7/9/2003 -- Microsoft announced on its Web site recently that the new Windows 2003 exams currently under development can be used to fulfill the core networking requirements of the Microsoft Certified Database Administrator (MCDBA) on SQL Server 2000 credential.

Specifically, 70-290: Managing and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Environment and 70-291: Implementing, Managing, and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure, make up two of the three choices available for that segment of the track. Exam 70-215: Windows 2000 Server is the other option and has been available since June 2000. Both 70-290 and 70-291 are expected to be available in August.

According to a Microsoft FAQ, the company is making the change "to provide MCDBA candidates with the opportunity to fulfill core and elective requirements while demonstrating their Windows Server 2003 expertise." The FAQ also notes that candidates who decide to take 70-290 and 7-291 for the track will no longer be able to count 70-028: and 70-019: Designing and Implementing Data Warehouses with SQL Server 7.0 towards fulfilling the MCDBA on SQL 2000 requirements. The company explains on the FAQ that it's "introducing new exam requirements to allow candidates to fulfill MCDBA requirements based on compatible technologies." By this, the company seems to acknowledge that such a unique technical incompatibility exists between SQL Server 7.0 and Windows 2003 that distinctive paths have to be carved within the MCDBA. [Microsoft has been asked for clarification and comment, but it couldn't provide them as of this posting.]

Microsoft has also added another exam, 70-293: Planning and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure, to the MCDBA roster; the exam is now an elective option. Exam 70-293 is also under development (the exam's beta testing period ends June 29).

To view the exam objective guides:

• 70-290: http://www.microsoft.com/traincert/exams/70-290.asp
• 70-291: http://www.microsoft.com/traincert/exams/70-291.asp
• 70-293: http://www.microsoft.com/traincert/exams/70-293.asp

To see the MCDBA requirements, click here . To read Microsoft's FAQ on the changes, click here . -Michael Domingo, courtesy of MCPMag.com