Prerequisites:

MCSA candidates should have 6–12 months of experience administering client and network operating systems. However, it is not necessary.

Certification Objective:

Microsoft Certified Systems Administrators (MCSAs) administer network and systems environments based on the Microsoft Windows platforms.

Certification Requirements:

Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) candidates on the Microsoft Windows Server™ 2003 track are required to satisfy the following requirements:

Core Exams (3 Exams Required)Two networking system exams, One client operating system exam

Elective Exams (1 Exam Required)Together with the core exams, the elective exams provide a valid and reliable measure of technical proficiency and expertise to successfully manage and maintain the typically complex computing environment of medium-to- large-sized companies.

Core Exams: Networking System (2 Exams Required)

Exam 70–290: Managing and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Environment

Exam 70–291: Implementing, Managing, and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure

Core Exams: Client Operating System (1 Exam Required)

Exam 70–270: Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Windows® XP Professional

Exam 70-210: Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional

Elective Exams (1 Exam Required)

Exam 70–086: Implementing and Supporting Microsoft Systems Management Server 2.0

Exam 70-227: Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration (ISA) Server 2000, Enterprise Edition

Exam 70-228: Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft SQL Server™ 2000 Enterprise Edition

Exam 70-284: Implementing and Managing Microsoft Exchange Server 2003

Exam 70-299:Implementing and Administering Security in a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network

Specializations:

There are two specializations in MCSA 2003:

1. MCSA: Messaging
2. MCSA: Security