Passing the MCSE (Microsoft Certified Solution Expert) Desktop Infrastructure Exams

There are new MCSE (Microsoft Certified Solution Expert) tracks released and reinvented not long ago, fearuring MCSE Server Insfrasructure on Windows Server 2012, MCSE Desktop Infrastructure https://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/mcse-desktop-infrastructure-certification.aspx, MCSE Private Cloud and MCSE Data Platform on SQL 2012.

The roadmap of MCSE Desktop includes a pre-requisite certification of MCSA (Microsoft Certified Solution Associate) on Windows Server 2012, you need to pass 3 exams (Exam 70-410, 70-411 and 70-412) in here https://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/mcsa-windows-server-certification.aspx, and then 2 more elective exams, Exam 70-415 and Exam 70-416 before earning your MCSE Desktop Infrastructure in Windows Server 2012.

For exam 70-415, these are the skills measured in holistical breakdown are in here: https://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exam.aspx?ID=70-415 which consists of the following:

  • Create and Maintain Desktop Images
  • Design and Deploy Desktops
  • Plan and Implement a Remote Desktop Services Infrastructure
  • Design and Configure Desktop Settings
  • Manage and Maintain a Desktop Infrastructure

In preparing for the Exam 70-415, it's essential to cover these areas in here https://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/Course.aspx?ID=20415A&Locale=en-us comprising the following topics:

Assessing and Determining Desktop Deployment Options, Planning An Image Management Strategy, Implementing Desktop Security, Capturing and Managing a Desktop Operating System Image, Planning and Implementing User State Migration, Planning and Deploying Desktops Using the Microsoft Deployment Toolkit, Planning and Deploying Desktops by Using System Center 2012 Configuration Manager, Planning and Implementing a Remote Desktop Services Infrastructure, Managing User State Virtualization For Enterprise Desktops, Planning and Implementing an Updates Infrastructure to Support Enterprise Desktops, Protecting Enterprise Desktops from Malware and Data Loss, Monitoring the Performance and Health of the Desktop Infrastructure.

For exam 70-416, these are the skills measured in holistical breakdown are stated in here: https://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exam.aspx?ID=70-416 which consists of the following:

  • Design and Prepare the Application Environment
  • Design and Implement a Presentation Virtualization Environment
  • Design and Implement an Application Virtualization Environment
  • Deploy, Manage, and Maintain the Application Environment
  • Design Business Continuity for the Desktop and Application Environment

The MOC (Microsoft Official Curriculum) topics for Exam 70-416 are:

Designing an Application Distribution Strategy, Diagnosing and Remediating Application Compatibility, Deploying Applications by Using Group Policy and Windows Intune, Deploying Applications by Using System Center Configuration Manager, Configuring Self-Service Application Deployment, Designing and Implementing Presentation Virtualization Infrastructure, Preparing, Configuring and Deploying Presentation Virtualization Applications, Designing and Deploying an Application Virtualization Environment, Preparing, Sequencing, and Deploying Virtual Applications, Planning and Implementing Application Updates and Security, Planning and Implementing Application Upgrade and Supersedence, Monitoring Application Deployment, Utilization, and Performance.

All of the above MOC topics can be found here https://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/Course.aspx?ID=20416A&Locale=en-us

With Exam 70-410 + 70-411 + 70-412 for the core certification of MCSA + the Exam 70-415 and 70-416, you will earn your MCSE Desktop Infrastructure.

You can download an evaluation copy of Windows Server 2012 in here https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/hh670538.aspx.

For System Center SP1 Beta, please go to https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=34607.

For new courses on Windows Server 2012 in MVA, visit https://www.microsoftvirtualacademy.com/tracks/windows-server-2012-jump-start-preparing-for-the-datacenter-evolution for the Windows Server 2012 Jum Start: Preparing for the Datacenter Evolution. For Windows 8 for IT Pros Jump Start, go to https://www.microsoftvirtualacademy.com/tracks/windows-8-for-it-pros-jump-start.

For self-guided Windows Server 2012 hands-on labs in an “Anytime, Anywhere” basis, you can try out the Windows Server 2012 virtual labs at https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windowsserver/hh968267.aspx.

Related resources:

Ken Sim

MCT, MCSE (Solution Expert) Server Infrastructure (Windows Server 2012), MCSE Desktop Infrastructure, MCSE Private Cloud (System Center 2012), MCSE Data Platform (SQL 2012), MCSA (Solution Associate), MCSE+Internet, MCSE+Security, MCSE+Messaging, MCITP Enterprise Admin, MCITP Virtualization Admin (Hyper-V), MCITP Database Admin, MCITP Messaging Admin (Exchange 2010), MCITP Sharepoint Admin (Sharepoint 2010), MCTS, MCDBA, MCSD, MCPD