IT Administration Career Flight Path

Career Flight Path 


CompTIA A+ certification generally serves as the base of origin for any number of career flight paths. From CompTIA A+, you have a number of certification options, depending on whether you want to focus more on hardware or move toward network administration.

Take a look at these five in particular:


• CompTIA Network+ certification
• CompTIA Server+ certification
• Microsoft networking certification
• Novell NetWare certification
• Cisco certification

CompTIA Network+ Certification

If haven’t already taken the CompTIA Network+, make it your next certification. Just as CompTIA A+ shows you have solid competency as a PC technician, CompTIA Network+ demonstrates your skill as a network technician, including understanding of network hardware, installation, and troubleshooting. CompTIA’s Network+ is a natural fit for continuing toward your Microsoft, Novell, or Cisco certifications. Take the CompTIA Network+, it’s your obvious next certification!

CompTIA Server+ Certification

Like CompTIA Network+, CompTIA Server+ certification fits very nicely as a more in-depth testing of your knowledge of PC and server-specific hardware and operating systems. If you plan to go the path of the high-end hardware tech, CompTIA Server+ is the next step. Plus, CompTIA Server+ is a natural lead-in to Cisco certifications.

                            

                      

Microsoft Networking Certification

Microsoft’s ever popular Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) holds a lot of clout for those looking to work in the networking field. 

Microsoft Windows 2000/2003 and Windows XP operating systems control a huge portion of all the installed networks out there, and those networks need qualified support people to make them run. 

The MCSE consists of seven exams: four core and three electives. Check out Microsoft’s training Web site at www.microsoft.com/learning for details. Most techs will find the Windows XP/2003 track the most obvious choice, and almost everyone takes the Microsoft 70-270–Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Windows XP Professional followed by the 70-290–Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Windows Server 2003 as the first two exams toward their MCSE.

Novell NetWare and Linux Certifications 

Novell’s NetWare may not be the powerhouse it once was, but a huge installed base of NetWare networks are still out there! The surge of techs towardMicrosoft certifications had actually created a bit of a shortage of good NetWare-certified techs. The Certified NetWare Engineer (CNE) is the certification to go for if you want to get into Novell NetWare networks. Novell has a number of tracks, but most techs start with the 50-686–Foundations of Novell Networking: NetWare 6.5, and the 50-690–Novell Network Administration: NetWare 6.5 exams. 

Additionally, Novell offers several certifications for Linux administrators, such as the Novell Certified Linux Professional certification. If you’re planning to go into Linux environments after getting CompTIA A+ and Network+ certified, going the Novell way is an excellent step. Check out Novell’s certification Web site at www.novell.com/training/certinfo/cne/ for more details.

Cisco Certification

Cisco routers pretty much run the Internet and most intranets in the world, and Cisco provides three levels of certification for folks who want to show their skills at handling Cisco products. Cisco certification starts with Certified Cisco Network Associate (CCNA)

The CCNA is only one exam (640-801) and a darn easy way to slap the word Cisco on your resume! After your CCNA you should consider CCNP certification. 

Certified Cisco Networking Professional  

See the Cisco certification Web site using the below link for more details.

www.cisco.com/en/US/learning/le3/learning_career_certifications_and_learning_paths_home.htm