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MCSA Specializations

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

by none- -author

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February 2004

MCSA Specializations

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+

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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:

You can contact none- about "MCSA Specializations" at .

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TESTS TO ACHIEVE MCSA Specializations

Find More Exams:

Select a Certification or Test from the Exam Guide:

MCP BY THE NUMBERS

MCP	963,606
MCSA-W2K	104,703
MCSA-W2003	11,314
MCSA:Messaging	15,499
MCSA:Security	2,091
MCSE-NT	394,807
MCSE-W2K	244,153
MCSE-W2003	5,604
MCSE:Messaging	3,082
MCSE:Security	2,505
MCDBA	122,586
MCAD.NET	15,769
MCSD	45,150
MCSD	7,744
MCP+I	229,139
MCP+SB	2,040
MCSE+I	12,456
Total: 2,182,248