Everyone who uses a PC nowadays knows the name of 'Microsoft'. Whenever we switch on our PC's, almost all of us are faced with a Microsoft operating system, and the majority of software that we use arises from their stable. In schools around the globe, MS education programs abound. Now thirty-five years old, Microsoft became famous in the 1980's by leading the Home market for Computer operating-systems with first versions of 'Windows'. The operating-systems that we all use nowadays are a result of numerous evolutions of 'Windows' between now & then. We've always been offered the option of the 'Windows' home-version and the Windows Professional version, with every up-grade applying to both operating systems. From a Networking point of view, Windows 'NT' Server gave way to Windows Server 2000. After that came 'Server 2003' & the latest offering: 'Server 2008'. Since the dawn of MS professional certification, there have been training tracks dedicated to Professional management of the Windows Server operating systems.

You have 4 Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) exams to sit to qualify at the 'MCSA' grade. Of these, three examinations are 'core' elements and so must be taken, but the 4th is actually chosen from a range of 'electives'. An additional 'elective' within the range is the 'Comptia' Security+ , which is actually now selected by many students rather than a 4th MCP. With the MCSE there's currently greater relevance placed upon security from an 'organisational' perspective, systems planning, and network design. There are 7 'MCP' examinations in all.

Training time is usually accepted as around three hundred to three hundred and fifty hours for the MCSA and five hundred to five hundred and fifty hours for the 'MCSE', assuming quality multi-media study materials, 24-hour entry to student-support, & some good examination prep software. This means it's possible, if you have experience, to do them all via part time study within 8 to 12 months. When you new to the IT industry though, you should look at getting started on 'Comptia' 'A+' and 'Network+' first. Particulars of these accreditations can be found on their specific sections on this website, but this will add two hundred hours or 6 months of part time study onto the whole thing, possibly a little longer.

Currently, there are actually very few 'Windows' NT Server installations remaining, but you'll find even now quite a number remaining at Server '2000'. The most commonplace is Server 2003, with server 2008 still in it's early days. Because Server '2003' remains the top dog in the commercial environment, Microsoft's main qualifications are still based upon this. MS's certifications 'MCSA' and MCSE have matched the several server 'evolutions' over the years. In accordance with business usage, the '2003' versions of these networking qualifications are still the most commonly required. It should really nevertheless be noted that upgrade training to server '08 is coming, and desirable wherever feasible.

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