CompTIA Certification Retirement Announcement!

The CompTIA Mobile App Security+ ADR & iOS (ADR-001 & iOS-001) certification exams will be retiring on June 26, 2015. CompTIA will not replace these exams. Therefore, anyone studying for these exams is encouraged to complete their studies and seek certification prior to the retirement date. Exam vouchers already purchased for these exams will be valid through June 26, 2015. Exam vouchers not used by the retirement date will expire and become void. Anyone who has received the certification will remain CompTIA Mobile App Security+ ADR & iOS certified, as the exam is retiring but the certification will stay valid.

Why Microsoft Lync 2013 Exams are Retiring in July 2015

Everything Lync is becoming Skype for Business. This means Microsoft is working on replacing their Lync exams with Skype for Business exams. Microsoft is still working on the availability date for the Skype for Business exams, but needed to announce the retirement of the Lync exams (July 2015) to give notice to those who are planning to take the exams soon or who are currently in-path. But don’t worry— Microsoft won’t pull the Lync exams out of market until the Skype for Business exams are available.

The new Skype for Business exams will count toward MCSE: Communication certification like the Lync 2013 exams currently do.

Stay tuned for more information on the new Skype for Business exams.

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FAQ

Q: Should I hold off on taking exams until the Skype for Business exams are available?
A: Not at all. Skype for Business builds on Lync’s features and functionality. The Lync exams provide you with a solid foundation for your Skype for Business implementation. See what’s new in Skype for Business.

Q: Will there be an upgrade exam for those who have completed both Lync exams and want to move to Skype for Business?
A: No. Once you’ve earned your MCSE: Communication certification you cannot re-earn it. You can, however, keep it current through recertification.

Q: What about recertification?
A: Holders of the MCSE: Communication credential must recertify every three years. Recertification is a great way to ensure that you stay current in the latest technology, such as Skype for Business. Microsoft will be providing more information about recertification options for MCSE: Communication this summer.

Q: I’m a partner with the Microsoft Partner Network. I have the Communications Competency and just took the Lync exams to qualify. Do I still qualify?
A: Retirement of an exam from Microsoft learning does not retire it as a qualifying exam for a Competency. Lync Exams for the Communications Competency will still qualify for a period of time. Always check the Microsoft Partner Network competency requirements.

New Certification: MCSD Azure Solutions Architect

Microsoft is pleased to announce the release of a new certification entitled Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer (MCSD): Azure Solutions Architect. This certification is awarded by passing three Microsoft Azure specialist exams, validating competence in the design, development, and administration of solutions powered by Microsoft Azure.

The new certification is earned by passing all three of the following exams:

• Exam 532: Developing Microsoft Azure Solutions
• Exam 533: Implementing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions
• Exam 534: Architecting Microsoft Azure Solutions

With a focus on app development and deployment, this certification is classified under the MCSD suite of certifications and, as such, carries a two-year recertification requirement.

The MCSD: Azure Solutions Architect certification went live on June 1, 2015.

For more details on this new certification, please visit the Azure Certification landing page.

Microsoft Exams Scheduled to retire on July 31 2015

Find exams scheduled to be retired on July 31 2015, listed by technology. (The information that follows is subject to change.)

Lync and Lync Server:

• 74-322: Microsoft Lync Server 2010—Advanced Design and Deployment
• 74-335: Lync Network Readiness Assessment
• 70-336: Core Solutions of Microsoft Lync Server 2013
• 70-337: Enterprise Voice Online Services with Microsoft Lync Server 2013
• 74-338: Lync 2013 Depth Support Engineer

Project and Project Server:

• 70-177: TS: Microsoft Project Server 2010, Configuring
• 70-178: TS: Managing Projects with Microsoft Project 2010

SQL Server:

• 70-433: TS: Microsoft SQL Server 2008, Database Deployment
• 70-450: PRO: Designing, Optimizing, and Maintaining a Database Administrative Solution Using Microsoft SQL Server 2008
• 70-451: PRO: Designing Database Solutions and Data Access Using Microsoft SQL Server 2008

Visual Studio:

• 70-518: PRO: Designing and Developing Windows Applications Using Microsoft .NET Framework 4
• 70-519: PRO: Designing and Developing Web Applications Using Microsoft .NET Framework 4
• 98-363: Web Development Fundamentals
• 98-372: Microsoft .NET Fundamentals
• 98-374: MTA: Gaming Development Fundamentals

Windows:

• 70-681: Windows 7 and Office 2010, Deploying
• 98-349: Windows Operating System Fundamentals

Windows Server:

• 70-643: TS: Windows Server 2008 Applications Infrastructure, Configuring
• 70-647: Pro: Windows Server 2008, Enterprise Administrator
• 70-649: TS: Upgrading Your MCSE on Windows Server 2003 to Windows Server 2008, Technology Specialist
• 70-659: TS: Windows Server 2008 R2, Server Virtualization
• 70-669: TS: Windows Server 2008 R2, Desktop Virtualization
• 70-693: PRO: Windows Server 2008 R2, Virtualization Administrator

Other technologies:

• 70-158: TS: Microsoft Forefront Identity and Access Management, Configuring
• 70-595: TS: Developing Business Process and Integration Solutions by Using Microsoft BizTalk Server 2010
• 74-674: TS: Delivering Value Planning Services

Important NetApp Certification Program Updates

In May, NetApp will deliver updates to NetApp certification exams to extend training and certification opportunities for the latest NetApp Data ONTAP technology. NetApp will also implement changes to the NetApp Certification Program (NCP), designed to increase market recognition and protect the validity of the NetApp certifications that you work so hard to achieve.

New Exams: 
On May 15 2015, NetApp will launch the following new exams:

• NS0-157 NetApp Certified Data Administrator, Clustered Data ONTAP. Passing this exam will earn you the NetApp Certified Data Administrator, Clustered Data ONTAP (NCDA cDOT) credential.
• NS0-506 NetApp Certified Implementation Engineer – SAN, Clustered Data ONTAP. Passing this exam, and holding an active NCDA cDOT certification, will earn you the NetApp Certified Implementation Engineer – SAN Specialist, Clustered Data ONTAP (NCIE SAN cDOT) credential.
• NS0-511 NetApp Certified Implementation Engineer – Data Protection. Passing this exam, and holding an active NCDA cDOT certification, will earn you the NetApp Certified Implementation Engineer – Data Protection Specialist (NCIE Data Protection) credential.

Protecting the Value and Validity of NetApp Certifications: 
Following industry best practices, NetApp is implementing Provisional Exam Scoring. Candidates who achieve a passing score will receive a “Provisional Exam Score Report” after completing their NCP exam at a Pearson VUE testing center, or private testing event. Final exam results will be confirmed once a validity check is complete, as defined by the NCP exam security policies, and will be made available in CertCenter within three (3) business days of the exam.
Certification Program Policy Changes.

In addition to the above changes, NetApp is implementing other minor policy changes effective May 15. For example, you can now retake an exam after a 24-hour waiting period with additional retakes following a 14 calendar-day waiting period. Passed exams may be retaken after 18 months.

NetApp is excited about these upcoming changes to the NCP, and the added value that they will deliver to you, as a certified NetApp Professional. Please watch for other enhancements to the NCP in the coming months including new certifications and tools to help you manage your certifications better.

Cisco Data Center Exams Availability Is Extended

Cisco Data Center Unified Computing exams 642-993 DCUCD and 642-994 DCUCI are now available through May 31, 2013.

These two exams were scheduled to be removed from testing centers on February 28, 2013, but the removal date has been extended.

If you are interested in taking these exams, please contact Pearson VUE.

Free ebook: Introducing Windows Server 2012 (RTM Edition)

Mitch Tulloch has updated his very popular free ebook on Windows Server 2012 based on the RTM version of the software.

A key feature of this book is the inclusion of sidebars written by members of the Windows Server team, Microsoft Support engineers, Microsoft Consulting Services staff, and others who work at Microsoft. These sidebars provide an insider’s perspective that includes both “under-the-hood” information concerning how features work, and strategies, tips, and best practices from experts who have been working with the platform during product development.

Please see the links below to download one or all of the available formats.

PDF – Introducing Windows Server 2012 RTM Edition – PDF ebook 

EPUB – Introducing Windows Server 2012 RTM Edition – ePub format 

MOBI – Introducing Windows Server 2012 RTM Edition – MOBI format (for Kindle) 

If you prefer a hard copy of the book, you can order it here for $14.99 from our official distributor, O’Reilly Media.

A Visual Guide to Windows Server Training and Certification!

Windows Server Certification and Career Paths

Windows Server Certification and Career Paths

NetApp in a SnapShot!

Data Storage: NetApp at 20: ‘Nice Little File Server Company’ Grows Into $6B Storage Giant

NetApp has come a long way from being known as a “nice little file server company” years ago, in the words of its Chairman and former longtime CEO Dan Warmenhoven. Since its birth 20 years ago, it has blossomed into one of the world’s most successful independent data storage companies. NetApp is now the second-largest independent network-attached storage (NAS) maker/seller in the world behind EMC, and is No. 3 only to EMC and IBM in external disk storage, according to industry researcher IDC. NetApp’s data storage products have won the respect of midrange and small and midsize business generally; larger enterprises are also buying NetApp’s wares for various applications. NetApp has been instrumental in shaping how the storage industry looks today. This year, the company’s 20th in business, marks a major milestone for NetApp. What began in 1992 as an idea sketched on a placemat has grown into a “model company,” ranked as a top global place to work, with more than $6.2B in revenue and more than 11,500 employees. Here are some highlights of those 20 years.

1992: Hitz Parade Begins

NetApp founder Dave Hitz writes the first storage operating system with the Write Anywhere File Layout (WAFL), improving storage performance and efficiency.

1993: First NAS Appliance Boots Up

NetApp launches the first network-attached storage appliance, the FAServer 400, which provides shared file storage and simplified data management.

1993: SnapShot Data Protection

NetApp pioneers the industry’s storage efficiency technology with Snapshot, the first and only disk space saving, no-performance-impact data protection technology. Over the next 14 years, NetApp adds new features to the storage efficiency catalog with the industry’s first virtual writable copies with FlexClone, followed by the first deduplication system on primary storage in 2007.

1995: NetApp Goes Public

NetApp goes public in 1995, and four years later, the company was added to the Nasdaq 100 and S&P 500. In 2001, NetApp sales hit $1 billion in sales, and 11 years later, NetApp hit $6.2 billion in sales. In 2012, NetApp debuted on the Fortune 500 list at No. 474.

2002: First Unified Storage System

NetApp pioneers the world’s first unified storage platform. Over the years, NetApp has innovated in storage efficiency, processes, data management and data protection as well as enterprise and midsize business customer segments.

2003: Virtualization Crosses Vendor Barriers

NetApp virtualizes other vendors’ storage arrays, enabling the company’s Data ONTAP efficiencies and data protection in its V Series arrays. The offering provided the first data management features for other storage vendors. The V-Series product line is unique in its ability to unify storage array products from Hitachi, HP, IBM, Fujitsu and EMC.

2008: ‘Less Storage-Capacity-Used’ Guarantee

NetApp is the first in the industry to offer customers a guarantee that they will use 50 percent less storage in their virtual server/desktop environments with NetApp, compared with traditional storage, or NetApp will provide additional capacity at no charge.

2011: An ‘Innovative’ Company

NetApp is named one of the world’s most innovative companies by Forbes magazine as one of the few major storage vendors to make the list at No. 34.

2009: Best Company to Work For in the World

NetApp is ranked No. 1 on the Fortune “Best Companies to Work For” list. 2012 marked the sixth consecutive year the company was ranked in the top 15. NetApp was also named the No. 3 best place to work on the Great Places to Work Institute’s first annual “Top 25 Global Places to Work” list for 2011.

2012: NetApp Steps Up Move to the Cloud

NetApp’s FlexPod data center platform, which includes NetApp unified storage systems, Cisco Unified Computing System servers and Cisco Nexus switches, is accelerating the transition to the cloud for more than 850 customers in nearly 33 countries globally to date. FlexPod is designed from the ground up as a channel sale.

Source: eWeek