The company name 'Microsoft' has grown to become almost interchangeable with computers these days. Almost all of our Operating-systems and computer software are from 'Microsoft', and so we are using it in our homes & in the workplace each day. Even in schools, our youngsters are benefiting from MS's world-wide education packages. The business was created in 1975, by the one-time 'college drop-out' Bill Gates. Microsoft's very first version of the Home operating system Windows was introduced in the nineteen eighties. A number of 'generations' of this 'software' have evolved over time, right up to today's 'Windows' '08. Through the years MS have produced parallel server-systems - one to be used in the home-market, & another professional version for use commercially. In networking terms, 'Windows' '2000' replaced 'Windows' 'NT'. This was updated to 'Windows' '2003', & more recently to 'Windows' '08. Since the dawn of 'Microsoft' Professional certification, there have been training tracks specialising in professional administration of the 'Windows' Server Operating-systems.

Studying time is normally established as about 300-350 hours for the MCSA and 500 to 550 hours for the 'MCSE', assuming quality multi-media training materials, 24-hour admission to student support, and some good exam prep software. And so with some experience you might successfully complete them in about 8 to 12 months learning part time. If you are a new comer to the IT industry though, you should think about starting with 'Comptia' 'A+' & 'Network+' first. These will likely take approximately 200 hrs to complete, which to the new part-time trainee will most likely equate to 6 to 8 months. Details of A+ and 'N+' accreditations can be found on the CompTIA pages on this site.

Despite the fact that the MCSA and the MCSE are frequently discussed within the same career-path, they are in fact really very different. Preparation to be a Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) ideal for networking and senior support careers and server-administration. Someone seeking technical systems work, managing the activities of a medium size or small business-network could choose an MCSA. Well-disciplined people who enjoy problem-solving and a strong technical-challenge will get a great deal out of this particular role. There's a lot of variation over the working day, and since the role necessitates providing support to the network users, there is also a large amount of connection with colleagues.

On the other hand, the 'MCSE' ('Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer') job offers a position with increased responsibility, where the work revolves a lot more around design, planning and project-management. This certification should be considered if you have ambitions to become a manager of a network, a project manager, a senior or technical administrator, or a senior IT Security specialist. Creative, personal and leadership skill-sets are also covered in this training, as effective 'MCSE' professionals frequently deal with an array of personnel and resource management duties.

To obtain your whole 'MCSA' you must pass four individual 'MCP' examinations ('MCP' stands for Microsoft Certified Professional). There are actually 3 compulsory core exams, and a fourth 'elective' exam. An extra 'elective' in the group is the 'CompTIA Security+' , which is now picked by a lot of trainees instead of a fourth 'MCP'. To successfully accomplish your full MCSE you have seven MCP examinations to gain. These specifically place importance upon network-design, Security and systems-planning.

There are in addition 2 specialist subjects in the 'MCSE' route - Security & Messaging. Dependent on exactly which first 7 MCPs are preferred, this might require an extra one or two additional 'MCP' exams. It's sensible thinking about this from the very start if you might be serious about one or both of these areas, as a bit of forward-planning will mean you have a maximum of 8 MCP's to sit. Up-date examinations have also been brought out by Microsoft, (exam 70/648 for the 'MCSA' & exam 70/649 for the MCSE) for Server 2008 'MCTS' (Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist). It would be wise to look at including one of these updates (or their equivalent) as quickly as possible. If you do, you will open up your possibilities for more work, & mean you're future-proofed to a greater degree.

'Windows' 'NT' Operating-systems are now very few and far between, but yet quite a number of Windows '2000' are still around. By far the most prolific is Server 2003, with server 2008 still in it's early days. As this is actually the case in the business environment, the bulk of MS's accreditations remain centred around the '2003' Operating System. While the Microsoft MCSA and MCSE qualifications have been available for some yrs now, (keeping up with 'Windows' server through its development,) the MCSA '2003' and 'MCSE' 2003 are the mainstay of present day MS Network accreditation. However it wouldn't be appropriate to overlook 2008 training, as to include this too will future-proof yourself.

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