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CertAdvisor^sm (February 19, 2001)

Question of the week
Follow up to last week's CertAdvisor
Select questions & answers
Share your cert-experience
How CertAdvisor answers questions


Question of the week

Q1) My ultimate goal is to become Cisco certified. I want to take the
following path:

A+
Network+
MCSE Windows 2000
CCNA
Is this a good plan? If so or if not why? (From Kwaku Osei-tutu)

Ans) This is a good plan if you are new to IT.

A+ gives a basic grasp of PC operations and software, and prepares a
beginner to progress to Network+. Network+ is an intermediate-level
certification program for acquiring skills in networking devices,
hardware, TCP/IP and so on. A+ and Network+ programs would prepare you to tackle MCSE Windows 2000, an advanced certification, which has the added merit of certifying you to work on a popular network system.

Achieving CCNA with MCSE Windows 2000 would give your career a boost as
there is high demand for IT professionals, who can work with products of
multiple vendors. 

However, there are two issues you should keep in mind:
Before you branch out to Cisco it is important that you get adequate
experience working with Microsoft network systems. It is important to be
good at one product before taking on another. When you start your Cisco
studies you will need to find an opportunity to work with Cisco hardware
and software. Hands-on experience is absolutely essential to succeed at
the Cisco certification program.
Secondly, CCNA is only an 'entry-level' Cisco certification. You should
consider it as a stepping-stone for higher-level Cisco certifications such
as CCNP and CCIE.

Follow up to last week’s Cert Advisor

Q2)  As I feel there are too many MCPs, I want to prepare for Cisco
certifications. Are there any certification programs I should pass before
I can tackle them?

Ans) Cisco's 'entry-level' certification program, CCNA, does not require
you to pass any other certification program as a prerequisite. If you have a
good basic networking background, you can move straight into a CCNA.

But if you are just starting, as mentioned above in the answer to Question
of the Week, it would help if you pass A+ and Network+ certification
programs. They would equip you with basic and intermediate level of
hardware, software and networking skills.

In addition, it may also help if you pass i-Net+, another vendor-neutral
CompTIA certification that focuses on networking as it relates to the
Internet.

Together these would provide a good understanding of technologies involved
and even enable you to choose a Cisco path more fitting to your aptitude.

Select questions & answers

Q3) I am working as a network administrator and have an MCSE (NT4)
certificate. I am now planning to switch to database administration and
want to specialize in Oracle products. I have some experience as a DBA for
a web site database. How should I plan my certification training?

Ans) You should start with Oracle Database Operator (DBO) certification
and then progress to the Oracle Database Administrator (DBA)
certification. If you want an advanced Oracle certification, you may
further go for Oracle Database Developer or Oracle Java Developer
credentials.

The DBO certification has two tracks -- OCP-DBO (Oracle8) and the OCP-iDBO
(Oracle8i) and tests candidates for their ability to perform simple,
operational tasks on an Oracle8/8i database with an introductory knowledge
of the software and the graphical utilities associated with managing the
database.

Typical candidates for these exams are IT professionals, such as network
administrators, systems administrators, or Web masters, whose
responsibilities affect databases or include assisting in the management
of Oracle databases. Candidates are expected to have at least 6 months of
work experience with Oracle8/8i databases.

DBOs provide valuable support to Database Administrators (DBAs) in the
management of the database. By executing routine administrative tasks on
the database independently, DBOs enable DBAs to concentrate on
mission-critical operations, including making strategic decisions about
database design, maintenance and tuning, as well as diagnosing and
troubleshooting complex database issues

Candidates for OCP-DBO certification are required to pass only one exam:
the Oracle8 Database Operator exam (1Z0-401). Candidates for OCP-iDBO
certification must pass Oracle Internet Database Operator Exam (1Z0-411).

To become an Oracle8 Certified Database Administrator, you must pass five
separate tests:
Introduction to Oracle: SQL and PL/SQL (1Z0-001)
Oracle8: Database Administration (1Z0-013)
Oracle8: Backup and Recovery Workshop (1Z0-015)
Oracle8: Performance Tuning Workshop (1Z0-014)
Oracle8: Network Administration (1Z0-016)
To become an Oracle8i Certified Database Administrator, you must pass one
additional test: Oracle8i: New Features for Administrators (1Z0-020)

Q4) I am a network administrator working on NT. I recently passed the Sun
Solaris Admin1 exam. Is it possible for me to get a job now before I pass
part 2 of the Solaris exam? (Brian Parker)

Ans) The System Administrator Certification exams, regardless of the
Solaris version, are a two-part program. You will not receive a certification
until you have successfully passed both the parts. If you have passed your
exam on an earlier Solaris version some employers may expect you to
upgrade to Solaris 8 operating environment as well.
Generally, employers expect their hires to have the best credentials and
good work experience as well. If your certification program is in progress
and if you are new to the product, at the best you may qualify for an
entry-level job.

Share your experience

This week our member "Byrons'' shares his experience with A+
certification.

"A+ certificate helps but not as much as it should. I have been in the
tech field for almost 2 years. Before my A+ certification I could not earn
more than $9.50 per hour in the Knoxville, TN as most of the technical
call centers here start at $9.00 per hour. After obtaining my A+ the best
I have been able to earn is $24,500 a year. I almost lost my job trying to argue
for a higher salary."

(Dear "Byrons" - As has been pointed above A+ is intended to be and
perceived by the industry as an entry-level credential. With your
substantial experience it could also become a stepping-stone for higher
certifications leading to better pay. Good luck. - CertAdvisor)

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