By Adrian Davies
What is the MTA?
The Microsoft Technical Associate
(MTA) programmes are entry-level training and certification in the fundamentals
of IT Infrastructure, Database and Software Development, designed by Microsoft,
with the MTA Networking Fundamentals programme focusing on the IT
Infrastructure track. By completing this programme and passing the associated
online exam, it can be used as a stepping stone to the Microsoft Certified
Technology Specialist (MCTS) exams.
The purpose of the MTA Networking
Fundamentals programme is to provide an overview to candidates on the essentials
of networking principles. Being a Microsoft exam you will be learning the
foundations of Windows Server and any potential candidates are expected to have
hands-on experience with networking management tools, DNS, TCP/IP, and an
understanding of the names resolution process and network protocols and
topologies.
Target Audience
The Networking Fundamentals
programme is associated with the IT Infrastructure track and is intended for
those candidates who are interested in building a career in desktop support,
server maintenance or cloud services. Potential candidates
What You Will Learn
The curriculum is segmented into
3 domains, containing 14 learning objectives in total:
1.
Understanding Networking Infrastructures
1.1. Understand the concepts of the Internet, intranet, and extranet
1.1. Understand the concepts of the Internet, intranet, and extranet
This
objective may include but is not limited to: VPN, security zones, firewalls.
1.2. Understand local area networks (LANs)
This
objective may include but is not limited to: perimeter networks; addressing; reserved
address ranges for local use (including local loopback IP), VLANs; wired LAN
and wireless LAN.
1.3. Understand wide area networks (WANs)
This
objective may include but is not limited to: leased lines, dial-up, ISDN, VPN,
T1, T3, E1, E3, DSL, and cable and their characteristics (speed, availability).
1.4. Understand wireless networking
This
objective may include but is not limited to: types of wireless networking standards
and their characteristics (802.11A, B, G, N including different GHz ranges), types
of network security (for example, WPA/WEP/802.1X), point-to-point (P2P) wireless,
wireless bridging.
1.5. Understand network topologies and
access methods.
This objective may include but is not limited to: star, mesh, and
ring.
2. Understanding Network Hardware
2.1. Understand switches
This
objective may include but is not limited to: transmission speed; number and
type of ports; number of uplinks; speed of uplinks; managed or unmanaged
switches; VLAN capabilities; Layer 2 and Layer 3 switches, security options;
hardware redundancy; support; backplane speed; switching types, MAC table;
understanding capabilities of hubs vs. switches.
2.2. Understand routers
This
objective may include but is not limited to: transmission speed considerations,
directly connected routes, static routing, dynamic routing (routing protocols),
default routes; routing table and how it selects best routes; routing table
memory, NAT, software routing in Windows Server.
2.3. Understand media types
This
objective may include but is not limited to: cable types and their
characteristics, including media segment length and speed; fibre optic; twisted
pair shielded or nonshielded; cabling, wireless; susceptibility to external
interference (for example, machinery, power cables); susceptibility to
electricity (for example, lightning), susceptibility to interception.
3. Understanding Protocols and Services
3.1. Understand the OSI model
This
objective may include but is not limited to: OSI model; TCP model; examples of devices,
protocols, and applications and which OSI/TCP layer they belong to; TCP and
UDP; well-known ports for most-used purposes (not necessarily Internet);
packets and frames.
3.2. Understand IPv4
This
objective may include but is not limited to: addressing, subnetting; NAT, static
IP, gateway; APIPA; network classes, classful/classless IP addressing; reserved
address ranges for local use (including local loopback IP).
3.3. Understand IPv6
This
objective may include but is not limited to: subnetting; IPconfig; why use
IPv6; addressing; IPv4toIPv6 tunneling protocols to ensure backwards
compatibility; dual IP stack; subnetmask; gateway; ports; packets; reserved
address ranges for local use (including local loopback IP)
3.4. Understand names resolution
This
objective may include but is not limited to: DNS, WINS, steps in the name
resolution
process
3.5. Understand networking services
This
objective may include but is not limited to: DHCP, IPsec, remote access
3.6. Understand TCP/IP
This
objective may include but is not limited to: tools such as ping; tracert;
pathping; Telnet; IPconfig; netstat, reserved address ranges for local use
(including local loopback IP); protocols.
Sample Questions
Q1. Which IEEE standard relates to WLAN
A. 1394
A. Layer 1
B. Layer 2
C. Layer 5
D. Layer 7
A. APIPA
B. 802.3
C. 802.5
D. 802.11
Q2. Which layer of the OSI Model do bridges work on?
C. 802.5
D. 802.11
Q2. Which layer of the OSI Model do bridges work on?
A. Layer 1
B. Layer 2
C. Layer 5
D. Layer 7
Q3. You would like clients in one subnet to receive IP addresses from a DHCP server in a different subnet. What feature would the interconnecting router need to support?
A. APIPA
B. BOOTP
C. DNS
D. None of the above
MTA Benefits
This article was written by Adrian Davies, Apprenticeship Development Manager at Firebrand Training. Adrian has been in the IT Training industry since 2001 and prior to Firebrand was the Curriculum Manager for Pearson PLC.
D. None of the above
From an Academic POV…
This programme can be embedded
into any IT curriculum starting from Level 2 provision, with particular links
to the IT Professional certification track. Delivery styles will vary, but it
is recommended that students really embrace the MTA curriculum and training
providers use a good blend of hands-on resources and plenty of intense revision
sessions. Typical delivery time is between 3-6 days, including exam.
As this is a Microsoft programme
learners and training providers often find the MTA programmes are fun to teach
and students who have a passion for Networking will fully benefit from its
course content.
From an IT Professional POV…
If you are just starting your
career in IT and have developed a keen interest in the Infrastructure track,
then there is no better place to start building up your professional vendor
portfolio than with the MTA Networking Fundamentals exam. As you can see from
the certification path below the MTAs provide an excellent foundation to your
future in IT.
Other related MTA exams are 98-349 Windows Operating System
Fundamentals; 98-365 Windows Server Administration Fundamentals and 98-367
Security Fundamentals.
MTA Benefits- A qualification that is sought after
- Helps towards MCTS/MCSA Level Certifications
- Validates Fundamentals
- Microsoft Certification on your CV!
Exam Details
Code: 98-366
Duration: 45
Minutes
No. of Questions: 35
Pass Mark: 70%
(25 Qs Correct)
Question Format: Multi-Choice,
Drag & Drop
Exam Vendors: Certiport
& Prometric
Firebrand are one of the few IT Training companies in the UK who off the the full range of MTA certifications. To find out more about the courses offered, check the links below.
Considering attaining your MTA Certification?
Firebrand are one of the few IT Training companies in the UK who off the the full range of MTA certifications. To find out more about the courses offered, check the links below.
- Microsoft MTA Gaming & Mobile Development Fundamentals
- Microsoft MTA Networking, Security & Windows Server Administration
- Microsoft MTA Software Development & .NET Fundamentals
- Microsoft MTA Web & HTML5 Application Development
This article was written by Adrian Davies, Apprenticeship Development Manager at Firebrand Training. Adrian has been in the IT Training industry since 2001 and prior to Firebrand was the Curriculum Manager for Pearson PLC.