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If you are serious about building a career in system or network administration, then acquiring an MCSA (Microsoft Certified System Administrator) certification would be a significant step in that direction. Microsoft operating systems and software tools are used by many leading organizations for their network and systems. So, possessing an MCSA certification will automatically give you an edge over your peers in the interview phase.

The credential of Microsoft Certified System Administrator will prove your skills and expertise in managing a server that has a Microsoft Server Edition operating system installed. Acquiring this certification may help you to get a lucrative entry level position. However, you will get benefited by the certification the most if you have already worked in an existing network infrastructure for any time period between one and twelve months, using a client side operating system and a network operating system. The certification will then help you to advance in your career.

However, before you start preparing for the MCSA certification examinations, choose the field in which you wish to specialize. This decision will determine the focus of your study programs, and the career to which your acquired certification will be applicable. This will also determine what sort of certification you will earn after passing the examinations. Your choices are the following:

MCSA Messaging on Windows Server 2003 – In order to acquire this certification, you will need to successfully pass four examinations. These include two exams on network systems, and one each on client operating systems (Windows XP, Vista or Windows 7) and messaging specialization (on Microsoft Exchange Server 2003).

MCSA Security on Windows Server 2003 – In order to acquire the MCSA Security (Windows Server 2003), you will need to pass two compulsory examinations on networking systems, two examinations on security specialization, and one examination on client operating system.

MCSA Security Specialization plus recertification for Windows Server 2003 – This is an extension of the MCSA Security on Windows Server 2003 certification. It simply requires one extra examination, namely, MCSA Security Specialization Skills Update (for Windows Server 2003).

MCSA Messaging on Microsoft Windows 2000 Server – Two examinations on networking systems along with one examination each on client operating systems and messaging specialization will get you this certification. Windows 2000 Server is an outdated operating system, and as such most of the examinations based on Windows 2000 Server have been discontinued. If you have already acquired the certifications before those were retired, you will be able to apply those towards this certification. Otherwise, you may not be able to acquire this certification any more.

MCSA Security on Microsoft Windows 2000 Server – You will need to pass five examinations in order to acquire this certification. These are two examinations on network systems, two examinations on security (these can be based on Microsoft Windows 2000, Microsoft ISA Server 2004 or 2006, or a few specific third party certifications awarded by CompTIA), and one examination on client operating systems (Windows XP, Windows 7, or Vista). Please keep in mind that a few examinations among these have been discontinued by Microsoft. Your certification provider will be able to provide you with detailed information about those examinations.

These are your choices for acquiring an MCSA certification from Microsoft. This certification can allow you to advance swiftly in your career. Add some good work experience for even better effect.

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