11/15/2006 -- Apple Computer recently announced that it will be adding two new exams for its Apple Certified System Administrator (ACSA) title early next year.

The ACSA is the highest of Apple's administrator-focused certifications and is designed for "professional system administrators and engineers managing medium-to-large networks of systems utilizing Mac OS X Server and other Apple technologies in complex multiplatform deployments." To earn the title, candidates choose from a variety of exams, each worth a certain number of credits, and receive the certification when a total of seven credits are reached.

The two new exams will be:

• Mac OS X Server v10.4 Command Line Install and Configuration (#9L0-614)
• Mac OS 320 Network Account Management v10.4 (#9L0-615)

Each exam is worth three credits. The Command Line exam is scheduled to go live in January, and the Network Account Management exam should be live in February. Objectives for the exams have not yet been released, although optional training is currently available.

Currently, candidates can choose between five different ACSA exams: Xsan Administration, Mac OS X Deployment 10.4, Directory Services Integration and Administration 10.4, Security Best Practices for Mac OS X, and Podcast and Streamed Internet Media Administration.

All Apple exams are available through Prometric testing centers worldwide for $150 (U.S.). Candidates must first register with Apple before taking any Apple certification exam.

For more information on the ASCA and Apple's other system administrator titles, go here. -Becky Nagel