MCSE / MCSA 2000 or 2003?

[NiallCon]

Hi Guys,
I've been reading your responses to many about what certifications to do and how to do them.

I was an IT guy for a company back in Ireland for 6 years. I was responsible for everything with a 3 pin (2 pin if you're in the US) plug attached So I was covering Desktop Support, Sys Admin, Network Admin, Security, Implementation and training for a 50 User network. Usual story, didn't do any certs as I was too busy putting out fires most of the time.

Anywhoo...the conpany got swallowed up by a bigger company and I decided to take the money and run. With that I have spent the last 6 months travelling through North East/East/South East Asia and have finally ended up in Australia. I'm looking for a job at the moment but the one thing that is coming across loud and clear is that I need to specialise as there are a lot of Sys Admin, Network Admin, Desktop Support positions out there. I suppose my biggest problem is that I'm a 'jack of all trades....master of none' which puts me in a pretty precarious position re: finding a job.

So I'm thinking about buying a couple of older machines and a hub/net off the net and setting up a lab. Probably one relatively high spec'ed desktop with sort virtual server software on it and a laptop with XP Pro. Going to get the MS Press Books (but need to decide on Win2k v Win2003 issue..see below). I'm done with desktop support (but will do it if I have to). I'm looking at MCSE or MCSA (or both). While I'm not working I'm going to try and get these out of the way (or at least make a start). I have cbt vids for both win2k and win2003 but can't really afford to do bootcamps and not really interested as I want a more indepth knowledge than they can provide.

My questions are these (and sorry for taking such a long way around to getting to them).

1. How long would it take if you were spending 4 or 5 hours a day (on average) to get either of the certs. Yes I'm fully aware that everyone's capacity to learn is different and some exams are a lot harder than others and as a result take more time to get ready for. Also aware that there are different non-core exams to be chosen. Just trying to get a rough idea.

2. Is it still worth becoming Win 2K certified? Yes again I'm aware that a hell of lot of companies are still using Win 2K but I have training cds for both Win 2K and Win 2003 so I was thinking about just going for the Win 2003 certs and then if I had to...just go back over the Win 2K vids for a refresher course. Oh should have said that we had a mixture of NT 4.0 and Win 2K in my last company.

Would really value any feedback from some of the more experienced posters out there.

Thanks and have a nice weekend.
Niall

 

[mrdenny]

Check to see what OSs the companies in the area are looking for support for.

If you get the Win2K cert now you can upgrade later to the Win2K3 certs.

The length of time that it takes to get the cert will depend on how much knowledge you already have about the topics covered in the exam. For example I didn't have to do much studying to get my MCSA 2K3 cert. I read the MS Press books and then sat the exams.

For the SQL 2005 Exams I didn't bother to read the books. I just sat the exams based on the knowledge that I already had and passed.

Use the sample tests in the back of the MS Press books to find out where you stand. If you get an 800+ on the sample tests you will probably pass the real exam.

Thinking toward the Vista certs you will probably need to be MCSA/MCSE in Win 2K3 to upgrade to the Vista certs (I'm just guessing here as I don't work for MS).

Denny
MCSA (2003) / MCDBA (SQL 2000)
MCTS (SQL 2005 / Microsoft Windows SharePoint Services 3.0: Configuration / Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007: Configuration)
MCITP Database Administrator (SQL 2005) / Database Developer (SQL 2005)

--Anything is possible. All it takes is a little research. (Me)

http://www.mrdenny.com

 

[NiallCon]

Thanks for your help MrDenny.

Just one small question. I was looking on Ebay to see if I could get some cheap MS Press books. There is a MCSE training kit (MS Press) 70-270 XP Pro available but it is the older version (ie. not the blue covered one).
In your opinion do you think there would be much difference between the newer versions and the old ones? It could save me quite a bit of money.

Thanks once again,
Niall

 

[mrdenny]

The MS Press books are updated as the tests are tweaked to add new topics. The newer books are probably worth the extra money.

See if your employeer will over the cost of the books. If not (and in the US) you can probably deduct the cost of the books on your taxes (assuming that you already itemize).

Denny
MCSA (2003) / MCDBA (SQL 2000)
MCTS (SQL 2005 / Microsoft Windows SharePoint Services 3.0: Configuration / Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007: Configuration)
MCITP Database Administrator (SQL 2005) / Database Developer (SQL 2005)

--Anything is possible. All it takes is a little research. (Me)

http://www.mrdenny.com

 

[amanua]

With your experience and in addition to the lab you want to set up, I will suggest you try

http://www.cbtnuggets.com-they

have good videos and is updated.

 

[1nterpol]

With new ms press books you get 15% off 4 exams, so i would say it's worth your while getting them.

I would also definitly go for the 2003 course rather than the 2000 course.

 

[bigbadbet]

NiallCon
having recently done my MCSA in 2K, i thought i'd let you know that MS are planning on doing away with MCSE/MCSA to be replaced by the new MCIPT.
They say you can upgrade your MCSA/MCSE 2003 to the new cert with ease. However you cant upgrade to the new cert from MCSA/MCSE 2000, and they plan on retiring the 2K to '03 upgrade exams in early 08.
so if i were you, and starting now, i'd definately go for '03 and upgrade from there (as needed), as it will cut out a lot of wasted upgrading time, and there would be nothing worse than getting your MCSA/MCSE in 2K and it being made efeectively redundant before you've had a chance to upgrade.
As is i'm going to be studying my arse off again to upgrade!

 

[NiallCon]

Thanks for the input bigbadbet. I've decided to go down the 2003 route but first trying the MSDST just to get a taste for MS Exams. I've started working again so it's just a matter of sitting down and dedicating the time. Will let you know how it goes.