| Among Microsoft various system certifications, the | | | | about any server administration issue. The |
| Microsoft Certified Server Administrator certification | | | | certification, in fact, is designed to offer some |
| is among the most highly-sought. Individuals who | | | | differentiation between individuals who are at the top |
| complete the requirements for this certification have | | | | levels of the IT world. While an MCSE is usually called |
| demonstrated an uncommon knowledge of the | | | | upon as an outside contractor to deploy Windows |
| workings and administration of Microsoft's Server | | | | Server technologies, the MCSA is usually a staff |
| 2000 and Server 2003 platforms. For those who wish | | | | person. When trying to find individuals who can fill the |
| to expand their knowledge and increase their earning | | | | specific role of a server administrator, consider an |
| potential within a company or to change career, | | | | MCSA certification a reason to have great confidence |
| there are few more useful courses of study. | | | | in their abilities. |
| The MCSA program is somewhat different than the | | | | MCSA certified individuals usually have a specialization, |
| MCSE, the latter being the certification most often | | | | in addition to their broader certification. One of two |
| held by the best contractors who set up and deploy | | | | specializations will be carried by individuals with MCSA |
| the Microsoft Server 2000 and Server 2003 | | | | certifications: security or messaging. Those individuals |
| technologies. Unlike an MCSE, an individual with an | | | | with the security specialization may also have passed |
| MCSA is an expert in operating the server | | | | tests that deal with specific security issues. MCSA |
| technologies, is familiar with the best ways to deploy | | | | Security specialists are an asset for any company |
| their various features and has an in-depth knowledge | | | | and can help keep a company's system as secure |
| of the networking, security and function of server | | | | from outside and inside threats as possible. MSCA |
| operating systems. The principal difference is that | | | | messaging specialization certifications denote those |
| individuals with an MCSA are not typically responsible | | | | individuals who have a significant knowledge of |
| for designing the architecture or coordinating the | | | | Server 2000 and Server 2003's various mail server |
| actual implementation of a server running Server | | | | components. Exchange Server is the most |
| 2000 or 2003 but are, rather, concerned with keeping | | | | frequently-used email server program by those |
| those systems running at their most efficient and | | | | companies that use Microsoft Server products. |
| with installing and maintaining the various components | | | | MCSA's who have studied this program in depth |
| that allow a company to tailor those systems to their | | | | understand the deployment, maintenance and |
| specific needs. | | | | workings of this email server to a degree that |
| For employers, the MCSA certification is a guarantee | | | | ensures that a company enjoys the best possible |
| that the individual bearing it is qualified to handle just | | | | support for its email servers. |