world skill-building and timely certification. You will live, learn, and test on-site.

The MCSA 2003 Accelerated Course delivers the greatest value on the market for Windows 2003 Certification Training. During the program, students will achieve the following certifications:

Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP)
Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA)

Our MCSA 2003 Program:

Allows you to achieve your certifications in a fraction of the time of 'traditional training' while delivering industry-leading exam passing percentages
Helps students grasp complex technical concepts more easily by identifying and catering to individual student learning styles through a mixed visual, auditory and kinaesthetic-tactual delivery system
Enhances retention by employing accelerated learning techniques focused on committing information to long-term memory

Microsoft MCSA 2003 Certification - Benefits

For IT managers, certification is particularly important because it allows them to more easily identify the skills that an individual possesses. When a company has employees that possess certain skills, it can garner a competitive advantage when seeking to attract customers. Certification can also contribute to increased productivity, because studies have shown that certified individuals are generally quicker to implement and design new technologies. And of course by knowing that their employees are certified, IT managers can feel more confident about their ability to implement and support a network infrastructure.

Individuals

Overwhelmingly, individuals with Microsoft certifications have an advanced level of knowledge, expertise and skill, and command more professional credibility
he MCSA is seen as a particularly elite indication of a system administrator's prowess and skill level, and these professionals are highly sought by employers
Individual students may receive college credits to utilize tuition reimbursement programs for their IT training or to complete college coursework

Companies

Reduce the costs of maintaining your workstations and personal computers, and increase the reliability of your network with Active Directory and with the information technology (IT) professionals to back it up
Make a roll out of Windows 2003 Server smooth and successful.
Customers see great value in certification - they want the people on their engagement to have the best skills, and certification provides that proof point
Significantly improved Microsoft security throughout the software but particularly in the Web Server component of Windows Server, IIS; Scalable management tools that improve on the legacy of Windows 2000 Server: enhanced Active Directory features, and new tools such as the Group Policy Management Console
Significant increases in server performance. In internal tests, Windows Server 2003 shows dramatic performance gains over previous versions of Windows server operating systems. For example, file and Web server performance is two times faster than Windows NT Server 4.0
While your organization's performance gains may vary because of unique network and computer settings, Microsoft is confident that the improved performance of Windows Server 2003 will help you deliver faster service for your network solutions

Other accelerated training providers rely heavily on lecture and independent self-testing and study.

Effective technical instruction must be highly varied and interactive to keep attention levels high, promote camaraderie and teamwork between the students and instructor, and solidify knowledge through hands-on learning.

Firebrand Training provides instruction to meet every learning need, including

Intensive group instruction
One-on-one instruction attention
Hands-on labs
Lab partner and group exercises
Question and answer drills
Independent study

This information has been provided as a helpful tool for candidates considering certification. Benefits of certification determined through studies do not guarantee any particular personal successes. Firebrand Training provides a guarantee of obtaining certification at the camp, but does not make any guarantees about personal successes or benefits of obtaining certification.

Microsoft MCSA 2003 Certification - Curriculum

Firebrand Training's MCSA 2003 Accelerated Certification Program is the most effective, efficient way to learn how to successfully design, plan, and implement a network infrastructure, Active Directory infrastructure, and client deployment on the Windows Server 2003 platform.

Course Materials

Students attending this blended-learning program will receive a robust set of course materials that caters to each of the three primary individual learning-intake styles (auditory, visual, and kinaesthetic-tactile) - critical for a successful accelerated learning experience.

Daily lectures, labs, and review sessions are supplemented by a combination of:

Proprietary Lab Manual & Microsoft Courseware - developed in conjunction with Microsoft, adapting Microsoft Official Curriculum to address the demands of accelerated learners
Authorised Microsoft Lab Manual & Courseware
Self Test or Transcender Testing Software

Delivery Schedule

The MCSA 2003 Program prepares students to achieve three (3) certifications during the program: MCSA 2003 and MCP.

Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Windows XP Professional - Exam 70-270
Managing and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Environment - Exam 70-290
Implementing and Administering Security in a Network- Exam SY0-101
Implementing, Managing, and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure - Exam 70-291

Microsoft MCSA 2003 Certification - Exam Track

Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) candidates on the Microsoft Windows Server 2003 track are required to satisfy the following requirements:

Core Exams (3 Exams Required)
- 2 networking system exams
- 1 client operating system exam
Elective Exams (1 Exam Required)

The four (4) examinations that a student will take during our program also satisfy the requirements for the Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) designations.

Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Windows XP Professional - Exam:70-270, Requirement: Client OS Core
Managing and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Environment - Exam:70-290, Requirement: Networking System Core
Implementing and Administering Security in a Network - Exam:SY0-101, Requirement: Security
Implementing, Managing, and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure - Exam:70-291, Requirement: Networking System Core

Microsoft MCSA 2003 Certification - What's Included

Firebrand Training offers top-quality technical education and certification training in an all-inclusive course package specifically designed for the needs and ease of our students. We attend to every detail so our students can focus solely on their studies and certification goals.

Our Certification Programs includes

Intensive Hands-on Training Utilising our (Lecture | Lab | Review)^TM Delivery
Comprehensive Study Materials, Program Courseware and Self-Testing Software
Fully instructor-led program with 24 hour lab access
Examination vouchers *
On site testing **
Accommodation, All Meals, Beverages, and Snacks
Transportation to/from designated local railway stations
Examination Passing Policy

Please note

* Exam vouchers for our (ISC)2 certifications need to be purchased directly from (ISC)2
** On site testing is not included in our ISACA, or ITIL Managers and Revision Certifications

Our instructors teach to accommodate every student's learning needs through individualised instruction, hands-on labs, lab partner and group exercises, independent study, self-testing, and question/answer drills.

Firebrand Training has dedicated, well-equipped educational facilities where you will attend instruction and labs and have access to comfortable study and lounging rooms. Our students consistently say our facilities are second-to-none.

Examination Passing Policy

Should a student complete a Firebrand Training Program without having successfully passed all vendor examinations, the student may re-attend that program for a period of one year. Students will only be responsible for accommodations and vendor exam fees.

Microsoft MCSA 2003 Certification - Prerequisites

Students that are successful in the MCSA 2003 Accelerated Certification Program should possess six to twelve months of experience implementing, administering, networking, and managing an existing Windows 2000 or 2003 network infrastructure. Specifically, the following skills are recommended:

An understanding of the Windows 2000/2003 domain vs. workgroup environment
Basic IP fundamentals including IP addressing and subnet mask formats, default gateways, and DNS
Hands-on experience in an Active Directory environment

Firebrand Training staff interview all potential students regarding their technical background, degrees and certifications held, and personal fortitude. This screening process ensures a successful match between the customer and Firebrand Training toward accelerated training and certification.

Firebrand Training is an aggressive training environment. You must have an attitude aimed for success. The above prerequisites are guidelines, but many students with less experience have other background or traits that have enabled their success in accelerated training through Firebrand Training.

MCSA 2003 Certification Testimonials

"My experience with Firebrand* was just what I needed. No distractions and a very comfortable centre. The instructors are great!"
Martin Goodswen, CPR Success Zone.
Microsoft MCSA 2003 (9 Days) (26/7/2004 to 3/8/2004)

"Top class instructor, excellent catering, definitely the only way to tackle the certification process. Don´t get me wrong, this is no easy time away from work, it is hard going but effective."
Jim McGrann, Health Service.
Microsoft MCSA 2003 (9 Days) (16/10/2006 to 24/10/2006)

"It´s hard work but the results are worth it!"
JC, Beazley .
Microsoft MCSA 2003 (9 Days) (2/10/2006 to 10/10/2006)

"This course delivered as it said, an intensive training course. Even though I failed an exam I feel that I have taken much knowledge back to the work place. Would recommend people give it 110% attention to get the most out of it."
Anon.,
LSC Group Ltd..
Microsoft MCSA 2003 (9 Days) (12/9/2005 to 20/9/2005)

"The instructor helped to ease what was a large task due to his vast knowledge and numerous analogies. "
Jeremy Huntington, Leicestershire County Council.
Microsoft MCSA 2003 (9 Days) (2/4/2007 to 10/4/2007)

"I found the course very challenging, but found that I was rewarded for the work I put in to enable me to pass the exams."
IW, Hannover Re.
Microsoft MCSA 2003 (9 Days) (16/10/2006 to 24/10/2006)

"A real jolt at first, but you soon get into the "zone" of some serious information absorption. Long intensive days and obviously very accurately focussed towards the goal of exam success. NOTE: spend time pre-reading (essential) and areas of little experience ideally best explored beforehand to keep pace with the course!"
Matthew Saul, Mitsubishi Electric Europe.
Microsoft MCSA 2003 (9 Days) (13/11/2006 to 21/11/2006)

"Hard work, intense training, but fantastic ouFirebrand*ome. Highly recommended to the those who dont mind knuckling down. Thanks so much for this oppertunity, it has changed my life."
Nigel Breddy, Databax Ltd.
Microsoft MCSA 2003 (9 Days) (16/7/2007 to 24/7/2007)

"My training was hard but very rewarding, you might not get everything first time but the experience is a positive one."
Richard McLaughin, Siemens VDO.
Microsoft MCSA 2003 (9 Days) (23/5/2005 to 31/5/2005)

"Fantasticaly structured, compact yet comprehensive training programme. The course duration/schedule fitted perfectly into the time I had available. Having the option to come back and repeat sessions (within one year) for free has given me the ability to maintain the educational value of the course. "
Peter Fernando, Qube3.
Microsoft MCSA 2003 (9 Days) (12/6/2006 to 20/6/2006)

"You can´t put a price tag on experience. You either have it or not and Firebrand* has it."
Eric Jackson, General Dynamics.
Microsoft MCSA 2003 (9 Days) (16/10/2006 to 24/10/2006)

"Without a doubt, Firebrand* has been a very rewarding experience. Classes last about 12 hours per day, but be prepared to put in additional time just to get through the material. The instructor knew the subject matter and exam technique inside out, and was always prepared to stay until the early hours to provide additional tuition or guidance. If I decide to pursue other certifications, I would definitely go back to Firebrand*."
Lee Vessey,
Microsoft MCSA 2003 (9 Days) (26/7/2004 to 3/8/2004)

"Forget university learning, company training, laid-back home-study...this is intense! One you finish you get not only the satisfaction of your certification but knowing that you are up to the hard work"
George Preston, R G Ford Insurance Brokers Limited.
Microsoft MCSA 2003 (9 Days) (24/7/2006 to 1/8/2006)

"Firebrand* allowed me to realise how capable I was of learning & the potential I still have within to learn & grasp new concepts."
Anon.,
Contracts.
Microsoft MCSA 2003 (9 Days) (15/8/2005 to 23/8/2005)

"you won't believe me on this but i actually miss Firebrand*!, not the long days and all the work but the wealth of knowledge that surrounds you!, you will truly find this a unique way of filling your head with the stuff you need to know, be prepared, be very prepared!"
John Marsh, BCC Group.
Microsoft MCSA 2003 (9 Days) (23/8/2004 to 31/8/2004)

"Very hard work, Excellent staff, Excellent food. "
Neil Ireson, Vintner Systems Ltd.
Microsoft MCSA 2003 (9 Days) (4/9/2006 to 12/9/2006)

"I came with nothing and left with two MCPs and am now on the road to obtaining my MCDST and MCSA. Hard work but totally worth the effort!!"
Emma Johnston, Land Securities.
Microsoft MCSA 2003 (9 Days) (21/5/2007 to 29/5/2007)

"Lots of hard work, but the focused environment and continuous support from all the staff makes every second worth while. With Firebrand* you really can succeed!"
Matthew Stinchcombe, New Forest IT.
Microsoft MCSA 2003 (9 Days) (24/10/2005 to 1/11/2005)

"I found Firebrand* experience to be a challenging and positive experience. The instructor was exceptional, providing a deep knowledge of the subject area and the psychology of the learning process."
Anon.,
formely JT International SA.
Microsoft MCSA 2003 (9 Days) (6/6/2005 to 14/6/2005)

"I was technically below par when entering the camp but was rabidly able to take on board the concepts introduced and learnt a lot of useful knowledge. If you think you know your subject 15hours a day, every day won't be difficult for you."
Tony Morris, Office Technology Corporation Ltd..
Microsoft MCSA 2003 (9 Days) (19/2/2007 to 27/2/2007)

"I was skeptical of the existing testimonials, and whether such an intensive course would be beneficial, but I was quickly won over. The facility and learning methods were first class, and the instructor provided that personal touch and real world experiance you just cant gain from books, as well as the ability to explain things you have never understood in the past. It is very, very tiring, and you do have to be focused, but it is worth it at the end of it, and the superb food and unlimited snacks make up for the long days!"
Greg Hughes, Kennet School.
Microsoft MCSA 2003 (9 Days) (10/10/2005 to 18/10/2005)

"Without the chefs and the fantastic food the course would have been a 10 x more difficulty."
Dan, ASL.
Microsoft MCSA 2003 (9 Days) (19/2/2007 to 27/2/2007)

"Very hard work, Excellent staff, Excellent food. "
Neil Ireson, Vintner Systems Ltd.
Microsoft MCSA 2003 (9 Days) (4/9/2006 to 12/9/2006)

"Firebrand* was a well organised and friendly environment very conducive to learning. The accommodation was comfortable and the food of good quality. Would recommend."
Richard Lowe, Satchell Lowe Consulting Ltd.
Microsoft MCSA 2003 (9 Days) (27/8/2007 to 4/9/2007)

"Having come from a project orientated background, I was not sure whether I had the experience to do well at my MCSA. My instructor had other ideas; the course was run superbly. The instructor knew his stuff, putting the most complex of ideas across in a simple and logical form. A well thought out course with high quality tuition."
A.C., Pendragon Global Consulting.
Microsoft MCSA 2003 (9 Days) (24/10/2005 to 1/11/2005)

"long days, hard work but worth it.The instructor was very supportive and helpful, able to get the best out of us. The friendly Firebrand* staff looked after us extremely well often going out of their way to ensure that we were comfortable. Just the right environment to ensure effective study Thank you"
Michelle Hill, Tes 2000 Ltd.
Microsoft MCSA 2003 (9 Days) (9/5/2005 to 17/5/2005)

"The course is spot on for exam prep, all major sections were covered. The acceleration learning does help but students should need to come prepared."
Che-Hong (Richard) Choi, Aegis Group plc.
Microsoft MCSA 2003 (9 Days) (4/12/2006 to 12/12/2006)

MCSA 2003 Certification Course Dates

Start	End	Availability	Register
13/10/2008	21/10/2008	Finished
27/10/2008	4/11/2008	Finished
10/11/2008	18/11/2008	Finished
24/11/2008	2/12/2008	Finished
8/12/2008	16/12/2008	Waitlist
5/1/2009	13/1/2009	Seats open	Register
26/1/2009	3/2/2009	Seats open	Register
16/2/2009	24/2/2009	Seats open	Register
9/3/2009	17/3/2009	Seats open	Register
30/3/2009	7/4/2009	Seats open	Register
20/4/2009	28/4/2009	Seats open	Register
11/5/2009	19/5/2009	Seats open	Register
1/6/2009	9/6/2009	Seats open	Register
22/6/2009	30/6/2009	Seats open	Register

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