What next Security+ or Server+

[thebully]

I want to take the Security+ exam after just passing Linux+. I now hold Linux+, A+ and Network+. My normal philosophy is to book the exam in advance and then gear my studying towards getting myself ready by that date. It helps to have a static goal to work towards otherwise I never end up taking the exam

Ok I went to

http://www.getcertify4less.com

and saw that I could book the Security+ for half the price of the normal UK rate. For around the price I would have paid for Security+ if I had gone direct to Pearson Vue (£205) I have now got vouchers for both Security+ and Server+ with a years expiry. I am now going to book both exams in advance with Pearson Vue.

Now atm my goal is to get A+, Network+, Linux+, Security+ and Server+ certified and then try and pass the 640-801 CCNA exam.

here's my actual question. Out of Server+ and Security+ would either one help me better towards the CCNA. IE would it be wise to start studying CCNA objectives straight after the Security+ or straight after the Server+ or should I wait until I have passed both?

Reason being I used Mike Meyers Certification Passports when studying for my A+ and Network+ certification and in the career track section of that book he states that the Server+ is a natural lead in to Cisco Certification. I just would have thought that the Security+ is a more network orientated exam than the Server+ and perhaps that statement from Mike Meyers pre dates the release of the Security+ exam.

Its just if I am going to be doing an intensive study of networking for the Security+ surely its going to put me in a good state of mind to pass the CCNA? Where as if I study Server+ after Security+ my mind will be more geared towards server hardware rather than networking before I start my CCNA.

 

[glister]

Mmmm. You pose quite a question. Net+ was probaly the closest you will get to the CCNA. Security+ is just that: security. Server+ is all about the server room. Neither one is very network (hardware) centric.

Both Server+ and Security+ are fairly well geared to the experienced tech. Server+ is targeted at the tech with 2 years server experience. Security+ is also aimed at the tech with 2 years of security experience. While you can learn it from a book, the concepts are counting on that experience. Scenerio questions on the Server+ are hard to learn from a book.



A+,N+,S+,L+,I+,HTI+,e-Biz+,Security+,CETma,CFOT,CCNT,CCTT,ACSP,ISA CCST3

 

[SimonDavies]

I have to agree with Glister, neither of the exams mentioned will help you with the CCNA, what you have to remember about Comptia is that their exams are generally vendor neutral whereas the Cisco exams tend to be vendor specific, you won't tend to find questions asking you the CLI commands to program in a VLAN on any of the Server or Security+ exams.

One thing I would like to know is how much real world experience do you have? Are you a techy who is adding to their existing certifications list or are you someone getting the certs without any real world experience?

If you are the first then that's great, however if you are the second then I would stop what you're doing and go out and get some experience. Having certs is great, having too many certs with no experience to back them up is a really bad move, one likely to hamper you rather than aid you.

You also need to decide what area of IT you want to concentrate on. Do you want to be a Network engineer (CCNA, Net+, MCSE etc) or are you more of an Admin (MCSA or MCDST), a Security Admin (Sec+, MCP).

The exams you have and are taking are giving you a broad range of certifications but without a direction to aim in you may find that the certifications do you no good what so ever.

My advice would be to decide what you want to do, where you want to be and concentrate moving in that direction.

My job is Desktop and Server support, I have my Novell, MS, Comptia and Cisco certifications (although both the Novell and Cisco have since expired) and whilst it's good having all of them the only ones I really use are the MS (NT4 and 2003 MCSE's and 2003:Security) and my Comptia (Sec+) and that's because I use aspects of them pretty much on a daily basis. If you put a router infront of me today I couldn't do anything on it (shocking but true.. lost the skills a while ago because I didn't use them) and whilst my Novell isn't upto date (4.11 CNE) I am still happy using NWAdmin and ConsoleOne to do my work when and where needed.

Don't waste money on certs you don't need and won't use, at the end of the day spend the money on something that you can use.

SimonD.

The real world is not about exam scores, it's about ability.

 

[thebully]

Well atm I am a Network Administrator supporting about 100 users over three sites. Basically I look after Windows 2000 Server boxes running exchange, Active Directory, MS SQL Server, Business Objects and Sales Logixs. An old IBM RS/6000 box running AIX that runs all the accounting software off an Oracle database. A few Linux boxes I put in myself mainly a file server for the Macs in the art department, a proxy server and a few IPCop routers.

Basically just dealing with all the users daily problems and keeping the VPN connections up and running.

I have only been in the job for about 8 months now and it is my first proper IT role. I think I am in over my head a bit but I got the job from an IT contractor I met on an IT forum I have moderated for the last 5 years. He has the external support contract for the company I work for so knows my ability and helps me out.

My previous experience was a 2 year full time IT course at college and a year at university studying software engineering. But that was about 5 years ago. I found it difficult to get into IT after leaving college so have been doing unrelated work for the last 5 years. However I have always been avidly interested in IT and have been the guy people go to with their PC related problems.

Now I know I have landed a good IT job by sheer chance and I want to make the absolute most of the position I am in now. My goal is to get up to date certificates to complement the experience I am gaining in my current job. So in a year or two I will have 2 or 3 years XP plus as many credentials as I can gain.

I enjoy studying for certifications. I passed Network+ with a score of 820 1 month into my current job. I can study during the day at work and I have a corporate WAN to practise with. My bosses are pleased with me too because I put in extra hours. My predecessor had a PhD but was getting paid three times what I am on for doing the same job. But he wasn't very good at communicating and was the owners son so got paid a lot for not doing very much. Still I worked under him for 3 months and learnt a lot he thought I was up to the job.

 

[thebully]

I should add, I want to get Security+ and Server+. Then I will have five Comptia certificates which demonstrate a broad range of abilities. I was thinking of doing a CCNA next because I know it is a well respected certificate in Networking and will look good on my CV. I am not really interested in making my career specialising in Cisco hardware its just the CCNA is a good generally networking qualification besides Cisco kit is prolific.

After this I am unsure what to specialise in. I was thinking of taking the MCP - MCSA - MCSE route because it will augment the experience I am gaining with the MS server products at work and will credit me for my current Comptia certs. But then I find the idea of working with Linux and Unix appealing.

ATM I am happy taking Comptia examinations because they life long certifications that address non proprietary fundamentals and are cheap to obtain. I find the knowledge gained from my current Comptia certs most valuable at work too.

 

[Wishdiak]

ATM I am happy taking Comptia examinations because they life long certifications that address non proprietary fundamentals and are cheap to obtain.

It should be noted that CCNA is none of the above. It's not cheap, not vendor-neutral, and expires after only three years.

Wishdiak
A+, Network+, Security+, MCSA: Security 2003

http://www.wishdiak.com

 

[thebully]

I wouldnt say that the CCNA is expensive the 640-801 exam can be taken in the UK with Pearson Vue for £84. Thats less than half the price of the Security+ exam.

 

[brichr]

Dont get the CCNA unless you work with cisco equipment otherwise it means nothing and it exp. in 3 years. You have the Net+ already so dont worry about networking certs.

It sounds to me like you should go for M$oft certs, and train up on some OS things before you get into problems with the OS that you are not familiar with.

It also sounds to me like you have a nice size network for someone right out of college, and that any certs, training, and projects you have time for will help your overall knowledge at this time.

 

[schase]

I don't know if I could quite agree with brichr's post.

On one hand I would agree with it in terms of it will help increase your knowledge in running the windows systems.

On the other hand, I wouldn't say - don't go for ccna unless you have cisco equipment. Often you would want the CCNA to get that better job that would otherwise be unable to get.

I would say - go either path that best fits your interest. If you really like the networking, and you do have a nice mix of a network(s) there. Go CCNA.

But if you forsee yourself mostly on a Windows network, supporting windows workstations, then MCSA/MCSE.

To answer the original question, I would think Security+, while both will help you in either way you go. Glister brought up a good point that Server+ kind of needs more than just a book. Security+ can count towards MCSA/MCSE and I doubt you would regret having it for CCNA either.

I too had to decide CCNA or MCSE - I took the MCSE route even though I would personally have preferred getting CCNA. My reason being is I don't know where I will be in a year. Or what the job market will be like wherever I am. I picked the safer bet that opens up more prospects for me. Not every place you live is a thriving City. And a CCNA would be over qualified for a small town area (most likely).

"Ever stop to think, and forget to start again?"

Stuart
A+, Net+, Security+

 

[Eddiefdz]

I would agree that it may not be worth getting the CCNA if you are not planning on using Cisco equipment. I took my CCNA cert about 4 years ago. I was really into the Cisco stuff but the equipment is so expensive that unless you work for a big company, they are not going to spend that kind of money. I am currently an IT Manager for a company of about 70 users. I have been here for 6 years now and never had the chance to do much with Cisco. When you work for a small company with a small IT budget you end up having to look at other alternatives, for example, i ended up putting together a linux router using IPTABLES and that is what i am currently using. My CCNA cert expired in december of last year and i have no reason to re-certify if i never use it. So, to get to the point, if you are going into the Cisco feild, i say do it, if not, i say you are better off learning about routers/firewall with somthing like linux and getting a cert like linux+ and security+. Just my $0.02.



Eddie Fernandez
CCNA, Network+, A+, MCP