MCSE

Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) on Microsoft Windows Server 2003

Microsoft Certified Systems Engineers (MCSE) on Microsoft® Windows® 2003 are in great demand, and that demand is not being met. Independent industry surveys indicate that there are hundreds of thousands of information technology (IT) positions vacant at companies with at least 100 employees and an estimated 1.3 million new jobs being created through 2006. Because in the IT industry there's no such thing as overqualified, adding an MCSE certification to your list of professional qualifications could be a major factor in your career advancement.

The Microsoft Certified System Engineer (MCSE) on Windows Server 2003 provides a valid and reliable measure of technical proficiency and expertise in solution design and implementation. Microsoft's Windows Server 2003 MCSE certification is for professionals who analyze the business requirements and design and implement the infrastructure for business solutions based on the Microsoft Windows® 2000 platform and Microsoft Windows Server System™. The Windows Server 2003 MCSE emerged in the summer of 2003, three years after the introduction of the Windows 2000 MCSE.

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

Job roles of those pursuing this certification typically include: systems engineers, systems analysts, network analysts, technical support engineers, and technical consultants.

The MCSE track on Windows Server 2003 requires that a candidate pass six core exams and one elective. That's a change from the Windows 2000 MCSE, which requires five core exams and two electives. The added core exam on the Windows Server 2003 track is a client operating system test, which goes along with four core networking tests and a core design test.

The four core 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
• 70-293: Planning and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure
• 70-294: Planning, Implementing, and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Active Directory Infrastructure

The first two core exams are the same ones from the Windows Server 2003 MCSA track. The additions are the 70-293 exam, which deals with higher level enterprise networking, and the 70-294 exam, which covers the complicated task of setting up and managing an Active Directory domain.

For the client operating system exam, a candidate can choose between 70-270 (Windows XP Professional) and 70-210 (Windows 2000 Professional) - the same choices from the MCSA track.

The core design exam requirement can be fulfilled with one of the two following exams:

• 70-297: Designing a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Active Directory and Network
• 70-298: Designing Security for a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network

The MSCE elective can currently be fulfilled by taking one of seven Microsoft exams. For a list of the tests that can meet this requirement, click here.

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

Microsoft's 70-240 accelerated exam for upgrading from NT4 to Windows 2000 was available to test takers for only one year, but Microsoft has stated that these Windows Server 2003 upgrade exams will last as long as the Windows 2000 track itself lasts.

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.