Microsoft - MCSA: Windows Server 2012 R2 & MCSE: SharePoint 2013

Get both your MCSA: Windows Server 2012 and MCSE: SharePoint 2013 certifications in just 15 days. That's 40% faster than traditional training.

The MCSA certification gives you the fundamental skills needed to develop and manage your Windows Server environment. Your MCSE will demonstrate that you have the skills and expertise required to help your company organise, sync, collaborate and share information.

SharePoint 2013 is part of the new version of Office. It's now easier to stay connected, access files any time, and maintain messaging security.

In order to gain your MCSE: SharePoint certification, you must have first passed the MCSA: Windows Server 2012 exam which you'll sit on the course. If you have already gained your MCSA: Windows Server 2012 cert, you can attend the MCSE: SharePoint 2013 course and gain your certification in just 6 days.

Installing and Configuring Windows Server 2012

Deploying and Managing Windows Server 2012

Introduction of the new Windows Server 2012 administrative interface, and the different roles and features available with the Windows Server 2012 operating system. Also the various installation options for when deploying Windows Server 2012.

• Windows Server 2012 Overview
• Windows Server 2012 Management Overview
• Installing Windows Server 2012
• Configuring Windows Server 2012 Post-Installation
• Introduction of Windows PowerShell

Introduction to Active Directory Domain Services

Active Directory Domain Services (ADDS) in Windows Server 2012. Covering general infrastructure including: forests, trees, schema, Global Catalog, Operations Masters. As well as the installation and configuration of Domain Controllers.

• Active Directory Domain Services Overview
• Domain Controllers Overview
• How to Install Domain Controllers

Managing Active Directory Domain Services Objects

Configuration of Active Directory Objects such as users, groups and computers. Also covering functionality of Active directory Administrative tools and the configurations of user profiles. Plus delegating permissions to perform ADDS administration.

• User Account Managing
• Groups Account Managing
• Computer Account Managing
• Delegate Administration
• Automate Active Directory Domain Services Administration

Using command-line tools to configure and administer Active Directory Domain Services. Introducing Windows PowerShell and Active Directory Cmdlets to perform bulk administrative operations.

• Command-line Tools for Administration
• Windows PowerShell for Administration
• Perform Bulk Operations with Windows PowerShell

Implementing IPv4

Detailing the various IPv4 components, covering Subnetting and Supernetting as well as detailing on general troubleshooting and configuring IPv4 addresses.

• An Overview of TCP/IP
• Understanding IPv4 Addressing
• Subnets and Supernets
• Configuring and Troubleshooting IPv4

Implementing DHCP

Installing and configuring DHCP as well as managing a DHCP database. Also covering security and monitoring of DHCP, including auditing and logging.

• Installing a DHCP Server Role
• Configuring DHCP Scopes
• Managing a DHCP Database
• Securing and Monitoring DHCP

Implementing DNS

Name resolution for Windows Server and clients. Detailing the installation of a DNS server and configuring Active Directory Integrated DNS zones.

• Name Resolution for Windows Client and Servers
• Installing and Managing a DNS Server
• Managing DNS Zones

Implementing IPv6

Understanding and implementing IPv6 addressing. Covering configuration and troubleshooting as well as co-existence with IPv4 using transition technologies.

• IPv6 Overview
• IPv6 Addressing
• Coexistence with IPv4
• IPv6 Transition Technologies

Implementing Local Storage

Storage configuration options for Windows Server 2012, including managing disks and volumes and implementing file systems. It also covers creating and managing Storage Pools.

• Overview of Storage
• Managing Disks and Volumes
• Implementing Storage Spaces

Implementing File and Print Services

Securing files, folders and network file shares, in addition to using shadow copies to protect network file shares. Also covering the configuration of network printing and creating a printer pool.

• Secure Files and Folders
• Protect File Shares with Shadow Copies
• Configure Network Printing

Implementing a Group Policy Infrastructure

Creating and managing Group Policy objects as well as how to configure group policy processing. It also covers implementing a central store for administrative templates. Describes Group Policy processing.

• Group Policy Overview
• Group Policy Processing
• Implementing a Central Store for Administrative Templates

Securing Windows Servers by Using Group Policy Objects

Also covering the configuration of security settings via group policy.

• Windows Security Overview
• Configuring Security Settings
• Restricting Software
• Configuring Windows Firewall with Advanced Security

Implementing Server Virtualisation with Hyper-V

Installation and configuration of Hyper-V virtual machines as well as understanding and describing Microsoft Virtualisation technologies. Also covering the configuration of virtual storage and virtual networks.

• An Overview of Virtualisation Technologies
• Implementing Hyper-V
• Managing Virtual Machine Storage
• Managing Virtual Networks

Core Solutions of Microsoft SharePoint Server 2013

Module 1: Introducing SharePoint Server 2013

Microsoft SharePoint Server 2013 is a document storage and collaboration platform which offers many benefits to Organisations. SharePoint deployments may take many different forms in scope, where a deployment may be focused on only delivering one feature, for example enterprise search, or many features, for example document management, business intelligence, web content management, and workflows. Deployments can also differ greatly in size, with small deployments of a single server up to large deployments with farms of 15 or more servers.

In this module, you'll learn about core features of SharePoint 2013, new features in this version, and what has been removed. You'll also learn about the basic structural elements of a farm deployment and how they fit together. Finally you'll learn about the different deployment options available to SharePoint 2013.

• Key Components of SharePoint Deployment
• New Features in SharePoint 2013
• SharePoint 2013 Deployment Options

Having completed this module, you'll be able to:

• Identify the capabilities and architecture of SharePoint 2013.
• Identify new and deprecated features in SharePoint 2013.
• Identify deployment options for SharePoint 2013.

Module 2: Designing an Information Architecture

Information architecture (IA) defines the structures by which an Organisation catalogs information. Designing an IA requires detailed understanding of the information held in an Organisation and its usage, context, volatility, and governance. A good IA rationalises the creation and storage of content and streamlines its surfacing and use.

IA design should be platform-neutral, but it must also be driven by the functionality of its environment. Microsoft SharePoint Server 2013 provides a rich and functional platform for the development and implementation of efficient and effective IA structures. The integral use of metadata throughout SharePoint 2013 means that an IA designer has a range of storage, navigation, and retrieval options to maximise usability in a well-structured IA.

In this module, you'll learn about the core elements of IA design and the facilities and devices available in SharePoint 2013 to deploy effective information management solutions.

• Identifying Business Requirements
• Understanding Business Requirements
• Organising Information in SharePoint 2013
• Planning for Discoverability

Creating an Information Architecture - Part One

• Identifying Site Columns and Content Types

Creating an Information Architecture - Part Two

• Designing a Business Taxonomy

Having completed this module, you'll be able to:

• Explain how understanding business requirements drives the design of an Organisational IA.
• Describe the key components available in SharePoint 2013 to deploy an IA.
• Plan for discoverability as part of an IA deployment.

Module 3: Designing a Logical Architecture

This module reviews the logical constructs of Microsoft SharePoint Server 2013 and SharePoint Online. It discusses the importance of creating a logical architecture design based on business requirements before you implement a solution. The module covers conceptual content, defining a logical architecture, and the components of Microsoft SharePoint Server 2013 that you must map to business specifications.

• Overview of SharePoint 2013 Logical Architecture
• Documenting Your Logical Architecture

Designing a Logical Architecture

• Plannning a Logical Architecture
• Producing a Logical Architecture Diagram

Having completed this module, you'll be able to:

• Map business requirements to SharePoint 2013 architecture components.
• Explain the significance of documentation and describe the options for documenting logical architecture.

Module 4: Designing a Physical Architecture

When designing a Microsoft SharePoint Server 2013 deployment, you must carefully consider the hardware and farm topology requirements. Your choices of server hardware and the number of servers that you specify for the farm can have a significant impact on how the farm meets user requirements, how users perceive the SharePoint solution, and how long before the farm requires additional hardware.

This module describes the factors that you should consider when you design the physical architecture of a SharePoint 2013 deployment. The physical architecture refers to the server design, farm topology, and supporting elements—such as network infrastructure—for your deployment. This physical architecture underpins the operations of your SharePoint 2013 environment, so it is vital that your physical design completely meets the operational requirements.

• Designing Physical Components for SharePoint Deployments
• Designing Supporting Components for SharePoint Deployments
• SharePoint Farm Topologies
• Mapping a Logical Architecture Design to a Physical Architecture Design

Designing a Physical Architecture

• Designing a Physical Architecture
• Developing a Physical Architecture Design Diagram

Having completed this module, you'll be able to:

• Describe the physical design requirements for SharePoint 2013.
• Describe the supporting requirements for a successful SharePoint 2013 physical design.
• Identify SharePoint farm topologies.
• Map a logical architecture design to a physical architecture design.

Module 5: Installing and Configuring SharePoint Server 2013

After designing and planning your logical and physical architectures for a Microsoft SharePoint Server 2013 deployment, the next installation steps are to implement the deployment design and specify configuration settings for the deployment.

In this module, you'll learn about installing SharePoint 2013 in various topologies. You'll learn how to configure farm settings, and how to script the installation and configuration of SharePoint 2013.

• Installing SharePoint Server 2013
• Scripting Installation and Configuration
• Configuring SharePoint Server 2013 Farm Settings

Deploying and Configuring SharePoint Server 2013 - Part One

• Provisioning a SharePoint 2013 Server Farm

Configuring SharePoint Server 2013 Farm Settings

• Configuring SharePoint Server 2013 Farm Settings
• Configuring Outgoing Email
• Configuring Integration with Office Web Apps Server 2013

Having completed this module, you'll be able to:

• Install SharePoint 2013.
• Configure SharePoint 2013 farm settings.
• Script the installation and configuration of SharePoint 2013.

Module 6: Creating Web Applications and Site Collections

After you installed your Microsoft SharePoint Server 2013 farm, you are ready to begin deploying sites and content, such as an Organisational intranet site.

In this module, you'll learn about the key concepts and skills related to the logical architecture of SharePoint including web applications, site collections, sites, and content databases. Specifically, you'll learn how to create and configure web applications and to create and configure site collections.

• Creating Web Applications
• Configuring Web Applications
• Creating and Configuring Site Collections

Creating and Configuring Web Applications

• Creating a Web Application
• Configuring a Web Application

Creating and Configuring Site Collections

• Creating Site Collections
• Creating Site Collections in New Content Databases
• Creating a Warm-up Script

Having completed this module you'll be able to perform the following tasks in SharePoint 2013:

• Creating web applications.
• Configuring web applications.
• Creating site collections.
• Configuring site collections.

Module 7: Planning and Configuring Service Applications

Service applications were introduced in Microsoft SharePoint Server 2010, replacing the Shared Service Provider architecture of Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007. Service applications provide a flexible design for delivering services, such as Managed Metadata or PerformancePoint, to users who need them. Microsoft SharePoint Server 2013 includes more than 20 services, some of which are new to this version, whereas others are enhanced. In planning and configuring service applications, it is important that you understand the dependencies, resource usage, and business requirements for each.

This module reviews the basic service application architecture, the essentials of planning your service application deployment, and the configuration of your service applications. This module does not discuss sharing, or federation, of service applications. This is covered in more detail in course 20332B: Advanced Solutions of Microsoft SharePoint Server 2013.

• Introducing Service Application Architecture
• Creating and Configuring Service Applications

Planning and Configuring Service Applications

• Provisioning a Managed Metadata Service Application with Central Administration
• Provisioning a Managed Metadata Service Application with Windows PowerShell
• Configuring Service Applications for Document Conversions
• Configuring Service Application Proxy Groups

Having completed this module, you'll be able to:

• Explain the key components and topologies for SharePoint Server 2013 service application architecture.
• Describe how to provision and manage SharePoint 2013 service applications.

Module 8: Managing Users and Permissions

Many Organisations need to store sensitive or confidential information. Microsoft SharePoint Server 2013 includes a complete set of security features, which you can use to help ensure that users with the appropriate rights and permissions can access the information they need, can modify the data they are responsible for, but that they cannot access or modify confidential information, or information that is not intended for them. The SharePoint 2013 security model is highly flexible and adaptable to your Organisation’s needs.

In this module, you'll learn about the various authorisation and security features available in SharePoint 2013 to help you maintain a secure SharePoint environment. Specifically, you'll be learning about authorisation and permissions in SharePoint 2013, and managing access to content in SharePoint 2013.

• Authorisation in SharePoint 2013
• Managing Access to Content

Managing Users and Groups

• Creating a Web Application Policy
• Creating and Managing SharePoint Groups
• Creating Custom Permission Levels

Securing Content in SharePoint Sites

• Managing Permissions and Inheritance
• Managing Site Collection Security
• Enabling anonymous access to a site

Having completed this module, you'll be able to:

• Understand and manage authorisation and permissions in SharePoint 2013.
• Manage access to content in SharePoint 2013.

Module 9: Configuring Authentication for SharePoint 2013

Authentication is the process by which you establish the identity of users and computers. Authorisation controls access to resources by assigning permissions to users and computers. To provide authorisation to consumers of Microsoft SharePoint content and services, whether they are end users, server platforms, or SharePoint apps, you first have to verify that they are who they claim to be. Together, authentication and authorisation play a central role in the security of a SharePoint 2013 deployment by ensuring that consumers can only access resources to which you have explicitly granted them access.

In this module, you'll learn about the authentication infrastructure in SharePoint 2013. you'll learn how to configure SharePoint to work with a variety of authentication providers, and you'll learn how to configure authenticated connections between SharePoint and other server platforms.

• Overview of Authentication
• Configuring Federated Authentication
• Configuring Server-to-Server Authentication

Configuring SharePoint 2013 to Use Federated Identities

• Configuring AD FS to Make the Web Application a Relying Party
• Configuring SharePoint to Trust AD FS as an Identity Provider
• Configuring the Web Application to Use the AD FS Identity Provider

Having completed this module, you'll be able to:

• Explain the authentication infrastructure of SharePoint 2013.
• Configure claims providers and identity federation for SharePoint 2013.
• Configure server-to-server authentication for SharePoint 2013.

Module 10: Securing a SharePoint 2013 Deployment

Microsoft SharePoint Server 2013 is not just a group of websites. It is also a site-provisioning engine for intranets, extranets, and Internet sites, a collection of databases, an application platform, and a platform for collaboration and social features, as well as being many other things. In addition to it touching your network, it also touches your line-of-business (LOB) applications and Microsoft Active Directory; therefore, it has a large attack surface to consider and protect. SharePoint 2013 is supplied with several security features and tools out-of-the-box to help you secure it.

In this module, you'll learn how to secure and harden your SharePoint 2013 farm deployment and how to configure several security settings at the farm level.

• Securing the Platform
• Configuring Farm-Level Security

Hardening a SharePoint 2013 Server Farm

• Configuring SharePoint and SQL Server to Communicate Over Non-Standard Ports
• Configuring Firewalls for SharePoint Server Farms

Configuring Farm-Level Security

• Configuring Blocked File Types
• Configuring Web Part Security
• Implementing Security Auditing

Having completed this module you'll be able to:

• Secure the SharePoint 2013 platform.
• Configure farm-level security in SharePoint 2013.

Module 11: Managing Taxonomy

In order to organise information and make that information easier to find and work with, you can label and categorise information. With files and items in Microsoft SharePoint, you can apply metadata, which could be a category, a classification, or a tag, in order to organise your content and make it easier to work with.

In most organisations, the most effective way to implement metadata is through a defined taxonomy that you have standardised through stakeholder input. This enables users to select metadata terms from a predefined list, which provides standard results.

Microsoft SharePoint Server 2013 can further enhance the application of metadata by using content types. Organisations can use content types to standardise specific types of files, documents, or list items and include metadata requirements, document templates, retention settings, and workflow directly.

• Managing Content Types
• Understanding Term Stores and Term Sets
• Managing Term Stores and Term Sets

Configuring Content Type Propagation

• Creating Content Types for Propagation
• Publishing Content Types Across Site Collections

Configuring and Using Managed Metadata Term Sets

• Configuring the Managed Metadata Service
• Creating Term Sets and Terms
• Consuming Term Sets

Having completed this module, you'll be able to:

• Describe the function of content types and explain how to apply them to business requirements.
• Describe the function of managed metadata in SharePoint 2013.
• Configure the Managed Metadata Service and supporting components.

Module 12: Configuring User Profiles

Social computing environments enable organisations to quickly identify co-workers, team members, and others with similar roles or requirements in an organisation. Social features in Microsoft SharePoint Server 2013 enable users to quickly gain updates and insight into how other members of the organisation are working and what information or processes people are developing, along with the progress being achieved.

The SharePoint 2013 social platform is based around the capabilities provided by the user profile service application, supported by other services, such as the Managed Metadata Service and the Search service. The User Profile Service provides configuration and control over importing profile data, creating My Sites, managing audiences, and users can utilise these features.

• Configuring the User Profile Service Application
• Managing User Profiles and Audiences

Configuring User Profiles

• Creating a User Profile Service Application
• Configuring Directory Import

Configuring My Sites and Audiences

• Configuring My Sites
• Configuring Audiences

Having completed this module, you'll be able to:

• Plan for and configure user profile synchronisation with Active Directory Domain Services.
• Plan for and configure My Sites and audiences.

Module 13: Configuring Enterprise Search

Search has been a cornerstone of Microsoft SharePoint Products and Technologies since SharePoint Portal Server 2003. Since those early days, the architecture of the search service has evolved through the Shared Service Provider architecture to the service application architecture of SharePoint Server 2010. It has also grown with the addition of FAST technologies. SharePoint Server 2013 continues this growth by re-architecting the service and integrating many of the components that were intrinsic to FAST Search to deliver a more robust and richer experience for IT staff and users.

In this module, you'll learn about the new architecture of the Search service, how to configure the key components of search, and how to manage search functionality in your organisation.

• Understanding the Search Service Architecture
• Configuring Enterprise Search
• Managing Enterprise Search

Configuring Enterprise Search

• Configuring the Search Service Application
• Configuring a File Share Content Source
• Configuring a Local SharePoint Content Source
• Creating a Search Center

Configuring the Search Experience

• Optimising Search Results
• Customising the Search Experience

Having completed this module, you'll be able to:

• Describe the core architecture of the Search service and its supported topologies.
• Explain the steps required to configure the Search service in an enterprise environment.
• Describe how to manage and maintain a well-performing Search environment.

Module 14: Monitoring and Maintaining a SharePoint 2013 Environment

Careful planning and configuration alone will not guarantee an effective Microsoft SharePoint Server 2013 deployment. To keep your SharePoint 2013 deployment performing well, you have to plan and conduct ongoing monitoring, maintenance, optimisation, and troubleshooting.

In this module, you'll learn how to plan and configure monitoring in a SharePoint 2013 server farm, and how to tune and Optimise the performance of your farm on an ongoing basis. You'll also learn how to use a range of tools and techniques to troubleshoot unexpected problems in your SharePoint 2013 deployments.

• Monitoring a SharePoint 2013 Environment
• Tuning and Optimising a SharePoint Environment
• Planning and Configuring Caching
• Troubleshooting a SharePoint 2013 Environment

Monitoring a SharePoint 2013 Deployment

• Configuring Usage and Health Data Collection
• Configuring SharePoint Diagnostic Logging
• Configuring Health Analyser Rules
• Reviewing Usage and Health Data

Investigating Page Load Times

• Investigating Page Load Times
• Analysing SharePoint Page Performance

Having completed this module, you'll be able to:

• Develop and implement a monitoring plan for a SharePoint 2013 environment.
• Tune and Optimise a SharePoint 2013 server farm on an ongoing basis.
• Plan and configure caching to improve the performance of a SharePoint 2013 deployment.
• Troubleshoot errors and other issues in a SharePoint 2013 deployment.

You'll sit the following exams, which lead to MCSA: Windows Server 2012 & MCSE: SharePoint 2013 certification:

• Exam 70-410: Installing and Configuring Windows Server 2012
• Exam 70-411: Administering Windows Server 2012
• Exam 70-412: Configuring Advanced Windows Server 2012 Services
• Exam 70-331: Core Solutions of Microsoft SharePoint Server 2013
• Exam 70-332: Advanced Solutions of Microsoft SharePoint Server 2013

Microsoft Official Curriculum

• MOC 20410: Installing and Configuring Windows Server 2012
• MOC 20411: Administering Windows Server 2012
• MOC 20412: Configuring Advanced Windows Server 2012 Services
• MOC 20331: Core Solutions of Microsoft SharePoint Server 2013
• MOC 20332: Advanced Solutions of Microsoft SharePoint Server 2013

Included:

• Exam Ref 70-331: Core Solutions of Microsoft SharePoint Server 2013 - ISBN - 978-0735678088
• Exam Ref 70-332: Advanced Solutions of Microsoft SharePoint Server 2013 - ISBN - 978-0735678101

To be successful on the MCSA part of the course, you must have:

• A good understanding of fundamentals of networking
• An understanding of - and experience - configuring security and administration tasks in an Enterprise environment
• As well as experience in:
• Supporting or configuring Microsoft Windows clients
• Working in a Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2008 R2 or Windows Server 2012 Enterprise environment
• Implementing, managing and configuring Active Directory and networking infrastructure

For the second part, the MCSE, you should have at least one year of experience with deploying and administering multiple SharePoint 2010 farms across a large enterprise. You should also have at least 2 years of experience with SharePoint 2007 and knowledge of the differences between 2007 and 2010, particularly the Service Application model. You should also have the following skills:

• Software management in a Windows 2008 R2 enterprise server or Windows Server 2012 environment.
• Deploying and managing applications natively, virtually and in the cloud.
• Administering Internet Information Services (IIS).
• Configuring Active Directory for use in authentication, authorization and as a user store.
• Managing an application remotely using Windows PowerShell 2.0.
• Connecting applications to Microsoft SQL Server.
• Implementing Claims-based Security.

In order to gain your MCSE: SharePoint certification, you must have first passed the MCSA: Windows Server 2012 exam which you'll sit on the course.

Seven reasons why you should sit your course with Firebrand Training

• Two options of training. Choose between residential classroom-based, or online courses
• You'll be certified fast. With us, you’ll be trained in record time
• Our course is all-inclusive. A one-off fee covers all course materials, exams**, accommodation* and meals*. No hidden extras.
• Pass the first time or train again for free. This is our guarantee. We’re confident you’ll pass your course the first time. But if not, come back within a year and only pay for accommodation, exams and incidental costs
• You’ll learn more. A day with a traditional training provider generally runs from 9 am – 5 pm, with a nice long break for lunch. With Firebrand Training you’ll get at least 12 hours/day of quality learning time, with your instructor
• You’ll learn faster. Chances are, you’ll have a different learning style to those around you. We combine visual, auditory and tactile styles to deliver the material in a way that ensures you will learn faster and more easily
• You’ll be studying with the best. We’ve been named in the Training Industry’s “Top 20 IT Training Companies of the Year” every year since 2010. As well as winning many more awards, we’ve trained and certified over 135,000 professionals

*For residential training only. Doesn't apply for online courses
**Some exceptions apply. Please refer to the Exam Track or speak with our experts

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