CCENT OR MCSA server ?

SteveFer

Hello,

I am looking for some guidance on which exam to take, I am a desktop engineer with about 3 years experience , I am looking to get a role which involves alot more server/ back end work in the next year or so, I have very little server/ networking experience at the moment and its very hard to get any in my job. I have just completed a N+ but I'm now wondering whether to go for a CCENT and then MCSA Server '12 or just go for the MCSA now. I would prefer a server engineer role than network engineer but I'm thinking of going for the CCENT for a few reasons, I passed the N+ and found it ok, but I feel I've got alot of theory without actually knowing how to do a huge amount with, and a CCENT would re-enforce that by going deeper and narrower , while giving hands on experience with IOS and labs(I have no experience with this). I also think if I am going to do the CCENT I may aswell do it now when the N+ is still fresh in my head and I'll find it easier and can get to the MCSA quicker. My question is, would the CCENT help a possible future server engineer in his future career if they currently have basic networking knowledge and no Cisco skills, or is there very little crossover and I should just stick to the Server exams ?

DoubleNNs

I think going straight from the Net+ to either the CCENT or the MMCTS - Network Infrastructure would be the easiest routes.

I think you should go for the MCSA however if that's where your interests truly lie. If anything, you could always go back and get your CCENT/CCNA later down the line if you're interested in learning Cisco IOS. But you might become so engrossed in Servers, doing what you actually like that you won't find the need to.

Edit: I see there's no Networking Infrastructure exam for Server '12. Maybe instead of doing the CCENT, go for the 70-642. The Net+ would be almost just as applicable to that exam as it would to the CCENT.

SteveFer

Thanks for your response.

If i'm doing another networking exam it will probably be a Cisco one as I want to get experience in a Cisco enviorment and IOS commands.

I suppose in follow on to the previous questions, as I have little experience with servers I'm wondering would it be realistic to take the MCSA for server 2012, I'm reading that the 411 and 412 are quite hard even for experienced server people, so I'm a bit worried about my lack of server experience and thinking should I just go for W7/8 exams?

Also, would having a CCENT improve my networking knowledge that much from a NET+, at the moment I feel I've lots of theory in my head but little real world /hands on knowledge , CCENT is narrower and deeper so I'm thinking this would benefit me.

So many options and so confused !

sthomas

If you want to work toward a Windows Systems admin position then in my opinion you should start with the MCSA in Windows Server 2012. Even if you do not have much experience with Servers studying for the MCSA 2012 will allow you the opportunity to gain valuable knowledge about Windows Server administration.

The exams can seem daunting for someone without a lot of experience but just take your time and make sure you study to learn the topics at hand not just to pass the exam(s). Also make sure you setup a lab either physical or virtual (virtual would be better in my opinion).

After you get your MCSA then you can decide if you want to go for the MCSE or the CCENT\CCNA. At that point keep in mind that it is good (and often required) for a Systems Administrator to have CCNA level networking knowledge for a Systems Admin position beyond the Jr. level.

SteveFer

Is there much benefit to having one of the exams passed without the full MCSA, reading up on the server MCSA I'm thinking I would find the server MCSA extremely hard to get done in the next year or so(most people say you should have 1-2 years server work behind you), but say if I just passed the 410 and CCENT , I know I would certainly have increased my server and networking knowledge by just passing them and would be far more confident at that work, especially if I was to setup labs at home and get hands on knowledge, but would that be of any benefit on a resume when applying for a job , or would people only really consider the full MCSA of value ? Would a resume with CCENT and maybe 1 or 2 of the MCSA exams look incomplete? The CCENT with a couple of MCSA server exams is what I'm thinking right now, Im not expecting to get a full on server role by any stretch with them, but I hope to get a better paid job with more server work than I am at the moment.(I'm L1 support at the moment)

SteveFer

Decided to do a CCENT now and theres a server 08 course starting next year that I can do when I'm finished the CCENT. Thanks for your help

DoubleNNs

For Server 2012, no there is no benefit to having just one of the exams passed as opposed to all 3. However, for Server 2008, just passing 1 of the 3 exams gives you the MCTS designation.

Good luck with the CCENT. I enjoyed studying for mine when I took it. And I'm starting on the ICND2 now, and am pretty excited. It's great material.

However, just know that if you actually want a server role for the future, going straight for the MCSA (or a MCTS) 1st would def be the fastest route to that specific end goal. And even w/o 1-2 years of experience already, with dedication and consistent studying I doubt it would take more than a full year to pass all 3 exams. If you enjoyed the material and kept at it, I could see it taking 6 months or maybe less.

SteveFer

Thanks, I agree with what you're saying, I just think that my networking is pretty weak at the moment, even with the N+ and a CCENT will help that, and help me as a server engineer too.

Thanks again.

Snow.bros

SteveFer wrote: »

I suppose in follow on to the previous questions, as I have little experience with servers I'm wondering would it be realistic to take the MCSA for server 2012, I'm reading that the 411 and 412 are quite hard even for experienced server people, so I'm a bit worried about my lack of server experience and thinking should I just go for W7/8 exams?

What i like about studying for MCSA is even though you don't have experience with servers you can still download a virtual machine and install Win Server 2012, while learning you can practice what they are teaching you on your virtual lab environment, like brake and try fix what you don't have clarity on, i think that should give some experience on how to manage servers.