Learning exchange 2003 vs 2007?

[corp_jones]

Hi Guys

I'm currently doing my MCSE (2003) and for my electives I wanted to pick one of the exchange modules but not sure which to go for, exchange 2003 or 2007.

I really dont know much about exchange (but am very good with DNS, AD etc now), I'm tempted to go 2007 but am worried will now know enough about 2003 which will be around for a long while, another reason for the 07 is I've actually got access to Trainsignal material from my workplace..

Your opinions would be appreciated, especially from people who are familiar with both!

[Mr JB]

I would personaly go with Exchange 2007 as it is the new version. After looking after both 2007 is harder as there is more command line etc. So if you know and understand 2007 google can always lend a hand to fill the gaps on 2003 were the GUI is different.

[Splash]

I'd disagree - Exchange 2007 is *way* easier to manage if you really understand how it works. 2003 was the first version that really played happy with AD, but 2007 is.... freaking awesome.

That said, if you're going to do Exchange 2007 be prepared to learn how to use Powershell - it is script heavy.

[Mr JB]

Exchange 2007 is *way* easier to manage if you really understand how it works

That is the point I was making.

[Jiff Lemon]

Yup, I'd agree with everyone here; I remember having the same dilemma many many years ago - Mine was whether to learn 5.5 or the new fangled 2000 version.

An understanding of 2003 would be handy (as you may need to deal with it in terms of migration, or possibly support depending on where you work) but as certification, 2k7 all the way.

[Moby-Dick]

having the 2k7 stuff woudl be handy if you want to go for MCITP too.

[corp_jones]

Brilliant, decision made!, thanks guys

Too bad none of my CPU's support VMware running running a 64bit client on my 32bit host, will have to find another way to practise exchange.

Edit - Looks like theres a trial version of exchange 2007 for 32bit

[Moby-Dick]

have you not got CPU's with VT extensions ?

[corp_jones]

not according to the vmware utility I downloaded, I looked in the BIOS as well (just incase it was disabled) but no joy, its not an issue though as long as the 32bit one works.

[^SwITcH^]

not according to the vmware utility I downloaded, I looked in the BIOS as well (just incase it was disabled) but no joy, its not an issue though as long as the 32bit one works.

Check for BIOS updates for your mobo - one of them may add the support!

OT - I would agree that 2K7 is the better choice in terms of certification, but implementation 2K7 is a fairly major departure from 2K3 and as others have said - get comfortable with PowerShell, it will save your hours (and that's just waiting for the MMC snap-ins)!

[Mr JB]

post your CPU model number the we can tell you if it supports 64bit. You can get this from the device pannel.

[madman045]

As far as I know, Exchange 2003 is the only listed option for the 2003 MCSE + Messaging

http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mc...erver2003.mspx

As im doing the MCSA course and all the books I have are still 2003 driven

[corp_jones]

I'm not after the MCSE + Messaging, just the MCSE would do me, then later on MCITP-EA

Also i've got the 32bit trial which should perform better on my machine anyway so its not an issue