Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Improve Your Career by Starting an MCSE Course

MCSE, which stands for Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer, was the gold standard for systems administration, design, security and networking certifications up until 2003. The certification is now being transitioned to different certifications, though the core requirements for these certifications remain the same and are still offered. MCSE courses have been renamed, but the basic elements of study remain largely the same.



MCSE certifications denote an individual as an expert on the architecture and operations of the Windows 2003 server environment. The certification is broken down into core and specialty certifications. The core requirements are achieved by passing four tests: Managing and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Environment; Implementing, Managing, and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure; Planning and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure; and Planning, Implementing, and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Active Directory Infrastructure. These four tests constitute the knowledge required to be an expert in the advanced configuration of this server operating system.

To complete the certification, several other tests were required that allowed an engineer to specialize their skills. Individuals seeking the certification could choose from one of the following three elective examinations to hone their client OS skills: TS: Windows Vista, Configuring; Installing, Configuring, and Administering Windows XP Professional; Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional.

The design part of the certification was obtained by completing either the Designing a Windows Server 2003 Active Directory and Network Infrastructure exam or the Designing Security for a Windows Server 2003 Network exam. These core competencies are the foundation of the program.

From that point, there were numerous elective exams from which one could choose to finish their certification. The final elective exam covered the core requirements in more depth, testing individuals for competency in security, advanced architecture, Terminal Services and Microsoft Exchange Server. Individuals who carried the MCSE certification could, and still can, command very high prices for their time. Among computer technicians, they are generally considered to be some of the most qualified and competent individuals working in the field.

An MCSE Certification is still available and incredibly useful. The program is now being transitioned, however, into the MCITP certification. There are programs available that allow individuals with the MCSE certification to transition to the new certification, if they so choose, though an MCSE certification has lost none of its usefulness or clout and still denotes a very skilled technician.

The courses required to obtain an MCSE are widely available online and from training centers all over the country. The training centers are partnered with Microsoft and offer the coursework necessary to pass the various exams required to obtain the certification. These courses are advanced, and it's generally recommended that an individual taking them have some background in technology before they embark on this advanced field of study. An A+ Certification, vocational training in computer networking or substantial on-the-job training is very helpful if one desires to take the MCSE classes. This certification is one of the best ways to increase one's earning potential.

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

MCSE Certification - Purpose Or Profit

In this article we're going to take a shot at the entire MCSE certification process to determine if there is really a purpose to the procedure other than for Microsoft to make a profit.



When networking was in its infancy certifications were a luxury to say the least. Only a very few were certified, with Novell being the leader in the field. In the early days the Novell system was very stable and didn't change much from year to year. The reason this is brought up is because when Microsoft worked its way into the networking arena, stability was the last thing that the Microsoft systems had. From year to year their systems would change so drastically that within a very short period of time, an MCSE certification was close to worthless.

Some would argue that the constant change, or as they would like to call it, improvement, in systems was simply to provide purchasers with the best possible solutions for their businesses. While there may be some truth to that, one can't deny a very simple fact. Microsoft is in the business of making money. By constantly improving their systems, they not only require businesses to purchase new equipment but in turn, they also require the technical people who work on this equipment to get re-educated. All of this translates into more money in Microsoft's pockets.

But there is more to this than just making money, though ultimately that is the bottom line. Beyond that there is control and Microsoft has it. Because of the hype surrounding the MCSE certification and Microsoft's products in general, the companies who hire the technical people to work on their systems have latched onto the MCSE certification as an easy, no brains, way to accumulate as many resumés as possible. As a result of this, an MCSE certification has become sort of a guild license. This in many cases is simply a false measure of competence, especially for someone with no experience, that ends up denying a qualified person with no certificate a job. While many MCSEs are competent there are many people out there who don't have that piece of paper but who are more than qualified to do the job. Ironically, many of the people who contribute to Microsoft's own Windows 2000 magazine do not own certifications.

Another thing you have to ask yourself about these certifications. If they are indeed so important, is why are so many courses and exams offered for huge discounts and in time frames where you can't possibly learn everything there is to know to do the job correctly? The answer can only be that Microsoft is simply concerned with making a profit. Otherwise they would not allow people to complete courses and exams in time periods that in no way would leave them qualified for employment.

No doubt the arguments will go on and Microsoft will flatly deny that this is the case. As to whether we will ever really know if this is purpose or profit, it is impossible to say. But the evidence does point to Microsoft simply trying to line their already bulging pockets.

MCITP

Monday, August 24, 2009

All About Gaining an MCSE Certification

Most of us probably know by now that the Microsoft Company's Windows operating system is extremely common these days. If you have a computer, the odds are pretty high that you are working in a windows based environment. It seems like everyone has dealt with Windows at one point or another. So it should not come as much of a shock that most employers require a Microsoft certification as a prerequisite to employment or even career advancement in most fields. MCSE simply stands for Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer and is actually the most widely recognized and used professional certification in the field of Information Technology, or IT for short.



Having this certification actually enables the IT professionals to be able to analyze business requirements, as well as design, build, and later implement the infrastructures for their business solutions based on that common Microsoft Windows platform, and the server software.

In order to obtain a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer certification, one must pass a series of tests that deal with network security, server operating systems, and also basic computer network infrastructure engineering. Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer is also available for two different Windows systems, being Windows Server 2003 and Windows 2000, and each has their own specific set of exams. In order to obtain certification for Windows 2000, there is one core exam that is followed by two elective exams. However, for the Windows 2003 certification, there is only one core exam and one elective exam and take two or three hours to finish. There are fifty to ninety questions on each test. However, the time and money you spend on getting trained and certified in MCSE will be well worth it in the long run.

The MCSE training courses that you will have to take in order to take your certification tests will probably cost you around $250 for a package that includes all you need to train on the subject and be able to successfully pass a certification exam. Generally, you will be looking at about a thousand hours of training on the subject, and most package deals also come with at least a years worth of access to the online MCSE library, which will help you immensely. The very best thing about these MCSE training courses is that many of them can be found online, so you never have to leave the comfort of your own home. You can learn at your own pace, and in an environment that is the most comfortable to you.

It is also very easy to find reputable Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer training programs online. The only thing you need to do is type MCSE into your search engine, and the odds are very high that you will instantly be presented with thousands of web sites that can help you with every aspect of your MCSE training, as well as the professional courses that you will need in order to pass your certification tests.

MCITP

Friday, August 21, 2009

Preparations in Taking A+ Certification Examination

A+ certification was created by and organization called CompTIA. These kinds of certification are given to those computer technicians to accredit their capabilities in their field. In order to be certified you need to take and exam and be able to pass it just like how other International certification program do and required to those who are aiming to be certified. There are series of two exams that you should take if you want to be certified. These tests aim to check the knowledge of a person in terms of computer hardware and software. This certification is vendor natural, thus a certified computer technician of A+ certification can work in any systems that he would like to apply.



In order to become certified you must have the substantial knowledge of Microsoft windows and has 500 hours work experience in this kind of field. The most important thing in gaining the certification is to pass the test given. In taking for the test, thorough preparation is really needed. Taking a certification exam is one of the hardest exams that an IT person should face. From the preparation alone it is not that easy. You must take the pain and strive hard in order to pass the test. All you have to do is to enroll yourself to training because it will really help you in mastering the skills being a computer technician. You also need to review and remember the different knowledge you have taken up bout your field. Read more books as many as you can, in the end it benefits you.

Before you take the A+ certification exam, be sure to be familiar in the different hardware parts, its functions and uses, the software applications and other important knowledge that you should be equipped before taking the test. Prepare yourself in taking up A+ certification, because if you pass and become certified your sacrifice will be paid off by just a mere piece of prepare yet has a great name in world of Information Technology!

MCITP | MCSE

Monday, August 17, 2009

How to pass you’re Comptia A+ Information Technology Certification Exam

How to pass your Information Technology Certification Exam is the question that ALL students who are preparing for their IT final test should be asking! With many online sites giving you a+ certification training test taking tips and techniques where do you begin with gathering the pertinent information about being prepared for your recognized document? These are the 2 major questions that every prospective student looking to be certified in the field of information technology should be inquiring. Computer test taking tips and techniques really come down to the study technique and the appropriate material. The internet has much free computer training and paid classroom education to offer.

There are many Information Technology training practice test questions, free study guides, free online tutoring and practice exam questions that people want such as: Microsoft, CIW, Comptia, MCDST, MCP, MCSA, MCSE, A+, MCPD, Comptia Network, Comptia Security, CCNA, CNA, CISCO, CISA and many others. Knowing the secrets of ccna training, test taking and implementing the most effective technique will give you the edge in passing your final test. You can lose your fear of test taking and have the confidence you need when going to your nearby testing center. How to pass your Information Technology Certification exam! Free computer certification exam training, CIW, Microsoft, Comptia a+ certification and all other Information Technology certifications are achieved by knowing the actual exam. There are many online resources for free IT training available that will help your start tremendously.

What is the most effective study technique to use when studying for your information technology certification exam? Many online preparation training centers will tell you to relax, use flash cards to prepare, review your material the day before the final analysis and to think positive about passing. Memorization of all your material is not the most logical choice for exam preparation. If you have a book that is eight hundred pages long and five hundred practice exam questions then you would be foolish to try to memorize all of this material or even part of it. There is another very effective way of retaining the information that you need to pass your information technology final test. Simple repetition of the actual testing material will better prepare for this task, which would be the best kind of computer training.

Having the appropriate material like practice exam questions and study guides will improve your chances of being prepared for your certificate then anything else you may obtain. There is much online certification training and the material that they use is extremely important when it comes time to take your final test. There is much IT material that will help you understand the operation of a windows operating system but how much of that material will be on the actual exam? In order to pass your information technology certification exam you will want only the material that pertains to the actual exam itself. If you could have the exact IT certification exam right in front of you to study before you took the actual test would you not be better prepared to pass then any other method?

Exam preparation does not have to be difficult. Why spend your money on useless material that is out dated and irrelevant to the actual certification test. You can learn much from someone who has taken an information technology certification exam and how they prepared using a proven way of success. Their test taking techniques could benefit you more then any study guide. Information technology test taking is unlike other certifications. Certificate preparation is really not as difficult as some make it out to be. If you use the most effective study technique and the best test taking tips about studying the exact material on the actual test then you will be able to go to the nearby testing center fully confident about passing. I'm giving you the best knowledge on the subject of Information technology certification test taking tips and techniques.

About The Author

Anne Barker is a professional Educational Consultant and helping the students to accomplish their home of over 100 free certification exam tutorials, including Cisco CCNA certification, MCITP, a+ certification, MCSE test prep articles. His exclusive Cisco CCNA study guide and Cisco CCNA training is also available.