OpsMgr 2007 Administrator Qualification and Requirements - Just Some Thoughts

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 17:41:11 GMT

Often clients ask me who makes the ideal OpsMgr administrator. Below is my description of the ideal candidate. These are simply my thoughts and suggestions. I chose to actually write something up after noticing a disturbing trend. Many organizations I have worked with tend to usually advertise the role as a junior level position which could not be any polar-opposite from the ideal candidate. I welcome thoughts and suggestions and am curios to other’s experiences. Cheers!

System Center Operations Manager 2007

Administrator Qualification and Requirements

System Center Operations Manager 2007 (OpsMgr) is unlike any other product offered by Microsoft. It offers a ubiquitous monitoring solution, but at a cost; it is not a self-maintaining application and therefore requires continued administration and support. But even more noteworthy is its administrators must possess, at a minimum, hands on experience with all technologies OpsMgr is tasked with monitoring.

In a typical Operations Monitoring Model, subject matter experts (SME) will utilize OpsMgr as a tool to monitor, diagnose and troubleshoot their respective technology. So for example, Active Directory SME will focus on the domain controllers and data generated by the Active Directory management pack. Since management packs cannot “capture” institutional knowledge, the SME will regularly work with the OpsMgr to continually tune said management pack. Therefore it is imperative the OpsMgr administrator posses a reasonable amount of Active Directory experience so s/he can work with the Active Directory SME to ensure Active Directory is properly monitored. Monitoring enterprise applications is a never ending process since it is clear technology is continually evolving and therefore properly classified as dynamic. So in addition to OpsMgr 2007 not being self-maintaining, none of the technologies it monitors are self maintaining either. Consequently, the person fulfilling the role of OpsMgr administrator must possess and maintain effective and current skills in all technologies monitored by OpsMgr 2007, including network infrastructure. The role requires an experienced, very senior IT professional who has, ideally, worked hands-on with many, if not all, of the technologies OpsMgr will be monitoring. From an industry perspective, the role would most closely resemble that of an Infrastructure Architect with a twist.

There are several key characteristics that are common to an effective OpsMgr Administrator:

· Display forward thinking

· Can quickly develop deep knowledge in a technology

· Can work with ambiguous or incomplete information

In addition, the ideal candidate should maintain level 300 or greater in the following core technologies:

1. Managing and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Environment

2. Managing and Maintaining Network Infrastructure

3. Maintaining a Active Directory Infrastructure

4. Maintaining Security for a Windows Server 2003 Network

5. Administering Microsoft SQL Server

6. Administering and Monitoring Microsoft Exchange Server

In addition, highly motivated individuals who simply can’t let an issue go unresolved will thrive in such positions.

The combination of the aforementioned skills will provide the ideal System Center Operations Manager 2007 specialist.

Operations Manager 2007 SP1 Training Videos

Tue, 18 Mar 2008 20:29:53 GMT

View them here: http://technet.microsoft.com/opsmgr/bb986763.aspx

Webcasts, Virtual Labs and Podcasts

Tue, 18 Mar 2008 19:39:09 GMT

View them here: http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=8155221

Preparation Guide for Exam 70-401: Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager 2007, Configuring

Tue, 11 Mar 2008 13:41:30 GMT

http://www.microsoft.com/learning/exams/70-401.mspx

This Microsoft Technical Specialist (TS) exam became available in March 2008. Candidates for Exam 70-401: TS: Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager 2007, Configuring, use System Center Configuration Manager 2007 to deploy and manage software and asset management. Candidates should have a minimum of one year of experience using Systems Management Server (SMS) or Configuration Manager 2007. The candidates should also have experience using Active Directory and the Windows server system.

Operations Manager 2007 SP1 Training Videos

Mon, 25 Feb 2008 18:31:25 GMT

Courtesy of Clive Eastwood:

Are available http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/opsmgr/bb986763.aspx

Exam 70-400:TS: Configuring System Center Operations Manager 2007 is LIVE

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 20:58:39 GMT

Courtesy of Pete:

This is the Tech Specialist (MCTS) exam, which is product and task focused. The Pro exam (MCITP), which will include a broader job-role based approach is still in development. You can see the skills measured by the exam here: http://www.microsoft.com/learning/exams/70-400.mspx

System Center Operations Manager 2007: Training

OpsMgr 2007 Administrator Qualification and Requirements - Just Some Thoughts

System Center Operations Manager 2007

Operations Manager 2007 SP1 Training Videos

Webcasts, Virtual Labs and Podcasts

Preparation Guide for Exam 70-401: Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager 2007, Configuring

Operations Manager 2007 SP1 Training Videos

Exam 70-400:TS: Configuring System Center Operations Manager 2007 is LIVE