In-Depth

MCSA Specializations

Sysadmin titles for those whose jobs focus on messaging, security.

  • February 20, 2004
Microsoft introduced two new specializations for its Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator title, developed as a result of job skill surveys it conducts frequently with customers. The specializations have similar requirements to the MCSA, but Microsoft offers a recommended (what it calls "prescribed") path to achieving these titles based on job role.

Currently Microsoft offers two specializations, Security and Messaging, for both Windows 2000 and Windows 2003 versions of the title as shown in the following tables:

MCSA: Security
Windows 2000 Windows 2003
Core: Client (Pass 1)

70-210: Installing, Configuring, and Administering Windows 2000 Professional
70-270: Installing, Configuring, and Administering Windows XP Professional
Core: Networking (Pass 2)
70-215: Installing, Configuring, Administering Windows 2000 Server
70–290: Managing, Maintaining Windows Server 2003
70–218: Managing a Windows 2000 Network Environment
70–291: Implementing, Managing, Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Network
Security Specialization (Pass 2)
70-214: Implementing Windows 2000 Security
 70-299: Implementing, Administering Security in a Windows Server 2003 Network

70-227: Internet and Security Acceleration
Server 2000
or
SY0-101: CompTIA Security+

 

MCSA: Messaging
Windows 2000 Windows 2003
Core: Client (Pass 1)

70-210: Installing, Configuring, and Administering Windows 2000 Professional
70-270: Installing, Configuring, and Administering Windows XP Professional
Core: Networking (Pass 2)
70-215: Installing, Configuring, Administering Windows 2000 Server
70–290: Managing, Maintaining Windows Server 2003
70–218: Managing a Windows 2000 Network Environment
70–291: Implementing, Managing, Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Network
Messaging Specialization (Pass 1)
70-224: Installing, Configuring, and Administering Exchange 2000 Server
  

70-284: Implementing and Managing Exchange Server 2003

The paths are closely interchangeable, except for the Core: Networking portion of the tracks. Nonetheless, when plotting your path, consider whether you plan to go further by achieving the MCSE versions of these titles, as the paths are distinctly different.

For more about specializations, see "" and "New MCP Titles Highlight Exchange Expertise" and "Microsoft Announces New Version of Security Specialist Titles" in the News archive.

For the official guides:

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