What is involved in upgrading your MCSE Windows Server 2003 to Windows Server 2008?

You have your MCSE on Windows Server 2003 and you want to upgrade to Windows Server 2008. The first thing to remember is that this is a series of new certifications and while there is an upgrade path, you are not earning an MCSE on Windows Server 2008 rather an MCTS or MCITP on windows Server 2008. Also remember that the era of the MCSA/MCSE certifications has ended – it is now MCTS and MCITP (and others beyond the scope intended here) and have an entirely different focus.

I talked about the differences between the MCTS and MCITP in an earlier blog. The Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) is concerned with and focused on a deep understanding and use of a Microsoft product. The MCITP, on the other hand, represents a broader view of a series of products and is concerned with planning (short and long term) and network architecture and design. The important thing to keep in mind is that the MCTS is not a prerequisite for the MCITP – in other words it is not a stepping stone certification.

There are two MCITP tracks available the MCITP: Server Administrator or MCITP: Enterprise Administrator (doesn’t mean you can’t get both, just that they are two separate certifications with different requirements and target audiences). Regardless of which track you wish to pursue, you will need to take the 70-649 TS: Upgrading your MCSE on Windows Server 2003 to Windows Server 2008, Technology Specialist exam. Passing this exam will earn you the: MCTS: Windows Server 2008 Active Directory, Configuration (equivalent to the 70-640 exam), the MCTS: Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure Configuration (equivalent to the 70-642 exam) and the MCTS: Window Server 2008 Application Infrastructure Configuration (equivalent to the 70-643 exam).

Now that you have the 70-649 exam, you can decide which of the MCITP tracks you wish to pursue. If you want to earn the MCITP: Server Administrator then you will need to pass the 70-646 Pro: Windows Server 2008, Server Administrator. If, on the other hand, you are interested in the MCITP: Enterprise Administrator, you still need to take the 70-649 TS: Upgrading your MCSE on Windows Server 2003 to Windows Server 2008, Technology Specialist, but you also need to take two other tests (for a total of 3 tests). You can take either the 70-620: TS Microsoft Windows Vista, Configuring OR 70-624 TS: Deploying and Maintaining Windows Vista Client and 2007 Microsoft Office System Desktop (your choice here, but one of the two is required). The last test you need to take is the 70-647: Windows Server 2008, Enterprise Administrator. Once you have taken all three – congratulations, you are now a MCITP: Enterprise Administrator.

As you can see, the upgrade path from MCSE Windows Server 2003 to MCITP Server or Enterprise Administrator on Windows Server 2008 is straight forward – a far cry from the old 70-240 exam!