Which certs would you get if they were free and you had time...

My employer is "forcing" me to get some extra credits, certs or university courses. I can choose whatever I like as long as it is not too expensive (max 5k). I also have 1-2 years, as I like.
The area I want to work in later is network/sys administration. I also must say that I will not get any MS cert.
So right now I am study for my CCNA. After that I might consider the CCNA Security. I'd like something in Unix too, maybe from RH? Or LPIC? Also interesting would be Vmware/Centrix...
Any other recommendations?
thx
The area I want to work in later is network/sys administration. I also must say that I will not get any MS cert.
So right now I am study for my CCNA. After that I might consider the CCNA Security. I'd like something in Unix too, maybe from RH? Or LPIC? Also interesting would be Vmware/Centrix...
Any other recommendations?
thx

Goal 2013: CCNA, CCNA Security
Comments
Most of the associated SANS course + GIAC test should be under $5K, so if you have any interest in security, it would be a good call. Otherwise VCP might be your best bet. The training is required and is pretty pricey, but within that budget.
Complete: 55/120 credits SPAN 201, LIT 100, ETHS 200, AP Lang, MATH 120, WRIT 231, ICS 140, MATH 215, ECON 202, ECON 201, ICS 141, MATH 210, LING 111, ICS 240
In progress: CLEP US GOV,
Next up: MATH 211, ECON 352, ICS 340
Complete: 55/120 credits SPAN 201, LIT 100, ETHS 200, AP Lang, MATH 120, WRIT 231, ICS 140, MATH 215, ECON 202, ECON 201, ICS 141, MATH 210, LING 111, ICS 240
In progress: CLEP US GOV,
Next up: MATH 211, ECON 352, ICS 340
Blog >> http://virtual10.com
Heck, for 5K, I could purchase an in-seat bootcamp, but that's months (if not years) down the road at this point.
If money was no object, I really wouldn't need any certifications, and would live a simple life of giving back to society (or at least, I hope I would not turn really greedy and not share.)
EDIT: With regards to VMware, there is a community college that offers the training for less than $300, and it's in the virtualization forum, they have a thread about it.
I'll probably get in that class myself, (if the time presents itself).
If I was the OP, I would complete the CCNA:R&S and CCNA:Security. After that, RHCSA/RHCE. That may use up the better part of a year or two, and it incorporates your interests.
Someone mentioned VMware, but I wouldn't recommend VMware to someone who doesn't really know that much about networking or Linux, considering that is the foundation VMware is built on top of. (At least, I know that being the guy for storage, networking, and servers when I took the vSphere 4 ICM course a few years back made everything a lot easier to digest.) Not knowing how those things work would make it just that much more difficult, I feel. (Not saying you have to be a guru, but you have to know a few things to really do it right.)
EDIT2:
So, I recommend this order:
1 - CCNA:R&S
2 - CCNA:Security
3 - RHCSA
4 - RHCE
5 - VCP
Head on over to the CCENT/CCNA forum, and get started. Tons of excellent resources to be found.
I recommend signing up for the "in60days" website ... if it's still free. If not, INE is giving its CCNA course away for free:
http://www.ine.com
Start here:
http://www.ine.com/all-access-pass/training/playlist/ccna-routing-switching-exam-course/introduction-10021222.html
Hope this helps!
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/lewislampkin (Please connect: Just say you're from TechExams.Net!)
VM and CCNA would be a nice combo
I would focus on one certification at a time and only go for ones that will impact your career.
The mind is the limit. As long as the mind can envision the fact that you can do something, you can do it, as long as you really believe 100 percent. - Arnold Schwarzenegger
@N2IT: True
For IT certification, if the certification is something I feel is needed for the next step in my career, I'm not going to let money get in the way.
Recent: 11/2019 - RHCSA (RHEL 7); 2/2019 - Updated VCP to 6.5 (just a few days before VMware discontinued the re-cert policy...)
Working on: RHCE/Ansible
Future: Probably continued Red Hat Immersion, Possibly VCAP Design, or maybe a completely different path. Depends on job demands...
If I had the time, I'd study Computer Science, Foreign Languages and Theology. For work, I'd like to be doing some form of charity.
Agreed.
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/lewislampkin (Please connect: Just say you're from TechExams.Net!)
Like Seriously...TAKE THE OFFER!
Not too many places will pay for training.
Me personally, I'd go for MCSE on 2012, VCP, CISSP
This was my first thought too. I'd like to have some GIAC certs, but the only way I'm getting any is if someone else drops the cash.
Could become a stand-up philosopher.
"Simplify, then add lightness" -Colin Chapman
I studied CS and Philosophy