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Are you wondering which certificate is ideal for you? Do you know how much you will earn after getting your certificate? Do you have the prerequisites for the certification program you are preparing for? Do you just want to know the passing score of your certification exams?

If you have any question about any certification, simply ask CertAdvisor. CertAdvisor will get an expert to answer it for you. CertAdvisor will work on your behalf to get you a reliable, practical advice to your most pressing concerns.

CertAdvisor is also available as a weekly newsletter.

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Current CertAdvisor (May 21, 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) Which firewall certification programs are popular? (From Richard Straw)

ANS) Some of the popular certifications on firewall technologies are: 

Check Point Certified Security Administrator (CCSA)
CCSA is an entry-level designation that certifies candidates' ability to manage basic installations of Check Point's VPN-1/FireWall-1. CCSAs would be able to set up basic firewall policies and troubleshoot systems to ensure they are working efficiently. Candidates need to take a course on VPN-1/FireWall-1 Management I and pass an exam to get this credential.

Check Point Certified Security Engineer (CCSE)
CCSEs implement VPN-1/FireWall-1 and construct an enterprise VPN for organizations that have distributed computing environments with multiple branch offices and remote workers. Candidates need to take a course on VPN-1/FireWall-1 Management 11 and pass an exam to get this credential. Candidates need to pass CCSA before attempting CCSE

For more information on Check Point certificates please visit
http://www.checkpoint.com/services/education/certification/certs.html

Tivoli Certified Solutions Expert - IBM SecureWay® Firewall for Windows NT®
Tivoli Certified Solutions Expert - IBM SecureWay® Firewall for AIX®

Security professionals with these credentials would be able to assess network security requirements as they relate to a firewall, design, install and support firewall solutions. Candidates have to pass an exam each to attain these credentials.

Please visit following link for more information on Tivoli certifications:
http://www.tivoli.com/services/certification/

Follow up to last week’s Cert Advisor

Q2) I am a computer science graduate and presently working as network administrator in Windows environment. I am interested in getting a Linux certification. Where should I start? (From Denbigh) 

ANS) Your entry point depends on your existing knowledge of Linux. If you are new to Linux or UNIX systems CompTIA’s Linux+ would be an ideal starting point. Linux+ provides candidates good exposure to Linux fundamentals and prepares them for higher certification programs. LPI and SAIR/GNU consider Linux+ as a logical first step towards their Level 1 programs. We would suggest that you start with Linux+. After getting it review LPI, SAIR/GNU and Red Hat programs and select the certification that most appeals to you. For a discussion on choosing different Linux certification programs please visit
http://www.examsonline.com/Resource/CertAdvisor_05142001.asp

Select questions & answers

Q3) I have 15 years field experience in installing, administering and troubleshooting Microsoft and Novell networks and servers. I have taken courses on NT4 administrator and installation, Novell 5.0 advanced administration along with four to five other MS/Novell related trainings. My job was eliminated three days ago due to downsizing. I am interested in becoming a professional IT teacher. Given the sudden downturn in demand for IT personnel, how is the IT training industry affected? Is there any special MS certification required for teaching? (From rharvey)

ANS) Training is as affected as any other segment of the industry as there is a dip in the number of students enrolling for IT education. 

If you are interested in teaching you may consider becoming a Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT). MCTs are certified by Microsoft to deliver Microsoft courses to IT professionals and developers. MCTs get many program benefits and are accepted in Microsoft education channels.

But as a prerequisite to becoming an MCT you will first have to secure a premier Microsoft certification – MCSE or MCSD or MCDBA. For more details please visit:
http://www.microsoft.com/trainingandservices/default.asp?PageID=mcp&PageCall=mct&SubSite=cert/mct

Q4) Are MOUS exams available through Prometric? (From Claire Hudson)

ANS) MOUS exams are not available through Prometric or VUE. MOUS exams are exclusively administered by Nivo International, which has 9000 authorized testing centers in more than 160 countries worldwide. To find MOUS authorized testing centers, please visit http://www.mous.net/testing/locator.asp 

Share your cert-experience

‘Krob70’ says a vendor neutral program would enhance the appeal of UNIX certifications 

“I am a HP certified UNIX professional with more then two years of experience in systems and network administration. I am looking for a new job, and from the interviews I faced recently, I can state that certifications do not really matter for employers who are hiring UNIX certificates. Many interviewers especially senior UNIX professionals showed little interest in the certificate I had gained. I think for UNIX certificates to become really useful there has to be a vendor neutral program from an organization such as CompTIA. This program should get the support of all major companies and focus on professionals with different levels of experience. Only then UNIX certifications would gain more acceptance.“

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