70-460 Designing, Optimizing and Maintaining a Database Administrative Solution Using Microsoft SQL Server 11 is part the MCITP SQL Server 2011 certification path. Passing this new exam earns you the MCITP SQL Server 2011 Database Administrator certification*.
Like other PRO exams, this one is a high level exam that tests a candidate's ability to think at a higher level. You'll need to demonstrate your skills in making appropriate design and technology considerations for you SQL Server 2011 installations, optimization and maintenance. Where as the MCTS exams focus on the details, the MCITP exams focus on architecture, planning and project leader type decisions. You'll need to know the consequences of taking particular actions and the best ways to deal with certain environments and situations.
Typically candidates have at least 3 years experience in working with SQL Server in an enterprise environment. This includes designing, deploying, optimizing, maintaining and supporting the organisational database lifecycle.
Ideally you should have experience of:- Defining high-availability SQL Server solutions
- Data distribution
- Automating administrative tasks (for example, checking db stats, backups)
- Maintaining administrative tasks (for example, determining index rebuild time, file groups for backup)
- Defining security solutions
- Monitoring and troubleshooting the database server
- Performance optimization (for example, physical tuning, including hardware, operating system, instance-level tuning)
- Designing and executing deployments
- Deployments and migration
- Defining the infrastructure (for example, storage, hardware, and number of servers or instances)
*The exam subjects for MCITP 70-460 will include:- Designing a SQL Server Instance and a Database Solution
- Designing a Database Server Security Solution
- Designing a Database Solution for High Availability
- Designing a Backup and Recovery Solution
- Designing a Monitoring Strategy
- Designing a Strategy to Maintain and Manage Databases
- Designing a Strategy for Data Distribution
*Note: There has been no official word on the naming of the next version of SQL Server, but it is widely expected to be 2011. Exam content has yet to be revealed but this page will update accordingly.