Exam 70-691

Exam 70-691: TS: Windows HPC Server 2008, Developing
Published:    August 20, 2009
Language(s):    Englishfy10_q2_azure_cloud_w_man_language_180x150p_110309
Audience(s):    IT Professionals
Technology:    Windows Server 2008
Type:    Proctored Exam

About this Exam
Candidates should have a minimum of three or more years of experience developing Windows-based high performance computing software for systems such as Windows Compute Cluster Server 2003 or Windows HPC Server 2008.

Exam Topics Covered
Developing an MPI Applications
Developing an OpenMP Applications
Optimizing and Tuning HPC Applications
Developing SOA-Based Applications

Audience Profile

Minimum of three or more years of experience developing Windows-based high performance computing software for systems such as Windows Compute Cluster Server 2003 or Windows HPC Server 2008.

Credit Toward Certification

When you pass Exam 70-691: TS: Windows HPC Server 2008, Developing, you complete the requirements for the following certification(s):

Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS): Windows HPC Server 2008, Development
MCITP Training
MCSE 2003 Training

Note :
This preparation guide is subject to change at any time without prior notice and at the sole discretion of Microsoft. Microsoft exams might include adaptive testing technology and simulation items. Microsoft does not identify the format in which exams are presented. Please use this preparation guide to prepare for the exam, regardless of its format.

Skills Being Measured
This exam measures your ability to accomplish the technical tasks listed below.The percentages indicate the relative weight of each major topic area on the exam.

Developing an MPI Application
* Parallelize a problem for a distributed memory architecture.

o This objective may include but is not limited to: accessing data based on a specific data distribution; point-to-point and collective communication; implementing a master-worker scheme for a simple program

* Apply MPI to code.
o This objective may include but is not limited to: setting up the MPI runtime; synchronous and asynchronous send and receive; scatter, gather, broadcast, reduce; working with MPI communicators

* Create a Microsoft Visual Studio project for an MPI application.

* Debug an MPI application by using Visual Studio.

o This objective may include but is not limited to: using the MPI Cluster Debugger in Visual Studio

Developing an OpenMP Application
* Parallelize a problem for a shared memory architecture.

o This objective may include but is not limited to: differentiating between shared and private data; accessing memory locations from multiple threads

* Apply OpenMP to code.

o This objective may include but is not limited to: parallel regions, worksharing, scheduling

* Implement synchronization.

o This objective may include but is not limited to: atomic; critical; threadprivate; barrier

* Debug an OpenMP application by using Visual Studio.

Executing Jobs by Using the Scheduler
* Submit a job.

o This objective may include but is not limited to: command line, SDK, XML template, Windows PowerShell; hybrid jobs; process placement; requesting resource requirements; HPC Basic Profile Web service

* Manage jobs.

o This objective may include but is not limited to: modifying a running job, canceling a job, querying the status of a running job

* Manage tasks.

o This objective may include but is not limited to: setting up task dependencies; setting task properties; running an MPI application over a particular network; parametric sweep

Optimizing and Tuning HPC Applications
* Overlap computation with communication.

* Minimize overhead in parallel programming.

o This objective may include but is not limited to: ratio of computation to communication, avoiding unnecessary synchronization points

* Detect race conditions and deadlocks.

* Measure HPC application performance.

o This objective may include but is not limited to: using the Visual Studio Profiler, event tracing for Windows for MS-MPI

Developing SOA-Based Applications for HPC Server
* Create a SOA client.
* Create a SOA service for Windows HPC Server 2008.
* Deploy a SOA service.
* Measure the performance of a SOA-based application.

Preparation Tools and ResourcesTo help you prepare for this exam, Microsoft Learning recommends that you have hands-on experience with the product and that you use the following training resources. These training resources do not necessarily cover all of the topics listed in the “Skills Measured” tab.
Classroom Training There is no classroom training currently available.
Microsoft E-Learning There is no Microsoft E-Learning training currently available.
Microsoft Press Books There are no Microsoft Press books currently available.
Practice Tests There are no practice tests currently available.

Microsoft Online Resources
* Earn Train Learn: HPC Training Program
* Learning Plan: Get started with a step-by-step study guide that is based on recommended resources for this exam.
* Product information: Visit the Microsoft Visual Studio site for detailed product information.
* Microsoft Learning Community: Join newsgroups and visit community forums to connect with peers for suggestions on training resources and advice on your certification path and studies.
* TechNet: Designed for IT professionals, this site includes how-to instructions, best practices, downloads, technical resources, newsgroups, and chats.
* MSDN: Designed for developers, the Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) features code samples, technical articles, downloads, newsgroups, and chats.