Exam 70-431 passed! Well, I finally took the initiative to take the MCTS (Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist) 70-431 exam today and passed:) Per my confidentiality agreement I cannot give out specific test information, but will share my experience about what I think one would need to pass this exam.

The books I used to study with were the following:

MCTS Self Paced Training Kit: Microsoft SQL Server 2005-Implementation and Maintenance

Author Solid Quality Learning

Pages 992

Disk 1 Companion CD(s); 1 Evaluation DVD(s)
Level Beg/Int

Published 05/31/2006

ISBN 9780735622715

ISBN-10 0-7356-2271-X

Price(USD) $59.99


http://www.microsoft.com/mspress/books/9364.aspx


Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Administrators Pocket Consultant

http://www.microsoft.com/mspress/books/6794.aspx



I used the books listed above for hands-on training and also utilized Self Test Software for practice tests. I will have to say the Self Test Software was key in preparing me for what kinds of questioning I would see on the exam.

I have to say you will need to be prepared to get your hands on SQL Server 2005 in order to pass this exam. Lots of simulation questions.

Key areas I studied and re-studied for that matter:

Linked Servers
Import/Export tools: (BCP, BULK INSERT, SSIS etc.)
Database mirroring
XML Methods (cant stress you understand XML enough....)
Views. (Understand differences with indexed views and partitioned views)
Clustered Indexes vs. Non-clustered
SQL Profiler and Activity Monitor
Database Tuning Advisor
Know dynamic mangement views and how to properly query to find db statistics etc. (dont query system db's)...etc

These are just a few of the things I used to focus on...but overall...make sure you review the Microsoft learning objectives for the exam...and it will assist you in the areas of what you n
eed to focus on etc.

-Carl (The Water Buffalo)  ¶ 4:57 PM 0 comments

  CF MX 7 and SQL Server 2005 data source issues... Its been awhile since I have written in here, but I want to share an issue I have just now resolved with SQL Server 2005 and Cold Fusion MX 7 regarding data source connections.

Problem:

I was having issues connecting from a Windows Server 2003 Ent. Edition box running CF MX 7 using the Cold Fusion Admin to a clustered SQL Server 2005 named instance.

Solution:

I changed my clustered instance of SQL Server 2005 to mixed mode authentication and used the following parameters:

CF Data Source Name: your_dsn_name
Database: db_name
Server: servername\instance_name
Username: {your_username}
Password: {your_password}

I referenced this article about changing to mixed mode authentication:

http://cfpayne.wopress.com/2006/07/21/changing-authentication-in-sql-server-2005-express/


Steps I took to resolve the issue:

1. Created a new login in SQL Server 2005 and mapped it to the correct default database.

2. Changed the Authentication Mode in SQL Server 2005 to Mixed Mode Authentication. (See link above.)
3. Tested connections using the general parameters listed above.

If anyone has comments or suggestions on their experiences using Windows Authentication in CF MX 7 please post as I would be interested in seeing others experiences in this arena.

-Carl (The Water Buffalo)  ¶ 10:03 AM 0 comments