Advice on Next Steps

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This could well be me getting ahead of myself (I have the 70-680 exam tomorrow) but I'm keen to start getting materials ready for my next certification in advance and am fairly confident I'll be able to get the pass tomorrow.

Anyway, I'm just looking for some advice on where to go next. The situation currently is that I work in a school with around 700 clients. I work as a Team of 3 and whilst I'm not the Network Manager, I have a lot of input in regards to the setup and implementation of most things that go on with the Network and act up in his place when he is on leave or sick. I've got 2 years experience here (predominantly Windows XP, Server 2000 & Server 2003) though over the weekend our whole server infrastructure is being ripped out and replaced.

We're going onto a completely new domain and recreating all users so that we can integrate with an internal sharepoint server that acts as a "Learning Gateway". We're having Server 2008 R2, Exchange 2010, Sharepoint 2010 and Windows 7 Enterprise as the client. Whilst I'll have no input with the Sharepoint as that is handled by another team, I really can't decide what direction I should go in.

Should I study the 70-685 and get the full Windows 7 qualification or should I go where I was initially heading, towards the MCITP MCSA equivalent (systems administrator or server administrator - can't recall at the minute ).

If anyone has any advice I'd be glad to hear it. I don't think the MCITP MCSA equivalent would be irrelevant as, like I said, I have quite a big input with what goes on here and the Network Manager is very open to suggestions. I just wonder whether 70-685 would be a better idea to start off with.

Then of course there's all the CompTIA stuff, I have the N+ and A+ which I achieved earlier this year and don't know if it's worth doing things like Security+ or Linux+ whilst I won't have the whole recertify in 3 years thing.

Help? Please?

 

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Well, i'm not at all that qualified to advice u on this matter, but if i were u, i would finish off Security+ before December, then move onto Win 7 E-DST, then MCSA (as by doing MCTS and Security+, u would have completed some electives required for MCSA/MCSE). This is because uptil u do the Win7-E DST and study for MCSA, u will probably have more experience than required to sit for Administrator exams. After MCSA, u can move onto MCITP server admin 2008, just for updating your skills.

Good luck for tomorrow!

 

That could be a good idea, I'd kind of gone off the idea of doing the MCSA just because we're going onto Server 2008 R2 but when I consider I only have to do the 2 core exams to get the cert, it could well be worth doing. And if I go down the route of Security+ I'll just have to do another elective to get the Security specialisation.

Think I may go ahead and order the Syngress Security+ 3rd Ed. Could probably do with learning a bit more indepth, especially IPSec, as thats going to be pretty important with the implementation of IPv6.

Hmm; you've gave me a lot to think about Karan....

Would appreciate any other advice anybody else may have too.

 

Linux+ doesn't have a 3-year recertification requirement.

Keep in mind that certification isn't to learn new technologies... it is to show what you have experience doing. And you have experience with Windows Server 2003.

Sure, your current employer is upgrading to Server 2008... but are you going to stay at that employer forever? Windows Server 2003 will continue to be out there for many years to come - shoot, some companies still have servers running Windows 2000 Server!

Most importantly... once the MCSA and MCSE are gone, they're gone. And those acronyms mean a lot to recruiters and employers. I anticipate this will continue for years to come.

Hope this helps.

 

Thanks Boson, think I'm going to go with the MCSA route as it makes more sense. Have ordered myself the Syngress 3rd Ed (which I think was actually recommended by you in another post) and will crack on with Security+ once I clear the 70-680 (hopefully tomorrow!).

Thanks the posts. Appreciate it.

K

 

To get the MCITP: SA, you need to do 3 exams:

TS: Windows Server 2008 Active Directory, Configuring 70-640
TS: Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure, Configuring 70-642
Pro: Windows Server 2008, Server Administrator 70-646

To get the MCSA and MCITP: SA, you need to do 4 exams.

Managing and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Environment 70-290
Implementing, Managing and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure 70-291
TS: Upgrading from Windows Server 2003 MCSA to, Windows Server 2008, Technology Specializations 70-648
Pro: Windows Server 2008, Server Administrator 70-646

The upgrade route is the route i'm taking, after i finish my Server+ in a couple of weeks, fingers crossed. But yes, definitely recommend doing the Security+ before 31st December.

 

I think that may well be the path I take. Luckily the A+ & N+ combined will credit me for the elective on the MCSA and I'll have the client (70-680) from tomorrow (fingers crossed!) so will only have to do the 290 & 291 for the MCSA and then look at the upgrade on 648 & 646.

I'm going to get the Security+ out of the way first though so that I don't get stuck having to recertify every 3 years. Is it worth then doing an extra exam, e.g. Configuring ISA, to get the Security specialisation once I've finished 290 & 291 before going on the upgrade path?

Granted; I'm thinking way ahead but reckon I can get the Security+ done in 6 or so weeks and then try to get 290 out of the way before the years end. Then 291 and maybe another elective to get the specialism. When I read it out it sounds like alot of work.... but I enjoy it I suppose so it's not really work is it

 

I have posted a thread in the Clients section to say it but figured I'd update this topic now as I passed with flying colours

Onto Security+ now. Would appreciate a response RE doing the specialism in MCSA though if anybody has the time to read through the thread.

Thanks to all for advice so far, am lucking forward to getting stuck into the Security+ now!