9/22/2004 -- Last week HP unveiled two new ProLiant credentials that complete its plan to consolidate several ProLiant credentials into a single, non-OS-specific credential.

While the new certification names -- Accredited Integration Specialist (AIS): HP ProLiant Servers and Accredited Systems Engineer (ASE): HP ProLiant Servers -- no longer indicate a specialty, holders can still specialize in either Windows, NetWare or Linux via cross-certification requirements and/or electives.

To become an AIS: HP ProLiant Servers, candidates will be required to pass one exam from a list of approved Windows, NetWare and Linux exams provided by Microsoft, Novell, LPI and other vendors. Candidates will also be required to pass a "general networking exam" from this list of exams. Only then can candidates move on to the HP-specific exam Implementing HP ProLiant Servers Exam (#HP0-645) and earn the title.

For the next level of ProLiant certification, Accredited Systems Engineer (ASE), candidates must first hold the ASI title above plus any of the following certifications:

• Microsoft Windows 2000 MCSE
• Microsoft Windows Server 2003 MCSE
• Novell NetWare 5 CNE
• Novell NetWare 6 CNE
• Red Hat Certified Systems Engineer (RHCE)
• SAIR Linux & GNU Certified Engineer (LCE)

From there, candidates are required to pass one core HP exam -- HP ProLiant Systems Management Exam (#HP0-795) -- plus one of several electives. The elective can be waived if candidates hold Citrix's CCA or CCEA titles.

HP also announced continuing certification requirements for those holding previous versions of these credentials. -Becky Nagel