At the end of April, Microsoft is scheduled to launch Windows Server 2003. For
IT professionals, that means more than a new network operating system to
consider—it will also bring some important changes to Microsoft's MCSA and MCSE
certification programs. Microsoft has recently provided details on the new
certification track for Windows Server 2003, which will begin this fall, and on
how IT pros can upgrade from the Windows 2000 track.MCSA—Windows Server 2003
Like the MCSA for Windows 2000, the Windows Server 2003 track requires a candidate to pass four exams. This includes two networking exams, one client operating system exam, and one elective.
The networking exams are:
- 70-290: Managing and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Environment
- 70-291: Implementing, Managing, and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure
Essentially, the first exam covers server administration tasks and the second exam covers network administration tasks.
For the client operating system exam, a candidate can choose one of these two selections:
- 70-270: Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Windows XP Professional
- 70-210: Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional
As far as the MCSA elective exam is concerned, the choices for the Windows Server 2003 track will be limited, at least in the beginning. Although the Windows 2000 MCSA has 10 Microsoft exams that can count toward the elective, the Windows Server 2003 track will start with only three exams that can satisfy the elective requirement. The options are:
- 70-086: Implementing and Supporting Microsoft Systems Management Server 2.0
- 70-227: Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration (ISA) Server 2000, Enterprise Edition
- 70-228: Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Enterprise Edition
However, like the Windows 2000 MCSA, the Windows Server 2003 track also provides the opportunity to combine a couple of CompTIA certifications to satisfy the MCSA elective requirement. The combinations that will work are:
- CompTIA A+ and Network+
- CompTIA A+ and Server+
MCSAs who plan to eventually graduate to the MCSE should be aware that the CompTIA elective does not count toward the MCSE elective. Therefore, if a candidate plans to get the MCSA as a stepping stone to the MCSE, it's better to take a Microsoft exam as the MCSA elective than to choose the CompTIA option.
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