PC's & 'Microsoft' are just about the same thing to a lot of people today! Whenever we switch on our PCs, most of us are greeted with a 'Microsoft' Operating System, & most of the 'software' in use comes from the same source. In schools and colleges globally, MS education programs abound. Now thirty-five years old, Microsoft came to our attention in the 80's by taking over the home marketplace for Computer Operating Systems with early versions of 'Windows'. The Operating Systems that we use these days are the effect of many 'evolutions' of 'Windows' between now and then. Over the years Microsoft have manufactured parallel Server systems - the first to use in the home market, & a corresponding Professional version for commercial use. From a Networking point of view, 'Windows' 'NT' server gave way to 'Windows' Server 2000. This was then updated to Windows '2003', and more recently to Windows 2008. From the time Microsoft got into creating accreditation tracks, there have been programs in place for students to study how to professionally administer their operating-systems.

These days, there are very few 'Windows' NT server installations remaining, but there are even now quite a number remaining at server '2000'. The majority of organisations still work on Windows '2003', although 'Windows' '2008' is building pace. While this is the case in the business world, most of MS's certifications remain based on the 2003 Operating system. The 'Microsoft' MCSE & 'MCSA' training programs have changed over time consistent with the Servers. At this time, both MCSE '2003' & MCSA '2003' are Microsoft's major network qualifications. It really should nevertheless be borne in mind that up-grade training to Server 08 is imminent, & advisable wherever attainable.

The MCSE route also features messaging & security as two specialist tracks. Dependent on which preliminary seven MCP's are chosen, this may require an extra one or two more MCP examinations. If you're interested in either of these specialisations then it makes sense to think about this at the start - as it then means just 8 examinations are needed, rather than 9. Update examinations have now also been brought out by Microsoft, (exam 70/648 for 'MCSA' and exam 70/649 for 'MCSE') for Server-2008 'MCTS' (Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist). We'd advise that you should consider including one of the above into your training package. If you do, you'll open up your eligibility to get more jobs, and mean you're future proofed to some extent.

Even though the MCSA and the MCSE are quite often grouped in the same career-path, they are in fact genuinely quite different. The accreditation 'MCSA' (that means Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator) will lead you into server-administration & jobs in networking and senior support. Predominantly this accreditation is a superb starting point for a technical systems-administrator, who will cope with all the issues of running a fairly small to medium commercial network. You will really enjoy this particular role if you are a well organised problem solver who loves a solid technical-challenge. You'll have a very high amount of interaction with colleagues, (as a lot of what you do will include helping the users of the network,) & a mixed working-day.

The Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer ('MCSE') will prepare you for a more responsible management position in project work, planning & design. If you like to get into network management, senior administration, technical-consulting or project-management, or you wish to move in the direction of a higher level IT Security job, then this is the path to consider. Personal, creative and leadership skillsets are also covered in this training program, as good 'MCSE' specialists often manage a wide range of staff and resource-management duties.

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