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Quest Update: MCSE: Messaging 2003 !!

Just took and passed the final exam on my MCSE Messaging 2003 track - Designing a Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 Organization (exam 70-285) . Scored 850 (pass mark 700).

It was one of those irritating exams with huge long-winded scenarios that provide too much information to try to confuse you. I don't like those much so was happy to get through it.

So that's secondary objective achieved. I am now an MCSE Messaging 2003. Cool!
That was my 10th exam. I start the CCNA course tomorrow so just one more exam to take next Tuesday...

Quest Update: Exchange 2003 exam passed!

Just took and passed Implementing and Managing Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 (exam 70-284). Scored 940 (pass mark 700).

Not having done much on Exchange (and what little I've done has been on an older version), I was finding this course pretty tough going. Wasn't confident at all going into the exam this morning. However, revision over the weekend has paid off (again).

Tomorrow I'm supposed to be taking the design exam. If I pass that, I will be MCSE: Messaging (which will be nice!).

Quest Update: Security+ Exam Passed!

I AM NOW AN MCSE!

Just took and passed the CompTIA Security+ exam (SY0-101) and passed with a score of 841 (pass mark 764). There were 100 questions which you either know the answer to or you don't!



So, primary objective has been achieved.

I now start Exchange Server Messaging modules...

Quest update: MCSE 6th Exam: Passed!

Just took and passed exam 70-298 Designing Security. Passed with 811 (pass mark 700).

Ok so not my best score, but it was quite a tricky exam with very long scenario/case study type questions. So that's one elective down, one to go!

Quest update: MCSE 5th Exam: Passed!

Just took and passed exam 70-294 - Active Directory. I found this one the toughest so far but got a score of 921 (pass mark 700) which I'm well-pleased with. That's the new highest score (so far).

Next exam is on Saturday - 70-298 Designing Security for a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network. I covered the Microsoft course book for this yesterday so just need to look at the case studies before then.

Tomorrow I begin the CompTia Security+ module. The exam for that is scheduled for Monday!

Quest update: MCSE 4th Exam: Passed!

Despite not feeling too chipper, I took exam 70-293 this afternoon. Of all the exams it's the one I had prepared the least for (due to spending most of the weekend in the 'smallest room').

To my surprise, I passed with a score of 910 (pass mark 700). It's the highest mark I think I've ever had (in anything for that matter!). So, how does that work??

Whatever. Just pleased to get another step closer to the goal!

Next exam 70-294: Planning, Implementing, and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Active Directory Infrastructure. I'm taking this on Thursday. No rest for the wicked...

Quest update: MCSE 3rd Exam: Passed!

The big one, the nasty, the horrible, the DNS riddled monster of an exam (70-291) - SLAYED!
Is there no stopping me?!!

Very pleased to get that one in the bag. Score 820 (pass mark 700), so not as a good a score as the previous exam but the questions here are much more complex so I'm happy.

Next: 070-293 - Planning & Maintaining a Microsoft Server 2003 Network Infrastructure...

ARRRRGGGGGHHHH!!!!

DNS is doing my head in!!!!

Subnetting is doing my head in!!!!

Exam next Tuesday...

Quest update: MCSE 2nd Exam: Passed!

Yes!!!

I just left the test centre having passed exam 70-290 (Managing and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Environment).

Pass mark is 700 - I got 871 which is a good result for me!

Granting access to network resources let the side down a bit, other than that, all good! Only another 6 to go...

Cisco 1721 Router: Clearing the Config

This post details the process for removing the current configuration from a Cisco 1721 router. The end result is a 'vanilla' router configuration.

1. connect the router to a com port on the pc/laptop using the console cable
2. open Windows HyperTerminal (or other) and connect to COM1
3. enter ROMMON mode: power on the router and press the CTRL+BREAK keys within 5 seconds of the router booting up - this will display the following prompt: rommon 1>
   
4. enter: confreg 0x2142 - the following message is dispayed: "You must reset or power cycle for new config to take effect"
5. enter "i" or "reset" - the router will reboot and load the IOS but without loading the startup-config
6. eventually, the following prompt appears: "Would you like to enter the initial configuration dialog?" enter "n" for "no" and press Return when prompted. The following prompt is displayed: Router>
7. enter privilege exec mode: type "enable" at the prompt (note: no password required!)
   
   the following are the commands to enter at the prompts (the correct prompt is shown in each case):-
   
   
8. Router#write erase
9. enter (erase takes a few seconds...)
   
10. Router#conf t
11. Router(config)#config-register 0x2102 (resets the config register so that the next time the router boots, it will load the startup-config)
12. CTRL+Z
    
13. Router#write mem
14. Router#copy ru st
15. Router#reload (reboots the router)

To check the current config:-

1. Router>enable
2. Router#sh ru (shows the current running config)
3. Router#sh ver (shows the router version information)

All done!

References:
RouterGod: Cisco Psychic TAC Hotline

My Certification Quest

Soon I'll be off to India where I'm going to spend 6 weeks (in Goa) gaining Microsoft, Cisco and CompTIA certifications. Specifically I'm going after the following qualifications:-

• MCSE: Messaging 2003
• Cisco: CCNA
• CompTIA: Security+

WhooHoo! I took the first step today by taking and passing the first exam (70-270 Win XP). I wanted to get at least one pass under my belt before heading off to India! All good, all good.

I've paid the deposit to Koenig-Solutions and so just need to: have the jabs (tomorrow), get a Visa and book the flights. I leave on Sunday 17th December and return on 5th February 2007.

The full exam schedule is below:-

MCSE: Messaging 2003

Exam #	Exam
70-270	Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Windows XP Professional - PASSED! (16 Nov 2006)
70-290	Managing and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Environment - PASSED! (27 Dec 2006)
70-291	Implementing, Managing, and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure - PASSED! (03 Jan 2007)
70-293	Planning and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure - PASSED! (08 Jan 2007)
70-294	Planning, Implementing, and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Active Directory Infrastructure - PASSED! (11 Jan 2007)
70-298	Designing Security for a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network - PASSED! (13 Jan 2007)
70-284	Implementing and Managing Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 - PASSED! (22 Jan 2007)
70-285	Designing a Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 Organization - PASSED! (23 Jan 2007)

CCNA

640-801 CCNA

Security+

2810 Microsoft Security Guidance Training - PASSED! (15 Jan 2007)

It's going to be a punishing schedule but I'm up for it. The Quest is on...