Is Sever+ Worth Having

At a crossroads here, currently studying for sec+, but not sure if i want to do MCSE or Server+? What do you guys think, is Sever+ worth getting?

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skrpune

depends...what is it that you want to do? Server+ is a basic entry level cert focused on server hardware/setup, and there is almost no comparison to MCSE which is several exams focused on MS products.

aeroguy

Once i finish my basic certs i want to get a job in a help desk position. So in that situation is server+ worth getting, i guess i am looking for justification for fees and time I will spend for passing this cert.

mikej412

aeroguy wrote: »

i want to get a job in a help desk position.

An MCP and the MS Desktop Support Certs may be more useful for landing a helpdesk postion.

Then consider the Server+ if you've never touched a real server before and think you want to get into Server Admin someday. Then start work on your MCSA and your plan to escape the helpdesk.

mamono

If you are going into Help Desk, then MCDST/MCITP:EST will benefit you more.

70-271 > 70-272 > 70-621

These three exams will net you MCP, MCDST, MCTS: Vista Configuration, and MCITP: Enterprise Support Technician. Plus, you will be two certs away from MCSA 2003 after taking these. MCDST counts as elective toward MCSA and taking the upgrade exam 70-621 will give you credit for the Core OS as if it were 70-620.

Server+ is a great certification, just because of the knowledge that you learn from it. More power to you when it comes to knowledge, IMHO. There is some overlap with Security+ particularly with RAID, DRP, Access Control, and some networking.

bradtechonline

aeroguy wrote: »

At a crossroads here, currently studying for sec+, but not sure if i want to do MCSE or Server+? What do you guys think, is Sever+ worth getting?

If you go and get Server+ it will show you are wanting more than a Help Desk position in my opinion. Especially if you get an MCSE. I do not know your background but an A+, and Network+ might be a good thing to get before going into Server+. Unless of course you are a seasoned IT guy, and been in the field for a while with experience.. I have seen people come in without any experience into a CCNA, or MCSE track then get completely overwhelmed, and give up.

UnixGuy

Server+ is good for helpdesk, as it will tell you what RAID is but it won't tell you how to configure RAID. It will tell you whats the best method to troubleshoot a server, but not how to do it. So as helpdesk it will be useful to escalate or understand what should be done.

Also, some vendors have Server+ as pre-requisite for trainings. IBM hardware/storage trainings demand you Server+ before you attend trainings. I think having it will be useful as it's valid for life.

BeaverC32

I don't know if I would recommend doing Server+. Having taken it myself, I can say that there is a TON of overlap with A+ and Network+ material. It covers things like SCSI and SAN/NAS in more depth, but personally I didn't get too much value out of taking Server+.

fmrdh

For me Server+ was a good addition to my cert arsenal but for a helpdesk position I think there are much better options out there that should help you with everyday tasks. A server question may come up now and then but not as much as a desktop software/hardware issue.

As for employability with Server+, it appears that in most cases it is most effective as a supplement to a resume that already has other certifications. I doubt if there are many (if any) helpdesks looking specifically for a candidate with Server+ certification. Check out dice.com to see what qualifications the helpdesks are looking for.

Many of them contain the following:

1) A+
2) MCDST
3) Network+

Mmartin_47

I don't think it would be worth as much from a help desk perspective, but as a server admin. definitely. Even though every vendor has the same hardware but operates differently, server+ would give you a good knowledge. I previewed a book for Server+, it looks like a fun and interesting course to me. I'd go for it after my MCSA.

TravR1

I am at this same road block. I will be taking Security+ very soon. Once I am done, I want Server+... then I want to get my MCSA: Messaging, then move in to the MCITP Server Administrator. BUT, my goal is get on the Server Operations Group here at my work.. so it's right in line with what my goals are.

If you want to be a desktop guy then you've got a lot of great recommendations above. Do you just want to be a help desk guy or where do you want to go after you've been on a help desk for a while? The help desk is a pretty limiting job, usually.

Rasengan

UnixGuy wrote: »

Server+ is good for helpdesk, as it will tell you what RAID is but it won't tell you how to configure RAID. It will tell you whats the best method to troubleshoot a server, but not how to do it. So as helpdesk it will be useful to escalate or understand what should be done.

I think this is the biggest problem in the IT field in general...knowing the theory behind something, but not knowing how to actually do it. LOL makes me feel like a fraud when it's showtime and I can't deliver.

UnixGuy

Rasengan wrote: »

I think this is the biggest problem in the IT field in general...knowing the theory behind something, but not knowing how to actually do it. LOL makes me feel like a fraud when it's showtime and I can't deliver.

No it's ok, you first have to know the theory then you can look for opportunity to learn how to actually do things..but the problem is with people who claim to know it all and yet they fail to do anything

xeverytime

Rasengan wrote: »

I think this is the biggest problem in the IT field in general...knowing the theory behind something, but not knowing how to actually do it. LOL makes me feel like a fraud when it's showtime and I can't deliver.

Yeah, sometimes I feel that way too. I've been in IT for several years, and I can't believe how much more I know now than when I started. And to think that I was pretty sure I knew what I was doing back then!

I figure that no matter how much you learn, there will always be problems that stump you and new subjects to figure out. Nobody knows everything about everything in this field.

turquaz

Well, if your work is mostly based on hardware, go for it.

Super99

I'd get A+, Network+, and Security+ and apply it towards an MCSA or MCSE.
Server+ is kind of pointless because it doesn't focus on a certain vendor like Server 2x.

Psoasman

I would hit the MCDST next. You can also upgrade to MCITP with the 70-622 later.

jibbajabba

To be honest, even for a SysAdmin the exam is quite basic .. I checked some of the test questions etc. and I must say that some tests employers gave me during an interview are harder ... BUT: I think this is good if you try to get into the job without having a lot of experience .. it shows at least you know the basics etc.

JockVSJock

I'm trying to break out the help desk role, trying to get into a server/network type position.
My friend and I were talking about Blade servers and I said how I would love to get some experience working with these. He said that some companies offer Blade certs, so I looked into those.

When looking they said Server+ was recommended in order to take their cert.

Not sure if this would be worth it or not. I am also looking at taking either CCNA or MCSA, which I would think qualify me towards my goal above.

qwertyiop

JockVSJock wrote: »

I'm trying to break out the help desk role, trying to get into a server/network type position.
My friend and I were talking about Blade servers and I said how I would love to get some experience working with these. He said that some companies offer Blade certs, so I looked into those.

When looking they said Server+ was recommended in order to take their cert.

Not sure if this would be worth it or not. I am also looking at taking either CCNA or MCSA, which I would think qualify me towards my goal above.

Since you have your A+ and what appear to be college degrees, I would skip server+ and start working towards the ccna or mcsa

JockVSJock

qwertyiop wrote: »

Since you have your A+ and what appear to be college degrees, I would skip server+ and start working towards the ccna or mcsa

I am looking at the CCNA/MCSA, however you would be surprised to hear, 'you don't have server experience, you don't have the job.' I've been told this once in my career already. How the hell do you get the experience, if you can't get the job?!!?

What also kills me that that where I'm from, you'll see job posting for temp help desk jobs where they are looking to hire people with MCSEs.

Somedays I wonder if IT is going to be worth it. When I entered the work force 10 years ago, I had dreams of high pay, secure jobs, and working with bleeding-edge technology that would make a difference...so far it has been nightmares of temp/help desks jobs and never ending education that hasn't made the difference...

skrpune

JockVSJock wrote: »

I am looking at the CCNA/MCSA, however you would be surprised to hear, 'you don't have server experience, you don't have the job.' I've been told this once in my career already. How the hell do you get the experience, if you can't get the job?!!?

What also kills me that that where I'm from, you'll see job posting for temp help desk jobs where they are looking to hire people with MCSEs.

Somedays I wonder if IT is going to be worth it. When I entered the work force 10 years ago, I had dreams of high pay, secure jobs, and working with bleeding-edge technology that would make a difference...so far it has been nightmares of temp/help desks jobs and never ending education that hasn't made the difference...

it's the age-old dilemna...how do you get a job without experience, and how do you get experience without a job? You have two basic choices:
- find a kind soul who will hire you on and take you under his/her wing
- show a current employer that you're willing and able to take on new tasks and build your experience that way.

There are lots of companies looking for highly qualified temporary/contract workers, regardless of city - contract work is common in IT, and even more so in uncertain economic times. Folks are hesitant to toss out bundles of cash on training permanent employees and it's much cheaper and easier to get a temp or contract person who's already got the skills and can just walk in to do the job with minimal training/supervision. Don't get discouraged though - keep at it and keep improving your skills at your current job...if you can't move up where you are, then you can at least show that you have a proven track record of success and hopefully parlay that into a better position elsewhere down the road.