Everybody who makes use of a PC these days is aware of the name 'Microsoft'. Few of us have not been influenced by Microsoft software and Operating Systems, & with the MS worldwide educational & school programs, it seems that nobody in the future will be able to avoid them if they tried. Now thirty-five years old, 'Microsoft' became famous in the 80's by dominating the Home market for PC operating-systems with first versions of 'Windows'. This 'software' has evolved in to all the various flavours of Windows operating-systems that people use these days. Over time Microsoft have made parallel server-systems - one to be used in the home-market, and another Professional edition for commercial use. Windows Server 2000 took over from the original 'Windows' NT Server. And then came Server 2003 & the newest offering: Server '2008'. Instruction on the Windows Server Operating-systems has consistently been on offer for the same time that 'Microsoft' have offered Professional accreditations.

Study time is normally recognised as close to 300-350 hrs for the 'MCSA' & 500 to 550 hours for the MCSE, presuming high quality multimedia study materials, 24 hour admission to student support, & some decent examination prep software. When you have any experience you might reasonably do your training in your free time and secure your accreditations within a year. Then again, if you're coming to the industry without former accreditation, then your basic starting-point will be the CompTIA A+ & 'Network+'. These are likely to take around 200 hrs to finish, which to the brand new part-time student will probably equal 6 to 8 months. Particulars of A+ & 'Network+' accreditations are on the 'Comptia' section of this site.

There are also 2 specialist areas within the 'MCSE' path - Security & Messaging. This can mean taking an additional 2 MCPs, or an extra 1 subject to which ones were chosen from the 1st seven. If you are thinking about one of these specialities then it makes sense to consider this at the beginning - as it then means just 8 examinations are needed, instead of nine. Microsoft also have brought out a Server 2008 MCTS (Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist) up-date exam for the 'MCSA' (exam 70/648) and for the 'MCSE' (exam 70/649.) We'd recommend that you should consider adding the relevant update into your training-package. If you do, you will open up your possibilities to get more work, & be future-proofed to some degree.

For you to successfully obtain your MCSA certification, there are 4 MCP (Microsoft Certified Professional) examinations you need to pass. Of these, 3 exams are 'core' subjects and therefore must be sat, but the 4th is actually selected from a range of so called 'electives'. An extra 'elective' within the group is the CompTIA Security+ , which is now preferred by a lot of trainees instead of a fourth MCP. With the MCSE there's now more importance placed on security from an organisational perspective, systems planning, and network design. There are seven MCP exams in total.

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