MCITP or CCNA

I know it comes down to what I want to do, but I'm conflicted. ADD is a cruel mistress.

Part of me would be content to be a server admin, or a good network job, that has good benefits.

The other part is intrigued by voice and security.

I have background in support of both, but my end all is I want to do this for about 5 years, while building some businesses I have (online, non I.T.), so I can be self employed.

My question for the masses is, what are the pros and cons of both, as you the individual see it.

I can self study for both, but it would be more expensive to self study for the CCNA, due to the equipment costs. I've read that you can sim it, but I want to use the real stuff. MS I could just VM it, or so it seems.

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Comments

it_consultant

We have a thread that covers a lot of this:
http://www.techexams.net/forums/general-certification/64625-what-do-next-exchange-2010-ccna-then-ccnp.html

howiehandles

it_consultant wrote: »

We have a thread that covers a lot of this:
http://www.techexams.net/forums/general-certification/64625-what-do-next-exchange-2010-ccna-then-ccnp.html

But at least he/she already has their MS certs. My quandary is the MS or Cisco, not so much exchange.

it_consultant

Its the same principle really - IMHO you should do both. MS tests are easier but the job is not necessarily easier. Cisco certs are challenging and rigorous but Cisco only jobs are not that common. Most IT jobs, in my experience, are a hybrid of networking and sysadmin work.

My advice: do CCNA first, then Microsoft Networking Fundamentals. The MS test is a cakewalk in comparison but they cover a lot of the same stuff. There you have it, 2 tests and you have a CCNA and the most rigorous MCTS test that is not based on Exchange or SQL.

raptur2000

I agree with the previous post. CCNA is tougher, but there is only 1 exam to take (2 if you go the CCENT route. MCITP has a lot of overlap in the exams and are easier, but there is 7 exams to take. I did my MCITP first then my CCNA, but if I had to do it again I would do it the other way around. Overall the choice is yours on what you want to take first and what direction you want to take your career in. Personally speaking, I have gotten more nods on my CCNA than my MCITP...