Spec me some IT qualifications

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I hope this is the right forum to place my request. I am currently working in I.T support for the NHS and am MCDST qualified however I want to take the next step in to 3rd line support, my question is?
What are the up and coming techonlogies that are either in demand or likley to be so in the near future..
I am led to believe that any Cisco qualification is worthwhile along with Vm ware and maybe moving away somewhat Prince 2 for project managment.. I am leaning towards the CCNA with Voice. But is this a worthwhile choice and from the CCNA what is the next logical step..
If anyone could share there views I would appreciate it
 
VMware
ITIL
Prince
SANs
SNIA qualifications around storage

I wouldn't do a CCNA, everyone does that. It's always in demand but hardly up and coming.
 
Depends what you want to do

MS Server support > MCITP of some sort
Network support > Cisco certs, start with CCNA and work up
VM Support > VCP (funnily enough :p)
Security > Something like CompTIA Sec+ to start then maybe go down the ISC2 certs
Project Management > Prince 2
Ops Managementy type guff > ITIL

Have a real think about what you want to do then see what kind of things employers ask for to get into these positions, or pick something you enjoy :)
 
Depends what you want to do

MS Server support > MCITP of some sort
Network support > Cisco certs, start with CCNA and work up
VM Support > VCP (funnily enough :p)
Security > Something like CompTIA Sec+ to start then maybe go down the ISC2 certs
Project Management > Prince 2
Ops Managementy type guff > ITIL

Have a real think about what you want to do then see what kind of things employers ask for to get into these positions, or pick something you enjoy :)

Thanks for the info it is appreciated;). As mentioned I have the MCDST and Also have Network 2005 A+ but to be honest not really a network kind of peeps VCP is ok but I suppose you need a fair understanding of Servers otherwise you wont know much about what you are putting the VMware on.. I dont fancy being a pen pusher so looks like MCP/MCITP..Where would you start say in respect of Windows Server 2008 If you where completley new to server configuration/operation?

I know I am appreciate I am asking a lot of questions but having looked at the MS site there seem to be a heck of a lot of courses and I cant seem to find one that will allow you to start from scratch so to speak..
 
If you want VCP then you need to do the training course and the exam - it's not just doing the exam. I'd personally progress down the Microsoft route. You have an MCDST so three more exams takes you to an MCSA (or the 2008 equivalent).



M.
 
Well if it's MS stuff the OP wants I'd either crack on with the 2003 stuff and go for an MCSA/MCSE, or if you want to do 2008 go for the MCITP server admin first, or shoot straight for the enterprise admin.

Been looking at VCP, any ideas on cost for someone with no formal training in the area?

Well as said above a pre requisite for attaining the cert is that you do the official course, so that usually runs to between 2 and 3 grand I believe from most places. Could be more though, checkout somewhere like Firebrand/QA for prices.

That cost usually includes the exam voucher as well.

A colleague did the course last month with QA, took the exam about a week and a half later.
 
Been looking at VCP, any ideas on cost for someone with no formal training in the area?

You have to do the course so you can either do the short courses or the fast track course over 5 days. I took the fast track and there was a lot of command line / networking involved as well.

It also has to be an authiorised course as well. You're looking at around £1200 - £2000 depending on which course you go for.

Oh you could do the two week course as well for someone with not as much experience - but that's going to cost more.


M.
 
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If you are interested in the world of virtualisation and centralised application delivery I would be looking at VMWare (VCP) and Citrix (CCA) certifications. I say that because that's the route I decided to take... I find it very rewarding.
 
Are those CompTIA ones any good? Are they recognised well? I've never really heard fo them (not saying much!).

People will knock them but they are good introductions to things to get you going.

I've only got experience with the Sec+ cert, from what I saw of the A+ it looked quite dated.
 
Thanks for the information posted its been very helpfull. I think it might be best to go down the Microsoft route I was originally thinking of the MCSA but my question is will this still be a viable qualification in the future? As you say VMware is the future along with Citrix (I also agree with the price you are looking at anything between 2-3k for VCP)

To recap MCSA would prob be the best route for me? What kind of salary could you expect to obtain (North West) once you gained the qualification and provided you could convince prospective employers that you can do the job.

;)
 
Well MCSA is 2003/XP based, so whilst a lot of companies are still running with that maybe thinking towards the future the 2008 quals could be worthwhile. But that's something you'd need to decide.

And yes VM stuff is good, it's not the be all and end all of the future, but remember people are still needed to support the virtual machines which in most cases will be running MS server software :p
 
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