A+ Net+ MCSE ?

Random

Anyone know where I'd get some good information about the above courses? A lot of job applications I see mention they're required.

I'm currently doing a cert in Networking/IT Support part time, and was considering getting some of the above qualifications too.

Is it worth while? Is it relatively cheap? Any advice would be appreciated

Kali

Both the A+ and Net+ are basic enough courses, but they do offer a solid grounding in IT technical support and networking respectively... don't expect

An MCSE is obviously important for those supporting windows server on a daily-basis... its not really something you'd start until you're very comfortable with Windows & Active Directory administration, as it does take a lot of effort, study and knowledge.

For the first two you'll find plenty of information at http://www.comptia.org for the latter you'll find all the information you need on microsofts webpage.

Random

So you reckon A+ and Net+ would be good starting points, and to go from there? I'd like to think I'm pretty good in the general troubleshooting of computier issues, maintenance, and basic networking. I'm not sure on the indeph user account permissions and policys etc though, and bits such as that.

I don't want to pay for a course only to find that my college course is going to cover the same thing next year ...

I'll take a look at that website, any other feedback would be great.

Froot

Get A+ and NET+

Then get an MCDST or equivalent

Then get MCS* and/or CC**

Ruu_Old

They are decent courses that can lead to a lot more when you finish them. The A+ has recently been updated also so make sure when you get some of the material, books or whatever that its the 2006 updates. Good luck.

Random

What sorta courses are they? One week courses? 1 night a week for a year courses?

mountainyman

Are you working in suppirt at the moment? They don't substitute for experience, but they certainly complement it.
They are worthless without experience
Isn't A+ very different from MCSE, my understanding is that A+ is hardware and MCSE is networks.

You are better to take them slowly rather than rush them, but they can be crammed.

MM

Stephen

I think A+ (or is it Network+?) can be used in place of one of the elective MCSE exams, i.e. it saves you doing 1 out of 7 exams.

I'm working towards my MCSE at the moment. Didn't do any other certs. Came out of college with a BSc in computer networking. Got the MCSA through work, doing self study. If you work with active directory/exchange/etc on a regular basis you should have no problem getting at least an MCSA. I imagine it would be a hell of a lot tougher without that practical experience. I have 2 exams left till I get the MCSE, assuming I pass them both!

Random

I have no practical experience and it's very hard to get into a support role without it. I was hoping doing an additional course might give me some hands on (even in a lab!) experience.

I don't know what Active Directory is, and have only used exchange from my college email.

Any suggestions on where to go from here?

mountainyman

ciaranfo wrote:

I have no practical experience and it's very hard to get into a support role without it. I was hoping doing an additional course might give me some hands on (even in a lab!) experience.

I don't know what Active Directory is, and have only used exchange from my college email.

Any suggestions on where to go from here?

Are you dublin based? If so lie on your CV and get a job in HP in Clonskeagh, it is a crap place to work and they are always looking for bodies.

Then you will have some experience and with a decent amount of work will have the certs.

BTW get a bit of push lad, why don't you what active drectory is?

MM

Random

I'll really rather not lie on my CV - it always comes back to haunt you at the end of the day.

As for not knowing what Active Directory is - I guess I've just never come across it. This is why I'm trying to get some information on courses etc that are used in todays jobs .. .that might help me out.

Stephen

Active Directory is pretty much the core of what MCSE is focused on. Everything revolves around it - it would be worth your while reading up on it.

Raekwon

Stephen wrote:

Active Directory is pretty much the core of what MCSE is focused on. Everything revolves around it - it would be worth your while reading up on it.

Dido! You should get a book about Active Directory and learn all about it before even contemplating doing any Microsoft exam.

I would suggest you do the A+ and Network + first then do an MCP in XP (exam 70-270). After that you will only have two more exams to become an MCSA because both A+ & Network+ count as an *elective. You should Google some available courses in your area.

*Security+ is the only compTIA exam that counts as an elective in the MCSE path.

Stephen

Raekwon wrote:

After that you will only have two more exams to become an MCSA because both A+ & Network+ count as an *elective. You should Google some available courses in your area.

I'm not so sure about that. MCSA consists of four exams - three core and one elective. As far as I know you can only replace the elective with a+/n+, you will still have to do the three core exams.

For my MCSA i did 70-270 (Windows XP, core), 70-290 (Windows Server 2003, core), 70-291 (network infrastructure, core) and 70-284 (Exchange 2003, elective). I found 284 to be the toughest, so having A+ or something available to avoid it might be handy. That will mean you can't get the MCSA:Messaging specialization though, which you get pretty much for free with your MCSA if you do the exchange elective. Most people seem to find 291 to be the worst, but I guess my networking background helped me out there

Raekwon

Stephen wrote:

I'm not so sure about that. MCSA consists of four exams - three core and one elective. As far as I know you can only replace the elective with a+/n+, you will still have to do the three core exams

I beg to differ, the MCSA is actually only three exams (2 core network systems and 1 core client OS) if you hold the A+ & Network+ elective (that's waht I said in my last post).

To get my MCSA I did (70-270, 70-290, 70-291, A+ & Network+). I would agree with your comment that people think that 70-291 is the toughest, it took me two goes to nail it! (They don't call it the 'beast' for nothing)

Also, to get an MCSA with a specialization in Messaging you will need to do the 70-284 (like Stephen has) or you could get an MCSA with a security speicalization which I want to get (You will need 2 of the following: 70-299, 70-227, 70-350 or Security+)

Best of luck!

the_syco

http://www.mcmcse.com for test exams and free tutorials for A+ and Network+

MrWenger1982

Going on a bit of a tangent here but I'd like to see what people's view are on the salary benefits on being an MCSE.

Like Stephen, I am an MCSA with 2 to go until I am an MCSE. 291 was the hardest for me so far but then again, I won't be doing the exchange exam. I'd like to see what people's view are on the salary benefits on being an MCSE.

When I become an MCSE (hopefully within the next 2 months), I will also have 2.5 years experience in a server admin role (specific skills include W2K, W2K3, SAN (McData and Brocade switches, Clariion and Symmetrix frames), Netbackup, and Active Directory). I am currently on roughly 34K per year including bonuses. Does this sound about right to people or what do you think my salary should be around once I become an MCSE?