I am a complete novice to SQL Server 2005, and I desperately need help!

Hi,

I am looking for good documentation and examples to use to 'study' for Microsoft exam 70-431. This has everything to do with nuts-and-bolts Database Administration of SQL Server 2005.

The December BOL examples, do not cover enough topics. The topics that are covered are not in enough detail. The 70-431 exam requirements are very detailed.

This seems to be a nuts-and-bolts test. I am looking for nuts-and-bolts study material.

No books are published yet.

Does anyone have any good ideas on where to find 'good' samples and tutorials meant for a person who is studying for the new Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Database Administrator Exam MCTS 70-431?

All answers and ideas in 'any form' are appreciated.

Thank you very much.

Andre

Hi Andre,

I am also looking out for various resources for preparation of MCTS. We can collaborate, what do u say?

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I am also going forward for the exam.

One of the books for MCTS windows application will be out any day now..

|||The book has been published and is now available online for purchase!|||

Where is the URL for the book purchase information?

AIMDBA

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Here is the url for the (a) book on the subject: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/073562271X/104-7297463-7574318?v=glance&n=283155

That being said, does anyone know of any sites that contain links to online material for the test? Something similar to http://www.codeclinic.com/70-320skills.htm ?

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From the amazon book url given above, has anyone checked out the other 70-431 learning books shown below.

59% buy

MCTS Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-536): Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 Application Development Foundation (Pro - Developer) by Tony Northrup $44.09

36% buy the item featured on this page:

MCTS Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-431): Microsoft SQL Server(TM) 2005 Implementation and Maintenance (Pro - Certification) by Solid Quality Learning $37.79

3% buy

MCTS 70-431 Exam Cram : Implementing and Maintaining Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Exam (Exam Cram) by Thomas Moore $23.09

2% buy

MCTS : Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Implementation and Maintenance Study Guide (70-431) by Joseph L. Jorden $31.49

1% buy

MCITP: SQL Server 2005 Designing Database Solutions Study Guide (70-441) by Victor Isakov $31.49

Thanks,

AIMDBA

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Has anyone had a chance to check out the new Transcender learning material:

http://www.transcender.com/product.aspx?product%5Fid=Cert%2D70%2D431&dept%5Fid=102210

Thanks,

AIMDBA

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The 70-431 Training Kit from Microsoft Press that we wrote hit the shelves about 2 weeks ago. We designed this book to not only meet all of the objectives necessary for the exam, but also to become a core reference for SQL Server 2005. This book very definitely goes well beyond the exam while also covering everything that you need to know on the exam.

There's also one really big difference with this book, it contains a voucher for a 15% discount on the exam which is worth almost the price of the entire book. The exam engine that ships with the book was designed with questions that mimic what you are going to see on the exam. So, combine what you get with the 15% exam discount along with the cost of buying exam simulation software, then you are getting a book for free that goes well beyond the exam itself.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/073562271X/mssqlservercom/102-4828681-7857756

|||I bought the book that Michael talks about from Amazon and it should arrive within a week or so. Amazon has free shipping on this book too. Great deal! Michael, if you read this I am super excited to read your book!!|||Thanks. We're looking for feedback.|||Hi Michael, I have a question for you. I received my book today and I read that you recommend not using your primary PC for the study because it will alter the OS. I'm in a bit of a pinch because my secondary PC has an older OS that won't work with the CD. It's a Windows 98 and I would need to upgrade to 2000 Pro. I really don't have the money to do that right now and I'm wondering how risky it would be to use my primary PC. Would you be able to tell me what types of changes are made that could put my PC at risk and what the worst case scenario would be?

Thanks so much!
Alexx|||Another question I didn't ask- How about using Microsoft Virtual Server 2005 environment to test on? It's a free download, so the price is right for me.

Thanks again,
Alexx |||

Since you're not going to build a cluster with the 70-431 exam content, then you don't need Virtual Server. Virtual PC will work just fine. That's where I recommend that you do all of your testing. The primary reason is that it provides an isolated environment for your testing that won't impact other things. The second reason is that it becomes a self-contained image. So, you can build the base environment once, stop Virtual PC, make a copy of the .vhd & .vmc files, and then start everything back up. If you blow something up or just want to reset everything, all you have to do is shut down the VPC image and copy the .vhd and .vmc files back over.

All of the instructions for setup are done from a VERY conservative standpoint. I don't necessarily agree with that particular one, but I got overruled. The SQL Server setup is going to drop .NET Framework 2.0 on your machine along with the Native Access Client and some setup support files. It then installs everything else which includes services and some other things.

It obviously isn't dangerous to do, you just have more software on your machine to contend with and SQL Server is completely stable. For testing/training environments, we're always going to recommend finding a machine you can blow up so that you can play as much as you want without having to worry about impacting anything else you are doing.

|||Thank you SO much for your reply! I am really excited to get 'er up and running and start the training. I hope you will continue checking this board as we all appreciate your expert advice.

Later on~
Alexx