Will A+ Count Toward New MS Admin Title?
8/21/2001 -- According to Win2K News, Microsoft is considering allowing other vendors' certifications to count toward the company's new administrator title.
Stuart Sjouwerman wrote in the Aug. 16 edition of the SunSpot.com newsletter that the new title will be made up of three core exams and one elective, and that Microsoft is considering allowing titles such as Novell's CNA and CompTIA's A+ to count toward fulfilling that elective.
Sjowerman also wrote that the core exam numbers for the new admin title will be 210, 215 and a new 218 exam.
Microsoft announced last month that it would be coming out with a new "administrator-level" title; however, many details about the cert -- including its name and the number of exams -- have yet to be officially announced.
Microsoft refused our request for comment on this article, and would not confirm or deny any aspect of Sjowerman's report.
To view the Win2K news article, click on the "Aug. 16 edition" link above. To find out more about Microsoft's upcoming administrator certification, click here.  -B.N.
Should Microsoft allow other vendor certs to count toward its certification requirements? Let us know what you think: Post your comments below!
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There are 13  user Comments for “Will A+ Count Toward New MS Admin Title?”
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| 8/22/01: Thom says: |
it sounds like a great idea to me since most admins have to support a mixed environment of servers, possibly including novell, unix, linux, or citrix running on nt. Why not include comptia certs, cna, cca, and any unix cert for an elective? |
| 8/22/01: Anonymous says: |
Yeah....but even if they do. I'll bet it will be some long drawn out Credit evaluation process. I mean there is already something like this to by pass Net Essentials, but in the end, it's just better to take net essentials. |
| 8/22/01: Paul says: |
Absolutely! In fact, most Technical Education Centers teaching Microsoft and/or Novell Tracks for Certifcation already recommend Comptia A+ and Net+. As an Instructor, I would Personally advise Comptia's SERVER+ as well. Earning These entry level Certifications state that a candidate has been introduced to the equipment (s)he is likely to encounter and has at least a basic understanding of them and thier role in any given network. Recognizing other platform certifications also helps bring cross platform unity and understanding amongst professionals. |
| 8/23/01: Hugh 'Lynn' says: |
I think that A+ or Server+ should be a CORE for Microsoft Cetification not an elective. Administrators have to know more about there hardware than where the on button is. My personal opinion is that as an elective, one of a couple of basic UNIX type courses needs to be there also.True MCSE status needs to include at least these. This could weed out the Paper MCSE's from the real deal, anything less is just an MCP. Even an Auto Mechanic has to be diverse or they stand by the way side. Doctor's are now learning that Specialized fields aren't getting it, and in the begining of there training they are required to know and Train in all areas of General Medicine. |
| 8/23/01: Anonymous says: |
I don't think the Server+ should be a core. Most large corporations have a specific department or position aside from the Admin group dedicated to server maintenance and integrety. The Network+ or a different vendor's certification would be a good substitute for a microsoft requirement. As far as the A+, that is perhaps the most basic that every person in support position should have. But remember, it is exactly that, a very basic certification. It is meant to be a stepping stone for most support proffessionals, and is great for someone who wants to start off as a pc tech. The Network+ is great for someone who whats to get into a help desk or very jr. admin role. The Server+ leads to a career path that is more harware and os centric and strays from an administers role. I know that in most of the businesses I have worked for, an Admin spends more time with account and resource maintenance, and having to be an expert on the server would wear that person thin. Basic knowledge of servers in the scheme of things should be covered in the basic or advanced administration certifications offered by vendors. I know that basic server information is provided with Advanced Admin certification for Novell, and hope the same is true for Windows. Deversification is a great thing, but most employers want a solid background in one thing and familiarity in others. Believe me, I realize that now. Currently I hold a Netware CNE, Groupwise CNA, Win2000 Prof MCP, Network+, A+, and about 20 vendor specific hardware certifications. In summary a Server+ certification is a great thing and would be an asset, especially in a smaller organization, but to make it a requirement would not be realistic for someone following an Admin path. |
| 8/28/01: Daniel says: |
I concur with Anonymous... leave off Server+. I can see A+ and Network+ being valuable in relation to the Admin cert, but Server+ really doesn't seem to buy one much. Where I work, a lot of people take Server+ just based on their A+ and some vendor-specific knowledge. Of course, I have the certs I would want included (and don't have Server+) along with another dozen or so certs as well, and two MCSE2000 exams (alas, the easy ones). All-in-all, a good concept, but let's wait on the execution. |
| 8/30/01: Anonymous says: |
Sound great, but perfer the old way to make MCSE unique. Do u agree? |
| 8/31/01: Anonymous says: |
The MCSE track is to prove knowledge and expertise in Microsoft technologies, not in other companies technologies. Microsoft is doing what it can to weed out the paper MCSE problem it has had in the past. The WIN2K MCSE track is much more difficult than the NT4 track. As for knowledge of other systems, you as an administrator or engineer should be motivated enough to get some of the certifications on your own, or at least to gain experience on equipment outside of the Microsoft arena. You should know by now that you either keep up with the technology present and that which is coming, or go back to flipping burgers. |
| 8/31/01: Ice says: |
Well, I think A+ cert is a reasonable elective for the new MS cert. CompTIA A+ examine students' knowledge in PC hardware installation and troubleshooting in a vendor neutral fashion. I believe even entry-level helpdesk support people will need to have some knowledge in PC hardwares. For MCSE as a premium cert., it will be laughable for a MCSE who is an expert in Windows 2000 but knows nothing about the PC hardware. IceBeer, MCSE+I (NT4), MCSE (Win2000), CCNA, CCDA, A+, Net+ |
| 9/4/01: My Thoughts says: |
I beleive that a new certification providing an 'administrators' view to Microsoft networking should include Cisco! It is a well rounded certification dealing with intranets and internets and provides all the old networking essential elements plus advanced cabling and security requirements. Let's face fact, if you are an administrator of a network chances are you have a router somewhere in your organization that needs to be configured! My question is ... why is Microsoft waiting so long to intro this new cert? Have they found that a lot of their MCSE certified individuals are NOT upgrading to WIndows 2000? Just a question. |
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