MCSA important to a network engineer career transition?

mamono

I am hoping to obtain responses from forum members working in the network engineering area of IT.

I normally don't post much of my own. I bet most have seen me respond to other posts, so this would be rare for me. But, what I would like to know is how much of an impact would obtaining MCSA 2003 Security make on a network engineering career transition. I've been told both sides of the fence by various colleagues in the field and thought I'd check on here as well. Here is my current certification road map through 2009:

CWNA > CCNA: Wireless > CCNP > CCDA

I have CWSP and ITIL v3 Foundations mixed in somewhere in between. I am currently two exams away from MCSA, 70-290/70-291. Three exams, including Security+ from MCSA 2003 Security. Pursuing MCSA 2003 Security would definitely extend my schedule and would most likely bump CCDA off my 2009 calendar.

I have system administration experience through consultancy on MacOS X Server and haven't really given Microsoft much thought. I have considerably more Linux server background rather than Microsoft. I just want to get people's impressions before I invest the time to study for it. Is it worth the time if transitioning from system administration into network engineering?

dynamik

mamono wrote:

Is it worth the time if transitioning from system administration into network engineering?

What's your motivation? Do you find it more interesting? Do you think it'll pay better?

To answer your question about the MCSA, I think it'll help you out while you're getting started because if you get a position on the network side of things, you'll probably start with limited responsibilities. Having some MS knowledge will allow you to wear more hats and ease into things. As time goes on, you'll probably become more skilled and specialized in a specific area, and you'll leave the other behind. Also, an MCSA isn't nearly as well respected as the MCSE, so you may want to consider finishing the track.

nel

i agree with dynamik, finish the track. i wish i had. i probably wont finish the mcse 2003 track but will upgrade and finish the 2008 track at some point.

If you have more linux experiance how about something like rhce?

I would also go for what interests you most for the time being. then choose some specialisations. what kind of engineering are you looking for? implenting windows? cisco? *nix? telecommunications?

mamono

dynamik wrote:

mamono wrote:

Is it worth the time if transitioning from system administration into network engineering?

What's your motivation? Do you find it more interesting? Do you think it'll pay better?

My motivation is professional career growth. I honestly don't really see myself walking down the Microsoft path, but if it is a necessary step then I will take that step and move forward. More pay is always nice, but I want a strategic role rather than one on the front lines of IT. I have always thought about networking, particularly about wireless technologies ever since as an undergrad when our support team was instrumental in the rollout of 802.11b HR/DSSS campus wide.

dynamik wrote:

Also, an MCSA isn't nearly as well respected as the MCSE, so you may want to consider finishing the track.

I've considered that as well, but thought that if it were important later then I would just upgrade to MCITP:SA/EA. Newer cert, newer tests, and not as heavily braindumpped with paper certs. Then again, now is the only time to finish the 2003 track if possible... I'll keep it in mind. But, that means putting CCNP on-hold almost until June with a possible completion time frame of sometime in 2010...

nel wrote:

I would also go for what interests you most for the time being. then choose some specialisations. what kind of engineering are you looking for? implenting windows? cisco? *nix? telecommunications?

My interests are Cisco R&S and Wireless technologies. I am sure that I will need to learn wireless LAN controller, CME, and RADIUS. Just obtaining access to some of the wireless hardware is extermely difficult. CME is $1k by itself, and Wireless LAN Controllers are $2.5k and up. Obviously can't really justify buying them myself and finding organizations that utilize these technologies in order to get hands-on experience is a bit difficult... I'm being hopeful and try to position myself so that I can take that opportunity when it comes along. Just planning ahead if possible.

I remember that there was talk of the CCIE Wireless written exams being beta tested this past Sept. I am looking forward to seeing considerable growth in the Wireless sector of networking and would also like to be aligned by then to work on the fore front of new wireless technologies.

nel

if your going the network route imo i would go for the NP first to get a solid foundation in there then build on top of that. if you were looking for a sys admin / engineer role then i would def say go for mcse because its widely used and very hard not to come across it infact.

Also i if your good at *nix i would look at some *nix certs at some point because its a good skillset to have.

So continue with your studies and obviously try to make a move into networking. That experiance is invaluable to say the least. i havent seen many posts for wireless jobs so maybe someone in that job role could steer you in the right direction too.

mamono

I am primarily going the network route and plan to pursue a position in networking where possible so that I can obtain the necessary experience. I haven't really thought much about *nix, but wireless has been growing in demand out here in LA. I've been seeing more and more positions open up among the network engineering job postings.

royal

Going the networking route? Is Microsoft not a part of the OSI Model? I know what you mean though, I'm just being silly.

mamono

royal wrote:

Going the networking route? Is Microsoft not a part of the OSI Model? I know what you mean though, I'm just being silly.

It is still something under consideration because I remember reading somewhere that you can link a users' AD credentials to a RADIUS server for wireless authentication. I may still complete MCSA just for that purpose only, but my primary focus is networking. I just want to see what other networking professionals have to say as they have more applied experience than I.

networker050184

I don't think it is necessary. It wouldn't hurt either but probably wouldn't help if you went into a strictly networking role. If you plan on working in an administration role where you will be responsible for both sides of the house then it will be important. I work a lot more with *nix then MS on a daily basis so that would be an option too if it interests you, but again probably not a necessity.

In the end its not going to hurt your career so if its something you want go for it. If you want it just to help your career in networking you would probably be better off earning related certifications though.