Computing Qualifications.

Mr_T said:
I've recently got my MCSA 2003, it took me about 6 months studying in my own time, after work.

MCSA is 4 exams of which 2 exams are core (70-290 & 70-291)
MCSE is 7 exams of which 4 exams are core (70-290, 70-291, 70-293 & 70-294)

When Server 2008 is well established I will upgrade my 2003 MCSA to a 2008 qualification by taking a further 2 upgrade exams, to upgrade a 2003 MCSE is 3 upgrade exams.

Regardless of which path you choose (Microsoft , Cisco) only advice I can give is take your time, setup a virtual enviroment to practice on and DON'T pay £1000+ for an accelerated course. These courses basically cram you with practice questions that are almost identical to the actual exam, you end up passing without gaining any knowledge.
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Whats the difference between a MCSA and MCSE? Which ones more respected/better to go for? I dont mind doing it if i can do a 'refresher' to get the 2008 qualifcation at a later date.
 
You could do the MCSA then count the majority of the exams towards the MCSE. Probably the easiest route to build up is MCDST (bit of a diddy cert but handy for showing you can do the basics), those exams count towards the MCSA so you don't have to do as many then the MCSA exams count for the MCSE.
 
MCSA = Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator
MCSE = Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer

MCSA = 4 x MCP exams
MCSE = 7 x MCP exams

Basically an MCSE is the top Microsoft Qualification, from there you can go further and specialise by getting Security specialisation (ISA server etc) & Messaging specialisation (Exchange)

I started taking my MCP exams untill I had 4 that allowed me to be classed as MCSA. If you work hard you can get your MCSE in a year, I'm happy with an MCSA for now, looking at doing my CCNA next.
 
just a quick Q, what study materials did everyone who took the MCP exams themselves use?
I'm currently studying the MCSA atm but feel woefully under prepered for the exam by college (where I'm studying) I've experience with servers, AD, networking etc but some of the stuff I've NEVER done (installing windows over a network from a server for one) and tbh the college is worse than usedless for helping beyond the 1 week we had to cover each module.
 
Hey Vent , what college in Corwall are you studying at? and how long, and how much is the course? what are the hours like etc??

Can you send me a linky if possible? thanks!
 
Mr_T said:
MCSA = Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator
MCSE = Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer

MCSA = 4 x MCP exams
MCSE = 7 x MCP exams

Basically an MCSE is the top Microsoft Qualification, from there you can go further and specialise by getting Security specialisation (ISA server etc) & Messaging specialisation (Exchange)

I started taking my MCP exams untill I had 4 that allowed me to be classed as MCSA. If you work hard you can get your MCSE in a year, I'm happy with an MCSA for now, looking at doing my CCNA next.
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So, the MCP is the starter qualifcation, the MCSA is the next one up, and the MCSE is the top one?

Are these per subject area, or are they just one qualification (for example, a-levels can be done in loads of areas)?
 
An MCP is awarded for a single pass in an exam covering one topic.
The correct combination of 4 MCP's gives an MCSA.
The correct combination of 7 MCP's gives an MCSE.

For network management, I'd suggest going down the cisco route.

Whilst MS exams are recognised, they tend to be a shortlisting criteria as opposed to something that stands out on a CV such as a CCNA.
 
CCNA for sure and then CCNP afterwards!

I am working at Glotel (part of the Spring Group) for the Summer and I already have my contacts I need for the training after I finish my Masters :)

I have been a recruiter for 3 months now... and a CCNA is 100% vital for a networking role!
 
Isnt CCNA/CCNP mostly network based in the purest sence though?
I was looking at doing a Server/ISA based qualification first, as it'll benefit me here and now.
 
BoomAM said:
Isnt CCNA/CCNP mostly network based in the purest sence though?
I was looking at doing a Server/ISA based qualification first, as it'll benefit me here and now.
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Yes. basically, cisco is everything from bits on a wire upwards but not including the applications. MCSE is the application. MCSE will tell you how to setup a DHCP server, Cisco will teach you how a DHCP server and client communicate
 
Hmm.
Although the natural route there would be Cisco-MS, i'd prefer to do it the other way around tbh.
 
Stoned_SpaZZZ said:
Hey Vent , what college in Corwall are you studying at? and how long, and how much is the course? what are the hours like etc??

Can you send me a linky if possible? thanks!
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doing it at cornwall college in pool, I'd not recomend it to anyone tbh as the content is lacking, so unless you already know EVERYTHING its not very good
we're supposed to do one week in 4 or so but really the dates are as and when they have space, it cos £700 inc exams as its part funded by gov, the course is called an iPro, includes 3 OCR modules so its an academic qual as well
 
Gilly said:
I've gone from Techy training to management and service.

Though I've been ****ed once again by our company. Don't know why I bother.
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Ahhh, the good old F-Shaft! I still remember it well.


With regards Network managers, i recruited a couple of years ago for that post, and it was CCNA required and MCSE desirable. If you didn't hit the required bits you didn't even get an interview. We also looked for experience/quals around security
 
If you wanted to make yourself especially employable - I went for;

ITIL Practitioner/Foundation
HP StorageWorks Essentials
HP OpenView Performance Insight
HP OpenView Network Node Manager
HP OpenView Operations
HP OpenView ServiceCenter
CCNA

OpenView stuff seems to be paid well.

ITSM stuff - IT Service Management - seems to do well in general.

EDIT: got an A+ in Computer Systems Engineering - seems to be a good one to have - not as common as I thought it would be, and quite a good base for a lot of things.
 
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AthlonTom said:
Actually the Cisco academy for Europe is in Birminghams TIC ;)
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I wasn't talking abou the biggest Cisco academy, just training provider. A lot of the work the CATC does is around 'train the trainer' stuff as well as linking into full on academic courses, not specifically running 2 or 3 training courses a week every week for the year.

Must say it has been at least a year since i have looked into it, so it may have changed since then.
 
It depends on what you want to do, if you want to work on the network infrastructure such as routers and switches and firewalls etc then look more towards the CCNA as a starter then maybe the CCNP. If you're more into the whole Windows side of things then obviously look at the MCSA/MCSE.

Would be good to eventually have both as you will have a greater understanding of how everything works.
 
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Badboy2k3 said:
It depends on what you want to do, if you want to work on the network infrastructure such as routers and switches and firewalls etc then look more towards the CCNA as a starter then maybe the CCNP. If you're more into the whole Windows side of things then obviously look at the MCSA/MCSE.

Would be good to eventually have both as you will have a greater understanding of how everything works.
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Well the plan would be to have both, to balance it out, but the MS one would come in handy now.
 
what kind of jobs are people getting / got and what kind of experiance was needed (dare i ask salaries?? ;):p)

because I would REALLY love to get out of my poorly paid technical helpdesk / 1st line job
 
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