MCSA 2

[Coxy01]

Hello,

I'm looking at doing an MCSA,

I have a fairly good knowledge of computers in general but i notice that the advice given on some web pages is that you have relevant experience already I.e - some form of network administration experience.

How neccessary is this,

also,

I am looking at doing it online, although, this does worry me slightly with it all being a bit "faceless" if I have any problems.

Some advise would be much appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[CharlieJax]

Heya,

Hands on experience is always recommended when you are working towards any certification. Is it required? No, you can probably get by without having it, but then the certification is really no good to you because you didn't develop the skills you just learned the test.

To get the MCSA you should have some experience with using Active Directory, setting up Windows servers and PCs, etc. You don't really need to have any network admin experience, although you will need to know some routing, subneting, etc you don't have to worry about designing a huge network.

Playing around with 2 or 3 computers one running server should be enough coupled with some books/online training to get you though.

CJ

Don't drink and post, save that for driving home!

 

[Nzarth]

Agree mainly with CharlieJax, plus can always use this forum for any questions regarding the cert

Nzarth

MCSA/MCSE (W2K), CCA

Working on CCNA

 

[GlenJohnson]

Completely agree with the previous folks. Hands on is a must in my opinion. Have a W2K server at home, 2 w2k pro's connected and one w2k wireless laptop that I use when I'm tired of sitting in my office and feel like putting my feet in the pond and surf the internet. (Hands on can be fun.) Make sure you stay away from brain dumps. Won't do you a bit of good. Check out
faq468-4224 How to pass MS tests on the first try
Good Luck.

Glen A. Johnson
"Give the laziest man the hardest job and he'll find the easiest way to do it."

Want to get great answers to your Tek-Tips questions? Have a look at FAQ219-2884

 

[jtb]

Please note that the three folks above who answered be fore me are actually IT super heroes and spend a lot of time helping lift up the people around them...

The only thing I can add is to make sure before you spend the money that the training/cert is on the path you want to take... no sense spending boatloads of money and discovering those "highly paid" claims aren't always true in the beginning... that's one reason, I imagine, for the experience "requirement"... the other is that sometimes you will learn things that are never written down (because the only folks who know them are too busy doing them to write about them).

IT people work long hard hours but some of us find it rewarding.

Good luck and don't forget Tek-Tips!!

JTB
Senior Microsoft Consultant
MCSE-NT4, MCP+I, MCP-W2K, CCNA, CCDA,
CTE, MCIWD, i-Net+, Network+
(MCSE-W2K in progress)