Everyone who has a PC these days is aware of the name of 'Microsoft'. Every time we start our PC's, almost all of us are greeted with a 'Microsoft' operating-system, and the majority of software in use originates from their source. In schools and colleges all over the world, MS education packages abound. The company was established back in nineteen seventy five, by the onetime college dropout Mr Bill Gates. Microsoft's 1st version of the Home Operating System 'Windows' was developed in the 1980's. This software has grown into all the various flavours of 'Windows' Operating Systems that individuals now use these days. Over time MS have developed 'parallel' Server systems - the first to be used in the home market, and another Professional edition for commercial use. In network terms, Windows '2000' succeeded 'Windows' NT. We then were given Windows Server '2003', with Windows Server '2008' being the newest edition. Since the birth of MS professional accreditation, we have had training tracks dedicated to Professional management of the 'Windows' Server Operating systems.

For you to attain your full 'MCSA' you need to pass 4 specific 'MCP' exams (MCP stands for 'Microsoft Certified Professional'). Of these, three exams are 'core' subjects and therefore have to be sat, but the 4th can be selected from a choice of so called 'electives'. An additional 'elective' within the group is the CompTIA Security+ , which is actually increasingly preferred by a lot of candidates instead of a fourth 'MCP'. The MCSE comprises of seven MCP exams, that indicate the higher emphasis upon organisational Security, systems planning & network-design.

A couple of specialist subjects also exist within the 'MCSE' track; they are Messaging and Security. This sometimes necessitates an extra 2 MCPs, or just 1 dependent upon which ones were picked out in the initial seven. This means you should consider exactly which 7 you decide on with great care if you're likely to specialise in Messaging or Security - good selections will then mean 8 instead of 9 exams. Microsoft have in addition released a Server-2008 'MCTS' (Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist) up-date examination for the 'MCSA' (exam 70-648) and the 'MCSE' (exam 70-649.) We'd recommend that you seriously consider including the relevant update into your training-package. Not only will this future proof you to a certain degree, it will make you eligible for more job opportunities.

It is commonly acknowledged that it takes about 300 to 350 hours to train for the 'MCSA', & about two hundred hours more for the MCSE, assuming you have access to top-notch multi-media training, plus outstanding support facilities and exam preparation. If you have experience you could reasonably do your training in your free time & attain your accreditations within a year. On the other hand, if you are entering the industry without previous accreditation, then your standard starting place will be the CompTIA 'A+' & Network+. Specifics of these accreditations are available on their individual sections on this site, but this will add two hundred hrs or six months of part-time study onto the whole thing, maybe even longer.

No doubt you'll already have worked out that a grasp of these accreditation tracks is not so very simple. Its normally sensible to discuss all of your plans with an experienced industry professional, before you part with any money & buy what may seem like a bargain course. There are some excellent low-cost courses on offer, and similarly quite a few high priced terrible courses. You just can't judge a program on cost alone. Considerably more relevant is actually the calibre of the training method (for instance is it multi-media?), the standard of support (is it really 24 hour?) & just how good is the exam prep material?

The MCSA & MCSE serve essentially different purposes, in spite of the fact that they're frequently talked about together. The accreditation 'MCSA' (which stands for 'Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator') will prepare you for server administration and careers in networks & senior support. Predominantly the qualification is a superb starting point for a Technical Systems Administrator, who'll deal with the issues of operating a small to medium business network. The career is perfect for somebody who enjoys the nitty gritty of technical-challenges, as there's a good deal of problem solving with this role. You have lots of variation in the working day, & because the role requires giving support to users of the network, you have equally a good deal of interaction with colleagues.

In contrast, the MCSE (Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer) job offers a position with greater responsibility, where the job centres far more around design, planning & project-management. If senior administration, network management, senior security work or technical/project management is your aim, then this is the path you should look at taking. A few less apparent qualities associated with a successful 'MCSE' are both creative and leadership expertise, because the role can often involve large-scale problem solving & personnel in addition to resource management.

'Windows' 'NT' Operating systems have become very few and far between, although quite a number of 'Windows' 2000 still remain. Its still early days yet for 'Windows' server 2008, with '2003' continuing it's dominance. This being the case, the key Microsoft qualifications continue to be heavily based on Windows Server 2003. Whilst the 'MCSA' and MCSE qualifications have been available for a number of years now, (following 'Windows' server through its progressions,) the Microsoft MCSA '2003' and 'MCSE' '2003' are the main-stay of present day 'Microsoft' network accreditation. It must nevertheless be remembered that up-grade training to server '08 is imminent, and advisable wherever possible.

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