8/9/2019 MScert-Webchat-030908

1/9

MS certification:Stick with Win2k or plunge

into Windows Server 2003?

Ed Tittel

LANWrights (a Capstar company)etittel@lanw.com

8/9/2019 MScert-Webchat-030908

2/9

Windows Certs Galore!

Windows 2000 Programs

Older, stable, reasonably well-known &

understood Great aftermarket support

Windows Server 2003 Programs

Exams are launching: 6 out, more on the way

Newer, not yet well-known or understood

Aftermarket support takes 3+ months

8/9/2019 MScert-Webchat-030908

3/9

Windows 2000 MCSA/MCSE

MCSA

4 exams:

Core: 210/270, 215, 218

1 Elective: 11 choices (MS + various CompTIA)

MCSE

7 exams:

Core: 210/270, 215, 216, 217, Design exam 2 Electives: 22 choices (MS + Security+)

Specializations: messaging & security (4 or 5 & 7)

8/9/2019 MScert-Webchat-030908

4/9

Windows Server 2003

MCSA/MCSE MCSA

4 exams

Core: 210/270, 290, 291 1 Elective: 8 choices (MS, CompTIA)

Single upgrade exam for MCSA on Windows 2000

MCSE

7 exams Core: 210/270, 290, 291, 293, 294, Design exam

1 Elective: 12 choices (MS, CompTIA, Unisys)

2 upgrade exams for MCSE on Windows 2000

Specializations: messaging & security ( 8 exams)

8/9/2019 MScert-Webchat-030908

5/9

Upgrade Exams: 2000 to 2003

MCSA: single exam 70-292

70-292 combines 70-290 & 70-291

MCSE: two exams: 70-292 & 70-296

70-296 combines 70-293 & 70-294

Great choice for Windows 2000

MCSA/MCSE, or for those who lack oneexam for MCSA, two exams for MCSE

8/9/2019 MScert-Webchat-030908

6/9

Stick with 2000, shift to 2003?

Vanilla versions MCSA (4 exams)

If you need more than 2 exams, can wait 6 months or

longer, switch If you need 1 or 2 exams, or must certify sooner rather

than later, finish & take upgrade exam

MCSE (7 exams)

If you need more than 3 exams, can wait 6 months or

longer, switch If you need 2 or 3 exams, or must certify sooner rather

than later, finish & take upgrade exams

8/9/2019 MScert-Webchat-030908

7/9

Stick with 2000, shift to 2003?

Specializations MCSA (4 or 5 exams)/MCSE (7 or 8 exams)

Messaging: 4 exams/7 exams

Security: 5 exams/8 exams Core/specializations show small overlap

Smaller range of choices for 2003 credentials

Upgrade requirements still unclear

Go after whichever program interests you most,unless you need only 1 or 2 exams for Win2Kversions

For maximum flexibility, pick exams that overlap

8/9/2019 MScert-Webchat-030908

8/9

Timing MS Credentials

All Windows 2000 credentials available now

Windows Server 2003 MCSA only credential

currently available

MCSE waiting on Design exams

70-297 (Oct 03), 70-298 (Dec 03)

Specializations waiting on various components

MCSA: Security (Jan 04) Msging (Nov 03) MCSE: Security (Nov 03/Jan 04) Msging (Nov 03/Mar 04)

8/9/2019 MScert-Webchat-030908

9/9

Useful life of MS Credentials

Next server release times into 2006/2007

Most organizations wont migrate to 2003

until 2005 or later

2000 credentials still very much in demand

Simple upgrade path (except

specializations) makes catch-up easier Partner and early adopter organizations go

early, rest of market goes later