Microsoft MCSE

Microsoft has redefined its range of certifications, adapting to the new world of Cloud and the new array of cloud-oriented products, which gradually will be launched during 2012.In particular raises a few smiles the reappearance of two well-known names to the visitors of the Microsoft certifications: MCSA and MCSE.
Yes, it's true: return these two famous certifications, having "jumped a ride" with the advent of Windows Server 2008 platform. But ... be careful: only the acronyms are the same, in fact the complete spelling of acronyms and the contents of these new certifications is very different.

Let's start with the acronyms.

Before: 

 MCSA 2000 or 2003 = "Microsoft Certified System Administrator", with any specialization "Security" (MCSAs) and "Messaging" (MCSAM)

MCSE 2000 or 2003 = "Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer" with any specialization "Security" (MCSEs) and "Messaging" (MCSEM)

Now:

MCSA = "Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate"

MCSE = "Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert"

We see its contents.

Before:

MCSA 2000 or 2003: 4/6 exams to be taken, some mandatory others are optional

MCSE 2000 or 2003: 7/9 exams to be taken, some mandatory others are optional

Now:

The new MCSA and MCSE are not at all comparable to the previous to understand their content, it is necessary to analyze the reasons that led Microsoft to reintroduce them. In short, I am now trying to illustrate them.

Today, companies seek IT professionals who know how to create solutions for Microsoft private cloud. With the platform Windows Server 2008 R2 and System Center 2012 suite, you can very easily create Microsoft private cloud. The certification "Private Cloud" ensures that IT professionals who have a thorough understanding get the products just mentioned, and then have the knowledge and skills necessary to implement, configure, manage and monitor infrastructure based on cloud computing.

Here then is that many of the new certifications are now based on the cloud: in the following figure, in the column "Microsoft Certifications" shows the old certifications, and in the column "Certification for Cloud-based" shows the new matches. Notice how the certifications are obtainable in three specific levels: the "Associate" (which includes the old and the new MCTS MCSA), the level "Expert" (which includes the old MCPD and MCITP, MCSE and new and MCSD), the level "Master" (which includes the old and the new MCM MCSM).

 The certifications "Private Cloud" require that candidates undergo a process of re-certification every three years, in order to demonstrate the continuing ability to operate in this technology area.

 Will be made available MCSA and MCSE certifications for various products, as these will be launched in the coming years. At the writing of this article, have the following certifications (also indicates the paths to obtain them):

 MCSA (Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate): Windows Server 2008

   Exam 70-640 "Windows Server 2008 Active Directory, Configuring"

   Exam 70-642 "Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure, Configuring"

   Exam 70-646 "Windows Server 2008, Server Administrator"

 NB: those who have already passed all these exams, you should have already received the charge MCSA automatically

NB: For those who hold the office MCSA 2003 the advice is to start updating the certificates to the platform in 2008, passing the following exam:

  Exam 70-648 "Upgrading your MCSA on Windows Server 2003 to Windows Server 2008"

MCSA (Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate): SQL Server 2012

 Exam 70-461 "Querying Microsft SQL Server 2012"

 Exam 70-462 "Administering a Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Database"

 Exam 70-463 "Implementing Data Warehouses with Microsoft SQL Server 2012"

NB: At the time of writing of this article, exams 70-461, 70-462, 70-463 are not yet available

NB: For those who already holds any office MCTS SQL Server 2008, it can take and pass the following two exams to obtain SQL Server 2012 MCSA:

 Exam 70-457 "Transitioning your MCTS on SQL Server 2008 MCSA to: SQL Server 2012-Part 1"

     Exam 70-458 "Transitioning your MCTS on SQL Server 2008 MCSA to: SQL Server 2012-Part 2"

    MCSE (Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert): Private Cloud

  Having already achieved the position "MCSA: Windows Server 2008" or "MCSA: Windows Server 2012"

   
  Exam 70-247 "Configuring and Deploying a Private Cloud with System Center 2012"

   
  Exam 70-246 "Monitoring and Operating a Private Cloud with System Center 2012"

 NB: until January, 2013, the exam 70-659 "Windows Server 2008 R2, Server Virtualization" may be taken in place of the examination 70-247, and count in order to obtain the charge MCSE: Private Cloud

 NB: For those who hold the office MCSE 2003, the advice is to start updating the certificates to the platform in 2008, passing the following exam:


 Exam 70-649 "Upgrading your MCSE on Windows Server 2003 to Windows Server 2008"

 MCSE (Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert): Data Platform

   Having already achieved the position MCSA: SQL Server 2012

    Exam 70-464 "Developing Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Databases"

    Exam 70-465 "Designing Database Solutions for SQL Server 2012"

 MCSE (Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert): Business Intelligence

 Having already achieved the position MCSA: SQL Server 2012

 Exam 70-466 "Implementing Data Models and Reports with Microsoft SQL Server 2012"

  Exam 70-467 "Designing Business Intelligence Solutions with Microsoft SQL Server 2012"