Confused about all the Microsoft certifications
feng.lian
Member Posts: 47 ■■□□□□□□□□
Hi, I just finished studying for Cisco's CCNA and I'm going for the ICND2 exam today. With Cisco, everything seems pretty clear. There are several path and most path start up with the CCENT and end up with the CCIE. With Microsoft, it doesn't seem to be very clear. I was wondering if you can provide me a link to read on all those certifications for someone who is new.
Examples of stuff I'm confused with are for example, you get a MCITP if you pass several exams, but there seems to be a lots of MCITP like MCITP Enterprise Admin, Server Admin, Enterprise Desktop Admin 7, etc. Which path makes you a MCITP exactly? Also, what are MCTS? Like those only seem to require one exam some of which also happen to be the exams required for MCITP.
Examples of stuff I'm confused with are for example, you get a MCITP if you pass several exams, but there seems to be a lots of MCITP like MCITP Enterprise Admin, Server Admin, Enterprise Desktop Admin 7, etc. Which path makes you a MCITP exactly? Also, what are MCTS? Like those only seem to require one exam some of which also happen to be the exams required for MCITP.
Comments
They are all MCITP which is why MCITP is followed by something else (which indicates the exact MCITP track you followed)
MCITP Enterprise Desktop Admin
MCITP Server Administrator
MCITP Enterprise Administrator
MCITP Enterprise Messaging ....
Make sense?
It is basically saying you are and Microsoft Certified IT Proffesional in >whatever it is you did it in<
Here's the link to the MS MCITP page MCITP (Microsoft Certified IT Professional) | Training Courses for IT Professionals
The first step is decided what you want to do, and then decide which tests you are going to need. It sounds like you want the server admin route, so you would be interested in MCAS, MCSE (both on XP/2003) where passing any of the tests will get you an MCP or the MCITP:SA, MCITP:EA (7/200
Oh and I didn't know that an 8 followed by a ) emoticon is actually a smiley face with sunglasses. Always thought it was a smiley face with creepy enormous eyes.
One thing to consider is that the MCSA/MCSE boards are older than the MCITP boards, so of course they have more posts. I'm a strong believer in the MCSA/MCSE path. Most companies use server 2003 as their bread and butter. They are starting to implement 2008 into their networks but I think it will be some years before an organization is ready to go full 2008. And even when they do, the MCSE will provide 90-95% of the skills necessary.
MCSE usually carries more weight than an MCITP:EA right now. Many people belive that HR departments are unfamiliar with this new certification. Some will list MCITP:EA on their resume with the side note of (2008 equivalent to MCSE).
I don't think either route will steer you wrong. As long as you are serious and are committed to taking all of the tests.
Windows 7 can also count as the client exam for the MCSE track.
Or the elective if you are positive you want the 70-270. Using either of these methods means you can boast windows 7 knowledge, and kill 2 birds in 1 stone since the windows 7 exam is also part of the MCITP path.
I hope Microsoft exams are less hard than Cisco exams. Its not that I found Cisco exams particularly hard, but that's because I took those exam with almost certainty that I'll pass by taking more time to study. I used 1 month for each Cisco exam. I hope I'll maybe only use 3 weeks for Microsoft ones.
I am new to this forum.
I have completed 70-270, 70-290, 70-291 and 70-229 certifications long back in 2005 and 2006.
but now I am working in support as in a company.
I am confused and need your suggestions.
either to go for one more exam and finish the MCSA or prepair for MCDST for support.
will MCDST help me in career growth?
any suggestions are welcome
Thanks
Depends where you want to go. Would you rather be in a desktop support position, or be in a server administration position?
Just a note, the 271 and 272 will be retired in March of next year. So if you don't hurry up on that, you might be forced to go the windows 7 route.
If you complete the MCDST, that can be your elective for the MCSA. So you could kill 2 birds with 1 stone if you wanted to.
can you please suggest if i clear the 271 and 272 before March . will it still count for my MCSA .
and can I carry my MCDST after march or do I have to upgrade to Win7 MCDST
Thanks & Regards
MCDST is kind of out of my experience zone. But what will happen in March is that the 271 and 272 will no longer be able to be taken. If you already have the MCDST, you don't lose it. (But if you had finished the 271 but not taken the 272 yet, you would be hosed)
There is a test, and I forget the number, that will upgrade the MCDST to an MCITP something or other that is basically the MCDST for Windows Vista. This test also retires on March 31st. (But if you took these 3 tests, you would get your MCSA, MCDST, MCTS, and MCITP:[something]). Pretty good bang for your buck there, in my opinion. I'm not sure what the upgrade path to Windows 7 looks like. I would guess the vista-7 path should be pretty easy though.
If you pass both exams before March it will be counted for your MCSA and you can upgrade it to
MCITP: Enterprise Desktop Support Technician – Windows 7
by doing this exam
Pro: Upgrading to Windows 7 MCITP Enterprise Desktop Support Technician
cleared most of my quries.
Any suggestion on A+ or any other same kind of certification.
Many Thanks Again
If I passed the 70-680 Exam on its Own Would I then Be classed as an MCITP just by passing that exam?? Or Would I have to complete other exams before I could take the MCITP Title?
No, you would be an MCTS. You could become a MCITP:Enterprise Desktop Admin or MCITP:Enterprise Desktop Support Technician if you take the respective exams for each. There are more details here if you want to explore that:
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/certification/cert-windowsclient.aspx#tab3