PCs and Microsoft are practically the same thing to most people today! Not many of us have not been influenced by Microsoft 'software' & Operating Systems, & with their global education and school-programs, it is likely that nobody in the foreseeable future will manage to avoid them even if they wanted to. Now 35 years of age, Microsoft became famous in the 1980's by taking over the home marketplace for Personal computer operating-systems with their first versions of 'Windows'. This software has developed in to all of the various flavours of Windows Operating Systems that we now use today. 'Microsoft' have in essence always manufactured a home & a Professional version of their Operating Systems, with their Server Operating Systems performing somewhat in parallel. In networking terms, Windows 2000 superseded Windows NT. This was up-dated to 'Windows' 2003, and more lately to 'Windows' '2008'. Ever since the start of 'Microsoft' professional certification, we have had training tracks devoted to professional management of the 'Windows' Server operating systems.

The MCSA & MCSE serve essentially quite different functions, regardless of the fact that they're often discussed alongside one another. The MCSA (Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator) is a qualification meant for individuals who plan to get a job in server administration, networks & senior-support jobs. Effectively, its for individuals who are aiming to become technical systems administrators, handling the everyday issues and actions associated with the functioning of a small to mid-sized company network. The career is ideal for someone that likes the nitty gritty of technical challenges, as there is certainly a good deal of problem solving in this role. There is a lot of variance during the working-day, and because the role necessitates giving support to the network users, you have equally a great deal of connection with other people.

The MCSE, alternatively, is centred on planning, design and project-management; in other words a rather more senior amount of responsibility. If senior-administration, network management, senior security work or project/technical management is your objective, then this is definitely the path you should think of taking. Creative, personal and leadership skills are also dealt with in this training, as good 'MCSE' professionals typically address many personnel and resource-management duties.

Obviously you'll already have worked out that understanding these accreditation tracks isn't exactly straightforward. It's usually a good idea to explore all of your options with an experienced industry advisor, before you part with your money and pay for what may possibly appear to be a bargain-course. Frankly there are quite a few good economical training options available, and really a few really poor high-priced ones. The price tag alone is not an effective method of assessing a course. You need to be enquiring about just how effective the training course materials are, exactly how valuable is the help and support and how good are the exam practice materials?

To successfully gain your MCSA certification, there are 4 MCP (Microsoft Certified Professional) examinations you must pass. There are actually 3 required core exams, & a fourth 'elective' exam. An extra elective in the range is the 'CompTIA Security+' , which is now picked by a lot of students rather than a fourth MCP. With the 'MCSE' there is currently higher importance placed on security from an 'organisational' perspective, the planning of systems, and network design. There are actually seven 'MCP' examinations in total.

'Windows' NT Operating systems are actually very rare, but yet quite a lot of Windows '2000' still remain. By far the most prolific is Server '2003', with server '2008' still in its early days. This being the case, the leading Microsoft qualifications remain largely centred around Windows Server 2003. While the MCSA & 'MCSE' accreditations have been around for a number of years now, (following Windows Server through it's evolution,) the MCSA '2003' and MCSE 2003 remain the mainstay of current Microsoft Network certification. It really should nevertheless be noted that upgrade training to Server 08 is coming, and desirable wherever attainable.

Its commonly accepted that it should take approximately 300-350 hrs to train for an 'MCSA', & approximately 200 hours extra for the 'MCSE', providing you have use of outstanding multimedia training, plus excellent support facilities and exam preparation. If you have any experience you might reasonably study part time and obtain your qualifications within a year. On the other hand, if you are coming to the industry with no current certification, then the usual starting point is the 'Comptia' 'A+' and N+. Specifics of these certifications can be found on their specific pages on this site, however this will add 200 hours or six months of part time training into the mix, perhaps a little longer.

A couple of specialities also exist in the 'MCSE' track; that of messaging and security. These call for either two more 'MCP' examinations, or a single additional examination if one of the first 7 has been suitably selected. This implies you should look at which 7 you choose with great care if you are probably going to specialise in security or messaging - the right choices will mean 8 instead of 9 examinations. MS have also released a Server-2008 MCTS ('Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist') update examination for the MCSA (exam 70/648) & for the MCSE (exam 70/649.) One of these (or a comparable qualification) must be thought about early on in your decision-process. If you do, you will increase your eligibility to get more work, and mean you're future proofed to a greater extent.

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