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CBT
Nuggets Newsletter - February 2003 In this issue: Sure, you’re a certified
genius. You’ve
got supermodels and BMW dealerships on speed-dial,
and so many certifications your e-mail signature looks like the Russian
alphabet...Unfortunately, most of us mortals
out here don’t know it all.
In fact, a lot of folks are interested in an IT career,
but don’t know where to start. It’s
like they’re walking onto the football field for the first time,
with no understanding of the players or rules, and being told
“you’re the quarterback…go run Red Right 88.” Computer
Technicians
repair computers, install peripherals (cards,
drives), and tend to the basic care and feeding of computers. They
may work independently, for a computer repair shop, or for a
company that runs a lot of computer hardware. An
A+
certification from CompTIA (an independent certification
organization) shows an understanding of the basic concepts of
computer hardware (the “nuts and bolts”, the
machine). CompTIA
also offers Server+,
a middle-to-upper level certification for technicians. Network Technicians are responsible for managing and troubleshooting computer networks (LANs, local area networks), usually in an office environment. CompTIA offers a Network+ certification, which they say is geared toward those with nine months field experience in network administration. Systems Administrators are typically responsible for the day to day operations on a computer network; i.e.. creating user accounts, resetting passwords and other maintenance tasks, usually in an office computing environment. Systems Administrators are, many times, also Computer and/or Network Technicians. Microsoft has a certification specifically for Systems Administrators called the MCSA. An MCSA (Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator) has passed at least 4 tests. The non-Microsoft route to systems administration would likely require Unix skills. An excellent way to gain and prove Unix skills is by achieving the CompTIA Linux+ certification. Many people strongly believe in the future of Linux; it currently holds an impressive market share in the server market and makes an excellent desktop client. Systems
Engineers
have proven knowledge
and skills beyond that of a Systems Administrator and will
typically be paid higher salaries and be given more
responsibility. While a Systems Administrator will be
managing the operations of a network, a Systems Engineer will be
designing (in a Microsoft realm) the Windows 2000 Active
Directory and the current and future network services.
An MCSE
(Microsoft Certified System Engineer) has passed 7
Microsoft tests. Network Administrators have a job similar in scope to Systems Administrators, but rather than dealing with servers and people, a Network Administrator will be dealing primarily with routers, switches and other network devices. A Network Administrator will configure things such as access lists on a router, and policies and settings on a remote access device. Network Administrators will typically also be Network Technicians, either through the Network+ certification or through applicable experience. As most networking infrastructure equipment is made by Cisco, the most efficient route to a job as a Network Administrator would be via the Cisco CCNA certification. Network Engineers generally have more experience, knowledge, and training than a Network Administrator. They tend to be in charge of larger networks and deal in design and theory as well as implementation. A Network Engineer understands and deals with multiple networking protocols, standards and technologies. The Network Engineer will typically have the Cisco CCNP and/or CCIE certifications. With the complexity involved with the work done by the Network Engineer, it traditionally has been one of the highest paying jobs in the IT industry. Security Engineer This is a new area of explosive potential. One of the few careers to actually grow during the recession, the specialty of security is in more demand now than ever. As the world catches up with the incredible rate of growth of the Internet, security issues are becoming a very high priority in networks today. CompTIA has a Security+ certification that provides a person with the skill and knowledge they need to be marketable in this area. A Security Engineer will typically be paid at the higher end of the spectrum due to the complexity of the technologies and the relative lack of people that have the appropriate skill set. Database
Administrators are vital to companies that manage and
move large amounts of information.
Oracle
offers certification programs for their data management
products. Microsoft
also offers an MCDBA
(Microsoft Certified Database Administrator) program, (4 tests),
which shows proficiency administering their SQL product. Developers
are the men and women who actually write the software.
Many find writing code to be like an addiction;
once you try it, it’s a lifelong obsession.
There are a variety of application development languages,
including VB (Visual Basic), C++, and Java.
Microsoft offers both the Microsoft Certified Application
Developer (MCAD)
cert (a 3 test requirement) and the Microsoft Certified Solution
Developer (MCSD),
5 tests. MCAD
certification is similar to MCSA
status, and can be considered both a certification in itself
and a landmark on the way to MCSD. The latest thing from
Microsoft is the .NET platform, which integrates software and web
technologies, and brings much needed standardization to
application development. One of the core components of
this new platform is Visual Basic .NET. CBT
Nuggets trainer Garth
Schulte has been working hard, and expects to have
our VB.NET release
out in early May. Webmasters can gain a CIW
(Certified Internet Webmaster) certification, which shows an
understanding of HTML and web fundamentals.
A Master CIW
Enterprise Developer certification proves advanced proficiency
with web languages like Java and Perl. As you proceed along your track of certification testing, it's important to know the rules of the different certs. If you plan carefully, you can use your passed tests in one certification as a requirement for another. For example, Microsoft now accepts CompTIA A+ and Network+, (or A+ and Server+) certifications as a passed elective toward MCSA certification. Additionally, if you’re an MCSE or MCSA, you may already be halfway to getting your MCDBA; similarly, MCDBA requirements overlap with MCSD requirements. The bottom line is, keep an eye on the relevant websites and be aware of what’s going on with your certifications. Chat boards can be your best friend when it comes to staying informed of new developments. If you’re confused and need guidance, there’s usually someone online who has been there and can give you advice. You’ll never regret the connections you make with folks online, because basically, we’re all in the same boat. Unfortunately, for most of us, it’s not a yacht. But with the right certifications, and the right job, maybe one day it will be. If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, please let me know at kevin@cbtnuggets.com. Good Luck.
Or better yet, bon voyage. For 3 days only (today, Thursday, and Friday) CBT Nuggets is offering special pricing for the following products. Remember that you'll never pay more than you could've/should've with the CBT Nuggets Low Price Guarantee. Use the add to cart buttons below or phone in your order to 888-507-6283 or 541-284-5522 and use the following discount code: FEB555
*Prices above are valid through midnight on 28 February CBT Nuggets News We've recently added 4 new
instructors. Look for the following series in the next few
months:
Exchange 2000, Checkpoint, Java, and Citrix. We keep all
the estimated dates updated with changes as soon as we know
them: Videos
in Development. VB .NET MCAD Package Instructor Garth Schulte has completed 34 of 69 videos; this release looks like May with a potential release of part of the package as it's available. SQL 2000 Implementation and Design Instructor Jeff Abbott has completed 3 of the 15 videos for this new database series. |
