Absolutely everyone who makes use of a PC these days knows the name of 'Microsoft'. Hardly any of us haven't been touched by 'Microsoft' 'software' & operating systems, & with the MS global educational and school-programs, it would seem that no one in the foreseeable future will manage to avoid them if they tried. The organisation was established in 1975, by the then 'college drop-out' Mr Bill Gates. Their first version of the home operating-system 'Windows' was produced in the nineteen eighties. The Operating Systems that people use these days are as a result of several evolutions of Windows between now & then. We have always been offered the choice of the 'Windows' Home version & the Windows professional version, with each up-grade applying to both Operating Systems. In terms of networks, Windows 2000 succeeded Windows 'NT'. After that came Server 2003 & the newest offering: Server '2008'. Ever since Microsoft started generating accreditation tracks, we have had programs available for trainees to understand how they can professionally manage their operating-systems.

Study time is usually accepted as about 300 to 350 hours for the 'MCSA' & 500 to 550 hours for the 'MCSE', assuming quality multimedia training materials, 24/7 access to student support, and some decent exam preparation software. This makes it achievable, when you have experience, to do them all through part-time learning within 8 to 12 months. On the other hand, if you are coming to the industry with no past accreditation, then your usual kick off point is the 'Comptia' 'A+' & 'Network+'. You can find details of these training-tracks on the CompTIA section of this website. Add on more or less two hundred hours of studying time, which will probably take at least 6 months part-time.

The MCSA & 'MCSE' fulfil essentially quite different purposes, regardless of the fact that they are frequently discussed together. The MCSA (Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator) is a certification made for people who are looking to get into server-administration, networking and senior-support work. Anybody interested in technical systems work, administering the activities of a medium-sized or smaller office network would do well to opt for the MCSA. Very well-disciplined people who like problem solving & a good technical-challenge will get a lot out of this particular role. There is lots of variance within the working day, and because the job requires giving support to the network users, there's equally a good deal of interaction with other people.

In contrast, the 'MCSE' (Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer) job offers a career with more accountability, where the job centres far more around planning, design & project-management. So if senior administration, network management, Senior security employment or technical/project management is your intention, then this is the route you should think about taking. A number of less apparent qualities associated with a successful MCSE would be both creative & leadership abilities, as the role can frequently entail large scale problem solving & personnel along with resource-management.

Two specialist subjects are also available within the 'MCSE' training track; they are Messaging & Security. This can mean taking a further 2 MCP's, or just one depending on which ones were elected from the initial seven. If you're focused on either of these specialities then it is sensible to consider this from the beginning - as it means only eight examinations are required, rather than 9. Up-date examinations have now also been brought out by 'Microsoft', (exam 70-648 for 'MCSA' & exam 70-649 for the MCSE) for Server-2008 MCTS (Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist). We'd suggest you think seriously about adding one of the above into your training-package. If you do, you'll open up your possibilities for extra jobs, and be future-proofed to a certain degree.

There are actually four Microsoft Certified Professional ('MCP') examinations to sit to qualify at the 'MCSA' grade. Three of those are core exams that have to be taken, and one is an 'elective'. An extremely useful and completely recognised elective is the CompTIA-Security+ , which for understandable purposes is becoming more and more favoured by candidates. With the MCSE there is now greater relevance placed on security from an 'organisational' perspective, systems planning, and design of networks. There are actually 7 MCP examinations in total.

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