Computers and 'Microsoft' are practically the same thing to most people today! Most of our Operating systems & computer software come from 'Microsoft', and so we're operating it at home and at work each and every day. Also in schools and colleges, our youngsters are learning from the company's world-wide education programs. Now 35 years old, Microsoft came to prominence in the 80's by taking over the Home market for PC Operating Systems with early versions of Windows. The operating-systems that we all use these days are the consequence of many evolutions of 'Windows' betwixt now and then. 'Microsoft' have effectively always produced a home and a Professional version of their operating systems, with their server Operating Systems working in parallel. From the network perspective, Windows 'NT' Server was superseded by 'Windows' Server '2000'. Then came Server '2003' and the latest offering: Server 2008. From the time 'Microsoft' got into developing accreditation tracks, we have had programs available for students to understand how to professionally manage their operating systems.

There are not so many 'Windows' NT servers still around, but Server 2000 are still fairly common. The most abundant is Server '2003', with Server 08 still in it's early days. This being the case, the leading MS qualifications remain heavily centred on 'Windows' Server 2003. Microsoft's qualifications MCSA & 'MCSE' have matched the different server 'evolutions' over the years. In line with business usage, the '2003' versions of these networking qualifications are still the most frequently asked for. It should however be remembered that up-grade training to Server '08 is imminent, and sensible wherever attainable.

Even though they're regularly talked about in unison, the 'MCSA' and 'MCSE' are actually designed to fulfil two distinct purposes. Training to become a Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator ('MCSA') is designed for Networking & senior support jobs and server administration. Essentially, its for individuals who want to become technical systems administrators, working with the day-to-day issues & activities included in the functioning of a small to medium-sized corporate-network. The work is actually perfect for someone that loves dealing with technical challenges, because there's a lot of problem solving with this role. There is lots of variance over the working-day, and since the job requires offering support to the network users, there is equally a good deal of interaction with fellow workers.

The 'MCSE', alternatively, is geared towards planning, design and project-management; in other words a more high degree of responsibility. For those who like to get into network management, senior-administration, technical consulting or project management, or you would like to proceed in the direction of a higher level IT Security job, then this is the path to think about. Creative, personal & leadership expertise can also be dealt with in this training program, as successful MCSE professionals often deal with many personnel & resource management tasks.

For you to accomplish the complete MCSA you have got to take 4 individual 'MCP' exams ('MCP' stands for 'Microsoft Certified Professional'). Of these, three examinations are compulsory elements and so must be taken, but the 4th is selected from a range of so called 'electives'. An increasingly valuable & completely accepted elective is the 'Comptia' Security+ , which for understandable reasons is becoming more and more favoured by students. The 'MCSE' consists of seven 'MCP' exams, that show the growing importance placed upon organisational Security, systems-planning & network design.

As you might have picked up, the MCSA and MCSE certification tracks aren't entirely simple to understand. Before you decide to pay out anything on what might seem like a good 'MCSA' or 'MCSE' package, its often sensible to talk through every detail with a training-advisor. Certain extremely expensive programs are not actually of the best quality, and conversely some low-priced ones are very good. The price tag alone is not an effective way of judging a course. You should be looking at just how effective the course materials are, how helpful is the help & support & how suitable are the exam-preparation materials?

Study time is usually acknowledged as about 300-350 hrs for the MCSA and 500-550 hours for the 'MCSE', assuming quality multi-media training materials, round the clock use of 'student support', and some good quality examination prep software. So with experience you could complete all of them in something like 8-12 months learning part time. If you are new to the IT industry though, you should consider getting started with CompTIA A+ & 'Network+' first. There are plenty of details of these training-tracks on the 'Comptia' section of this website. Add-on approximately two hundred hrs of studying time, which will probably take at least 6 months part-time.

There are in addition 2 specialities in the MCSE route - security and messaging. These necessitate either two extra 'MCP' examinations, or a single extra exam if one of the principal 7 has been suitably selected. It's sensible to think about this from the beginning if you're keen on either of these areas, simply because a little forward planning will mean you have a maximum of 8 MCP's to take. The Server 2008 Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist ('MCTS') up-grade examination has also been released by 'Microsoft' - the MCSA is exam 70-648 & the MCSE is exam 70/649. It's sensible to look at including one of these updates (or their equivalent) asap. This won't only future proof you to some extent, but will help create further job possibilities.

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