Which computer certification do you own?

[Solomon]

Hey Guys!
Vote and post about the certifaction that you own. Post why is it better then other certifications for you...! Also post what are you planning for future... Have Fun!!

[Solomon]

Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE)

Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (or MCSE) was the best-known and premiere Microsoft certification for Windows Server 2003. It qualifies an individual as being able to analyze the business requirements for information systems solutions, and design and implement the infrastructure required. Certification is available for the Windows Server 2003 technology, and was previously offered in Windows Server 2000 and Windows NT 4.0.

For the MCSE 2003, candidates must pass six core design exams (Four networking exams, one client operating system and one design exam) and one elective exam, for a total of seven exams. For the MCSE 2000, a candidate needed to pass five Core Exams (Four operating system exams, one design exam) and two electives. Most of these exams have been retired. For the MCSE NT 4.0 (retired), a candidate needed to pass four Core Exams (Networking Essentials, Windows NT Workstation, Windows NT Server and Windows NT Server in the Enterprise) and two electives. These exams have been retired.

The topic of these exams include network security, computer networking infrastructure, Active Directory, Microsoft Exchange Server, Microsoft SQL Server, and other topics of both general networking interest as well as specific Microsoft products.

There are also specializations available for the MCSE's along different tracks. For 2003 these tracks were MCSE Security, and Messaging. To obtain these specializations it was required that you do an associated Elective, design and then an extra core exam. The denotation that is usually used for these on resumes etc is MCSEecurity, and MCSE:Messaging.

Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA)

The Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) certification certifies a user's knowledge in system administration of Microsoft Windows operating systems and is generally simpler than, but not a subset of, the MCSE. The Windows Server 2003 MCSA is achieved upon passing 2 networking system exams, a client operating system exam, and an elective exam. The Windows Server 2000 MCSA title is granted after taking 3 core exams and one elective. Meeting the current requirements for the MCSE designation will almost certainly meet the requirements for MCSA.

Whereas the MCSE is supposed to certify a person's ability to "plan, design, and implement Microsoft Windows server solutions and architectures in medium- to large-sized companies", the MCSA certifies a holder's ability to "implement, manage, and maintain the typically complex computing environment of medium- to large-sized companies".

Like the MCSE, the MCSA is available as "MCSA on Windows 2000" and "MCSA on Windows 2003" as of 2005. There exist two specializations for both tracks: Messaging and Security.

As an alternative to the electives on the MCSA electives table, certifications or certification combinations may substitute for an MCSA elective. For example, CompTIA A+ and Network+ together or CompTIA A+ and Server+ together can be credited and substituted for an elective through a Microsoft and CompTIA partnership agreement. One may also substitute Security+ alone which counts for the elective and one of two exams for the "Security Specialization." Security+ counts for MCSA 2003 and MCSE 2003. This is just one cost effective way to earning an MCSA if candidates are already certified in other areas.

[Solomon]

Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)

CCNA is the acronym for the Cisco Certified Network Associate certification from Cisco. In speech and in writing, this certification is properly referred to by the initials CCNA rather than the full name.

CCNA certification is a first-level Cisco Career certification and indicates a foundation in and apprentice knowledge of networking. CCNA certification validates the ability to install, configure, operate, and troubleshoot medium-size routed and switched networks, including implementation and verification of connections to remote sites in a WAN. To become Cisco certified, a passing score on the 640-802 exam must be achieved.

[Solomon]

A+ Certification

The A+ certification demonstrates competency as a computer technician. Officially, CompTIA A+ certification is a vendor neutral certification, that covers numerous technologies and operating systems from such vendors as Microsoft, Apple Inc., Novel and some of the Linux variations. The CompTIA A+ certification exam was developed in 1993. There have been three versions of the A+ exam, the 1993 objectives, the 2003 objectives and the 2006 objectives, which are both broken down into two separate exams; however, the 2003 objectives exam was retired on June 30, 2007. The 2003 objectives contained the A+ Core Hardware Exam and the A+ Core Operating System Technologies Exam. The 2006 objectives require that a candidate successfully pass the A+ Essentials and one elective: IT technician, remote support technician, or depot technician.

The A+ exam is intended for information technology professionals who have the equivalent of 500 hours of hands on experience. The exams are computer based and composed of multiple choice questions, of which there may be more than one correct answer. Over 800,000 people have earned the A+ credential worldwide, to date.

Topics of the Core examination include IRQs, direct memory access, and practical computer repair, including the installation and repair of hard drives, modems, network cards, CPUs, power supplies, printers, and so forth. The focus of the exam is not theory, but practice. Sometimes graphics are used in exam questions. Topics included in the Operating Systems Exam include memory management, configuration files, and historical operating environments rather than newer, cutting edge technologies.

In September 2006, the CompTIA A+ test was updated so that the test taker must take the CompTIA A+ Essentials (220-601) test along with one of three other tests (220-602, 220-603, or 220-604). Each of these elective exams offers the candidate the opportunity to specialize their A+ certification to match their desired career path.

With the introduction of the 2006 A+ exam, candidates were offered a grace period whereby both the 2003 and 2006 versions were available. As of June 2007, the 2003 version of exams is no longer available in the United States. In some countries, the grace period was extended to December 2007. The 2003 version was also extended in cases where the A+ certification exam was included in a course of study. Also, most legacy support questions have been excluded.

The A+ certification may be used to qualify as an elective for Microsoft's MCSA and MCSE certification.

[Mayank Joshi]

Although I have only 1 certification right now, that is of MCSE, I have voted for Multiple certification because very soon I will be giving RHCT certification exam and I am all prepared for it

[adina001]

Nowadays many of the people like to do certification to improve their career. I have passed in CompTIA A+ exam. I have referred CompTIA A+ Certification Video Training from the following site.

I have cleared CompTIA A+ exam in first attempt by using CompTIA A+ Certification Video Training.You can also refer that site for your CompTIA A+ exam.

Adina Cannon

[mandyblue]

I'm holding an IT diploma and got the MCSE last year. Currently getting the CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate)...
The CCNA is very specific for Cisco networking people, while MCSE is useful to get jobs on a broader scale (Support, Windows, ...)