MCSA/MCSE Certification Paths

ITonlinelearning > Blog > Technology > MCSA/MCSE Certification Paths
  • January 25, 2014
  • Posted by: Stacie Jansen van Vuren
  • Category: Technology

Microsoft has declared that changes have been made to its certification paths for Windows Server.

Some of these changes incorporate a reincarnation of certifications that were discarded a few years ago. Microsoft has resurfaced the MCSA and MCSE in their certification learning environment. Although they are not exactly the same as some of us remember them being; MCSA now stands for Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate instead of the previous name of Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator.

This new MCSA course aims to focus more on the ability to design and build technology solutions whereas the previous version of MCSA focused on a specific role. The MCSA is a prerequisite to gaining the MCSE certification and is the foundation to proving you have the foundational set of skills to launch your technology career.

MCSE Certification Paths

MCSE, which now stands for Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (previously called Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer) also focuses more on the ability to design and build technology, similarly to the MCSA. However, the MCSE has taken an extra step by including multiple technological products and spans across multiple versions of a particular technology. It also demonstrates your commitment to technology, to certification and to the industry by requiring re-certification every three years. The reinvention of their certifications has taken place to maintain their market relevance as the industry shifts to the Cloud. The certifications also do a better sense of validation; providing you with the broad, deep skill set required for on-site work, as well as Cloud solutions.

There are also a few certifications and exams being discontinued as of July 2013 and 2014. These will be discussed since they are a contributing factor in why you should consider moving towards 2012 certification paths for Server.

These changes and reinventions are quite confusing due to the fact that they’re not the same certifications that once dominated the face of Microsoft. They are unique and yet probably the grandchildren of the MCSA/MCSE tracks we were all familiar with for the Server 2000/2003 operating systems.

MCSA: Server 2012

We will start with the Server 2012 certifications and upgrade paths. There are a few things to consider. The first is this; the upgrade to 2012 Server is Exam 70-417. This exam is a direct composite of exams 70-410, 411, 412 meaning it is extracted directly from these three exams.

A list of the percentages of the three in 417 will be shown further on. The point is that if you learn these three, you will be well prepared for the 70-417 exam. Don’t be discouraged if you come across no training items for 417, simply study the three I listed previously above; 70-410, 70-411, 70-412. Many well-run companies will not create a course based on 70-417 for this reason.

MCITP

Another thing that should be brought to your consideration is this; MCITP Enterprise Admin and MCITP Server Admin both automatically get the MCSA Server 2008 certification. This is important as this is an actual certification you earn for having one of these two previous certifications. One of the important pieces to the puzzle is that the MCITP Enterprise and Server Admin certifications are discontinued as of July 2013. Exams 70-643, 70-647 are also discontinued. Exams 70-640, 70-642, 70-646 are not finishing July 2013, which is how the MCSA Server 2008 certification is earned. You may be thinking that if 70-646 is one of the exams not retiring but 70-647 is, then how does a MCITP Enterprise Server certification earn the MCSA Server 2008? Anyone who has earned the MCITP Enterprise certification is given credit since they have passed everything except 646, meaning you are given the 70-646 needed to qualify.

MCSA: Server 2008

The MCSA Server 2008 certification is a prerequisite for the MCSE Private Cloud. Something to keep in mind later when Private Cloud is discussed. On a side note, you will continue to earn MCTS certifications when passing 70-640 and 70-642 until April 2013. Up to this date, when the MCSA 2008 is earned, a MCITP Server Admin is earned alongside it. Although after April 2013, the MCITP Server Admin is no longer earned by doing this. Then in July the full retirement of the MCITP Enterprise and Server certifications will have taken place. Then you will only be able to earn the MCSA 2008. Based on the information at hand, the MCSA 2008 will need to be available for the MCSE Public Cloud certification. How long that will remain a fact remains a mystery.

The MCSA Server 2012 is comprised of Exams 70-410, 411, 412. What will be shown is how you get from the MCSA 2008 to the MCSA 2012, then to the three MCSE certification choices. These are Server Infrastructure, Desktop Infrastructure and Public Cloud. If you wanted to upgrade your certification to MCSA Server 2012 then you would take the upgrade exam 70-417 (remember it is a composite of 410, 411, 412) and any one of the following certifications:

  • MCSA Server 2008
  • MCITP Virtualisation Admin
  • MCITP Enterprise Messaging
  • MCITP Lync Server Admin
  • MCITP Sharepoint Admin
  • MCITP Enterprise Desktop Admin

Any of these plus Exam 70-417 will grant you the MCSA Server 2012. These short upgrade paths are only available for a limited time. The information regarding how much time is not available at this moment. We are not sure if they will require another step in-between or if they will remove the upgrade exam altogether. We do know that the 70-417 exam is discontinued as of July 2014. So we can base the limited time frame on this date for the time being.

MCSE: Server Infrastructure

The MCSE Server Infrastructure provides validation in your abilities building server infrastructure solutions. Skills of this nature are a necessity. Having this certification will also help to enhance your level of expertise and skills, allowing them to stand further out for virtualisation, storage, networking, systems and identity management. To earn the MCSE Server Infrastructure you first need the MCSA 2012 Server and to have passed the 70-413 and 70-414 exams. In addition to these the 70-417 exam must also be obtained. The first step to begin your upgrade run must start with having any of the following certifications under your belt:

  • MCSA Server 2008
  • MCITP Virtualisation Admin
  • MCITP Enterprise Messaging
  • MCITP Lync Server Admin
  • MCITP Sharepoint Admin
  • MCITP Enterprise Desktop Admin

The upgrade path is slightly misleading. If you need the MCSA 2012 Server and exams 413/414 then why mention the upgrade at all? The MCSA 2012 Server certification (discussed earlier) is earned by passing the 70-417 exam and the same certifications in the bullet list above. I am not sure why they don’t simply refer to the process in this manner. Because, you must have the MCSA 2012 Server in order to earn the MCSE certification anyway.

MCSE: Desktop Infrastructure

The MCSE Desktop Infrastructure provides the necessary validation and/or proof of your remote desktop services, application virtualisation and desktop virtualisation skills. This certification also provides you with the ability to show your skills with deployment and management of desktops and devices in addition to providing access from any location, all while maintaining compliance and security. To earn the MCSE: Desktop Infrastructure you need to begin with the MCSA 2012 and pass the following two exams: 70-415 & 70-416. If you aim to upgrade from a previous certification to the MCSE: Desktop Infrastructure then you are required to begin with the MCITP: Enterprise Desktop Administrator 7 certification and to have passed the following three exams: 70-417, 70-415 & 70-416.

MCSE: Private Cloud

The MCSE: Private Cloud is displaying your knowledge and skills in management and implementation of Microsoft Private Cloud technologies. To earn your MCSE Private Cloud you need to start with either the MCSA 2008 Server or the MCSA 2012 Server (both qualify as starting points). Then you must pass both of the following exams: 70-246 and 70-247.

The number of available jobs for Cloud services/industry is rapidly increasing, although the number of qualified applicants is not following the lead. This means that having skills like these will stand you at the top of some of those lists. Cloud Services is one of the fastest growing industries in the modern era.

Evals, Trials & Additional Learning Resources:

With all the new updated certification path information, you are fully prepared to conquer the changes Microsoft has made concerning Windows Server 2012. There has been mixed receptions around the return of the MCSA and MCSE tracks. The names have never been the important part; if the industry is understood well and Microsoft grasps this understanding, the focus will be on the skills we need for success. Time will tell who is right. I am not confident on retiring Server 2008, MCITP: Virtualisation and other things next July. Having two server certification tracks at a time provided us with options, and options are good things to have. Companies having the necessary funds to upgrade to the newest and best is still an issue after all these years. We hope that some time in the future this will be understood. It isn’t about the certifications, but instead it is about using their software and having the necessary skills to do so. Unfortunately, there has always been a division between what you need to pass a certification exam and what you need to know to be successful on the job. Here is to all of you who pass and become certified; Reach out via email or comment if a learning plan or advice is needed.

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