Microsoft announced over a month ago about this new Office Certifications called Microsoft 365 Apps.
About this new Certification this Specialist is will be focus on 365 based subscriptions instead of 2022 version because the 365 version Office packages will always be up to date than the one-off license.
Anyone just like me who had the previous Certification which was called Office 2019/365 which was based on hybrid because it was based on 2019 now be renamed to Microsoft Office 2019. Basically, remove the word '365'.
Here is the video from Certiport:
Unlike the previous where I need to pass all 7 exams to become the Grand Slam, this one I only need to pass all 6 exams to become the Grand Slam.
The reason there are only 6 to pass to become the Grand Slam is because the Microsoft Board of examinations now only focus on the specific and essential packages. The one package they remove on this exam is Microsoft Access as this is not an essential package to the business users.
The only 6 are Word & Excel Double (Both Associates and Expert). 2 solos PowerPoint and Outlook. Now let's got to the 2 exhibits of the Certification pathway.
Microsoft Office Specialist Associate (Microsoft 365 Apps)
I looked at my Pathway requirements, since I pass all my Office 2019 exams, I only require passing any 1 exam to become the Associate otherwise I would have to pass 3 of 4 exams to become Associate.
Microsoft Office Specialist Expert (Microsoft 365 Apps)
On my Pathway requirements, since I pass all my Office 2019 exams, Including Associate Certificate I only require passing any 1 Expert exam to become the Expert otherwise I would have to pass both 2 exams to become Expert.
Once the exams are released, I be looking forward to do and pass the exams.
During the time, I was learning how to do the Active Directory and Domain join. At the time I build an infrastructure, the organisation did not had enough budget, but enough to turn a workstation into a Server. It was running on Windows Server 2008 R2 which was current at the time before Windows Server 2012 (not R2).
Also at the time, I did not know how to set the DNS to point to the Server so I had to manually assign the IP address to each PC at the time because I did not know how this works until years after I found out about the router settings which I will mention on this article.
(This is going to be a long read.)
Then many years later I had a call from my friend who run his business for 10 years (not mention the company name on this blog).
I did tell him I do not want to do another IT Support work as I want to get off that role as I am working at my main job for 4 days per week.
I reduce days because of my circumstances during the Covid19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) Pandemic and the lockdown at the time and I my skills has evolve and wanted to hone it higher.
Instead of another IT Support, I want to do the Technical Architect (as a Sessional Consultant and Advisor) which he agrees to.
When you do the Infrastructure Design, you need look at the current IT Infrastructure, explain the current situation, look at the cost of the upgrade. In some cases, you make get calls asking for support, but you are not here for Support or quick fix because your role is to look at the bigger picture and the overhaul. Expert version of Microsoft Certifications (such as the old MCSEs) will teach you this if you an Engineer or Management level. The issue was the staff are getting frustrating due to slow PCs and I could not do any troubleshooting as the issue will not be solved by making the PC faster on the Hard Drive. Because I am working at my main job, I go on certain days to fit around on my non-working days. First I did was to go into the office and assess the IT Equipment. Find out what hardware the Desktop PCs uses, the cabling, patch panels and the software they are using. Then document the issues raised and look at the cost of upgrade.
Since he agrees to the business plan, I first I look at building the Server which is running on Server 2022 which is the latest Server OS as of this blog. Proceed with the task as I can come in when I am available and plan the days carefully.
The next part is to get my Server sold to him for the company which he did then tidy up the office so I get the PDU and the HP Switch to do the cabling and patching for the small office. Give the staff in the small office new Extension sockets.
The next part is building a Server was easy as I build this many times during my lab days, setup up Active Directory, Group Policy, connect to Microsoft 365 Cloud to make it hybrid. Enable password writeback which is a good idea so the users can change password from the cloud and synchronise back to the premise. Set up the DNS and DHCP so it can point to Server and Router.
Most PCs I saw are old, but still good. They are slow because they are all using the Hard Drive, so all the PCs are BIOS updated and replaced with SSD (Solid State Drives) because as of 2020, all news PCs and laptops are now using SSD and built in TPM (Trusted Platform Module) to be modern and security compliance. Reinstall Windows 10 Professional to every PCs. If any PCs are Home version, they also need to be Professional so it can be domain joined. At the time I still have to manually assign DNS IP address because I could not figure out how to make it automatically point the DNS to Server and router
(I did manage at the end which I will explain on the last paragraph).
The next task is to look at the Microsoft 365 tenant and look at subscription licenses who to assign, had to purchase more and upgrade to Business Premium even it cost more because it has Geo and cloud Security policy (Conditional Access Policy).
Now back to how I fix the DNS settings: It took me months figure out (thanks to YouTube) on how to make the PCs automatically assign DNS to Server and router as I normally manually assign each PCs to the Server and Router to join the domain. It was mentioned which I did is I had to configure the DNS from the router and make it point to the router and Server IP. Since this works, I remove the manual settings from each PC so it can automatically point so any new PCs installed I can join the domain normally. On top of it all, with the Business Premium which comes with Azure Premium v1, I cannot do Security compliant, I can also onboard Antivirus on each PCs.
The reason it was a 3-month project because I was working the main job and waiting for more orders of parts and equipment to resume the work, otherwise, it would be quicker.
It was a bit demanding first as I told the staff in the business that I had to prioritise the structure first before working on desktops.
However overall, I really enjoyed it as I officially build a live-production environment. The infrastructure is currently 25% premises and 75% cloud and gain a lot of confidence on how to build an infrastructure.
The staff are very happy there because all PCs are running on Solid Sate Drives.
Here is the picture of the Server.
I do enjoy that Server as I made many IT upgrade video on this Server until it was sold to the business.
Here is the video upgrade before it was no longer in my home.
Through out the years, Internet Explorer was the powerhouse Brower in history when it was began in 16th August 1995.
My thoughts is the Internet Explorer was very reliable browser, then years later Google Chrome came into the picture and become my favourite browser. Throughout the years it have grow and evolve with new features. It will be sadly missed, now I currently use more of Chrome as my suitable browser which I use daily and default browser is Edge.
It was originally name Microsoft Internet Explorer after version 6. Then version 7 to 11 (last version) it was called Windows Internet Explorer which introduce Tabs. Then on Windows 10, they introduce a new browser based on Chrome called Microsoft Edge.
Internet Explorer, you will Rest In Peace. Born: 16th August 1995 Died: 15th June 2022
Day 1 and 2 are theory until the 2nd half of day 2 where I did the practical. 3rd day I did more practical and mock test to real exam.
The Theory Section: I learn more deeper into Health and Safety and more of electrical theory such as AC (Alternate Current) and DC (Direct Current). Also just like the 101 course about the Earthing (Ground). Then I learn about the Ohms law and how the voltage works. The part is I learn about the Ethernet Cable, understanding about Cat 5 to Cat 7/8 and the attenuation. Discussing about the Network Topology and how it works and understand more about the network tools we use to do the cabling.
The Practical Section: This is my favourite part as I am more of a hands-on/practical person. I had this student came to this course to renew his card or license and he was very experienced. I did few videos on my YouTube and some post on Facebook with pictures showing me doing wiring on patch panel and wall socket. I look at most of the videos and they use the normal cable cutter however he show me a different tool that way I can be due diligent on cutting the cable. He show me this unusual tool. This tool has a nob which can adjust the blade height (picture) that way you can cut the skin of the ethernet cable carefully.
He explain to to cut it more professionally and pull the skin off carefully before you get to the 4 pair twisted copper.
I finally manage to create a Ethernet cable as I use to struggle on how to create a cable, but thanks to him I manage and successfully create a Cat6 Cable. I also done a Patch panel lesson and terminating cable which I am very good at because I done few videos on it. What I have been told that I got to use the B side wiring not the A side. A side is T568A and B side is T568B. T568A standard is the American version and T568B standard is the British version. Since I live in the UK, then I use the T568B Standard. The next day I had to create a faulty wiring to purposely show an error results by using a Network Cabling Auditor tool called Ideal Lantek 3. Ideal Lantek 3 is a Cable Certification tool is to audit cable wiring if the cables are terminated successfully. This is a powerful this is use for auditing and to make sure the wiring is to meet the 'Certified Network Standards' which each cable test has to 'pass' before using the patching into live environment. I enjoy using the tool however the tool is very expensive to purchase. I really enjoy the practical as this will help me at my workplace.
Test and Exams: I did few mock test and practice test before the real one. Which I learn from. Then I did the real exam. Some were tricky. However I manage to pass which I am happy with the results.
I finally doing the City & Guilds Course to learn about the Data Cabling, however this one is an essential core course. I am not going to mention the company name unless they want me to, however they are very excellent Training providers.
The last time I done City & Guilds was over 20 years ago when I was doing my NVQs. It was boring as this is all theory but it is a core subject and boring are the essentials unfortunately if anyone reading this:
I learn new things such as:
- The PUWER rules (Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998). This is where the user is responsible for the work tools and equipment. Using the correct tools which is intended to do for the task.
-Using the correct voltage between 110v vs 240v. Recommend 110v tools. Ladder 4 to 1 rules. 4 meters per 1 meter wide. Basically when you use the ladder, it is about how to use it correctly or else you fall.
- Asbestos - When you go to sites to do cabling, you have to learn about asbestos as you be going across ceilings and walls, mostly ceilings to wiring as you be feeding the cables between the ceiling and walls.
- Classes of Laser, there are 7 classes of lasers from low to high. High laser class is more dangerous than the other.
- I learn about the Health and Safety, identify the safe practices, learn about the SI Units and symbols and principles of data communication.
- Ohms law
- Wavelength
- Types of cabling we use such as coaxial to ethernet. Also mention about Fibre Optic.
I done the exam and I failed by 1 question which is unlucky for me as it was close.
Update on 8th April:
I did a retake of the exam which I failed at the time and manage to pass with flying colours. What a comeback. I finally pass both exams which I am now relieved.
.png)
.jpg)
