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Comptia certificates

Question
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Hi all, I am wondering about Comptia A+ and Network + certs., now I am planning to obtain them and there is any possibility with obtained Comptia A+ and Netwok+ get any Microsoft certificate without additional examinations?
Is it still possible to get MCDST with Comptia A+ and Network+ certs.?
Friday, March 4, 2011 4:24 PM
Answers
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CompTIA and Microsoft are totally separate.
No, you can't earn the MCDST with the A+and Net+. They're not even part of the certification requirements. The only two exams required form the MCDST are 70-271 and 70-272. Note that these exams will be retired on June 30, 2011. http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/certification/cert-windowsclient.aspx#tab4
The only Microsoft certification that the A+ and Net+ can be used to go towards is the MCSA. These can be used as your elective exam choices. http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/certification/mcsa.aspx#tab2
- Marked as answer by Amell Friday, March 4, 2011 8:12 PM
Friday, March 4, 2011 7:00 PMAnswerer -
Any certification carries value, especially with the knowledge gained. CompTIA is industry neutral (vs. Microsoft, Cisco, Apple, etc.). These certifications do give a sound foundation in hardware and networking, including troubleshooting. The Security+ certification is also quite beneficial.
If you work primarily on Microsoft stuff, then having/earning the latest Microsoft certifications will of greater benefit. However, as noted, the knowledge gained from the A+ and Net+ is also beneficial.
- Marked as answer by Amell Friday, March 4, 2011 8:12 PM
Friday, March 4, 2011 8:05 PMAnswerer
All replies
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CompTIA and Microsoft are totally separate.
No, you can't earn the MCDST with the A+and Net+. They're not even part of the certification requirements. The only two exams required form the MCDST are 70-271 and 70-272. Note that these exams will be retired on June 30, 2011. http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/certification/cert-windowsclient.aspx#tab4
The only Microsoft certification that the A+ and Net+ can be used to go towards is the MCSA. These can be used as your elective exam choices. http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/certification/mcsa.aspx#tab2
- Marked as answer by Amell Friday, March 4, 2011 8:12 PM
Friday, March 4, 2011 7:00 PMAnswerer -
Thanks. ;) I have additional questions:
What could you say about CompTIA A+ and Network+, are they needed in the market now? Are they worth to spend time and money? Or is it better to obtain certs from Microsoft?Friday, March 4, 2011 7:57 PM -
Any certification carries value, especially with the knowledge gained. CompTIA is industry neutral (vs. Microsoft, Cisco, Apple, etc.). These certifications do give a sound foundation in hardware and networking, including troubleshooting. The Security+ certification is also quite beneficial.
If you work primarily on Microsoft stuff, then having/earning the latest Microsoft certifications will of greater benefit. However, as noted, the knowledge gained from the A+ and Net+ is also beneficial.
- Marked as answer by Amell Friday, March 4, 2011 8:12 PM
Friday, March 4, 2011 8:05 PMAnswerer -
Thanks, decided to pass A+ Net+, and then 70-290, 70-291 and 70-680. Think it will be enough to acquire MCSA cert. and get TS job.Friday, March 4, 2011 8:12 PM
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FWIW, you might want to skip the MCSA as that focuses on technology that's eight years old. Learning Server 2008 and earning either the MCITP Server Administrator or Enterprise Administrator might be a better option. Much of what you learn about Server 2008 is backwards compatible to Server 2003.Friday, March 4, 2011 9:12 PMAnswerer
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Well, I am looking for a fast examination process to get a job in IT. Because I have several years of experience with hardware and different OSs I'll go to obtain CompTIA A+ first. After it I will think about MSCA or MCITP, but of course MCITP in Server 2008 Administrator is better than MSCA way, after all it is more relevant now and needs less exams. ;)Friday, March 4, 2011 9:56 PM
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Hi Charles- I'm glad to find a fairly current forum on this topic, as most others are several years old at least. My background the past 10 years has mainly been in IT project management. 2 years ago I took A+, Net+ & Sec+ courses to round out my education & skillset (I lost out on a potential PM job in early 2009 for not knowing some basic networking concepts). I earned my A+ & Network+ certifications, but not Security+ at the time. I am boning back up on it to take the exam this month as I know the new SY0-301 exam comes out in May (I also know as of 1/1/2011 CompTIA requires new certificate holders to obtain cont ed to maintain certification)
My goal is not to be a techie- rather to improve my knowledge of IT to be a better project manager. I'm happy to say I recently (March 26) became a certified PMP.
I have seen Security+ on at least one "best certs to have" website, in the top 5 along with PMP. However, I have also seen Security+ panned on some forums, although those are older & I think the comments refer to SY0-101. As the exam costs something like $258, I'm curious for your opinion on my gaining the Sec+ cert given my background & goals.
Thanks very much!
Bruce
Tuesday, April 5, 2011 8:42 PM