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Q1) I have passed my first A+ exam from tests covering the old 1998 objectives. Will I get certified if I choose and pass my second A+ exam from tests covering the new 2001 objectives? What are the major features of 2001 exams? (From various members)

ANS) No, you will not be certified.

In order to become A+ certified you must pass both exams covering the 1998 test objectives or both exams covering the 2001 objectives. You will not become A+ certified if you pass one exam covering the 1998 test objectives and another exam covering the 2001 test objectives.

Though CompTIA retired A+ exams covering 1998 objectives on January 31, 2001, candidates have been given a ‘grace period’ through March 30, 2001 to complete their certification on the older track.

The name of the exams has changed. The A+ Core Service Technician exam is now called the A+ Core Hardware Exam (exam code 220-201) and the A+ DOS/Windows Service Technician exam is now called A+ Operating System (OS) Technologies Exam (exam code 220-202).

The 2001 exams are based on an updated curriculum; in general there is a new emphasis on networking and the 2001 exams are tougher to pass than the 1998 exams.

The 2001 A+ exams have 70 questions each. There is a 90-minute time limit to complete each exam.

The scale score for both exams is between 100-900. The minimum score required to pass the A+ Core Hardware is 683. The minimum score required to pass the A+ OS Technologies exam is 614.

Q2) In last week’s CertAdvisor you mentioned different options for a candidate, who wished to continue certification training after achieving MCSE. If such diverse options exist, why do so many MCSEs choose to go for CCNA? (From Dana Williams)

ANS) In the absence of any research data on this issue, I can only make a few educated guesses. 

As compared to MCSE, CCIE, the premier Cisco certification, enjoys greater prestige and offers better returns. CCIE places a rigorous emphasis on practical experience and has a failure rate of more than 85%. There are less than 5,500 CCIE professionals in the world and each one of them earn in six figures. CCIE, thus, becomes a tempting target for MCSEs who are more numerous, earn relatively less and battle an industry perception that many of them lack any hands-on experience or are just ‘Paper MCSEs‘. CCNA, an entry-level Cisco certification, is a natural stepping-stone towards CCIE in such a situation.

Further, MCSE and Cisco certifications lead to different job functions. While a typical MCSE professional is a server and LAN administrator, Cisco certified professionals specialize in networking as it applies to the Internet. As Internet shot into prominence in recent years, jobs associated with it also grew in stature and are often perceived to be more challenging and rewarding. Many MCSEs with an aptitude for internetworking usually start their Cisco certification training with the CCNA.

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Q3) Is the Linux Certified Administrator (LCA) certification still available from ProsoftTraining.com? Which are the prominent Linux certifications offered by companies other than Red Hat? (From Marvin Harris)

ANS) ProsoftTraining.com recently merged its Linux Certified Administrator (LCA) certification program with the Linux Professional Institute (LPI)'s certification program, LPI certification (LPIC).  ProsoftTraining.com said the ‘convergence’ was intended to support the distribution-neutral, vendor-independent LPI program.

Existing LCA certification holders will receive automatic credit towards the LPIC.  LPIC, a ‘level-one’ certification, is for professionals who can install and configure a workstation and perform easy maintenance tasks understanding networking fundamentals.

LPI is currently developing levels two and three of its certification program. Level 2 is targeted towards administrators who manage a small mixed (MS, Linux) network or/and a small to medium-sized site.  Level 3 is for senior professionals who design and implement solutions to complex automation problems, like multi-site enterprises, heavy-duty Internet sites, custom solutions and so on.

LPI exams reflect objectives that have been culled through thorough surveys of Linux system administrators for identifying relevant job roles and required skills.

For more details about LPI programs please visit http://www.lpi.org/.

Another noted Linux certification provider, Sair, offers three programs: Sair Linux & GNU Certified Administrator (LCA), Sair Linux & GNU Certified Engineer (LCE) and Master Sair Linux & GNU Certified Engineer (MLCE).

Candidates for these certification programs are tested at appropriate levels in four usage areas: Linux Installation, Network Connectivity, System Administration and Security, Ethics and Privacy.

SAIR certification programs cover professionals with varying levels of knowledge -- from junior administrators to senior engineers. 

For more details about SAIR programs please visit http://www.linuxcertification.com.

CompTIA recently launched another vendor-neutral certification, Linux+, to measure fundamental Linux knowledge and skills of individuals with at least 6 months of practical experience. For more details please visit:
http://www.comptia.com/certification/linuxplus/index.htm.

Q4) I am a Novell CNE and work as a Network Administrator. What are the waivers available for Novell CNEs like me who want to pursue MCSE 2000 certification? (From R. Venkatesh)

ANS) Microsoft used to waive the networking exam requirement for MCSE and MCSE+Internet candidates, who were already certified by Novell (CNEs, Master CNEs, or CNIs), Banyan (CBSs or CBEs) or Sun (Sun Certified Network Administrators for Solaris 2.5 or 2.6.)

But this waiver was valid only for Windows NT 3.51 and Windows NT 4.0 MCSE certification programs and is not applicable for the Windows 2000 MCSE track.  So, as of now, your CNE status does not merit any waiver if you pursue MCSE 2000 certification.

Share your cert-experience

This week our member David McKay says he does not find the retirement of MCSE NT 4 certification track alarming.

“As an instructor, I find that many candidates are needlessly apprehensive or even depressed about the retiring of MCSE NT 4 certification track.  I beg to disagree with the common perception that NT certification will become useless after they expire at the end of this year.

The skills, candidates acquire in the process of achieving their credential, are more important than the certifications they hold. As long as they work to employ their skills in challenging assignments and keep learning the emerging technologies, they should be able to take all retirements in their stride. “

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