October 2002 Newsletter

A. What you must know about MCSA

B. The .NET Effect

C. Microsoft: Servers, XP Growing Revenues

D. CBT Nuggets News - tentative product release dates and progress.

"What you must know about MCSA"

If your latest career move involves obtaining Microsoft's MCSA, there are several specifics that you must know.  The following information has been pulled from several articles - each providing an important glimpse into the benefits of becoming a Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator.

According to Microsoft, the ideal candidate for the MCSA certificate is someone with six to twelve months hands-on experience administering and supporting Windows 2000 server and client operating systems.  The MCSA exams test a variety of skills, so the more relevant experience you have, the better. Being the first intermediate networking certification offered by Microsoft, the MCSA is in high demand.  

If you lack real-world experience, Microsoft suggests starting with a CompTIA exam. Not only are the CompTIA exams a great way to enter the IT industry, they also provide you with credit towards the MCSA.  Using an A+ credential in conjunction with either the Network+ or Server+ title will waive the need to take an MCSA elective. According to Judith Morel, Product Manager for Microsoft's Certification Programs, "The CompTIA exams are a great place to get started...CompTIA allows candidates to hold a valuable credential while gaining the experience necessary for the MCSA on Windows 2000."  For those already certified by CompTIA in A+, Network+, and/ or Server+, your MCSA destination is that much closer. 

In December, 2001, CertCities, a division of 101communications, predicted that the most popular IT certification for 2002 would be Microsoft's MCSA.  Now that 2002 is nearing completion, it is interesting to note that Microsoft reports 26,977 individuals have achieved the MCSA title.  Furthermore, this number has been growing between 4,000 to 6,000 per month in the past 4 months. 

An August 2002 issue of MCP Magazine reports the average MCSA salary by region. Those in the Mid-Atlantic enjoy the greatest compensation at $50,900 while those in the South are compensated slightly lower at $42,900.  The national average wage for the MCSA is $46,100.  Of those surveyed, 92% plan to get MCSE certified next, while  21% intend on getting the MCDBA title. 

Depending on the electives taken, those who already hold the MCSE 2000 title can 'simply' add the MCSA to their credentials by passing Exam 70-218: Managing a Microsoft Windows 2000 Network Environment. This is perhaps the simplest way to gain an intermediate level certification for your "post name alphabet".

To recap - those who already have their A+ and Network+/ Server+, need only to complete the 70-210, 70-215, and 70-218.  Those who already hold the MCSE certificate need only to pass the 70-218 exam.  If you have not taken any exams, these are the ones you need to pass to become MCSA certified: 70-210, 70-215, 70-216, 70-218. 

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The .NET Effect

Those who took part in the NT4 retirement 'backlash' of 2000-2001 will be pleased to know that Windows 2000 technology will provide the backbone for .NET Enterprise Servers. That said, history will not repeat itself with the upgrade to .NET.

According to Microsoft, both Windows XP Professional and .NET Enterprise Servers will build on the foundation of Windows 2000. Therefore, the Windows 2000 MCSE certificate will continue to remain as the premier credential for IT professionals who analyze, design, and implement the infrastructure based on the latest Windows platform.

Furthermore, Microsoft continues to encourage individuals to train towards  Windows 2000; as the skills acquired remain integral to provide a solid foundation for both Windows XP Professional and .NET Enterprise Servers. MCSEs on Windows 2000 will not be required to pass Windows XP Professional/.NET Enterprise Server exams to retain certification. Microsoft has reported it will continue to offer both the Windows 2000 and Windows XP/.NET Enterprise Server exams of the MCSE certification concurrently. 

One can conclude that pursuing and obtaining a Windows 2000 MCSE will hold much value for emerging technologies that Microsoft has to offer. Those already MCSE 2000 certified can take a deep breath and relax, knowing that an upgrade to XP/.NET will not require wholesale change. For the entire explanation, click here.

CBT Nuggets offers MCSE 2000 packaging options that include Windows 2000 Professional and/or Windows XP.  It is recognized within the IT industry as the most comprehensive and technically accurate training available in video format.  

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Microsoft: Servers, XP Growing Revenues

Do recent earnings reports published by Microsoft shed light on a potential economic upswing, or stabilization?  It would certainly be a welcome change in these stagnant times. According to Microsoft, three products in particular have driven revenues up substantially in the last quarter.  These include SQL Server Enterprise Edition, Windows 2000 Server, and Windows XP Professional.  

Server Platforms accounted for a 14 percent growth, driven by solid performances across the breadth of server products - including the Windows 2000 Server and SQL Server 2000.  According to a Microsoft spokesman, the revenue generated was from a continuing trend for customers to purchase increasing numbers of servers through multi-year contracts.  

Furthermore, Microsoft is reporting the sales of Windows XP as "robust", with client operating system revenues up 33 percent with the XP Professional versions accounting for 63 percent of all operating systems sales.  Since its release, Microsoft claims over 67 million copies of Windows XP have been shipped through OEMs and retailers.  Additionally, research provided by Gartner Dataquest indicates that 73 percent of commercial PCs will still be running on Windows 95, Windows 98 or Windows NT Workstation by the end of 2002.  With an estimated 250,000 million commercial PCs in use world wide, there is a significant potential for OS upgrades in the near future.

To summarize, the current demand for Windows 2000 Server, SQL Server, and Windows XP Professional is a good indication that there is a continual and growing need for those who can efficiently manage these systems. To read the entire article click here.

CBT Nuggets is currently producing SQL Server, and already has Windows 2000 and Windows XP training available for purchase.

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CBT Nuggets News:

MCSA 70-218 This series has been completed. You will be able to purchase exam pack 70-218 along with MCSA combo packages on Tuesday, October 29.

SQL7/Administration Production has begun with 8 of 19 videos complete. Instructor Jeff Abbott brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table. As a former Microsoft employee, Jeff received the Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) award for 7 consecutive years (1993 - 2001). His real-world experience is exemplified in this series. We estimate availability by early December.

CIW Instructor John Ingram (CBT Nuggets website designer) has begun production with 1 of 14 videos completed. We expect a release date in late December.

Cisco CCNP Switching CBT Nuggets Cisco instructor, Emilio Valdez, has completed 10 of 20 videos. Emilio continues to bring his unmatched expertise and charismatic personality to the CCNP switching series. We expect the CCNP series to be available in late November.

Managing Security in a Microsoft Environment CBT Nuggets XP and MCSA instructor Todd Logan has begun production of exam pack 70-214 and we expect a release date in early 2003.  

Linux RHCE CBT Nuggets Linux+ instructor Perry Fizzano has begun production on Linux RHCE (Red Hat Certified Engineer).  We expect this series to be completed in early 2003.  

CBT Nuggets at COMDEX CBT Nuggets will be a vendor at the upcoming COMDEX computer conference in Las Vegas (November of 2002).  Stop by to say hi, we'd love to personally thank you for your business.  The following trainers will be on hand throughout the week: Dan, Emilio, Perry and Todd.

http://www.cbtnuggets.com