Absolutely everyone who uses a PC these days knows the name 'Microsoft'. The majority of our Operating-systems & computer-software come from 'Microsoft', and so we are liaising with it in our homes and in the workplace each day. Also in schools, our kids are benefiting from MS's global educational packages. Now thirty-five years old, Microsoft became famous in the 1980's by dominating the Home market for Computer Operating Systems with their early versions of Windows. The operating-systems that people use today are the result of quite a few 'evolutions' of 'Windows' betwixt now & then. Microsoft have basically always produced a home & a Professional version of their operating-systems, with their Server Operating Systems performing in parallel. In Networking terms, 'Windows' '2000' superseded 'Windows' 'NT'. This was up-dated to 'Windows' '2003', & more recently to 'Windows' 08. Ever since the birth of Microsoft Professional certification, there have been training tracks specialising in Professional administration of the Windows Server Operating-systems.

These details clearly reveals there is a fair bit to be aware of when preparing for MCSA & 'MCSE' training. Its normally sensible to look at all of your alternatives with an experienced industry advisor, before you spend any money & buy what might appear to be a bargain course. The truth is there are several superior lower-priced training methods around, & actually a number of very inadequate costly ones. The purchase price alone is not an effective indicator of a good or bad training course. A lot more relevant is actually the quality of the training method (for example is it multimedia?), the standard of help and support (is it truly round the clock?) & just how effective is the exam preparation software?

There are also two specialities in the MCSE route - Security and Messaging. Dependent on which original seven MCP's are preferred, this might require a further one or two more 'MCP' exams. This implies you should consider exactly which 7 you select very carefully if you're probably going to specialise in messaging or security - appropriate selections will mean eight rather than nine examinations. 'Microsoft' in addition have brought out a Server-2008 MCTS ('Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist') upgrade examination for the 'MCSA' (exam 70/648) and the 'MCSE' (exam 70/649.) It's sensible to consider including one of these updates (or maybe an equivalent) as soon as possible. This won't only future proof you to a certain extent, but will open up further job opportunities.

There are not many 'Windows' 'NT' servers still around, although server '2000' are still quite common. The majority of organisations still run Windows '2003', though Windows 2008 is building-pace. This being the case, the key 'Microsoft' accreditations remain largely based around 'Windows' Server 2003. The Microsoft 'MCSE' & 'MCSA' training programs have developed over the years in line with the servers. At this time, both MCSE '2003' and MCSA 2003 are MS's most significant Network certifications. But it really may not be appropriate to ignore '2008' training, as to cover this too will future-proof yourself.

Despite the fact that the MCSA & the 'MCSE' are regularly grouped in the same career-track, they're genuinely quite different. The accreditation MCSA (which stands for Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator) will prepare you for server administration and careers in networking & senior-support. Essentially, it is for those who wish to become technical systems administrators, handling the day-to-day challenges & actions involved with the functioning of a modest to medium-sized commercial network. You'll really enjoy this particular role if you are a highly organised problem solver that looks forward to a solid technical-challenge. There is quite a lot of variance over the working-day, and since the job necessitates offering support to users of the network, there is equally a great deal of interaction with colleagues.

The 'MCSE', however, is centred on design, planning & project-management; in other words a rather more high degree of responsibility. This certification ought to be looked at carefully if you have ambitions to be a network-manager, a project-manager, a technical or senior administrator, or a senior IT security expert. The MCSE is possibly not so well known for it's training on leadership & creative problem-solving skill-sets, all of which are also necessary for men and women working in senior technical jobs.

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