Is MCDST Relevant?

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As far as I can see the MCDST qualification solely covers Windows XP, and with Windows Vista & 7 now available I was just wondering how valuable the qualification really is?

I'm aware that a lot of organisations do still use Windows XP (including the one I work at), but would organisations that don't still see the MCDST as advantageous?

Also, will the MCDST qualification ever reach the end of its life? As in, will test centres stop offering the exam any time soon?

 

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It is still relevant as most organisations will keep using it for a while yet - remeber business always lag behind home adoption and I have heard of some businesses only just moving from 2000!

The exam will go end of life at some point but that date will be a while a ways soon.

 

I would say that most businesses will continue to run xp for years to come even after MS stop supporting it in 2014. THe reason being is because it's trusted reliable and safe plus the fact that the majority of organizations just don't have the spare cash to roll out a new operating system every time microsoft decides to release one.

So yes the MCDST is relevant and will be relavant for a long time to come.

 

Yes

 

Lets put it way i work for a large national company and my branch, which is large, doesn't have any Windows Vista & 7 machines, in fact we are still after XP licences.

Its same with a charity who's network I look after, however, i am thinking of recommending that they upgrade a percentage to windows 7 (with pc upgrades) each year so there is no hefty lump sum in the future that they would struggle to fund especaily now we struggle to get XP vlks at discount (and not allowed to use opensource solutions).

 

Last job I had, they ran Windows NT4 till 2007!

GBL's advice is spot on! If it ain't broke then it won't be fixed!

 

Thanks for the help guys.

Is a MCDST required to gain a MCSE qualification then? And is the MCSE qualification also still relevant? That's based upon Windows Server 2003 right?

 

Far as I know you can work your way to MCSE qualification after getting your MCDST and MCDST is a good cert to have and I am studying towards MCDST myself. I dont see MCSE vanishing in thin air for a very very very very long time it is still widely used "am I right guys :hhhmmm " and yes it covers Windows Server 03

 

You don't need MCDST to get an MCSE, but it can help. You just need one XP type (client) exam to be able to follow the MCSE exam track.

MCSE is still very relevant in the sense that many headhunters, HR employees etc see the word "MCSE" and think "wow".

But Microsoft recommends a few years of experience in Server products before trying for an MCSE. Windows 2003 will still be used for another 3-5 years at least.

 

Looking at the Microsoft website, it seems that the logical progression after the MCDST qualification would be to go for the MCSA one. Am I right in thinking that if I gain a MCDST, then I could take the following exams to earn a MCSA:

70-290 - MCSAManaging and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Environment
70-291 - Implementing, Managing, and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure
70-680 - TS: Windows 7, Configuring