| Technology is advancing rapidly with each passing day. | | | | Professional (MCP) certification. |
| The world of Information Technology today is a | | | | MCSA also has two tracks Microsoft Windows(R) |
| forever growing vast expanse. Infact, the IT | | | | 2000 track and Microsoft Windows(R) 2003 track. |
| Certification industry has witnessed a significant turn in | | | | MCSA 2003 requires 3 Core Exams, 1 Elective exam |
| the past few years. In today's arena, certified | | | | and 1 Upgrade exam to be cleared. |
| professionals are considered a step higher compared | | | | Core Exams include: |
| to others. Certification in the relevant IT technology has | | | | Group I: 70-290, 70-291 |
| become an effective way to augment your career in | | | | Group II: 70-270, 70-210 |
| that domain. | | | | Elective Exams include |
| Certifications, offered by various vendors are a good | | | | 70-086, 70-227, 70-228, 70-284, and 70-299 |
| way for IT professionals to seek validation of their | | | | Upgrade Exams include |
| skills. In today's arena, there are lots of vendors | | | | 70-292 |
| offering specialization in particular domains. | | | | What's the difference between MCSE & MCSA? |
| Professionals often get confused about which | | | | Let us take a look at a few major differences |
| certification to go for as some of them have as little | | | | between the two certifications which will help you get |
| as hair thin difference between them. It is best to first | | | | a clearer idea about the two certifications: |
| identify your job roles, the knowledge and skills | | | | MCSA when compared to MCSE is a basic level |
| required and accordingly select to take a particular | | | | certification. As an MCSA you must know every thing |
| certification to ensure career success. | | | | about implementing, managing, and troubleshooting the |
| Let us in this article try and get some clarity between | | | | existing network and system environments based on |
| two Microsoft major certifications MCSE and MCSA | | | | the Microsoft Windows(R) Operating Systems. |
| which are often confused upon. | | | | However, you will not be responsible to set up new |
| Why MCSE? | | | | networks and systems as a part of your job function. |
| For a MCSE ( candidate, it is preferable that he should | | | | But as a MCSE knowledge about designing and |
| have at least two years of experience in implementing | | | | deploying new networks and systems is necessary. |
| and administering desktop and network operating | | | | Being an MCSA professional means that you will be |
| systems, and designing a network infrastructure in the | | | | able to implement, manage, and maintain the typically |
| typically complex computing environment of | | | | complex computing environment of medium- to |
| medium-to-large organizations. The candidate should | | | | large-sized companies. On the other hand, being an |
| also have at least one year of experience | | | | MCSE professional you will be able to plan, design, and |
| administering Exchange Server environments involving | | | | implement Microsoft Windows server solutions and |
| multiple physical locations, mixed connection protocols, | | | | architectures in medium- to large-sized companies. |
| and Internet messaging. | | | | The experience that is required for both these |
| MCSE has two tracks Microsoft Windows(R) 2000 | | | | certifications is also different. MCSA requires 6-12 |
| track and Microsoft Windows(R) 2003. The 2003 | | | | months of experience of administering client and |
| track requires 6 Core Exams, 1 Elective Exam and 2 | | | | network operating systems while MCSE requires at |
| Upgrade Exams to be cleared. | | | | least one year of experience in implementing and |
| Core Exam includes: | | | | administering network operating systems and desktop |
| Group I: 70-290, 70-291, 70-293, 70-194; | | | | operating systems. |
| Group II: 70-270, 70-210; Group III: 70-297, 70-298. | | | | Jobs for an MCSA include systems administrator, |
| Elective Exams include: | | | | network administrator, information systems |
| 70-086, 70-227, 70-228, 70-229, 70-232, 70-281, | | | | administrator, network operations analyst, network |
| 70-282, 70-284, 70-285, 70-297, 70-298, 70-299, and | | | | technician, or technical support specialist. For an MCSE |
| 70-301. | | | | jobs include systems engineer, network engineer, |
| Upgrade Exams include | | | | systems analyst, network analyst, or technical |
| 70-292 or 70-296. | | | | consultant. |
| Either CompTIA Security+ or Unisys UNO-101 can be | | | | MCSA provides you with a credential that represents |
| substituted in place of the elective exams. | | | | a set of skills which will be advantageous if you plan to |
| Why MCSA? | | | | pursue MCSE Certification. Therefore, earning an |
| The need for qualified system administrators is very | | | | MCSA will qualify you with the option to use these |
| real in today's business market and the excitement for | | | | credentials and acquire MCSE through Upgrade path |
| MCSA is growing daily. A candidate for MCSA ( | | | | to MCSE. |
| should have at least one year of experience working | | | | If you look carefully, both these exams although similar |
| with a desktop operating system, a network operating | | | | to each other specialize in different domains. A clear |
| system, and an existing network infrastructure. As | | | | understanding of both the certifications is necessary |
| soon as candidates pass their first qualifying exam for | | | | before you decide which one to opt for. So make the |
| the MCSA program, they achieve a Microsoft Certified | | | | right choice and get going!! |