All About Microsoft Certification - No Silverlight Plug-in Required
By Anne Martinez
Page 3 of 3 1
2
3
Oldies (and Not So Oldies) but Goodies
The original crop of Microsoft certifications is arguably the best known group, but they are disappearing fast. Neverless, some are still quite applicable to today's IT professionals. If you pick one of these, be sure to pay attention to when it is being retired and complete all requirements before then. This bunch includes:
- Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) - basic competency in any legacy Microsoft product.
- Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST) - technical support for Windows XP end users.
- Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) - intended as a stepping stone to the MCSE.
- Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) - high level skills in Microsoft Windows up to Windows 2003.
- Microsoft Certified Application Developer (MCAD) - intended as a stepping stone to MCSD.
- Microsoft Certified Solution Developer (MCSD) - application development using Microsoft .NET Framework 1.0 or 1.1
- Microsoft Certified Database Administrator (MCDBA) - implementation and administration of Microsoft SQL Server databases.
Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) used to be the entry point to the Microsoft certification program. Basically, pass any single exam on any Microsoft product and you would obtain MCP certification. This no longer applies and has been effectively replaced by the MCTS designation described earlier.
Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST) s for individuals who provide support to end users of Windows XP. There are two exams required, one that focuses on the operating system itself and a second that covers troubleshooting applications that run on it.
Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) is essentially a stepping stone to the MCSE, created because the list of MCSE requirements can be rather daunting at seven exams. It can be earned on Windows 2000 or Windows Server 2003 and requires passing four exams which overlap the MCSE exams, thus you will earn the MCSA on the way to the MCSE. The exams include two networking system exams, one client operating system exam, and one elective. MCSA: Messaging and MCSA: Security specializations are also available for both the Windows 2000 and the Windows Server 2003 tracks.
Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) is without a doubt the best known certification worldwide; no suprise since it's been around since 1992, and it's not going away any time soon. It is intended to certify a high skill level in designing and implementing Windows operating system solutions. Currently it can only be earned following a seven exam Windows 2003 track. Exams for earlier tracks, such as Windows 2000, are no longer available. There are no current plans to retire this certification, although the newer certifications at the beginning of this article warrant a look first.
|
The MCSE is still a very viable certification and will be for the foreseeable future as Windows Server 2003 is likely to remain in wide use for some time.
|
To earn an MCSE on Windows Server 2003, you must pass seven exams including four core networking system exams, a client operating system exam, a design exam, and one elective exam from an extensive list that includes many of the latest Microsoft certification exams. The four core networking exams cover skills related to managing, implementing, and maintaining Windows Server 2003 in a networked environment. The client operating system exam can be either for Windows Vista or Windows XP professional. For the design exam, the two choices are Designing a Windows Server 2003 Active Directory and Network Infrastructure or Designing Security for a Windows Server 2003 Network. The list of possible electives includes quite a few from the new MCTS certification exam list. MCSE: Messaging and MCSE: Security specializations are also available for both the Windows 2000 and the Windows 2003 tracks.
The MCSE is still a very viable certification and will be for the foreseeable future as Windows Server 2003 is likely to remain in wide use for some time.
Microsoft Certified Application Developer (MCAD) is for developers who work with Microsoft .NET Framework 1.0 or 1.1. For later versions of the .NET Framework, look at the newer MCTS above. Also, keep in mind that t crucial core exams will retire in March 2009, so you will not be able to take them after that. MCAD was created as a more easily obtainable developer certification than the MCSD and serves as a stepping stone to that. It requires three exams rather than five. The exams overlap so you will earn the MCAD on the way to the MCSD. First you choose either Visual C# .NET or Visual Basic .NET as your track. Then you will need to pass a Windows or web application development exam and a web services and server component development exam, plus one elective that covers a specific Microsoft server product.
Microsoft Certified Solution Developer (MCSD) was Microsoft's first certification for developers and is nearly as well known as the MCSE; however, the core exams will retire in March 2009, so if you have not completed them by then, you will not be able to earn this certification. On the up side, Microsoft says the title will never expire, so if you earn it you get to keep it. An MCSD is for application developers who work with Microsoft .NET Framework 1.0 or 1.1. For later versions of the .NET framework look at MCTS and MCITP above.
The MCSD certification offers a choice of a Visual C# .NET or Visual Basic .NET. Four core exams are required, one each for web application development, windows application development, web services and server component development, and solution architecture. An additional elective is also required, which can be chosen from a list that includes Microsoft BizTalk Server 2004, Microsoft SQL Server 2005, and implementing application security, among other options.
Microsoft Certified Database Administrator MCDBA) is for administrators of Microsoft SQL Server 2000. Most of the exams on this track have already retired or will retire in March 2009, so you will need to complete the requirements before then. To earn an MCDBA, you must pass on SQL Server administration exam and one SQL Server design exam. You must also pass either a Windows 2000 or Windows Server 2003 exam. The last requirement is your choice of an elective from a list that includes some of the newer MCTS exams. Most of the other elective options are for exams that have been retired.
That's a Wrap - For Now
As you can see, the latest generation of certifications offers many more certification tracks within each designation. They pertain to the latest Microsoft technologies as well some of the more venerable products and are certainly the first place to look if you are considering a new certification. However, many previous Microsoft products, such as Windows Server 2003, are still widely used, and earlier Microsoft certifications that remain available are quite appropriate for individuals who work with those products. Basically it comes down to what technology generation you are working with, at least until the menu of certifications gets redesigned again…
