MCSA or MCITP? Win Server 2003 or 2008?

Does anyone have any advice for someone just getting into the administrator/server realm? I have a mostly deskside/help desk background, recently got my A+, going to get my Net + soon, and saw on microsoft's website that this will fulfill the elective portion of MCSA. My plan was to then take the client exam (Win7 - 70-680), and at that point I would be either be:

2 exams away from MCSA (70-290, 70-291),

or 3 exams away from MCITP Server Admin (70-640, 70-642, 70-646),

or 4 exams away from MCITP Enterprise Admin (70-640, 70-642, 70-643, 70-647).

Is it better to learn Win Server 2003 and then learn 2008? Or can someone with no admin experience just start out learning 2008?

I understand Win Server 2003 is still being used by many companies and will still be around for a few years but would really appreciate any advice someone with experience can give me.

Can't wait until the day I can give out some advice lol.

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Comments

galoryber

I'm in that exact same situation right now. I do have my MCDST which covers the elective but I also have already passed my 290. I couldn't quite decide what route to go, but I happened to read yesterday that the MCSA expires in December. Having seen that, and knowing that I still want to get my Net+ first, and that I'll be taking the A+ exam within the next 3-4 weeks, I wasn't sure if I wanted to quick study for an expiring exam.

My company is in the middle of migration right now, getting all the users slowly onto 7. But we are still using '03 as well. Anything in 03 is still gonna be around for newer versions, so it's not a bad idea to go that route, it's just a push for your study time. (Although now that I'm thinking about it, maybe I should go back and check if there was a year posted after that "December", haha)

Secu

I would say try to get MCITP SA even tough its one more test, im guessing but new server os will probably come out in 2012 or 2014. If you go for MCSA you would still need to study for the new ones; unless you know every there is to know to server 2003.

Drums

Maybe I should hold off on the client exam (Win7 - 70-680) as MCITP Server Admin does not require a client exam. Only MSCA requires the elective (A+, Net+), so maybe Net + is not even worth it at this point, just start going after the Win Server 2008 exams (70-640, 70-642, 70-646). I just bought Myers Net + all-in-one book but haven't spent any time studying yet.

Is Net+ a good baseline towards (70-640, 70-642, 70-646), or is it not really needed? I don't want to ever retake the A+ so getting a higher cert was my thinking, eventually getting the Sec + to possibly retake every 3 years.

Trying to get the best bang for one's buck and time spent is really a chore, I appreciate everyone's help and advice.

I would like to get a MCITP Server/Enterprise Admin Cert, perhaps a CCNA or higher, and then delve into some SQL Server stuff down the road.

TLeTourneau

I would go with the MCITP:SA to start with. It's an easier path than EA to start with and you'll take care of two of the MCTS's needed for EA anyway, then it's just two more tests for EA. Net+ may give you a head start for 70-642 but I'm not sure as I never took Net+, I'd focus on study materials for 70-642 myself.

RobertKaucher

Windows Server 2012 or Windows Server 8, whatever it's going to be called, is literally just around the corner. Server 2003 is soon to be 3 generations behind. You can listen to people say "Server 2003 is going to be around for a long time" all you want, but the fact is that the Server 2003 MCSA will do nothing but drop in value from the moment you get it.

My opinion on this is go for the MCSA if, and only if, you already have one or more of the MCSA core exams completed and you really want it. Other wise it is of no use as the MCSA material is mostly covered under the MCITP: SA.

@Drums - It's not a question of MCSA or MCITP:SA, it is in fact both. I would not stick with an out-dated cert. If I were you and you really wanted the MCSA I would take the Win 7 and then the 291 exam and follow it directly with the 642. Then complete the 290 and then the other MCITP exams for the SA.

Devilsbane

When you say 2 exams away, what have you completed? 70-270 and the elective? Which elective did you use? All I see in your profile is the A+. To use CompTIA as your elective you need to have A+ AND Net+ or just having the Security+ will satisfy by itself.

If A+ is all you have then you really have 3 exams before MCSA (although one of them would be an easy CompTIA exam and not a Microsoft exam. Or maybe you would want to use the 70-680 for your MCSA elective and also credit for the MCITP)

kctxau

"but I happened to read yesterday that the MCSA expires in December"

That applies to the MCSA 2000. There is no reference to the 2003.

From Microsoft:
Note The MCSA on Microsoft Windows 2000 Server certification will no longer be available as of December 31, 2011. If you achieve the certification prior to December 31, 2011, the certification will remain active but may be deemed a "legacy" or "retired" certification on your transcript.

Drums

Thank you everyone for your input and advice, it is greatly appreciated. I have been in IT the last 8 years doing, help desk, deskside support, and some Lotus/Domino admin, mostly learned on-the-job. 2 different companies, and downsizing cost me my job in Oct 2010.

I decided to finally get some certs as I realized I needed something to compliment my experience. I really want to get into system administration and saw MCSA's requirements: 3 exams (1 client) and an elective (A+ & Net +, or Sec +). As a starter I figured I'd get my A+ and Net + and then move on to the server/client exams.

Noticing the MCITP SA and EA paths, they don't have an elective, so I was thinking if I'm not going 2003 MCSA path, why get the Net +? I did purchase Myers all-in-one but have not studied it yet.

Is the Net + worth doing if I'm going the SA path? Or should i just start with 70-640?

Any advice as always is much appreciated, these forums are great thanks to all the outstanding people willing to share their expertise with me.

TLeTourneau

I don't have an answer for you regarding Net+ as I just went ahead and did 70-642 but this necro-thread may help you decide. It still seems pertinent.

http://www.techexams.net/forums/mcts-mcitp-windows-2008-general/44690-70-642-network-ccna.html

Devilsbane

Drums wrote: »

I decided to finally get some certs as I realized I needed something to compliment my experience. I really want to get into system administration and saw MCSA's requirements: 3 exams (1 client) and an elective (A+ & Net +, or Sec +). As a starter I figured I'd get my A+ and Net + and then move on to the server/client exams.

MCSA is 4 exams. Client exam (70-270 XP or 70-680 Win7), 70-290, 70-291, and then an elective exam. The elective exam can be just about any Microsoft test. Many people did the 70-270 and 70-680 so one was applied to the Client and the other went to the elective while also giving them the client part of the MCITP series.

If you were deep into the MCSA, I'd say stick with it. But from how it looks from where I'm standing, you are starting from scratch. Unless you have a reason to learn XP/2003 (such as boss asking for it) then I'd say take the pass and move on.