MCITP Update

Slow going so far, but we're making progress none the less.

Working on cleaning up my study area. It's going well, the mountain of things in my Inbox is dwindling to a manageable level. It's still a bit overflowing, but every day I cut down a bit more and progress is the key. Most of my trouble here is deciding what to do with all this stuff that's accumulated, so thanks to SimpleNorth and his introduction of the 100 Thing Challenge I find myself really cutting down on the clutter by filling my trash bin. This is surprisingly therapeutic, I recommend it.

My lab is built and updating. I decided to take this opportunity to build a complete lab in VMWare using thin provisioning. I have two Windows 2008 servers and one Vista Business client. I would have built it using Windows 7, but I own a copy of Vista Business and figured I would not have to rebuild if I use a licensed copy.

I still have work to do on my schedule. Alright, I need a schedule...

So begins the MCITP

It's been a great summer full of fun and music. The new guitar makes me want to play again, and I'm glad to say that I've been doing just that. I'm hoping to have some recorded music available soon. Watch the Nobelly Rolling Myspace for updates and samples.

The task ahead is to certify in Microsoft Windows 2008. Right now my plan is to work toward MCITP Enterprise Administrator certification. I've been contemplating it for some time now, and finally about to begin with the encouragement of a co-worker having similar motivational issues. We decided that, if this was ever going to get done we would simply have to get to it.

So this morning I downloaded and installed VMWare Workstation 7.1 which was missing after my recent PC rebuild. I'll be working through the Microsoft Press MCITP Enterprise Administrator kit of materials and beginning with 70-640 exam for Configuring Windows Server 2008 Active Directory.

I haven't taken a Microsoft exam since the days of NT 4.0, so this is all a bit new again. Of course, having recently passed CCNA and GSEC exams I'm not altogether unfamiliar with certification exams in the modern day, either. I'm looking forward to getting on with this, updating my skills and learning a few new things in the process.

The things I need to do to begin:

1. Build the virtual lab. I'll be thin provisioning Windows Servers in VMWare Workstation 7.1, building the recommended lab per the M$ Press books
2. Organize this mess of a workspace - I have a hard time focusing on any given task when I'm sitting in a mess like I am now. Finally finishing my GTD organization needs to head up the list
3. Prepare my study plan - I usually have to map out how much I need to do daily by breaking up the main goal into smaller goals
4. Schedule my study time and be focused - I tend to get side-tracked easily, so I'll need to keep the prize in front of me and keep myself moving forward

So here we go. I'll try to keep up blogging my study notes like I've done in the past for the GSEC and CCNA as a review and reference for test time. I guess if I don't get this going, I'll never get it done.

Oh, nearly forgot to mention - we're not starting too aggressive. I just want to take one exam by 12/31/2010.