The prerequisite certification for MCSE Private Cloud is a MCSA on either the 2008 or 2012 platform (http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/certification/cert-private-cloud.aspx). You will earn your MCSA 2008 if you are already a MCITP Server Administrator on 2008 on Windows Server 2008, passing Exam 70-640, 70-642 and 70-646 (http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/certification/cert-windows-server-2008-MCSA.aspx). The requirement for MCSA2012 is the new exams on Windows Server 2012, namely Exam 70-410, 70-411 and 70-412 (http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/certification/cert-windows-server-MCSA.aspx) or via an upgrade exam of 70-417 if you have an MCSA on 2008 platform

Therefore you can proceed for the elective exams with either of these (MCSA on 2008 or MCSA on 2012). The first elective exam will be Exam 70-246 Monitoring and Operating a Private Cloud with System Center 2012. The proportionate skills measured in this exam is in here http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exam.aspx?ID=70-246#tab2. If you intend to go for more hands-on learning in CPLS, the course code is 10-750. Make sure you cover the following topics during your exam preparation: http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/Course.aspx?ID=10750A&locale=en-us. Among the essential topics are VMM, Server App-V, Operation Manager, Application Performance Monitoring (APM), Service Manager, System Center Orchestrator 2012, Self-Service Provisioning automation, IT Governance, Risk Management, and Compliance (GRC) using System Center 2012, SLAs, Dashboards, and Widgets.

The prerequisite knowledge for Exam 70-246 are Windows Server 2008 R2, ADDS (Active Directory Domain Service), Working knowledge of previous versions of System Center products (not a must0, Hyper-V, SAN and some data center management processes.

Your next aim will be Exam 70-247 Configuring and Deploying a Private Cloud with System Center 2012, which covers these skill measured in their proportions http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exam.aspx?ID=70-247#tab2, and make sure you cover the following topics sufficiently before aiming at the exam: http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/Course.aspx?ID=10751A&Locale=en-us.  Recommended pre-requisite knowledge for this exam are (not a must): Windows Server 2008 R2, Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS), Hyper-V, VMM Service Manager, Data Protection Manager (DPM), Operations Manager , Networking and storage experience, Familiarity with data center management processes, Previous knowledge with IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL) or Microsoft Operations Framework (MOF). Although not a mandatory must-know, but it will definitely help if you could equip with some of these knowledge/experiences.

Of course, it is most important of all to have a practical hands-on knowledge of System Center 2012 and all of its product suites before aiming for its exams. Evaluation of System Center 2012 is available here: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-US/evalcenter/hh505660.aspx?wt.mc_id=TEC_103_1_33.

If you are a traveler and love to practice some hands-on skill on System Center 2012 in a “Anywhere, Anytime” basis, you can do it right here http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/hh913622.aspx.

For Windows Server 2012 evaluation, please visit http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/hh670538.aspx. It is available in both ISO and VHD.  

For more self-guided learning on other Microsoft products, you can go to http://www.microsoftvirtualacademy.com. There are a couple of new exciting Windows Server 2012 courses just added.

If you want to attempt Exam 70-410, 70-411 and 70-412 for your MCSA (http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/certification/cert-windows-server-MCSA.aspx), here are the proportionate:

Exam 70-410 Installing and Configuring Windows Server 2012

Overview: http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exam.aspx?ID=70-410

Skills measured in their proportionate (in %) is here: http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exam.aspx?ID=70-410#tab2 and its MOC course is 20-410A with the following topics: http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/Course.aspx?ID=20410A&Locale=en-us

Exam 70-411 Administering Windows Server 2012

Overview: http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exam.aspx?ID=70-411

Skills measured in their proportionate (in %) is here: http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exam.aspx?ID=70-411#tab2 and its MOC course is 20-411A with the following topics: http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/Course.aspx?ID=20411A&Locale=en-us

Exam 70-412 Configuring Advanced Windows Server 2012 Services

Overview: http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exam.aspx?ID=70-412

Skills measured in their proportionate (in %) is here: http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exam.aspx?ID=70-412#tab2 and its MOC course is 20-412A with the following topics: http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/Course.aspx?ID=20412A&Locale=en-us

For details on Exam 70-413 (MCSE Server Elective) , Exam 70-416 (MCSE Desktop Elective) and Exam 70-688 (MCSA on Windows 8), they are as follows: -

Exam 70-413 Designing and Implementing a Server Infrastructure

Overview: http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exam.aspx?ID=70-413

Skills measured in their proportionate (in %) is here: http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exam.aspx?ID=70-413#tab2 and its MOC course is 20-413A with the following topics: http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/Course.aspx?ID=20413A&Locale=en-us. It mostly centers on designing and implementation topics on server infrastructure using Windows Server 2012, as said here (At course completion): http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/Course.aspx?ID=20413A&Locale=en-us

Exam 70-416 Implementing Desktop Application Environments

Overview: http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exam.aspx?ID=70-416

Skills measured in their proportionate (in %) is here: http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exam.aspx?ID=70-416#tab2 and its MOC course is 20-416A with the following topics: http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/Course.aspx?ID=20416A&Locale=en-us. It centers on design, deployment and management of Windows 8 Enterprise applications in a physical and virtual environment as well as in the cloud, said in here (At course completion): http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/Course.aspx?ID=20416A&Locale=en-us  

Exam 70-688 Managing and Maintaining Windows 8

Overview: http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exam.aspx?ID=70-688#tab1

Skills measured in exam: http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exam.aspx?ID=70-688#tab2

Undoubtedly, sufficient hands-on knowledge is an integral part during the exam prep, here is where you can get the evaluations of Windows Server 2012: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/hh670538.aspx. It is available in both ISO and VHD. 

Also, for Microsoft Private Cloud Evaluation software, please go to http://technet.microsoft.com/en-US/evalcenter/hh505660.aspx?wt.mc_id=TEC_103_1_33. 

For more self-guided learnings on other Microsoft products, you can go to http://www.microsoftvirtualacademy.com. There are a couple of new exciting Windows Server 2012 courses just added. If you are a travelling user and if enjoy doing some self-guided Windows Server 2012 hands-on labs in an “Anytime, Anywhere” basis, you can try out the Windows Server 2012 virtual labs at http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windowsserver/hh968267.aspx. They are cool and awesome, enjoy!

A relatively exciting question to all existing MCITP on Windows Server 2008 (Enterprise Administrator / Server Administrator): What should I focus on passing all required exams to upgrade my MCITP (Windows Server 2008) to MCSE Server Infrastructure on Windows Server 2012? (By the way, MCSE is now called Microsoft Certified Solution Expert).

The answer is you need to pass the 70-417 exam. So what topics should I focus particularly on this one to pass this exam? Exam 70-417 (Upgrading Your Skills to MCSA Windows Server 2012) is for existing MCSA (Microsoft Certified Solution Associate) on Windows Server 2008. You can take this exam of you are a MCITP on Virtualization Administrator, Enterprise Messaging Administrator (Exchange), Lync Server Administrator, Sharepoint Administrator or Enterprise Desktop Administrator (Windows 7) http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/certification/cert-windows-server-MCSA.aspx

It is an upgrade exam that is a composite of three stand-alone exams: 70-410, 70-411, and 70-412. Its exam overview and topics covered are in http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exam.aspx?ID=70-417. The percentage indication of  the relative weight of each major topic area on the exam can be found here: http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exam.aspx?ID=70-417#tab2. The corresponding MOC course details to prepare for exam 70-417 is at http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/Course.aspx?ID=20417A&Locale=en-us

For existing MCSA on Windows Server 2008 that have completed your 70-417 exam, you will earn your MCSA on Windows Server 2012. So you are now closer to your MCSE (Server Infrastructure 2012) journey. It’s not a bad idea at all to subsequently complete the remaining two elective exams to earn your MCSE (Server Infrastructure 2012), which are Exam 70-413 and Exam 70-414.

Exam info for Exam 70-413 is available at http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exam.aspx?ID=70-413, with skills measured at http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exam.aspx?ID=70-413#tab2; MOC topics at http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/Course.aspx?ID=20413A&Locale=en-us. Make sure you complete these topics during your exam preparation.

For Exam 70-414, its exam overview info is available at http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exam.aspx?ID=70-414, skills measured at http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exam.aspx?ID=70-414#tab2; corresponding MOC topics and course details are available at http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/Course.aspx?ID=20414A&Locale=en-us. It is wise to review and complete these topics before aiming for your exam.        

For individuals that do not intend to aim at the upgrade path but instead, starting on a brand new journey towards your MCSE (Server Infrastructure 2012), all you need to do is to complete Exam 70-410, Exam 70-411 and Exam 70-412 (http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/certification/cert-windows-server-MCSA.aspx).

MOC course topics for Exam 70-410 are available at http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/Course.aspx?ID=20410A&Locale=en-us. For Exam 70-411, they are available at http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/Course.aspx?ID=20411A&Locale=en-us. For Exam 70-412, they are at http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/Course.aspx?ID=20412A&Locale=en-us. It is a good idea to master these topics if you are aiming for these exams specifically.

The elective exams for MCSE (Server Infrastructure 2012) remain unchanged (70-413 and 70-414) for candidates that aim at pursuing your MCSE via this direct path (which is via a non-upgrade path from existing MCSA on Windows Server 2008). Either way, it is really a good idea to review and understand the topics and skills that will be measured before aiming at each exam.

Nonetheless, corresponding hands-on skills and knowledge on Windows Server 2012 is indispensable. Therefore, it is always the best to start try it out in a hands-on manner. To download an evaluation copy of Windows Server 2012, please visit http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/hh670538.aspx. It is available in both ISO and VHD format.

For Microsoft Private Cloud Evaluation software, please go to http://technet.microsoft.com/en-US/evalcenter/hh505660.aspx?wt.mc_id=TEC_103_1_33.

For more self-guided learnings on other Microsoft products, you can go to http://www.microsoftvirtualacademy.com. There are a couple of new exciting Windows Server 2012 courses just added. If you are a travelling user and if enjoy doing some self-guided Windows Server 2012 hands-on labs in an “Anytime, Anywhere” basis, you can try out the Windows Server 2012 virtual labs at http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windowsserver/hh968267.aspx. They are cool and awesome, enjoy!

There are online virtual labs on Windows Server 2012, for all individuals/enthusiasts that can practice in self-guided pace. All you need is just a decent internet connection.

There are topics on Active Directory deployment and management enhancement, configuring iSCSI target, Hyper-V over SMB, Hyper-V replication, Storage pools and storage spaces, DirectAccess in Windows Server 2012, IIS8, iSCSI diskless boot deployment, Powershell fundamentals, Powershell 3.0, Windows Server 2012 Server Manager, IP address management, Online backup service and Dynamic access control. All of these are available at http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windowsserver/hh968267.aspx

For Private Cloud guided labs, they are available at http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/hh913622.aspx. Topics are on System Center 2012.

Please note that these online virtual/guided labs are extremely useful learning resources for hands-on practice experience. They are meant for your convenience so that you can do them on an "Anytime, Anywhere" basis.

For more self-guided learning resources, you can visit https://www.microsoftvirtualacademy.com/

For all newly released, cool and exciting MCSE (Microsoft Certified Solution Expert) certifications, you can visit http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/certification/mcse.aspx. There are new MCSE tracks on Windows Server 2012, Private Cloud (using System Center 2012), SQL 2012, Exchange 2013, Lync 2012 and SharePoint 2013. Note that Except the MCSE on SQL 2012, the pre-requisite certification for MCSE Server Infrastructure, MCSE Desktop Infrastructure, MCSE Private Cloud, MCSE Messaging, MCSE Communication and MCSE SharePoint is MCSA (Microsoft Certified Solution Associate) 2012. So this is the starting certification that can earn you many new MCSE tracks if you choose to complete their elective exams.

To download an exciting copy of Windows Server 2012 Evaluation  in ISO or VHD, please go to http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/hh670538.aspx

For Microsoft Private Cloud Evaluation software, please go to http://technet.microsoft.com/en-US/evalcenter/hh505660.aspx?wt.mc_id=TEC_103_1_33

There are a couple of new cool and awesome features and capabilities introduced in Windows Server 2012's Hyper-V. They are Live Storage Migration where you have an option to just move the VHD instead of the whole VM. And Windows Server 2012's Hyper-V introduces a whole new VHDX format, which supports up to 64 TB. If virtual hard disk size capacity matters to you, then VHDX is great for you. Find out more on Live Storage Migration at http://social.technet.microsoft.com/wiki/contents/articles/8523.windows-server-8-live-storage-migration-en-us.aspx. There are some comprehensive guided steps-by-steps in print screens on how to do this.

What's new in Hyper-V in Windows Server 2012? Among the new technical capabilities are Client Hyper-V, Hyper-V module for Windows PowerShell, Hyper-V Replica, Resource Metering, simplified authorization, SR-IOV, Storage Migration, Storage on SMB3 file share, Virtual Fibre Channel and Virtual NUMA.

Among the improvements engineered into this new version of Hyper-V's existing features are Dynamic Memory, Live Migration, Importing of Virtual Machines, Virtual hard disk format (VHDX, up to 64TB now), Virtual Machine Snapshots and Virtual Switch.

The complete list of new and updated features can be found here http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hh831410.aspx.

Last but not least, Hyper-V in Windows Server 2012 is significantly increased and improved in scalibility and resiliency. Please refer to Hyper-V Scalability in Windows Server 2012 in http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/jj680093.aspx.

For Feature Comparison Windows Server 2008 R2 Hyper-V and Windows Server 2012 Hyper-V, there is a comprehensive guide in PDF here download.microsoft.com/download/2/C/A/2CA38362-37ED-4112-86A8-FDF...

We can notice that Hyper-V in Windows Server 2012 is distinctly and remarkably improved on its scalability and resiliency. An tremendously awesome news to many Virtualization Professionals!

To try out the new Hyper-V in Windows Server 2012, you can download an evaluation copy of Windows Server 2012 in here http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/hh670538.aspx

Also, for Microsoft Private Cloud Evaluation software, please go to http://technet.microsoft.com/en-US/evalcenter/hh505660.aspx?wt.mc_id=TEC_103_1_33

For more self-guided learning on other Microsoft products, you can go to http://www.microsoftvirtualacademy.com. There are a couple of new exciting Windows Server 2012 courses just added. If you are a travelling user and if enjoy doing some self-guided Windows Server 2012 hands-on labs in an “Anytime, Anywhere” basis, you can try out the Windows Server 2012 virtual labs at http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windowsserver/hh968267.aspx. They are cool and awesome, enjoy!