Officially known as Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE): Cloud Platform and Infrastructure, this certification indicates an IT pro’s expertise in administration, design, deployment, and configuration of Cloud-based data centers. Earning this credential demonstrates your conversancy with the Microsoft proprietary technologies. It covers Azure, identity management, networking, storage, systems management, and virtualization. The candidates with this certificate can fulfill job roles, such as Cloud administrators, Cloud architects, IT support specialists, and security analysts.
Nowadays, organizations are actively looking for the Microsoft certified IT experts in Cloud computing. The professionals need the Microsoft Cloud credential when working with the Microsoft complex Cloud platform. As a result, the company provides cutting-edge training, certifications, and technical updates to the specialists working with its Azure platform. For this reason, it is essential to keep yourself informed about the latest Azure platform technological developments.
Pathway to Microsoft Cloud Certification
The prerequisite for MCSE: Cloud Platform and Infrastructure is MCSA: Windows Server 2016 or MCSA: Windows Server 2012. Let’s have a closer look at these credentials.
MCSA: Windows Server 2016
If you manage to obtain this certificate, you will show that you are able to work on delivering more business value and reducing costs in your company. The MCSA: Windows Server 2016 credential allows its holders to work as a computer systems administrator or a networksystems administrator, and a computer network specialist.
The pathway includes obtaining enough fundamental skills or the MTA certification and passing three exams. They are:
- Prepaway Microsoft 70-740, Installation, Storage, and Compute with Windows Server 2016. This test includes the topics about the installation of Windows Servers in Compute and Host Environments, implementation of storage solutions, implementation of Hyper-V, monitoring of server environments, implementation of windows Containers. Most of the questions are dedicated to the implementation of High Availability (about 30-35% according to the Microsoft official webpage).
- Microsoft 70-741, Networking with Windows Server 2016. This test is concentrated on functionality available in Windows Server 2016 and networking features. The questions cover Direct Access and VPN, as well as DHCP, DNS, IPAM implementations.
- Microsoft 70-742, Identity with Windows Server 2016. To pass this test, you must be ready to answer the questions about configuration and installation of AD DS, Active Directory Federations Services, Active Directory Certificate Services, implementation of Group Policyfor non-Nano Server environments.
MCSA: Windows Server 2012
To begin to pursue this certificate, you need to have at least basic IT skills and knowledge, which you can prove through earning the MTA credential. After that, you should prepare to pass three exams, which are all required. These tests are:
- Microsoft 70-410, Installing and Configuring Windows Server 2012. The questions of this exam are related to the following topics: installation and configuration of servers, configuration of Hyper-V, deployment and configuration of core network services, administration of Active Directory, management and creation of Group Policy, configuration of server roles and features.
- Microsoft 70-411, Administering Windows Server 2012. This exam is concentrated on the following topics: management, deployment, and maintenance of servers, configuration of network services and access, management and configuration of Active Directory, configuration of Group Policy, etc.
- Microsoft 70-412, Configuring Advanced Windows Server 2012 Services. This is the third part of the series of these exams. If you pass this certification test, it will mean that you can fulfil complex configuring tasks for deployment and management of Windows Server 2012 infrastructure.
MCSE: Cloud Platform and Infrastructure
The MCSE: Cloud Platform and Infrastructure certification equips the IT professionals with a mix of both Azure Cloud and infrastructure expertise. To earn this credential, the candidates must pass one exam from the list. Among others, it includes:
- Exam 70-473: Designing and Implementing Cloud Data Platform Solutions
- Exam 70-475: Designing and Implementing Big Data Analytics Solutions
- Exam 70-744: Securing Windows Server 2016
- Exam 70-413: Designing and Implementing a Server Infrastructure
- Exam 70-414: Implementing an Advanced Server Infrastructure
Training Resources
Here are a few resources you can use to prepare for the exams to get the MCSE: Cloud Platform and Infrastructure certification.
- Azure Documentation and MSDN
Microsoft has recently revamped its documentation for users of its Cloud-computing platform. Currently, Microsoft releases documentation of its Cloud platform simultaneously with a new version. As a result, you’ll find it easy to locate everything you need during your training.
- Microsoft Virtual Academy
Most importantly, the Microsoft Virtual Academy contains a host of useful resources and references to meet the needs of Cloud developers and IT professionals. What’s more, the MSDN.com Channel9 hosts an exhaustive collection of instructional videos on Cloud computing topics, the latest trends, and insights into the future of Microsoft’s Cloud computing platform.
- Official Study Resources
Additionally, the candidates have access to the Microsoft official curriculum for assistance during training. You can opt for a classroom training setting or one of the Microsoft Official Course On-Demand option.
- PrepAway
Among a lot of resources, the PrepAway website is one of the most reliable and popular. It contains practice tests, courses, exam dumps, and etc. to help the students to be ready for the question types during the real exam. PrepAway will be helpful if you are not sure where to find the necessary material to improve your knowledge and check it. This resource makes the candidates’ preparation much easier.
The Bottom Line
Certifications provide a benchmark to measure an IT professional’s expertise in any IT field. Given that, you can rest assured that a Microsoft Cloud certified professional can deliver, develop, and support innovative Cloud-based solutions. Remember that the Microsoft exams are not easy, so do not ignore official preparation resources and some other recommended ones such as PrepAway. Your time and effort will not be spent for nothing.
