To become a computer
professional, expertise is the
highest requirement that must
be achieved. This comes from
years of practice and study.
Indeed, one should not even
pursue a computer technology
career unless one is willing to
study and study and study.
Computer technology changes
every few years and that means
that in order to keep up with the
changes, one must delve into the
topic or topics. For instance, the
Internet only became popular in
the early 90's. Not everyone
jumped on the band wagon.
Even Bill Gates decided to move
Microsoft from a software
company, to an Internet
company. This was in 1991.
But there were other companies
that did see the rise of the
Internet and prepared for it. One
such company was Cisco Systems
of California. They specialized in
Routers and Switches. Hardware.
Microsoft, a software company
also entered the Internet but
from a software point of view. To
see the difference between these
two companies let's look at an
example of how a network is
designed.
Let's look at a parking lot. Let's
say that this parking lot has 100
slots available. There is a booth
with an attendant that allows
cars in, and collects fees as they
exit. The attendant monitors the
lot, it keeps track of the cars
entering and exiting, it collects
fees, and if necessary keeps
other cars out because the lot is
full. So let's say that when the lot
is full, he calls over to a lot across
the street and asks the attendant
there if there are spots available.
If there are, the first attendant
redirects the remaining cars to
the other lot.
But to get to the other lot, the
cars have to go through an
intersection which is governed
by a traffic light. The traffic light
has four signals, red, amber,
green, and a directional signal -
to go left or right.
Now let's talk about networks.
The parking lot would be an
example of a Microsoft network.
The toll booth would be a
Microsoft server which is
managing all of the "computers"
in its lot. It would assign them a
number, keep track of their
location, track their time on the
lot, and assign a fee. The traffic
light is like a Cisco router, it has
only one function, to direct traffic
across the intersection.
With that in mind let's talk about
the two types of networks.
A Microsoft Network
A Microsoft network begins with
a Server. This is a specially
configured computer that has
specific functions. It can keep
track of the computers in its
domain or workgroup. It keeps
track of users and their
passwords. It also has leasing
options, where it gives out
network numbers, called IP
addresses, which are unique.
A Cisco Network
Cisco networks on the other
hand do not keep track of
computers. Their function is to
keep track of other routers so
that they can redirect traffic from
one server network to another.
They don't keep track of
computers, rather they keep
track of the IP numbers that pass
through them and redirect them
to different routers. Cisco routers
are very limited in function. They
are not used for word
processing, nor for graphics
design. You don't play an
Internet radio for you either. But
they can be used to download a
word processor program from a
web site on one side of the
country to another, or a graphics
program, or allow the Internet to
send the music from one location
to your computer. Routers do
those functions, they allow traffic
from one location to get to
another location*
Certifications
Now that we've covered how
different networks exist and
how they work, let us look at the
requirements to become a
network professional under
Microsoft or Cisco.
MCSE: Microsoft Certified
System Engineer
This it the highest certification
that one can get from Microsoft.
It requires that the prospective
student take 7 different exams in
order to show Microsoft
networking expertise. These
exams range from installing
client software or server
software; how to manage and
plan networks. How to
troubleshoot network problems;
how to design different network
components. The exams are
multiple choice, they usually run
about 1.5 hours with about 50
questions, although that can vary
depending on the exam.There
are simulations in which one
must complete a series of tasks
on a computer.Typically the pass
rate for the first attempt is
between 75 and 80%.
The exam is graded immediately
with a pass or fail grade given,
although the score, out of 1000
is given. Most of these exams
require a passing score of 750.
The exams typically cost 150.00
and one must register
beforehand with Prometric by
phone or online. One then can
select the date, time, and location
where the exams will be taken.
One can reschedule the exam up
to 24 hours before hand.
Cisco CCNA: Cisco Certified
Network Associate
Unlike the seven exams that are
required by Microsoft in order to
get certified, Cisco only requires
one exam.
Yes you read that right. One
exam.
But it is a very hard exam with
the failure rate at 60% on the
first attempt. The questions are
also multiple choice and there
are simulations. You have 1.5
hours to answer 45 questions.
The reason that the Cisco exam is
hard, is that the material is not
intuitive. You have to learn about
subnetting, routing protocols,
the ISO layer, VLANS, and so on.
These are topics that you would
not get in any other area. So it is
hard to learn because these
concepts are unique to
networks.
Cisco certifications last 3 years,
and then one must re-certify.
Microsoft certs don't have a time
limit. But Microsoft changes the
server technology about every 3
to 4 years. So you have to
recertify on the new server
technology if you want to
continue to be a professional.
Which Cert is Better Cisco or
Microsoft?
The main difference between the
two, aside the number exams is
what type of work each
demands. A Microsoft server is
supported on a weekly, if not
daily. A Microsoft server has to
keep track of users and
computers, the IP numbering
scheme, applications, e-mail,
databases, and security
operations. If one is a Microsoft
engineer, one will work with the
server frequently.
The Cisco network support is
very different. Once a network is
designed and the router is
configured, one is unlikely to
touch the router again for at
least six months, maybe even a
year. They are quiet workhorses.
When the routing protocol is set
up, the paths throughout the
local network are laid out. The
path to the Internet is also setup.
One does not need to change it.
From a work perspective, most
companies will hire a Microsoft
Engineer to run the daily
operations of the server.
Companies will outsource router
operations to specialists, for
example, those with a CCNA cert.
The salary difference is also
different. A Microsoft Engineer
will typically start at 40-45
thousand. A Cisco engineer will
start at 45-50 thousand. Then
depending on technical skills and
development, the two will
probably max out in the 70
thousand range for the MCSE and
in the 80 thousand range for the
CCNA.
Finally, under Cisco, you can
pursue other certifications like
the CCNP and CCIE. The CCNP, Cisco
Certified Network Professional
has 4 exams. The CCIE, Cisco
Certified Internet Professional,
has two exams, a written exam
and a two day lab exam.
Microsoft has other certifications
in its library, but the MCSE is their
top Cert.

so which is better.. has more job opportunities?

Mr. Globe:
so which is better.. has more job opportunities?

are u kidin me, i think cisco is better

tunnamaniah: are u kidin me, i think cisco is better

why do you say so. i think Microsoft has a big market in Nigeria. Especially for people who need the jobs

Cisco off course. This is a time where all companies want any body applying for a position in their IT firm to possess a CCNA, CCNP and so on... Funny thing is some of them dont even have Cisco equipments in their server room, but they just want their applicants to Possess a CCNA. So i'll say CCNA is more popular, and much more lucrative.