http://www.newsfactor.com/perl/story/21300.html
The MCSE certification is certainly the most popular, with holders numbering in the hundreds of thousands. The real question -- are all these people really necessary? This article concludes that there is a glut of MCSEs over all, though those with Server 2003 and security certrifications may well stand out from the crowd.
http://certcities.com/editorial/features/story.asp?EditorialsID=64
In the Microsoft or Cisco world, it is straightforward to specify certification types and the paths among them. However, the Linux world is somewhat more complex -- this article profiles the various certification options available for Linux.
http://certcities.com/editorial/news/story.asp?EditorialsID=509
Microsoft has implemented a new certification: Microsoft Certified Desktop Service Technician, meant to be an entry-level certification, with two exams covering such things as trouble-shooting InterNet Explorer problems and assisting users with OFFICE. Published opinon has been split, with some denouncing it as a money grab by Microsoft, and others lauding the certification as filling a real gap.
On the face of it, I call this too soon to tell -- we will have to see what the actual exam tests. But I think two points are worth noting:
1) As described [and unless changed], the MCDST does not replace the A+; the former is Microsoft-specific and as much [or more] directed to Microsoft applications as Microsoft OS, while the latter extends its grasp beyond software to hardware, and looks outside the Microsoft world. I would think having both of these certifications would be highly advantageous to someone looking for helpdesk work.
2) There is some evidence suggesting that the real 'growth' opportunity for IT professionals is with smaller organizations who cannot afford offshore outsourcing. In such a case, the 'design' skills of something like a MCSE will be necessary, but not sufficient, because such an IT worker must be a jack of all trades, in which case the MCDST would be a desirable credential for MCSEs as well.
There is some evidence that Microsoft is looking to replicate Cisco's certification stucture, with an entry-level certification, a junior certification in the MCSA, a senior certification in the MCSE, and an 'architect' certification [which nature is to be determined yet] somewhat equivalent to the CCIE.
Again, it is easy to fleer at Microsoft for developing such a structure, but certification granularity makes great sense to me in the light of the fact that IT shops have a certain "chiefs-to-indians" ratio to maintain, and it is actively counterproductive to insist on the highest level of certifications for those at the lower rungs of the ladder in a large shop. In a small shop, especially one starting to implement IT in a formal way, an entry certification could be initially appropriate, and then the certification requirement could 'grow with the job', providing an effective way for people to combine certification training with the development of on-the-job skills.
For this happy development to be realized, however, the certification exams have to be relevant and resistant to cheating, and on this prospect, the jury is still out.
http://www.newsfactor.com/perl/story/22380.html
Certification has been a major part of the IT professional's life for nearly a decade now, and this article takes a level-headed look at the situation. The latest employment environment has switched focus to those certifications which have enduring value. In addition to hot security certifications like the CISSP, other solid areas include Linux, Citrix, Certified Enterprise Administrator, Oracle Certified Professional, and many types of Cisco certifications.
Microsoft Certified Solution Developers and Microsoft Certified Database Administrator certifications are also in demand. Conspicuous by its absence: the MCSA/MCSE networking jewel.
http://www.technewsworld.com/perl/story/31502.html
One of my colleagues uses the tagline: "If you think education is expensive, try ignorance!". This article suggests he is literally right -- that workers with computers everywhere suffer economic losses at home and at work, because they don't know much about their machines. While I myself have been heard to whine "It shouldn't be this hard!", I also have a wealth of anecdotal evidence suggesting that most organizations suboptimize computer use by scrimping on training, when in fact the returns inherent in more educated computer workers should, if it works, greatly outweigh education's costs.
The need for extensive basic training, probably on a certification basis, appears hard to dispute.
Microsoft's Windows Server 2003 Resources:
- Windows Server 2003 Home:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/default.mspx
- Top 10 Windows Server 2003 Benefits http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/evaluation/whyupgrade/top10best.mspx
- Versions:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/evaluation/features/compareeditions.mspx
- Evaluation Kit http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/evaluation/trial/default.mspx
- Pricing, Licensing http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/howtobuy/default.mspx
- Windows Server 2003 Facts: http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/features/2003/apr03/04-23WinServerFacts.asp
- Upgrading from Windows NT 4.0 to Windows Server 2003 http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/evaluation/whyupgrade/nt4/default.mspx
- Windows Server 2003 VPN Setup:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/technologies/networking/vpn/default.mspx
- Index of Windows Server 2003 Articles on Microsoft.com:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/techinfo/overview/articleindex.mspx
MCSA/MCSE on Windows Server 2003 Resources:
- New MCSA Requirements:
http://www.microsoft.com/traincert/mcp/mcsa/windows2003/
- New MCSE Requirements:
http://www.microsoft.com/traincert/mcp/mcse/windows2003/
New Windows Server 2003 Exams Objective Guides:
- MCSA/MCSE Core (Networking Systems)
70-290: http://www.microsoft.com/traincert/exams/70-290.asp
70-291: http://www.microsoft.com/traincert/exams/70-291.asp
- MCSE Core (Networking Systems)
70-293: http://www.microsoft.com/traincert/exams/70-293.asp
70-294: http://www.microsoft.com/traincert/exams/70-294.asp
- MCSE Core (Design)
70-297: http://www.microsoft.com/traincert/exams/70-297.asp
- MCSA/MCSE Upgrade
70-292: http://www.microsoft.com/traincert/exams/70-292.asp
- MCSE Upgrade
70-296: http://www.microsoft.com/traincert/exams/70-296.asp
http://www.certmag.com/articles/templates/cmag_nl_extra_content.asp?articleid=298&zoneid=37
The Cisco Certified Network Associate is a widely popular entry-level certification for networking. Cisco has introduced some changes in the certification, giving candidates a fork to choose: experienced candidates can write one exam, whereas those who are still on the learning track can write two. The implications for recertification are also discussed in this article [though the extra cost of writing two exams is not addressed].
http://mcpmag.com/news/article.asp?EditorialsID=579
Microsoft has [to some eyes at least] resisted getting into the business of certifying security specialties. The unkind would say this results from Microsoft's products having no real security in the first place, but I think any reasonable person would agree that whatever the current problems, the latest server products from Redmond are inherently more secure than those of the past. Given the continuing emphasis on this topic, I would expect this certification to blossom, along with institutions offering bootcamp training to get the certificate.