Anyone who makes use of a computer today is aware of the name of 'Microsoft'. Each time we start our PCs, the majority of us are faced with a Microsoft Operating System, and the majority of 'software' that we use arises from the same source. In schools globally, MS educational programs are plentiful. The corporation was created in 1975, by the then 'college drop-out' Mr Bill Gates. Microsoft's 1st version of the Home operating-system 'Windows' was developed in the 80's. This 'software' has developed into all the many 'flavours' of 'Windows' Operating Systems that people use today. Over the years Microsoft have developed 'parallel' server systems - the first to be used in the home-market, and a corresponding Professional version for commercial use. From the network perspective, Windows 'NT' server was superseded by 'Windows' Server 2000. We then were given 'Windows' Server '2003', with Windows Server '2008' being the latest edition. From the time 'Microsoft' got into developing certification tracks, we have had programs available for candidates to study how to professionally manage their operating systems.

The MCSE track also allows messaging & security as two specialisations. This can mean taking an extra two MCPs, or just one subject to which were picked out from the initial seven. This suggests you should look at exactly which seven you select very carefully if you're probably going to specialise in Messaging or Security - appropriate options will then mean eight instead of nine exams. Upgrade examinations have also been brought in by 'Microsoft', (exam 70/648 for the MCSA & exam 70/649 for the MCSE) for Server 2008 MCTS (Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist). It would be wise to look at including one of these (or an equivalent) as quickly as possible. Not only will this future proof you to a degree, it will make you qualified to apply for extra jobs.

No doubt you'll already have worked out that understanding these qualification paths isn't especially straightforward. Receiving reliable industry help and advice should always be paramount before simply deciding on the lowest priced or bargain deal. There are some superb low-priced training courses on offer, and similarly a lot of high-priced dreadful courses. Cost on it's own is not the best way of evaluating a training course. A great deal more relevant is actually the quality of the training method (for example is it multi-media?), the standard of support (is it genuinely 24 hr?) & exactly how effective is the exam prep software?

The MCSA and MCSE fulfil essentially quite different functions, in spite of the fact that they're very often discussed alongside one another. The qualification MCSA (which is short for Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator) will prepare you for server-administration & careers in networks and senior support. Mainly the accreditation is an ideal grounding for a Technical Systems Administrator, who'll work with the various ins and outs of running a fairly small to mid level corporate network. You should derive a lot from this role if you're a highly organised problem solver that looks forward to a good technical challenge. Its a very people-oriented role with a great deal of variety, since the work effectively consists of support and interaction with all the network users.

The MCSE, on the other hand, is centred on design, planning and project management; in other words a rather more senior amount of responsibility. This particular qualification ought to be looked at carefully if your aim is to become a network-manager, a project-manager, a technical or senior administrator, or a Senior IT Security professional. Creative, personal and leadership expertise can also be covered in this training, as effective MCSE specialists often take care of many personnel and resource-management duties.

In order to gain your complete MCSA you have got to pass 4 individual MCP exams (MCP is short for 'Microsoft Certified Professional'). Of these, three exams are 'core' elements and so must be sat, but the 4th is selected from a range of 'electives'. An increasingly useful & completely acknowledged elective is the CompTIA-Security+ , which for understandable reasons is starting to become very favoured by candidates. To successfully obtain your complete MCSE you have seven 'MCP' exams to gain. These particularly place importance upon network design, security and systems planning.

Currently, there are very few 'Windows' 'NT' server installations left, yet there are still a fair few around at server '2000'. Its still early-days yet for Windows Server '08, with '2003' continuing it's dominance. This being so, the principle Microsoft qualifications continue to be largely centred on 'Windows' Server '2003'. MS's accreditations MCSA & 'MCSE' have supported the various Server 'evolutions' through the years. In accordance with industry, the '2003' versions of these networking qualifications are still the most frequently requested. Nevertheless it would not be advised to ignore 08 training, as to include this too will future proof yourself.

Study time is generally acknowledged as around three hundred to three hundred and fifty hrs for the 'MCSA' & five hundred to five hundred and fifty hours for the MCSE, assuming quality multi-media study materials, 24-hour admission to student support, and some good examination preparation software. Therefore with experience you could complete all of them in approximately eight to twelve months learning part-time. However, if you are coming to the market with no current accreditation, then your basic kick off point will be CompTIA 'A+' and 'Network+'. Aspects of these accreditations can be found on their respective pages on this site, but this will add 200 hours or six months of part-time training onto the whole thing, maybe even longer.

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