CRM 2011 Installation and Deployment Certification thoughts

I was looking at the at the CRM 2011 installation certification page today, which you can see by clicking the link below

http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exam.aspx?id=mb2-867&locale=en-us#tab1

I usually use the excellent Microsoft E-Learning and use the online training if you work for a partner or you can buy it

• 80296AE: Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 Installation and Deployment (8 Hours)

it’s funny if you went on the training course it would take 2 days but just reading the material takes 8 hours then again I suppose that is two days.  It certainly takes me longer than two days to go through it but that’s because I have to stop each day because I’m bored.

The skills being measured according to the certification site

Planning the Installation (17 percent) Identify the supporting components of a Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 implementation. This objective may include: Active Directory; ADFS 2.0; supported email systems for the Email Router; Outlook Client; Reporting Extensions; Language Packs; compatibility with SQL Server 2008 and later; compatibility with Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 and later; compatibility with Windows Server 2008 and later Plan the implementation. This objective may include: planning multiple-server deployment; Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 licensing model and license types; planning Active Directory rights; planning multiple organizations; switching between editions Indentify infrastructure requirements, hardware requirements, and software requirements. This objective may include: requirements for each of the Microsoft Dynamics CRM components; requirements for supporting technologies; planning for the number and location of server roles and groups Plan installation user privileges. This objective may include: user rights; creating security groups Installing Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 Server (19 percent) Install services and components. This objective may include: identifying specific accounts for Microsoft Dynamics CRM services Install the Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 server. This objective may include: installing sample data; developing a pre-installation checklist; command line installation; troubleshooting issues that prevent successful installation; registering the installation; registering for Windows Updates; deploying a single server; deploying multiple servers Deploy a Microsoft Dynamics CRM website. This objective may include: using Host Headers, when to use HTTPS Installing and Deploying the Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 Email Router (15 percent) Install the Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 Email Router. This objective may include: supported email systems ; supported Windows operating systems Configure the Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 Email Router. This objective may include: creating incoming and outgoing email profiles; running the Rule Deployment Wizard against Exchange Server; tracking token and smart matching options; using forward mailbox and individual mailbox monitoring; configuring the deployment and specifying default profiles; configuring users with the appropriate messaging options Installing and Deploying the Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 Client for Outlook (16 percent) Identify supported Outlook versions and supported browsers. This objective may include: 32-bit and 64-bit Outlook clients and Internet browsers Install the Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 Client for Outlook. This objective may include: command line installation; deployment options; installing from the Microsoft Dynamics CRM web application; identifying upgrade options; register for Windows Updates Configure the Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 Client for Outlook. This objective may include: working on-line and off-line; configuring local data groups; configuring for multiple organizations Configuring Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 (16 percent) Install reporting extensions. This objective may include: identifying when reporting extensions are required; using different accounts for the application pools in IIS; when to use the Microsoft Dynamics CRM fetch extension plug-in Configure Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 for Internet-facing deployment. This objective may include: identifying IFD and website requirements; implementing claims-based authentication by using Secure Token Services; using AD FS 2.0 as the Secure Token Service Plan and configure high availability options. This objective may include: clustering SQL Server; multiple Microsoft Dynamics CRM servers; network load balancing Upgrading to and Redeploying Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011  (17 percent) Plan an upgrade. This objective may include: identifying supported and unsupported components; SQL Server considerations; planning for changes in server URL; upgrading versions earlier than Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0; selecting the most appropriate upgrade method (in-place or migration upgrade) Move a Microsoft Dynamics CRM organization to new computers by using the Deployment Manager. This objective may include: identifying the redeployment process; Active Directory considerations; creating and importing organizations; MUI packs; changing an organization’s details; deleting an organization Upgrade multiple servers. This objective may include: upgrading a Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 deployment; upgrading other components, such as the Email Router

I have done a few installation recently and gone through most of the criteria which to me says this exam is testing the correct areas.

when reading through the MOC training I often find useful bits of information I either didn’t know or hadn’t considered.  Which can happen because when you are installing CRM 2011 you are often just focused on installing it and getting it working.

looking at the training/MOC modules gives you a good idea what to study for the exam,  you can see them here and with more detail about the subject

Chapter 1: Microsoft Dynamics CRM Components

Chapter 2: Planning the Installation

Chapter 3: Microsoft Dynamics CRM Server Installation

Chapter 4: Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 Reporting Extensions

Chapter 5: Installing and Deploying the E-mail Router

Chapter 6: Microsoft Dynamics CRM for Microsoft Office Outlook

Chapter 7: Configure an Internet-Facing Deployment

Chapter 8: Upgrading to Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011

Chapter 9: Microsoft Dynamics CRM Deployment Manager

Chapter 10: High-availability Options

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