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

Question of the week

Q1) I have worked with PCs for 20 years -- built and repaired systems, and even done some networking. I have adequate hands on experience, but have not memorized technical statistics, such as IRQ #'s. I am planning to enroll for a Network+ training program and then take the exam as well, without attempting A+ exam first. Do you think this is reasonable? (From PCS) 

ANS) You probably do not need to join a formal training program to gain knowledge on topics the A+ certification program covers. But before you decide to skip the A+ exam you should consider following factors:

Have you done Computer Based Testing (CBT) before? If not and if the Network + material is new to you, it may be difficult to clear the exam as the passing mark is high -- 752/900 (84%). 

It would be easier to tackle A+ exam first. You already know the subject well and both A+ exams have lower passing scores: Core- 683/900 (76%); O/S- 614/900 (68%). 

If you pass A+ exam you would get familiar with the testing process, understand subject better and tackle Network+ exam with relative ease. 

Also, please note that A+ certification would validate the knowledge and experience you already have and make you more attractive to potential employers or work in your favor for a pay increment. 
 
Follow up to last week’s Cert Advisor

Q2) Which Unix certificates are popular? (From Various members)

ANS) Sun, IBM and HP offer popular Unix certifications. 

Sun offers System Administrator and Network Administrator certifications for both Solaris 7 and Solaris 8 Operating Environments. 

The Sun Certified System Administrator Program for Solaris comprises of two examinations: part I and part II. Part I is a prerequisite for part II. 

Solaris 7 System Administrator Exams 

System Administrator for the Solaris 7 Operating Environment, Exam I 

Pre-requisites: None
Exam number: 310-009
Number of questions: 81
Type of questions: Multiple choice
Score needed to pass: 75%
Duration: 120 minutes
Price: $150

System Administrator for the Solaris 7 Operating Environment, Exam II 

Pre-requisites: 310-009
Exam number: 310-010
Number of questions: 94
Type of questions: Multiple choice
Score needed to pass: 70%
Duration: 120 minutes
Price: $150

Solaris 8 System Administrator Exams 

System Administrator for the Solaris 8 Operating Environment, Exam I 

Pre-requisites: None
Exam number: 310-011
Number of questions: 57
Type of questions: Multiple choice, free response, drag and drop
Score needed to pass: 66%
Duration: 90 minutes
Price: $150

System Administrator for the Solaris 8 Operating Environment, Exam II 

Pre-requisites: 310-011 
Exam number: 310-012
Number of questions: 61
Type of questions: Multiple choice, free response, drag and drop
Score needed to pass: 70%
Duration: 90 minutes
Price: $150

Solaris 7 and 8 Network Administrator Exams 

Only Sun Certified Solaris Operating Environment System Administrators can take Network Administrator Exams.

Sun Certified Network Administrator for the Solaris 7 Operating Environment

Exam Number: 310-042
Number of Questions: 80
Type of Questions: multiple choice and fill-in
Score needed to pass: 70%
Duration: 120 minutes
Price: $150

Sun Certified Network Administrator for the Solaris 8 Operating Environment

Exam Number: 310-043
Number of Questions: 58
Type of Questions: multiple choice, free response, drag and drop
Score needed to pass: 67%
Duration: 120 minutes
Price: $150

For more details please visit: 
http://suned.sun.com/USA/certification/solaris/certification_details.html#network

HP offers three UNIX-related certification programs: 

HP-UX System Administration

Number of exams: 1 
Exam: hp-ux system administration certification exam 3H0-002
Number of questions: 80 
Passing Criteria: Pass each section with a score of 50% and an overall score of 70% 
Time allocated: 120 min

UNIX Server & Applications Management

Number of Exams 2 

Exam: hp OpenView UNIX server & applications management certification exam 3H0-271
Number of questions 60 
Passing Criteria 62% 
Time allocated 75 min 

Exam: hp OpenView UNIX server and applications management certification exam 3H0-371
Number of questions 65 
Passing Criteria 62% 
Time allocated 90 min 

UNIX/Microsoft Windows NT Integration

Number of exams 1 
Exam: hp UNIX/Microsoft Windows NT integration certification exam 3H0-301

Number of questions 65 
Passing Criteria 75% 
Time allocated 90 min

Please refer to last week’s CertAdvisor at http://www.examsonline for a discussion on IBM’s UNIX certification program. 

Select questions & answers

Q3) I hold an MCSE (NT) certificate. I am planning to prepare for Novell’s Certified Directory Engineer exam. What is your opinion on this? (From Vallance)

ANS) Designing effective directory solutions is becoming increasingly important for corporate networks and Internet. There is demand for senior IT professionals who can design, implement and maintain directory-enabled solutions. You already have a good foundation in networking and hence adding directory skills would be an ideal complement. Certified Directory Engineer (CDE) is an elite credential open only to holders of premier networking certifications. The CDE has a prestige that further comes through annual re-certifications and a testing done through live lab setting. 

Q4) Are there any certifications available for wireless professionals? (From Prasad Chalkere) 

ANS) The National Association of Radio and Telecommunications Engineers (NARTE), Ericsson and Nokia offer certification programs for wireless professionals. NARTE offers two levels of certifications -- NARTE Certified Technician and NARTE Certified Engineer – for professionals with varying education and experience. Ericsson and Nokia offer WAP Application Developer certification and Certified Nokia Security Administrator programs respectively. For more information please visit the following sites:

http://www.narte.org/
http://www.ericsson.se/education/certification/index.shtml
http://www.nokia.com

Share your cert-experience

MCSE or CCNA? Nix Solohub says for beginners MCSE is the way to go. 

"I have been a network professional for more than 15 years and hold several certificates. I find that many beginners now opt for CCNA instead of MCSE as they find LAN admin ‘common’ and ‘not interesting.’ 

This is a wrong way to go, in my opinion, as CCNA pretty much narrowly focuses on data transmission and routing. MCSE, though tied to Microsoft's products, covers general networking knowledge and hence provides a broader foundation for a beginner. 

So the right way for a beginner would be to complete MCSE (seven exams) and then proceed to CCNA (one exam) if he or she has an interest in it. As I also teach I frequently counsel students on their certification training. I would appreciate if you can publish this mail and invite your other members to share their ‘cert-experiences."

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