MCSE v/s MCSA

Certifications, offered by various vendors are a good way for IT professionals to seek validation for their skills. In today's arena, there are lots of vendors offering specialization in particular domains. Professionals often get confused about which certification to go for as some of them have as little as hair thin difference between them. It is best to first identify your job role, the knowledge and skills required and accordingly select to take a particular certification to ensure career success.

Let us in this article try and get some clarity between two major certifications of Microsoft i.e. MCSE and MCSA which are often confused upon.

Why MCSE?

For a MCSE (http://www.whizlabs.com/mcse-exam/mcse-exam.html) candidate, it is preferable that he should have at least two years of experience in implementing and administering desktop and network operating systems, and designing a network infrastructure in the typically complex computing environment of medium-to-large organizations. The candidate should also have at least one year of experience administering Exchange Server environments involving multiple physical locations, mixed connection protocols, and Internet messaging.

MCSE has two tracks Microsoft Windows 2000 and Microsoft Windows 2003. The 2003 track requires 6 Core Exams, 1 Elective Exam and 2 Upgrade Exams to be cleared.

Core Exam include:

Group I: 70-290, 70-291, 70-293;

Group II: 70-270, 70-210; Group III: 70-297, 70-298.

Elective Exams include:

70-086, 70-227, 70-228, 70-229, 70-232, 70-281, 70-282, 70-284, 70-285, 70-297, 70-298, 70-299, and 70-301.

Upgrade Exams include

70-292 or 70-296.

Either CompTIA Security+ or Unisys UNO-101 can be substituted in place of the elective exams.

Why MCSA?

The need for qualified system administrators is very real in today's business market and the excitement for MCSA (http://www.whizlabs.com/mcsa/mcsa.html) is growing daily. A candidate for MCSA should have at least one year of experience working with a desktop operating system, a network operating system, and an existing network infrastructure. As soon as candidates pass their first qualifying exam for the MCSA program, they achieve a Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) certification.

MCSA also has two tracks Microsoft Windows 2000 track and Microsoft Windows 2003 track. MCSA 2003 requires 3 Core Exams, 1 Elective exam and 1 Upgrade exam to be cleared.

Core Exams include:

Group I: 70-290, 70-291

Group II: 70-270, 70-210

Elective Exams include

70-086, 70-227, 70-228, 70-284, and 70-299

Upgrade Exams include

70-292

What's the difference between MCSE & MCSA?

Let us look at a few major differences between the two certifications which will help you get a clearer idea about them:

MCSA (http://www.whizlabs.com/mcsa/mcsa.html) when compared to MCSE (http://www.whizlabs.com/mcse-exam/mcse-exam.html) is a basic level certification. As an MCSA you must know every thing about implementing, managing, and troubleshooting the existing network and system environments based on the Microsoft Windows Operating Systems. However, you will not be responsible to set up new networks and systems as a part of your job function. But as a MCSE knowledge about designing and deploying new networks and systems is necessary.

Being an MCSA professional means that you will be able to implement, manage, and maintain the typically complex computing environment of medium-to large-sized companies. On the other hand, being an MCSE professional you will be able to plan, design, and implement Microsoft Windows server solutions and architectures in medium-to large-sized companies.

The experience that is required for both these certifications is also different. MCSA requires 6-12 months of experience of administering client and network operating systems while MCSE requires at least one year of experience in implementing and administering network operating systems and desktop operating systems.

Jobs for an MCSA include systems administrator, network administrator, information systems administrator, network operations analyst, network technician, or technical support specialist. For an MCSE jobs include systems engineer, network engineer, systems analyst, network analyst, or technical consultant.

MCSA provides you with a credential that represents a set of skills which will be advantageous if you plan to pursue MCSE Certification. Therefore, earning an MCSA will qualify you with the option to use these credentials and acquire MCSE through Upgrade path to MCSE.

If you look carefully, both these exams although similar to each other specialize in different domains. A clear understanding of both the certifications is necessary before you decide which one to opt for. So make the right choice and get going!!

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Microsoft MCSE Certification and your Career Development

One of the most important certifications in the IT field is the MCSE certification. This is the Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer certificate and it covers a wide range of Microsoft based systems. The MCSE certificate can be earned in a large number of different ways. You can use classroom training, distance or online learning courses, or Microsoft?s own e-learning program. There are even programs that combine online learning with classroom training for those who benefit from a more personal approach.

The importance of Microsoft systems in the world of Information Technology (IT) can not be stressed too highly. The future is going to bring demands for specialized training beyond the current levels, and certification is going to be more than suggested, it is going to be required. In fact, this situation has already become the norm in many major organizations.

Regardless of if you are beginning in the IT field or if you are already working in the field, you are going to need to have a plan in place for your own personal career development. The field is confused because so many new technological advances explode onto the scene almost daily. The competition for positions is already intense, and will grow even more so as the generation raised in the internet and personal computer era comes of age armed with computer related skills that were not even imagined a few short years ago.

MCSE training is the type of thing that is going to be as important on your resume as your name. It will be like the basic high school diploma of ten years ago. Even in situations where you are all ready in the field and employed, MCSE training is going to be the type of thing that will make a difference in the competition for promotion within your IT organization.

Career development is the means by which you prepare now for what the future is going to bring. It means more than finding a job or getting the next promotion as important as those things may be to your future. What it also means is preparing yourself for the challenges of your chosen field. It means gaining the knowledge and skills that will allow you to succeed once the job is won or the promotion is secured. There are many things you are going to need to develop your IT career, but none may be as critical as the MCSE certificate.

Natalie Aranda writes about Information technology. One of the most important certifications in the IT field is the MCSE certification. This is the Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer certificate and it covers a wide range of Microsoft based systems. The MCSE certificate can be earned in a large number of different ways. You can use classroom training, distance or online learning courses, or Microsoft?s own e-learning program.

Microsoft MCSA Certifications Serves Many Purposes

The Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator or MCSA training certification qualifies the user's learning in system administration of Microsoft Windows operating systems and is generally simpler than--without losing its significance--the Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer or MCSE.

The Windows Server 2003 MCSA is usually achieved after passing two networking system examinations, a client-operating system examination--generally Microsoft Windows XP--as well as an elective examination. The Windows Server 2000 MCSA title is given after taking three Core exams and one elective. Although the Microsoft MCSA isn't inferior to the MCSE, it is possible to earn the Microsoft MCSA on the way to an MCSE--without taking any examinations during MCSA training--that are irrelevant to the MCSE on Windows 2000.

The MCSE enables certification for an individual's ability to plan, design and execute Microsoft Windows server solutions and structural designs in medium to large-sized companies. The Microsoft MCSA certifies the individual's ability to implement, manage, as well as maintain the routinely complex computing setting of medium- to large-sized companies.

Much akin to the MCSE, the MCSA is available as "MCSA on Windows 2000" and "MCSA on Windows 2003" in the effective Microsoft MCSA training courses. There are two specializations for both tracks: Messaging and Security in Microsoft MCSA training. In MCSA training, Microsoft Press has several books on the market towards preparation for Microsoft MCSA certification examinations. Books and training manuals are usually the starting place to explore options for various types of Microsoft Certification. Outside of the Microsoft Press books are other reputable publishers like Sybex. In addition to non-fiction reference, Microsoft Learning covers certain courses during the Microsoft MCSA training course.

Former candidates and MCSA training experts recommend not only reading more than one book, but using a good amount of quality time practicing the principles on computers in a quiet, test environment. Once practicing and reading is fulfilled, it's highly recommended to take sample examinations prior to taking the Microsoft MCSA test.

There was a small controversy regarding the usefulness of the questions asked during the Microsoft MCSA training examination. Microsoft rectified the problem in later programs for the Server 2000 segment and the Server 2003 segment by increasing the difficulty of the tests as it focused on practical skills. Microsoft MCSA training can be read online at http://www.unitek.com/training/mcsa_bootcamp.php.

Shannon Margolis
IT Marketing Coordinator
www.unitek.com