Lesson 4

To better prepare you to take the MCSE Exam and to provide a final opportunity to practice some of what you have learned in this course, we have designed a case study in which you'll put into practice what you've learned throughout the course. If you would like a more comprehensive view of the course project, use the Syllabus button to go to Module 10. The course project consists of a series of exercises in which you respond to scenarios and troubleshoot various network problems that occur within TACteam, Inc, a fictitious international training and consulting company. You will be taking the role of an enterprise administrator and solving a series of problems that will help you demonstrate your ability to:

The Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) certification has been retired by Microsoft and is no longer available.
Microsoft retired the MCSE, along with other Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA) and Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer (MCSD) certifications, on January 31, 2021. The move was part of Microsoft's shift towards role-based certifications to align with industry job roles and to provide learners with the skills needed in an evolving technology environment.
Microsoft now offers the Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert certification and other similar certifications that are more closely aligned with specific roles in cloud technology, AI, and data science among others. These new certifications focus on job roles such as Azure Administrator, Azure Developer, and Azure Solutions Architect, and they aim to provide an in-depth understanding of specific aspects of Microsoft technologies.
Please verify this information from the official Microsoft website or a reliable source, as changes may have been made after my last training data in September 2021.

Microsoft has indeed replaced the older generation of certifications, including the Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE), with a new suite of role-based certifications. This change is reflective of Microsoft's recognition of the changing landscape in the job market and the need for more specialized skill sets aligned to specific roles.
While the new certifications are not direct replacements of the MCSE, they cover some similar areas but with a more focused and role-based approach. The new certifications include three levels: Fundamental, Associate, and Expert.
For instance, if we consider the MCSE: Cloud Platform and Infrastructure certification, which focused on managing Microsoft cloud and other technologies, its responsibilities are now covered by a set of Azure-based certifications like:

1. Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate: This certification validates the skills needed to implement, monitor, and maintain Microsoft Azure solutions, including major services related to compute, storage, network, and security.
2. Microsoft Certified: Azure Developer Associate: This certification is for developers who design, build, test, and maintain cloud applications and services on Microsoft Azure.
3. Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert: This certification is intended for those who design solutions that run on Azure. A solutions architect could be responsible for all aspects of an application's construction, including decisions regarding networking, storage, and compute.
4. Microsoft Certified: Azure DevOps Engineer Expert: This certification validates the skills required to design and implement DevOps practices using Azure tools and technologies.

These certifications, among others, have replaced the more general MCSE certifications, offering a more in-depth and role-specific validation of a professional's ability to perform in their job. However, it's essential to check the current Microsoft certifications regularly, as Microsoft continues to evolve its certification programs to match the industry's ever-changing demands. Note that the details provided are accurate as of my knowledge cutoff in September 2021.