The brand 'Microsoft' is now almost synonymous with personal computers these days. Most of our Operating-systems and computer-software come from 'Microsoft', so we're operating it at home and on the job on a regular basis. Even in schools, our children are benefiting from MS's global education packages. Now thirty-five years of age, Microsoft really became noticed in the 80's by leading the home marketplace for PC operating-systems with their first versions of 'Windows'. Many generations of this 'software' have evolved as time has passed, bringing us up to the present 'Windows' 2008. Microsoft have effectively always manufactured a home & a Professional version of their operating systems, with their server operating-systems running somewhat in parallel. From the network point of view, 'Windows' 'NT' Server was superseded by Windows server '2000'. This was up-dated to 'Windows' 2003, & more lately to 'Windows' '08. Since the dawn of MS professional certification, we have had training tracks devoted to professional management of the Windows Server Operating-systems.

This obviously implies that there's a fair bit to get to grips with when choosing 'MCSA' & 'MCSE' training. It's normally a good idea to explore your options with an experienced industry advisor, before you part with any money & pay for what may possibly look like a bargain course. There are a number of excellent low-cost courses available, and at the same time quite a few expensive but dreadful training programs. The price alone isn't an effective way of evaluating a course. Far more relevant is the calibre of the training-method (i.e. is it multimedia?), the standard of support (is it honestly 24 hr?) & exactly how good is the exam preparation software?

There are not very many 'Windows' 'NT' servers still around, but Server '2000' remain quite widespread. The most commonplace is server 2003, with Server '2008' still in its early days. This being the case, the main MS certifications are still largely based around Windows Server 2003. The Microsoft 'MCSE' & 'MCSA' training programs have evolved over the years consistent with the servers. At the moment, both 'MCSE' 2003 and 'MCSA' '2003' are MS's main network certifications. It must however be noted that upgrade training to Server 08 is coming, and advisable wherever feasible.

You have 4 'Microsoft Certified Professional' ('MCP') examinations to take to pass at the MCSA grade. There are 3 compulsory 'core' exams, & a fourth 'elective' examination. A progressively more valuable & fully accepted elective is the 'Comptia' Security+ , which for obvious purposes is starting to become a lot more favoured by students. The 'MCSE' involves seven 'MCP' examinations, that indicate the higher emphasis upon organisational Security, systems planning and network-design.

There are in addition two specialist subjects within the 'MCSE' track - Security & Messaging. Depending on exactly which preliminary seven MCP's are picked out, this might call for a further 1 or 2 more MCP exams. If you're thinking about either of these specialisations then it is smart to think about this from the start - as it then means only 8 exams are required, instead of nine. Upgrade exams have now also been released by Microsoft, (exam 70/648 for 'MCSA' and exam 70-649 for MCSE) for Server-2008 MCTS ('Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist'). It would be wise to think of including one of these updates (or an equivalent) as quickly as possible. Not only will this future proof you to a certain degree, it will make you qualified to apply for more jobs.

With the right quality of training materials and 24/7 help and support, plus authorised exam simulation software, an MCSA ought to take about 300 to three hundred and fifty hrs to complete, & the MCSE around 500 to 550 hrs. When you've got some experience you might realistically study part time and attain your qualifications in under a year. But, if you're entering the industry with no former certification, then the usual kick off point will be CompTIA A+ and Network+. You can find details of these training-tracks on the 'CompTIA' pages of this web-site. Add-on roughly 200 hours of studying time, which is likely to take no less than six months part time.

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