(no subject)

[inahandbasket]

Hey all.
So apparently my boss has a training budget that he's never dipped into.
I'm a helpdesk geek at the moment, working at a small company doing a bit of everything.
I'd like to someday become proficient in linux/unix server administration, network design, and various other backend IT disciplines. To that end, I'm considering CCNE/CCNA, LPI/RHCE linux certs, and keeping a wary eye on MCSE stuff, although I'm rather anti microsoft in the server room.


Question to you: if you were in my shoes, what cert or course would you pursue, and why?


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Comments

[dazzedelf.livejournal.com]

CCNE.

[inahandbasket]

hmm, looks like CCNE is an outdated designation...
http://www.cisco.com/web/learning/le3/learning_career_certifications_and_learning_paths_home.html

[dazzedelf.livejournal.com]

I was just going with the multiple choice, Cisco is worth big$$$ at least in my neck of the woods.

[inahandbasket]

Yeah, last I checked it was still CCNE. updated post to reflect this new day and age. heh.

It's definitely still in high demand, and it's probably the most sensible route to pursue. Also it meshes nicely with my general interests.
I'm considering going with a basic Linux cert first though, as I've been whacking my head against linux for some years now in my spare time. Despite the fact that I administer two linux servers, it's mostly trial and error along with some good helpful friends.

[jecook]

Definately the Cisco cert will help you out, although it's a good idea to know that you have to re-take the test every three years in order to keep it renewed and active. However, taking ANY test (like one of the ones for the CCNP) will renew the lessor certification automatically.

You may also want to consider the CompTIA server+ and network+ certs, although I'm not sure just what those are worth. One may hope that they are worth more then the A+ cert (which is about on level with toilet paper if you have more then 6 months in-field experience)

If you have to deal with Macs in any major capacity, Apple has a cert program which will allow you to do warrenty level work on their stuff. It might be worth it in you are into the "computing marine" type of training.

[tanuki-green.livejournal.com]

Personally, I'd go with the Cisco Certs and follow them up with the GIAC certs (http://www.giac.org/) through SANS (http://www.sans.org). But then again, I'm kind of a Networking Security geek.

[inahandbasket]

An apple cert could be fun, but I doubt I'd use it much.

CompTIA can kiss my buttocks. heh. A+ is the most worthless cert in the world, and I can't imagine that the others would be much more useful.

[inahandbasket]

I'm debating being a network security kinda geek, I think I'd enjoy that. Never heard of those certs, and looking at them they seem very policy based rather than tech skills. yes? no? maybe?

[tanuki-green.livejournal.com]

Bit of both, leaning more toward the technical side. One of my favorite classes was Hacker Techniques, Exploits and Incident Handling. The concept is to teach you what the hacks look like in action so you can attempt to prevent them, recognize them when they occur and respond in appropriate manners when they do.

The Firewall class teaches good policy as well as technique, and the SANS Security Essentials Bootcamp is one of the best overall introductions to the field anyone could have.

If you look at the classes available from SANS (http://sans.org), the SEC and AUD classes are hands on where as the MGT classes are more policy related.

[jecook]

Indeed. the only reason that I took the test and spent the money was a) in hopes of a (nonexistant) raise and b) So I could get manufacturer certified. Compaq was requiring A+ as a prerequisite to getting their warrenty certifications.

Had I know that that company was going to fire me two months later, I should have saved my money.

[shadowheel.livejournal.com]

Personally, I'd be going for basketweaving, fingerpainting, turning-pottery-into-bad-ashtrays, building-unidentifiable-things-out-of-wood, etc.

[jjjiii]

What do you want to learn? CCNA/E would be good if you want to go into network engineering/administration. Linux certs if you believe in Linux, MCSE if you acknowledge the ubiquity of MS in business and its ability to get you gainful employment at good salary and put you in the backend rather than on the helpdesk. Familiarity with MS will be useful even for a Linux admin, as integration and migration projects will be a large part of administrating a Linux environment for a great many companies that are presently committed to MS. Knowing both well will serve you well in your career.

[lordstorm.livejournal.com]

I have to agree, CompTIA's A+/N+ certs are pretty much worthless. However, they do look good on a CV you're waving in front of a prospective employer who doesn't know much about technical things. If there's a sysadmin or a CTO in the company, it won't count for much, but at least it may get you in the door for an interview (mine are near-worthless, but as I mentioned, I got selected over someone who didn't have it for an interview, and I ended up getting the job after a polite technical grilling from their technical manager).

CCNA is a must, and take a CCNP if you can: consider these entry-level certifications in the network administration/hardware arena. CCNE is even better if you can get there, but if time or budget constraints are cutting in, CCNP definately looks good.

If you're doing a lot of remote access or terminal service, consider a Citrix certification; even a base MetaFrame certificate, which goes over NT terminal services as a pre-req anyway) will have you greeted by desktop or server helpdesks with open arms.

Linux certification is still a little iffy: not a lot of them are really recognised as much as their brother certs in the tech world. Securing a RHCE may help, but any geek will know whether you're up in your *nix simply by quizzing you, to be honest.

If security and firewalling is your thing, combining Cisco cert with a Checkpoint certificate, and possibly some relevant *nix product (ipchains/iptables, pf, etc) experience, could get you noticed.

And lastly, the certification track no geek likes but ends up needing to take if he's to work with the general public. An MCSE is virtually worthless for knowledge in the real (ie: non-MS) world, but it's one of the most recognised certs in the IT arena, and therefore one can't really write it off so quickly; it's something employers tend to look for. If you can get away with it, opt for some cheaper and less intensive MCP certs instead (such as Win2k3 basics, ADS, security, or even an XP advanced course. Don't even bother with the Office-based MOS/MOUS certs unless you're planning to be an instructor or an MS developer, they're worth less than CompTIA's certs. Ususally a Win2k/Win2k3 security or ADS MCP mentioned on your CV will attract attention: a poor man's MCSE, but to be honest who really wants to publically admit they have one of those? *grin*

Just goes to show working as a systems administrator in a PC IT school in Melbourne for 3.5 years taught me something after all. My job was to install and configure each classroom so students and instructors could learn their courseware and eventually take their exams in the wardrobe I maintained, as well as administer the branch network and systems. I could borrow courseware off the instructors whenever I wanted, and even managed to sit a CCNA course (worth AU$3500 back in Jan '03) for free.

Hope this helps!

[lordstorm.livejournal.com]

Ah, I loved highschool. :)

[jon787.livejournal.com]

For the Linux stuff just get yourself two or three old pentiums and run Linux on them. Fire up services like NFS, NIS, LPRng, whatever. Play around and try different distributions.

[annamaryse.livejournal.com]

I was gonna say, whether you love or hate microsoft, the MCSE is the ticket for better pay. Agree with everyone else, CCNA is VERY useful, but so is that darned MCSE.... at my last job the gal who had CCNA and MCSE was the queen of the roost.

[axessdenyd.livejournal.com]

My brother's doing network security for the USAF.

Recently they sent him to a seminar series down in FL where they taught them to write executables.
In hex.

[kayfox.livejournal.com]

The interviewer from my last job:

"Generally we scrutinize those with certs more than those who prove their skills through experience."

Ive also found that a Microsoft badge gets me farther with friends that need computer help, however major it is, than a MCP card.

[the-s-guy.livejournal.com]

Whichever certs add up to the total training budget, of course :)