MCSE: Server Infrastructure

Ukadder

Ukadder

Ukadder

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Essex
Hi All, just after a bit of advice.

I'm been in IT for the last 12 years, working for the same small company all that time. Over that time we have grown, we now own another 3 small companies at different locations as well as our own.

I support the IT needs for all of them, each with their own domain etc, but I'm keenly aware that I'm lacking any sort of formal training since my degree back in 2002 and I feel some of the basics I'm just not as familiar with as I should be, so I'm looking at a course or two.

Has anyone done the "MCSE: Server Infrastructure 2012" course? would they recommend it? from my understanding it's broken into 5 modules, each one with an exam at the end. It sounds like it's the right level, and because we are running windows server 2012 on most servers also seems suitable.

Any other courses that might be worth considering as well as, or instead of?
 
I have the 2008 MCSA looking to upgrade it to 2012 MCSA.

Personally I wouldn't really bother with a full blown MCSE unless you use most of the tech in there.... When I was doing my MCSA I spent more time thinking " why am I bothering learning about RMS or RRAS for? Than any positive thoughts. The active directory exam of 2012 is well worth doing though.

The 2012 exams have all sorts of junk in.... Dynamic access control, hyperv ( which no large enterprise uses) and IPAM.
 
I wouldn't take a course dedicated to getting the MCSE unless it's over 18 months, because that's a lot of content to cover.

The MCSA consists of three exams, for example the 410, 411 and 412 for the MCSA and then two additional exams for the MCSE. A lot of the things they cover on the exams are things that you don't do all that often unless your a consultant or working for a service provider.
 
Thanks for the advice guys, I agree about not going for the full MCSE, reading up more on the content I think the MCSA will cover me for what I do and need fine.

Who did you guys use for your MCSA? Thinking it's going to be easier to go with a company who offer an all in solution rather than get the books and do it all myself, I know it's a bit more $$ but happy to pay for the extra help and resources.
 
I just used cbt nugget training videos and bought the official Microsoft press books which are really good. I'm not sure if I would go on a Microsoft course if I knew the basics.
 
FishThrower said:
I have the 2008 MCSA looking to upgrade it to 2012 MCSA.

Personally I wouldn't really bother with a full blown MCSE unless you use most of the tech in there.... When I was doing my MCSA I spent more time thinking " why am I bothering learning about RMS or RRAS for? Than any positive thoughts. The active directory exam of 2012 is well worth doing though.

The 2012 exams have all sorts of junk in.... Dynamic access control, hyperv ( which no large enterprise uses) and IPAM.
Click to expand...

Calling virtualisation tools like hyper-v junk is just, wow...
 
Energize said:
Calling virtualisation tools like hyper-v junk is just, wow...
Click to expand...

any self respecting IT department would go down the VMWARE route instead of HyperV. I have worked for one company that did have standlone HyperV hosts for their test environment though for cost purposes. I have never seen Hyper in a production environment before.

I can see why a small business would prefer to use HyperV (which I stay clear of).
 
FishThrower said:
any self respecting IT department would go down the VMWARE route instead of HyperV. I have worked for one company that did have standlone HyperV hosts for their test environment though for cost purposes. I have never seen Hyper in a production environment before.

I can see why a small business would prefer to use HyperV (which I stay clear of).
Click to expand...

I work for one of the countries largest outsource providers and we have several large customers on Hyper V cash is king in the IT world these days which makes Hyper V more and more compelling.
 
FishThrower said:
any self respecting IT department would go down the VMWARE route instead of HyperV. I have worked for one company that did have standlone HyperV hosts for their test environment though for cost purposes. I have never seen Hyper in a production environment before.

I can see why a small business would prefer to use HyperV (which I stay clear of).
Click to expand...

Oh my word. Most 'new' installs nowadays are Hyper-V, the gap between it and VMWare nowadays for general enterprise needs is tiny, and the cost differences are massive. I work for a large law firm, we're Hyper-V. Co-Op bank (and group for that matter) both use Hyper-V. Don't lead people to make bad career choices please. :)
 
I hope don't mind me piggy backing off the discussion about Microsoft certifications - I'm currently contemplating doing the MCSD in C# Programming but wondering if its worth doing.

It gives me the motivation to cover areas of the language I'm not completely familiar or confident with but on the other I'm wondering if it will me give me any real benefits in the job market.
 
Kaelsin said:
I hope don't mind me piggy backing off the discussion about Microsoft certifications - I'm currently contemplating doing the MCSD in C# Programming but wondering if its worth doing.

It gives me the motivation to cover areas of the language I'm not completely familiar or confident with but on the other I'm wondering if it will me give me any real benefits in the job market.
Click to expand...

Yes it will. Most places nowadays (especially consultancy / contracting roles) look favorably on certification. I'm currently doing my Azure MCSD, I've had loads of job calls that have asked specifically about it.
 
FishThrower said:
any self respecting IT department would go down the VMWARE route instead of HyperV. I have worked for one company that did have standlone HyperV hosts for their test environment though for cost purposes. I have never seen Hyper in a production environment before.

I can see why a small business would prefer to use HyperV (which I stay clear of).
Click to expand...

You have never seen a proper production environment but HyperV is junk?

Any self respecting IT department would look at the product objectively and base and decisions on whatever finding they have, not just cast it off as junk because you read about it in a book.
 
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