Everyone who uses a computer nowadays is aware of the name of 'Microsoft'. Not many of us haven't been touched by 'Microsoft' 'software' and operating-systems, and with their international educational and school programs, it would seem that no one in the foreseeable future will be able to avoid them if they tried. Now thirty five years old, 'Microsoft' really became noticed in the 1980's by leading the home market for PC operating-systems with their early versions of 'Windows'. The Operating Systems that we use today are as a result of numerous evolutions of 'Windows' betwixt now & then. Over the years Microsoft have developed 'parallel' server systems - the first to use in the home market, and another professional edition for use commercially. From a network standpoint, Windows NT Server was superseded by 'Windows' Server 2000. This was then updated to Windows 2003, & more lately to 'Windows' '08. Training on the 'Windows' server Operating systems has consistently been on offer for as long as Microsoft have offered Professional certifications.

Windows NT Operating-systems are now very rare, but quite a number of Windows '2000' still remain. The majority of enterprises still work on Windows '2003', though Windows 08 is building-pace. Since Server '2003' continues to be the dominant in commerce, Microsoft's most important qualifications still centre upon this. While the MCSA and 'MCSE' accreditations have been available for a number of yrs now, (keeping up with Windows Server through it's progressions,) the MCSA 2003 and 'MCSE' '2003' are the main-stay of current 'Microsoft' network certification. It really should nevertheless be noted that up-grade training to Server '2008' is imminent, & desirable wherever attainable.

This of course indicates there is a fair bit to be aware of when deciding upon 'MCSA' & 'MCSE' training. Obtaining sound industry advice must always be paramount before solely opting for the lowest priced or bargain package deal. Quite a few extremely expensive courses aren't really of the greatest standard, and yet certain reasonably priced ones are extremely good. Price on it's own isn't the best way of judging a course. Multimedia training quality, 24 hr student help and support, and exam-prep materials are all more relevant aspects - and really should be considered equally.

To successfully earn your MCSA accreditation, there are four 'MCP' ('Microsoft Certified Professional') examinations that you must pass. Of these, 3 examinations are core subjects & so have to be taken, but the fourth can be selected from a choice of electives. A particularly useful & fully acknowledged elective is the CompTIA-Security+ , which for obvious purposes is becoming progressively more favoured by students. With the 'MCSE' there is now greater relevance placed upon security from an organisational perspective, systems planning, & design of networks. There are seven MCP exams in total.

With the correct high quality of training-materials and 24 hr help and support, plus accredited exam preparation software, an MCSA ought to take roughly three hundred to three hundred and fifty hrs to complete, & the 'MCSE' about 500 - 550 hours. This makes it viable, when you've got experience, to finish them all through part time learning within 8 to 12 months. If you are new to the I.T. community though, you should look at getting started on CompTIA 'A+' & 'N+' first. There are plenty of details of these training tracks on the 'CompTIA' section of this website. Add on roughly 200 hrs of studying time, which is likely to take no less than 6 months part time.

A couple of specialities also exist on the MCSE training track; they are messaging & security. These require either two more MCP exams, or one single additional examination where one of the main 7 has been appropriately chosen. If you are interested in either of these specialisations then it is a good idea to consider this at the beginning - as it then means only 8 exams are needed, instead of nine. The Server-2008 Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) up-date exam also has been brought out by 'Microsoft' - the 'MCSA' is exam 70-648 & the MCSE is exam 70/649. We'd recommend that you should consider adding the relevant update into your training program. If you do, you'll increase your possibilities for more work, and mean you're future-proofed to a greater extent.

Despite the fact that the 'MCSA' & the 'MCSE' are quite often talked of in the same career-path, they are in fact actually very different. The certification MCSA (which means Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator) will get you into server administration and work in networks & senior-support. Mainly this accreditation is an excellent starting point for a Technical Systems Administrator, who will cope with the various inner workings of operating a fairly small to mid level office network. You should get a lot out of this particular work if you're a highly organised problem solver that loves a good technical challenge. It is an extremely people oriented job with a lot of variety, since the work effectively consists of supportive interaction with fellow network users.

The MCSE, alternatively, is aimed at design, planning & project management; i.e. a rather more high level of responsibility. So if senior-administration, network management, Senior Security employment or project/technical management is your intention, then this is the track you should consider taking. Some less apparent characteristics of a successful MCSE would be both creative & leadership abilities, as the role can often include in-depth problem solving & personnel as well as resource-management.

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