MCSA

Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) on Microsoft Windows Server 2003

Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) credential ensures that you are equipped with the in-demand skills for managing and troubleshooting system environments running Microsoft Windows 2003. The need for qualified system administrators is very real in today's business market and the excitement for MCSA is growing daily.

Microsoft's Windows 2003 MCSA (Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator) certification is for professionals who implement, manage, and troubleshoot existing network and system environments based on the Microsoft Windows 2000 and Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Operating Systems. These individuals typically do not deploy new networks and systems as part of their job function, as is expected of individuals holding the MCSE credential. Unlike MCSEs, MCSAs are not expected to have design skills.

For more information:
http://www.microsoft.com/traincert/mcp/mcsa/windows2003/

Job roles of those pursuing this certification typically include: systems administrator, network administrator, information systems administrator, network operations analyst, network technician, or technical support specialist.

Like the MCSA for Windows 2000, the Windows Server 2003 track requires a candidate to pass four exams. This includes two networking exams, one client operating system exam, and one elective.

The networking exams are:

• 70-290: Managing and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Environment
• 70-291: Implementing, Managing, and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure

Essentially, the first exam covers server administration tasks and the second exam covers network administration tasks.

For the client operating system exam, a candidate can choose one of these two selections:

• 70-270: Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Windows XP Professional
• 70-210: Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional

As far as the MCSA elective exam is concerned, the choices for the Windows Server 2003 track will be limited, at least in the beginning. Although the Windows 2000 MCSA has 10 Microsoft exams that can count toward the elective, the Windows Server 2003 track will start with only three exams that can satisfy the elective requirement. The options are:

• 70-086: Implementing and Supporting Microsoft Systems Management Server 2.0
• 70-227: Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration (ISA) Server 2000, Enterprise Edition
• 70-228: Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Enterprise Edition

However, like the Windows 2000 MCSA, the Windows Server 2003 track also provides the opportunity to combine a couple of CompTIA certifications to satisfy the MCSA elective requirement. The combinations that will work are:

• CompTIA A+ and Network+
• CompTIA A+ and Server+

MCSAs who plan to eventually graduate to the MCSE should be aware that the CompTIA elective does not count toward the MCSE elective. Therefore, if a candidate plans to get the MCSA as a stepping stone to the MCSE, it's better to take a Microsoft exam as the MCSA elective than to choose the CompTIA option.

Upgrading from Windows 2000 certification

Microsoft has also provided an upgrade path from Windows 2000 certifications to Windows Server 2003 certifications. MCSAs who have certified on Windows 2000 simply need to take the following exam to upgrade their certification to Windows Server 2003:

• 70-292: Managing and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Environment for an MCSA Certified on Windows 2000

MCSEs certified on Windows 2000 will need to pass two exams to upgrade to the Windows Server 2003 track. The first is the 70-292 exam (the one for MCSAs) and the second is:

• 70-296: Planning, Implementing, and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Environment for an MCSE Certified on Windows 2000

MCSE vs MCSA

MCSA is a basic level certification as compared to the MCSE certification. As an MCSA you must know every thing about implementing, managing, and troubleshooting the existing network and system environments based on the Microsoft Windows® Operating Systems. But you will not be responsible to deploy new networks and systems as part of your job function. While MCSEs need to know about designing and deploying new networks and systems also.

If you are planning to pursue MCSE certification in future, MCSA also provides you with a credential that represents a subset of skills required by MCSE. After earning MCSA you will have option to use these credentials and acquire MCSE through Upgrade path to MCSE.