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Trainers certifications

2009-09-26T20:02:00.004+05:30

CompTIA CTT+

Whilst most NIIT'ians would remember CompTIA as a company best known for its A+ and N+ certifications offered to its Hardware and networking students the CTT + is a relatively unknown certification in INDIA.

Training students ids becoming more and more important with the growth of technologies and the newer techniques used for teaching.

NIIT itself has been a pioneer in introducing new training techniques and methods to Indian consumers, and at the same time having standards that keep faculties upto date with the technologies they teach.

Many faculties across India have now begun certifying themselves as Certified Instructors for products. Mostly Microsoft Certified Instructors. This ensures that the students are getting the best in the industry from the best.

However a certification that would definitely boost an aspiring faculties resume or add great strength to a current faculty is the CompTIA CTT +.

Relatively unheard of in India, this certification is a must for many large companies if an individual wishes to become a certifies instructor for their products. e.g. A required certification for becoming an Adobe Certified Instructor.

Visit their site

http://www.comptia.org/certifications/listed/ctt.aspx

My trip to SCJP

2009-09-14T21:09:00.009+05:30

SCJP(Sun Certified Java Programmer) is a foundation exam for those who are interested in showing their proficiency in java.

SCJP as of now has 2 versions of certification i.e.

Sun Certified Programmer for the Java Platform, Standard Edition 5.0 (CX-310-055)
Sun Certified Programmer for the Java Platform, Standard Edition 6.0 (CX-310-065)

There are as such no prerequisites for the exam.The exam is a Multiple choice and drag and drop type exam.The exam has some 60 questions out of which for clearing the exam you need to get 35 questions correct which get you a 58.33% .Time limitfor the exam is some 180 minutes.

Talking about SCJP, I cleared SCJP5.0 in June 2008 and the experience for the exam was mind -blowing. I took almost a year to prepare for the exam.

I started my studies from the recommended book for SCJP5.0 i.e.

Sun Certified Programmer For Java 5 Scjp (310-055) By Kathy Sierra, Bert Bates

I took some 2 readings of this book, and also went through all the exercise questions given at the end of each chapter.

The two minute drill given at the end of each chapter helped me to do my last minute revisions.

Talking about the question format:

Question format is multiple choice, including some drag-and-drop questions.
The number of correct answers is given in case of multiple choice questions with multiple answers.
There are hardly any questions with true/false answers.
There are a lot of questions with three (or sometimes two) correct answers.
Question with radio button answers means that only one answer is correct.
Questions vary from very easy to very difficult, but mostly difficult.
No credit is given for partially correct answers in case of questions with multiple answers.
No Negative markings are there.

The objectives for the exams include:
1. Declarations and Access Control
2.Flow Control
3.API Contents
4.Concurrency
5.OO Concepts
6.Collections / Generics
7.Fundamentals

Talking about some Do's and Dont's for the exam:

In the Drag and Drop type questions, the answer gets reset if you try to review it. So, always complete and double check your answer before moving away from a Drag and Drop question.
It would be helpful to solve Drag and Drop questions on a sheet of paper before actually attempting them in the test.
The revised exam has more performance-based questions than knowledge-based questions requiring memorization of API details. So spend more time on hands-on practice, especially of commonly used methods, and avoid trying to memorize each and every API detail simply by reading.
Read the choices properly; don't get confused between 'import' statements and 'import static' statements.
Remember that immutable string objects are returned by the String class. String Builder and String Buffer both return mutable strings; the only difference between them is that String Buffer is thread-safe, while the other is not.
Be clear about the classes implementing the Collection types like List, Set, and Map. Be aware of which of these types support sorting, which allow duplicates, which give the best performance, and so on.
When you see the usage of var-args in a method, ensure that the ellipsis is appearing as the last argument to the method.
Remember that the super type of generic Collection objects is Collection and not Collection.
Remember that since the wildcard (?) stands for an unknown type, you cannot add to generic types using wildcards.
Know the distinction between Comparable and Comparator and the methods defined by these interfaces.

Finally talking about some important references:

A Site that gives you a very good forum wherein you can ask any of your queries about java.
http://www.javaranch.com

A Site that answers all the frequently asked questions about SCJP

http://faq.javaranch.com/java/ScjpFaq

A Tutorial on java

http://java.sun.com/docs/books/tutorial/

A site providing you with good number of mock tests on java

http://www.javabeat.net/javabeat/scjp5/

A site that would help you to test your knowledge on java as well as allows you to even provide some good questions on java

http://www.javablackbelt.com

Finally if you require the Kathy Sierra ebook write me to koshaa.d@gmail.com

Certified Business Analysis Professional

2009-09-03T16:21:00.003+05:30

Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP) is for professionals who analyze business processes and are responsible for defining business requirements throughout the development cycle. Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP) designation is an awarded from the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA) made to experienced Business Analysts who have verified their expertise in their field. This is done by detailing hands-on work experience in business analysis through the CBAP® application process, and passing the IIBA® CBAP® examination.

The mission of IIBA is to develop and maintain standards for the practice of business analysis and certification of its practitioners. Certified Business Analysis Professionals are experts in identifying the business needs of an organization in order to find out the best solutions, a role that is more and more seen as a vital element of any successful project. More and more companies are acknowledging the CBAP® designation and the value and expertise that these professionals bring to their organizations.

Before applying for CBAP, a Business Analyst must meet the following eligibility criteria:

Work Experience Requirement
Approx five (5) years (i.e., 7500 hours) of business analysis work experience in the last ten years engaged in tasks specifically related to the knowledge areas as defined within the BABOK®. The ten (10) year timeframe is based on the application date.

Knowledge Areas Requirement
Demonstrated experience and expertise (i.e., a minimum of 900 hours (i.e., 6 months) of business analysis work experience occupied in tasks specifically related to the knowledge areas as defined within the BABOK in at least four of the six knowledge areas.

Education Requirement
The minimum education requirement is high school or equivalent.

Professional Development Requirement
21 hours of professional development in the last four years. The professional development content must be directly related to business analysis or its essential competencies and must be completed by the application date.

Reference Requirement
Two references from a career manager, client (internal or external) or Certified Business Analysis Professional are required. These references must indicate that you are a suitable candidate for the CBAP® certification.

After your application is approved, you are eligible to write the CBAP exam at any time within 1 year from the date of application approval. The final step in the certification process is to write and pass a comprehensive examination.

An Overview of exam 640-802 CCNA

2009-08-18T16:17:00.005+05:30

In a fast paced environment, being a Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) will not only bring you great opportunities for entry level networking jobs in the IT field, but also give you the information that you need in order to do your job competently.

The exam 640-802 is conducted to award the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certification to successful candidates. The syllabus for the exam includes a wide range of topics, such as WAN connections, network security implementation, types of network, details of network media, basics of routing and switching, understanding the TCP/IP and OSI models, IP addressing.

It is highly recommended that candidates should develop their skills and knowledge in the following areas prior to attempting 640-802 exam:

Thorough understanding of the purposes and functions of different network devices;

Practical knowledge of components required for specific networks;

Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) and TCP/IP models along with their protocols in a network;

Understanding of networking and web applications;

Interpretation of network diagrams;

Identifying and troubleshooting common problems in networks;

Knowledge of network segmentation and traffic management;

Verification of network status and usage of basic utilities like ping, telnet, SSH, and ipconfig;

Routing concepts and operation of routers; CLI basics;

Good knowledge of VLANs, VTP, RSTP, VLSM, LAN, WAN to name a few.

It is recommended that candidate must have at least around one year experience, in the networking field before he attempt to take the CCNA certification test. This experience will not only allow you to learn more about the hardware involved, but it will also allow you to learn about the different information that you will need to know on the test.

The process of getting the CCNA Certification test is complex, but it is manageable and many people are doing it every year. However confident you may be, it is not possible for you to master the entire syllabus without proper guidance.

The following practice exam questions are for the Cisco CCNA 640-802 exam and will definitely help you towards your certification efforts.

Q1. Which statement about MAC addresses is correct?
a. The MAC address can never be changed.
b. A MAC address is represented by binary digits that are organized in pairs.
c. A MAC address is a number in hexadecimal format that is physically located on the NIC.
d. It is not necessary for a device to have a unique MAC address to participate in the network

Q2. Which of the following is an IOS command that can be used to increase the security of unused switch ports?
a. Port security
b. Mac-secure
c. Firewall
d. Shutdown

Q3. IP addresses are represented by ?
a. 16-bit decimal numbers
b. 32-bit binary numbers
c. 8 sets of 4-bit decimal numbers
d. 8-bit binary numbers

Q4. What does the command IP route 192.168.50.0, 255.255.255.0, 10.2.1.3 specify?
a. The router should use network 192.168.50.0 to get to address 10.2.1.3.
b. Both 192.168.50.0 and 10.2.1.3 use a mask of 255.255.255.0.
c. You want the router to trace a route to network 192.168.50.0 via 10.2.1.3.
d. The router should use address 10.2.1.3 to get to devices on network 192.168.50.0.

Q5. Which of the following protocols is an example of an exterior gateway protocol?
a. BGP
b. RIP
c. EIGRP
d. OSPF

Difference between Oracle 10g and Oracle 9i Databases

2009-08-17T17:33:00.004+05:30

Oracle Database 10g is the first database designed for grid computing, the most flexible and cost-effective way to manage enterprise information. It cuts costs of management while providing the highest possible quality of service.

In addition to providing numerous quality and performance enhancements, Oracle Database 10g significantly reduces the costs of managing the IT environment, with a simplified install, greatly reduced configuration and management requirements, and automatic performance diagnosis and SQL tuning.

Oracle 9i Database provides efficient, reliable, secure data management for high-end applications such as high-volume on-line transaction processing (OLTP) environments, query-intensive data warehouses, and demanding Internet applications. Oracle also offers several additional optional database products that enhance the capabilities of Oracle9i Database for specific application requirements.

Additional features in 10g over the 9i:

Transparent Data Encryption

Grid computing - an extension of the clustering feature (Real Application Clusters)

Manageability improvements (self-tuning features)

Performance and scalability improvements

Automated Storage Management (ASM)

Automatic Workload Repository (AWR)

Automatic Database Diagnostic Monitor (ADDM)

Flashback operations available on row, transaction, table or database level

Ability to UNDROP a table from a recycle bin

Ability to rename table spaces

Ability to transport table spaces across machine types (E.g Windows to Unix)

Proactive Performance Monitoring

Improved Flashback Technology

Automatic Storage Management (ASM) and hence better RAC

Data Pumps

The Enterprise Manager (EM)

Clearly Oracle 10g is a positive change over its predecessor and therefore the OCA 10g Certification will draw more demand than Oracle 9i.

What is PRINCE2 Project Management?

2009-08-17T16:48:00.004+05:30

PRINCE2 (Projects in Controlled Management) is a process-based certification for effective project management, providing an easily customized and scalable project management methodology for the management of all types of projects. The method is the de-facto standard for project management in the UK and is practiced worldwide.

PRINCE2 is flexible, adaptable and as much as a Project method can be, friendly. PRINCE2 pull together common names and descriptions into a structure that anyone familiar with PRINCE2 can understand, regardless of background and industry. PRINCE2 is designed to be generic and can be used for projects of any nature.

The major attribute of PRINCE2 are:

Its focus on business justification.
Its product-based planning approach.
Its emphasis on dividing the project into manageable and controllable stages.
Its flexibility to be applied at a level appropriate to the project.

APM is the governing body for PRINCE2 worldwide; they look after the accreditation, exams and licensing of PRINCE2. Most organizations around the world recognize PRINCE2as a standard methodology. There are two qualification levels: PRINCE2 Foundation and PRINCE2 Practitioner.

PRINCE2 Foundation level is for those who wants to learn the basics and terminology of PRINCE2. The PRINCE2 Foundation examination is aiming to measure whether a candidate would be able to act as an informed member of a project management team using the PRINCE2 methodology within a project environment supporting PRINCE2. Currently, Prince2 2009 Foundation Examination format is available. Prince2 2005 Foundation Examination Format is also available till December 31st, 2009.

PRINCE2 Practitioner is the highest level qualification and is appropriate for those with the need to manage projects within a PRINCE2 environment. This objective is to measure whether a candidate could apply PRINCE2 to the running and managing of a non-complex project within an environment supporting PRINCE2.

Prince2 Exams can be taken at any accredited training company. These exams run only on certain days and places are pretty much booked in advance, sometimes there is a 4-6 weeks waiting list. If you are based outside the UK and wish to complete a PRINCE2 exam, it is usually possible to sit them in a British Council office. Please contact the APM Group directly for more information on public exams. Price list of Prince2 Exams:

Foundation = £200 including VAT
Practitioner = £370 including VAT
Both = £540 including VAT

Levels in IT Certification

2009-07-31T15:37:00.001+05:30

If you are looking into IT Certifications, there are several levels of certification that you can prepare for yourself for. These will be divided according to the vendor and will also be different in relation to the type of IT Certification you are trying to go for.

IT Certification programs will be planned by levels of complexity, allowing you to first learn the basics of a technology, and then move into problems of higher complexity.

Entry Level Certification
The first set of IT Certification levels that you will have to go through are the entry level Certifications.
The first level that several certification programs offer is known as the specialist program. This allows you to study one of the programs and know the details about what this program is. It often times includes knowing how to maintain as well as troubleshoot with the program. You can also get training at an associate level. Depending on the types of programs you are using, entry level may also include the ability for you to become a developer on specific technologies.

Intermediate Level Certification

In the intermediate level IT Certification, there are more tools that you will be able to learn at the advanced level, which can help you in using effective tools and developing specific programs faster.
If a certain program isn’t working, then you will learn how to fix or develop the program. This can be done not only for things such as web development and software, but also for becoming a systems expert. People certified with intermediate level certifications, usually become administrator for databases, systems, or certification. With intermediate level training, an individual also has the possibility of becoming an advisor for security and technology based programs.

Advanced Level Certifications
Generally, these types of IT Certifications will include a variety of programs that are combined together. By doing this, one can become an expert in the particular information technology program that they were interested in. Developers, Administrators, Advisors, and Technical experts all become a part of this particular IT Certification area. At this point, one will also be able to advance into understanding the entire infrastructure of the system that they are working with. They will also be able to work with deployment, meaning that they can effectively use the security programs as well as the storage areas that are available in systems.

ADOBE Professional Certifications

2009-07-31T14:55:00.002+05:30

Adobe has been a ubiquitous name in the field of multimedia.

From Photoshop to AIR, the company has products for every field of multimedia.

Adobe provides certifications for multimedia professionals through the Pearson Vue channel in India.

Certifications are at 2 levels with the lower being Adobe Certified Associate (ACA) and the ACE (Adobe Certified Expert) being the higher level of certification.

Adobe certifications have been known to be a tough nut to crack and clearing them considered a significant achievement in the industry. At Par with other certifications like Microsoft, multiple papers will give you higher Levels.

A examination is also available for faculties viz. Adobe Certified Instructor (ACI).

For more details on the exams visit

http://www.adobe.com/support/certification/ace_certify.html

or contact your nearest Pearson Vue.

Till next time,

Ciao

NIIT adjudged Finalist for the 2009 Microsoft Worldwide Partner Awards

2009-07-31T10:43:00.003+05:30

NIIT, leading Global Talent Development Corporation and Asia’s largest IT Trainer, today announced that it has been selected as a 2009 Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference Awards finalist in Learning Solutions, Innovative Partner of the Year.

NIIT’s ‘Integrated Program for Developing Skills and Certification on.NET – GNIIT’ has been selected by Microsoft as one of the two finalists for Partner of the Year, in the category, Learning Solutions Innovative Partner of the Year. The Learning Solutions, Innovative Partner of the Year award recognizes partners’ commitment and ability to deliver high-quality innovative learning services to meet customer needs. It also validates the effect of technical training, skills assessment, student mentoring, and Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) exam preparation on customer satisfaction, and the application of Microsoft technology to solve business problems.

Mr. G. Raghavan, President, Global Individual Learning Solutions, NIIT said, “We are pleased to have been selected as a 2009 Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference Awards finalist in Learning Solutions, Innovative Partner of the Year. At NIIT, it has been our constant endeavor to address the skills gap in IT industry by enhancing employability of the workforce and making them Industry Ready. We hope to continue providing innovative range of programs as a solution to manpower needs in the industry.”

“Partners are the key to igniting business innovation through great technology as well as helping customers drive down costs. Congratulations to the 2009 WPC Award finalists who have demonstrated a superior level of expertise as well as a focus on delivering customer value. We look forward to seeing our partners fulfill their limitless potential as they continue to provide customers with world-class Microsoft solutions” said Allison L. Watson, Corporate Vice President, Worldwide Partner Group, Microsoft Corp.

Source: NIIT

Know About the 70-290 Certification

2009-07-29T11:08:00.003+05:30

Two important system administration certifications from Microsoft are Microsoft Certified System Administrator (MCSA) and Microsoft Certified System Engineer (MCSE). Each of these certifications can be achieved by passing certain exams associated with these.

The 70-290 exam is falls under the MCSE certification path, and certifies that the individual is skilled to manage and maintain Windows 2003. The important concepts covered in 70-290 are listed below;

Managing and Maintaining Physical and Logical Devices

Manage basic and dynamic disks.
Optimize server disk performance.
Troubleshoot server hardware devices.
Install and Configure server hardware devices.
Monitor server hardware.

Managing Users, Computers and Groups

Manage local, roaming and mandatory user profiles.
Create and manage computer accounts in Active Directory environment.
Create and manage groups.
Create and manage user accounts.
Troubleshoot user accounts.
Troubleshoot user authentication issues.

Managing and Maintaining Access to Resources

Configure access to shared folders.
Troubleshoot terminal services.
Configure file system permissions.
Troubleshoot access to files and shared folders.

Managing and Maintaining a Server Environment

Monitor and analyze events.
Manage software update infrastructure.
Manage software site licensing.
Manage servers remotely.
Troubleshoot print queues.
Monitor system performance.
Monitor file and print servers
Manage a web server.
Monitor and optimize a server environment for application performance.

Manage and Implement Disaster Recovery

Perform system recovery for a server.
Mange backup procedures.
Recover from server hardware failures.
Restore backup data.
Schedule backup jobs.

The 70- 290 examination is a multiple choice questionnaire, and the candidate needs to select the 'best' answer, out of the options. The minimum passing score for this exam is 700 out of 1000. All Microsoft Certifications exams are administered by Prometric.

Here are some of typical questions asked by Microsoft in 70-290 exam:
Q 1. _________ is a command-line tool that enables you to manage objects, such as disks, partitions, and volumes from the command-line.
a.DiskMan, b. DiskPerf, c. DiskPart, d. DiskCom

Q 2. In Windows Server 2003, a group denotes a set of users, computers, contacts, and other groups that can be used as Security groups and _______________.
a. Fax Groups,
b. E-mail Distribution Groups,
c. Name Resolution Groups,
d. None of the Above

Q3. When you copy a shared folder, ____________________
a. The original shared folder is still shared, but the copy is not shared.
b. The original folder as well as the copy is shared.
c. The original folder is not shared anymore, but the copy is shared.
d. The original shared folder and the copy both are not shared anymore.

Q4. What should you do when you want to track disk space use on a per-user basis, but do not want to deny users access to a volume?
a. Enable disk quotas,
b. Enable disk quotas and set the disk quota warning level,
c. Enable the disk quota warning level only,
d. Disable disk quotas

Q5. What are the advantages of network backup?
a. Network backup can be used to back up the entire network and requires fewer tape drives, or disks.
b. Network backup decreases network traffic,
c. Network backup can be used to backup the Registry on remote computers.
d. All of the above

MCSE exams are quite challenging, and are not easy to clear. Therefore, it is recommended to practice well, both for theoretical as well as practical questions.

Upgrade to MCTS on Windows Server 2008

2009-07-29T10:46:00.006+05:30

Microsoft continues to update its IT certifications, providing individuals an opportunity to earn certifications on its Windows Server 2003 and 2008 products. Since Microsoft runs on variety of server formats, it is important that you get an extensive set of certifications, and should always check with your current or prospective employer to ensure that you are studying for the proper exam. As many IT companies are planning to upgrade to the new Windows Server 2008 technology, developing a complete MCSE study plan is important.

With Windows Server 2008, Microsoft introduces a new set of certification options. In the prior versions of Windows server, the Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) and Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) certifications have been pretty standard. The certification path has changes for Windows Server 2008and following are the steps to upgrade.

Windows Server 2008 is a next-generation server operating system that helps IT maximize control over its infrastructure, while providing unprecedented availability and management that leads to a significantly more secure, reliable, and robust server environment.

People Certified with MCSA and MCSE on Windows Server 2003 should consider taking the appropriate upgrade test to make the immediate transition to Windows Server 2008.For the MCSA, the test is 70-648; for the MCSE, the test is 70-649.These tests will be used as a bridge form MCSE/MCSA 2003 to MCTS: Windows Server 2008 Certifications.

Exam 70-649 is for IT professionals who currently hold an MCSE on Windows Server 2003certification and work in medium to large companies. The MCSE on Windows Server 2003 is a prerequisite for this exam. Exam 70-648 is for IT professionals who currently hold an MCSA on Windows Server 2003 certification and work in medium to large companies. The MCSA on Windows Server 2003 is a prerequisite for this exam.

Source: Microsoft

LPI Certification – Give Your Career A Winning Edge

2009-07-20T14:07:00.004+05:30

Linux Professional Institute Inc. (LPI) is a non-profit organization that provides non vendor-centric professional certification for Linux system administrators and programmers. LPI is recognized worldwide as the premier organization advocating and assisting in the professional use of Linux, Open Source, and Free Software.

Linux Professional Institute Certification (LPIC) program is planned to certify the expertise of IT professionals using the Linux operating system and its associated tools. LPIC program consists of three levels of certification: LPIC-1, LPIC-2 and LPIC-3. Linux Professional Institute Certifications are offered through the testing centers of both Pearson VUE and Prometric.

1. Junior Level Linux Professional (LPIC-1): LPIC-1 is an entry level certification in Linux Professional Certification hierarchy. This certification is designed for individuals who has been performing basic system administration tasks and who needs to install, configure, and manage a Linux-based system. To earn LPIC-1 certification, candidate must pass two exams; 101 and 102.

2. Advanced Level Linux Professional (LPIC-2): LPIC-2 is an advanced level professional certification, covers implementing and managing web, file and security features on the Linux server. The objective of this certification to administer a small to medium-sized site containing Microsoft and Linux server and plan, implement, maintain and troubleshoot a small mixed network including LAN server, Internet Gateway and Internet Server. There are 2 exams; 201 and 202 that candidate must pass to earn LPIC-2 certification. Pre-requisites: Candidate must have an active LPIC-1 Certification.

3. Senior Level Linux Professional (LPIC-3): LPIC-3 is planned for enterprise-level Linux Professionals. LPIC-3 has been developed with the effort of many Linux professionals around the globe and contribution from some of the world's leading technology companies. LPIC-3 is the supreme level of professional, distribution-neutral Linux certification in IT industry. LPIC-3 consists of one exam: 301 for LPIC-3 Core. There are various specialties on which LPIC-3 is available; Mixed Environment, Security, High Availability and Virtualization, Web and Intranet. Pre-Requisites: you must have an active LPIC-2 certification to receive LPIC-3 certification.

Microsoft Certified System Administrator

2009-07-15T20:55:00.005+05:30

MCSA certification helps IT professionals to advance their career by having much needed skills to manage and troubleshoot networks in Windows environment. MCSA professionals are hired as manager in organizations to configure, manage and troubleshoot the Windows Server. MCSA is considered a reliable credential for promotion and hiring. MCSA on Windows Server 2003 certification will not retire.

MCSA certifies a possessor’s ability to "implement, manage, and maintain the typically complex computing environment of medium and large-sized organizations”. This certification helps professionals advance your career by showing employers that you have the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively manage and troubleshoot network environments running on Windows server systems. Like MCSE, MCSA is also available on Windows Server 2000.

It is recommended by Microsoft that a, MCSA candidate should have one to twelve months of experience in working with a desktop operating system, a network operating system, and an existing network infrastructure.

To earn MCSA certification for Windows Server 2003, candidate must pass four exams:

Two Core Networking System
One Core Client Operating System
One Elective exam

Core Networking Exams (Compulsory)

70-290 : Managing and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Environment
70-291 : Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure

Client operating systems (choose one)

70-620 : Configuring Windows Vista
70-270 : Installing, Configuring, and Administering Windows XP Professional

Elective Exam (Choose one)

70-284:Implementing and Managing Microsoft Exchange Server 2003
70-431:Microsoft SQL Server 2005 – Implementation and Maintenance

All MCSA exams are taken by Prometric, at various Prometric test Centers all over the globe. MCSA professional work in various job roles like; Network Administrator, System Administrator, Information Technology Engineer, Information Systems Administrator, Network Technician. An average salary of MCSA professional is Rs. 2.5LPA. As per the latest analysis, MCSA comes under Top 15 IT Certifications in demand.

An Overview of Red Hat Certifications

2009-07-14T15:59:00.005+05:30

Red Hat is a company in the free and open source software sector, and a major Linux distribution vendor. It is not only appreciated for its technical proficiency, but also for the social initiatives taken by it. Red Hat certifications are among the most esteemed certifications in IT.

After the successful completion of Red Hat Certification training you will be skillful enough to be praised by the respectable organizations. Red Hat Certifications will separate you and your skills from the rest. In such a competitive industry, the fact that you have obtained a certification from Red Hat will give you that much desired recognition.

A full hierarchy of Red Hat certifications provides the comprehensive and flexible program required by the highly specialized enterprise IT organization of today. The most common and well-known Red Hat certification is the Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE).

Red Hat Certification path:

1) Red Hat Certified Technician (RHCT) : Red Hat Certified Technician is the fastest-growing credential in all of Linux. RHCT is the best first step in establishing Linux credentials and is an ideal initial certification for those transitioning from non-UNIX®/ Linux environments. To achieve this certification, candidate must pass RH202 RHCT exam and for this candidate must complete two courses; Red Hat Linux Essential and System Administration of Red Hat Linux.

2) Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE) : Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE) is a performance-based test that measures actual competency on live systems. RHCE proves an individual's ability to configure networking services and security on servers running a Red Hat OS. RHCE Certificate is granted upon passing the RH302 RHCE Exam, a performance-based test on live equipment that measures actual competencies at server system administration, setup of networking services, and network security, and diagnostics and troubleshooting. RHCE comes under top 9 IT Certifications in Demand.

3) Red Hat Certified Architect (RHCA) : Red Hat's Enterprise Architect courses provide in-depth, hands-on training for senior Linux system administrators responsible for the deployment and management of many systems in large enterprise environments. To accomplish RHCA certification, candidate must have current RHCA certificate and must pass all five additional performance-based exams.

IT Certifications in Demand

2009-07-09T14:08:00.005+05:30

We had earlier posted an article on what are the most in-demand IT Certifications
A simple analysis of IT Jobs posted on two of the biggest job portals in India has led to the following insight: According to our analysis, 90% of all Certification requiring IT jobs demand either of the following 9 certifications: MCSE, CCNA, ITIL, OCA, OCP, CCNP, CISSP, RHCE and PMP Certifications.
This analysis might help you decide which IT Certification to go for!

HP Certifications - A Reliable Choice

2009-07-07T12:40:00.006+05:30

The HP Certified Professional program is a top-grade certification program. This aims to certify the technical and sales proficiency as well as expertise needed to plan deploy, support and service HP technology and solutions. The technical credibility you gain from your certification and experience will drive you to further in your career.

There are various benefits of HP Certifications; HP Software Certified Professional Program prepares you to meet today's challenges with the business and technical skills you need.
• Gain the skills you need for handling HP technologies
• Get connected to the latest HP technology, experts and continuing education opportunities
• Earn cool rewards - discounts to HP Software events, HP Software Certified Professional merchandise, networking events and more
• Prove your value - demonstrate a higher level of performance, knowledge and expertise
• Join a global network - more than 130,000 HP Certified Professionals worldwide

The scope will become wider and there'll be utility available for you to ponder over and make it fit according to your needs. The tools and methods you use will come straight out of your certifications and may build up as you grow in your career. There are several tracks available including HP Operations, HP Quality Center, HP NonStop Systems, HP Blade and ProCurve Networking, among others. The average salary of HP Certified Professional having an experience of less than 1 year is around Rs. 3 Lacs per annum.

HP Software Certification

Accredited Integration Specialist (AIS)
The AIS (Accredited Integration Specialist) is designed for individuals working in Enterprise Network environments and serves to prove their competencies in planning and the integration and support of technical solutions in business class, networked environments.

Accredited Systems Engineer (ASE)
ASE (Accredited System Engineer) is a medium grade certification is designed for individuals working in Enterprise Network environments and serves to prove their competencies in design support and integrate platform, operating system, storage, network and option components to solve business needs. It is required to have HP's AIS certification for the ASE track you wish to pursue. The additional requirements vary widely depending on your choice of track.

Master Accredited Systems Engineer (MASE)
Master ASE requires an individual to gather customer business requirements, and design, integrate and support a full solution including application, middleware, platform, operating system, storage, and network and option components. There are several tracks to choose from including ProLiant, SAN, ProCurve and NonStop. It is required to have HP ASE certification. Additional requirements vary widely depending on your choice of track.

IBM DB2 Certification

2009-07-01T16:08:00.010+05:30

DB2 is one of IBM's families of relational database management system (RDBMS) software products within IBM's Information Management Software line. There are several editions and versions of DB2, which operate on devices ranging from palmtops to mainframes. Frequently DB2 refers to the DB2 Enterprise Server Edition, which runs on UNIX, Windows, Linux and z/OS servers.

DB2 completely dominates on mainframes. IBM is one of the top two commercial database vendors for both UNIX and Linux systems. On Windows servers, Microsoft's SQL Server leads in market, in spite of that DB2 presents a reasonable presence nonetheless. Currently IBM offers various training and certification paths on DB2. The average salary for IBM certified DB2 DBA is approx. Rs.93,000.

There are three levels; entry, intermediate and advanced in IBM DB2 Certification hierarchy.
1. IBM Certified Database Associate - DB2 9 Fundamentals

This Certification is an entry level DBA. To earn this certificate, candidate must have knowledge about the fundamental concepts of DB2 9 through applied experience or formal education. Database Associate must have in-depth knowledge of basic SQL, understand how to install, create databases and its various objects. To attain IBM Certified Database Associate - DB2 9 Fundamentals certification, candidate must pass 1 test i.e. Test 730.

2. a). IBM Certified Database Administrator - DB2 9 DBA for Linux, UNIX and Windows

IBM Certified Database Administrator is the prime Database Administrator for DB2 on Linux, UNIX and Windows Servers. This DBA has significant experience on DB2 9, especially the new features and functionality related to DB2 9. To achieve this certification candidate has two paths: either passes 2 tests or 3 tests.

Two Tests - Test 700 or Test 730 and Test 731
Three Tests - Test 700 or Test 730, Test 701 and Test 736.

b). IBM Certified Database Administrator - DB2 9 DBA for z/OS

IBM Certified DBA has significant experience as DBA and possesses broad experience of DB2 9 including all the new features and functionality related to version 9. This specialist is capable of performing the intermediate to advanced tasks related to database design and implementation, operation and recovery, security and auditing, performance, and installation and migration/upgrades specific to the z/OS operating system. Candidate must possess two years of experience in Database Administrator on z/OS system, knowledge about Java and C++. This Certification requires 2 tests. Any 1 of following tests: Test 700 or Test 730 and Test 732.

3. IBM Certified Advanced Database Administrator - DB2 9 for Linux, UNIX and Windows

IBM Certified Advanced Database Administrator is the senior DBA for the DB2 products on one or more of the following platforms: Linux, UNIX and Windows. This individual has vast experience as a DBA and extensive knowledge of DB2 9. This person is capable of performing the complex tasks for instance; performance, high availability, security and networking. This Certification has 2 paths:

Path 1 requires 3 tests:

a) Choose 1 from following:

Test 700 - DB2 V8.1 Family Fundamentals.
Test 730 - DB2 9 Family Fundamentals

b) Test 731 - DB2 9 DBA for Linux UNIX and Windows
c) Test 734 - DB2 9 Advanced Database Administrator for Linux,UNIX and Windows

Path 2 requires 4 tests:

a) Choose 1 from following:

Test 700 - DB2 V8.1 Family Fundamentals
Test 730 - DB2 9 Family Fundamentals

b) Test 701 - DB2 V8.1 for Linux UNIX and Windows Database Administration
c) Test 736 - DB2 9 Database Administrator for Linux UNIX and Windows Upgrade
d) Test 734 - DB2 9 Advanced Database Administrator for Linux UNIX and Windows

All IBM DB2 Test are conducted by Prometric at various Prometric Test Centers all over the world.

Cisco Learning Partner Award Winners

2009-06-23T11:24:00.007+05:30

Cisco has recently announced the Fiscal Year 2009 Learning Partner Award Recipients. These were revealed on June 10th, 2009 during the Cisco Partner Summit in Boston . Cisco Learning Partner Award is an initiative to highlight the remarkable efforts in the areas of Excellence in Acceleratrion, Collaboration and Innovation.

Winners in the Excellence in Acceleration Category:
APAC – NIIT, Ltd.
Emerging Markets – Global Knowledge-Synergy
European Markets – ExperTeach GmbH
United States & Canada – World Wide Technology
Worldwide – NIIT, Ltd.

Winners in the Excellence in Collaboration Category:
APAC – Global Knowledge ASIA PTE LTD
Emerging Markets – CTT Corporation
European Markets – Global Knowledge
United States & Canada – Global Knowledge
Worldwide – Global Knowledge

Winners in the Excellence in Innovation Category:
APAC – Dimension Data Learning Solutions
Emerging Markets – NIL Data Communications
European Markets – Fast Lane Institute for Knowledge Transfer
Japan – Fast Lane Institute for Knowledge Transfer
United States & Canada – Sunset Learning Institute
Worldwide – Fast Lane

Winners of Learning Partner of the Year by Theater:
APAC – Training Partners Ltd.
Emerging Markets – Fast Lane Dubai
European Markets – Fast Lane
Japan – Global Knowledge
United States & Canada – New Horizons

And the Worldwide Learning Partner of the Year:
Global Knowledge Training LLC

Congratulations to all winners!

Certified Ethical Hacker

2009-06-18T16:30:00.002+05:30

Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) is a certification for those individuals who have skills to penetrate network or computer systems. Using these same skills these individuals can identify and fix computer security weaknesses. CEH is a professional certification provided by International Council of E-Commerce Consultants (EC-Council).

Ethical Hackers are computer or network experts who strike a security system on behalf of its owners, in the quest of vulnerabilities that a malicious hacker could utilize. To test a security system, ethical hackers use the same methods and tools as malicious hackers use, but report problems instead of taking advantage of them.

Ethical Hackers are also known as penetration testers and red teaming. The main objective of ethical hacker is to help the organization and take preventive measures against malicious attacks by attacking the system himself; while continuing their work within legal limits.

EC-Council Certifications are designed to provide the base required by every Electronic Commerce and Security Professional. EC-Council program provides broad range of skills and knowledge, required to build and administer an organization's networking and security operations.

Currently, CEH is in 6th version from August 2008. CEH certification is obtained after attended training at ATC (Accredited Training Center). Applicant can also prepare for Ethical hacking and Countermeasures Course through self-study, but he has to file an application and submits proof of relevant work experience in information security (min 2 years). After the training, applicant has to give one exam i.e. exam code 312-50. EC-Council Certification exams are available at authorized Prometric and Vue Test Centers and the exam costs USD $250.

IBM Lotus Certification Programs

2009-06-11T11:21:00.015+05:30

IBM Lotus Notes is a client-server, shared application developed and sold by IBM Software Group. IBM describes the software as an "integrated desktop client option for accessing business e-mail, calendars and applications on an IBM Lotus Domino server”. It has many features like group calendaring and scheduling and SMTP based e-mail. It is essentially used as an e-mail client, but can it also be used as a browser, notebook, an instant messaging client as well as platform for interacting with shared applications.

Lotus Certification Programs
Lotus Notes and Domino 8.5	Associate, Professional and Advanced level Certifications in Application Development and System Administration.
Lotus Notes and Domino 8	Associate, Professional and Advanced level Certifications in Application Development and System Administration.
Lotus Notes and Domino 7	Associate, Professional and Advanced level Certifications in Application Development and System Administration.
Lotus Security	Advanced level Certifications for Lotus Notes and Domino Security Professionals
Lotus Social Software	Professional level Certifications for Lotus Connections, Domino and WebSphere Portal.
Lotus Sametime	Professional level Certifications in System Administration.
WebSphere Portal	Professional level Certifications in Solution Development and System Administration on Portal V6.0 and V6.1

Lotus Notes and Domino 8.5

Application Development

Associate Level - IBM Certified Associate Application Developer should be able to exhibit the fundamental skills necessary to design and alter a database application that can be accessed by both Notes and browser clients. It is recommended that the developer understand the basic elements of Domino 8 environment, apply them with programming formulas and functions. Only 1 test is required to earn this Certification i.e., Test LOT-952.

Professional Level - This Certification requires a deeper knowledge of architectural concepts and use of complex functions and features. It is for the experienced Notes Domino 8 Application Developers. Prerequisites for this Certification is:

IBM Certified Application Developer - Lotus Notes and Domino 8,
Test LOT 951-IBM Lotus Notes Domino 8.5 Application Development Update

Advanced Level - IBM Certified Advanced Level Application Developer on Lotus Notes Domino 8.5 should be able to validate the skills required to create and maintain Domino 8.5 Applications in one of the three areas; LotusScript or JavaScript or Web Services or developer can effectively create and deploy composite applications with Notes and Domino 8.5. To earn this Certification, prerequisites are; 1 Certification + 1 Test.

System Administration

Associate Level - This certification is for system administrators who are just starting out with Domino and who need to install, maintain and manage the Domino servers and users. It is required that administrator should be able to install and build the servers for the first time and establish the basic Domino domain. Applicant has to give one test, to earn this certification i.e. Test LOT -980 Operating Fundamentals.

Professional Level - IBM Certified System Administrator should be able to execute the tasks related with IBM Certified Associate System Administrator and express the skills linked with growth of Domino infrastructure. Prerequisites for this certification are; 1 Certification i.e. IBM Certified System Administrator - Lotus Notes and Domino 8 and 1 test i.e. Test LOT-956 System Administration Update.

Advanced Level - The IBM Certified Advanced System Administrator - Lotus Notes Domino 8.5 should be able to accomplish everyday jobs associated with the IBM Certified System Administrator - Lotus Notes and Domino 8.5, and validates knowledge of Domino Web server administration including configuring Web protocols (HTTP, LDAP, and others), and understanding HTTP rules and their effect on Web traffic. Prerequisites for this certification are; 1 Certification and 1 test.

Source: IBM Lotus

Online learning in bad times

2009-05-29T17:31:00.003+05:30

Earlier, Mohit had written on the need for training in these times of economic distress. Recently, we had an opportunity to capture him on video while he was talking on this subject. Have a look, his enthusiasm to learn is contagious :)

Software Testing Certification

2009-05-29T17:00:00.003+05:30

Quality Assurance (QA) is a thriving area in Information Technology which is unfortunately, not known to many. QA provides a means of monitoring the software engineering processes and methods used to ensure quality.

QA includes the developer’s effort to test his own code, as well as the IT professionals who are involved in testing tools. Many organizations and vendors have acknowledged testing as an integral part of development and maintenance process. Below are some certifications in this domain, developed to standardize and validate knowledge of QA process and testing tools.

Certified Associate in Software Testing (CAST)
As the IT industry becomes more competitive, the ability for management to distinguish professional and skilled individuals in the field becomes pertinent. CAST Certification verifies basic-level knowledge of quality testing principles and practices. Certified Associate in Software Testing (CAST) signifies a professional level of expertise in the principles and practices of software testing in the IT profession

Prerequisites for CAST
To earn CAST, applicants must satisfy one of the three prerequisites:
1.Three year degree or 4 year degree from an accredited college-level institution
2.Two year degree from an accredited college-level institution and One year experience in the IT Field.
3.Three years experience in the information services field.

The applicant is required to provide detailed education or employment documentation, with selected prerequisite option on the application. If chosen for verification, applicant must provide all the documents for the program.

Certified Software Test Engineer (CSTE)
The Certified Software Test Engineer (CSTE) Program is intended to confirm standards for initial qualification and provide direction for the testing function through an educational program. Certified Software Tester (CSTE) indicates a professional level of proficiency in the principles and practices of quality control in the IT profession. CSTE’s become members of recognized professional groups and receive recognition by other professional associates. It provides rapid career advancement.

Prerequisites for CSTE
To earn CSTE applicant must satisfy one of the four prerequisites:
1.Four year degree from recognized university and 2 years of work experience in IT field.
2.Three year degree from recognized university and 3 years of work experience in IT field.
3.Two year degree from recognized university and 4 years of work experience in IT Field.
4.Six years experience in IT Field.

It is required to provide detailed education or employment documentation, with selected prerequisite option on the application. If chosen for verification, applicant must provide all the documents for the program.

Certified Manager of Software Testing (CMST)
The Certified Manager of Software Testing (CMST) certification confirm a worldwide standard for the assessment of the potential and competencies of software testing professionals that are working at, or will work at, the software testing management level. Certified Manager of Software Testing (CMST) indicates a level of professional proficiency in both the principles and practices of software testing, signifying the skills and capabilities necessary to manage the software test function. CMST certification provides the IT professional with an intention for assessment of their management skills.

Prerequisites for CMST
Each applicant must have:
1.CSTE Certified
2.Must be working in Software Testing
3.Have the experience (described under the Real World Experience section) to demonstrate mastery of the skills identified in the current Software Testing
4.Be prepared to submit documentation that supports your real-world experience in the software testing field under the Real World situation
5. Prepared to take the required manager’s level examination

To earn CMST applicant must satisfy one of the four prerequisites:
a. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college-level institution and minimum of four years of experience in the software testing field, or
b. An associate degree and a minimum of six years of experience in the software testing field, or
c. Eight years of experience in the software testing field.

Microsoft's New Generation of Certifications

2009-05-22T15:37:00.006+05:30

Microsoft introduced a new generation of IT Certifications to make certification path more straightforward and specialization focused. By focusing on fundamental technical or professional skills, an aspirant can choose certifications that meet his/her needs.

The new certification program introduces three series of certifications:

1). Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS)

This series certify principal technology and product skills, for instance implementation skills. MCTS is reliably qualified of implementing, building, troubleshooting, and debugging a specific technology. MCTS exams are targeted to specific technology, so that an individual can prove his proficiency in specific area. MCTS is available in different domains of IT; Developer Applications (.Net), Database Administration (Microsoft SQL Server), Server technology (Windows Server, Exchange Server), Windows (Windows Vista, Windows XP), Microsoft Office and Security.

2) Microsoft Certified Information Technology Professional (MCITP) and Microsoft Certified Professional Developer (MCPD)

This series confirms job-role skills outside the main technology, such as, analyzing business problems amongst others. MCITP or MCPD are fully capable of deploying, building, designing and operating technologies for a particular job role.

3) Microsoft Certified Architect (MCA)

This series certify the skills required to affect IT business successfully. MCA requires advanced and certifiable experience in IT (at least 10 years). MCA certification does not depend on traditional exams or curriculum. In fact, candidates have to prove their skills by creating architectures that solve complicated business problems.

Q. Why did Microsoft introduce the new certifications?

Ans. Microsoft is changing the certification program to better meet the needs of our customers. We heard from IT managers that the proliferation of credentials is making it more difficult to understand which credentials best meet the needs of their businesses. Individuals told us that they wanted to be able to distinguish themselves from other IT professionals. In response, we created a framework that keeps the number of credentials to a minimum while still allowing individuals to highlight specialization.

MCSE 2003: A very popular and in-demand Microsoft Certification

2009-05-15T15:07:00.008+05:30

Microsoft Certified System Engineer 2003 (MCSE 2003) is a well-known Microsoft Certification for Windows Server 2003. It verifies an individual’s proficiency in designing and execution of business solutions based on Microsoft Windows Server 2003.

There are specializations available for MCSE’s along different career path. For Windows Server 2003 these were MCSE Security and Messaging.

MCSE Certification is appropriate for IT professionals who have worked in complex computing environments in medium-to-large environments. It is recommended that the candidate appearing for MCSE exam must have at least one year of experience in implementation and administration of network and client server operating system. The candidate must have a good knowledge on planning, designing and execution of Microsoft Windows server solutions.

To become an MCSE on Windows Server 2003, the aspirant must pass seven exams, which includes six core exams and one elective exam.

Core Exams;

Networking Systems (All)

70-290: Managing and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Environment
70-291: Implementing, Managing, and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure
70-293: Planning and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure
70-294: Planning, Implementing, and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Active Directory Infrastructure

Client Operating Exams (choose 1)

70-620^A: Windows Vista, Configuring
70-270 : Installing, Configuring and Administering Windows XP Professional

Design Exams (Choose 1)

70-297: Designing a Windows Server 2003 Active Directory and Network Infrastructure
70-298: Designing Security for a Windows Server 2003 Network

Elective Exams (choose 1)

70-284: Implementing and Managing Microsoft Exchange Server 2003
70-431: TS: Microsoft SQL Server 2005 – Implementation and Maintenance

A - Exam 70-620 can count one time toward a core client exam or an elective exam, but not both.

The best way to exhibit your expertise on Windows Server 2003 and to encourage your team and yourself is by earning the Microsoft Certified System Engineer (MCSE) credentials. Although newer versions have come, yet Server 2003 is here to stay for a long time and hence the demand for MCSEs is going to stay!

Growing Popularity of elearning in India

2009-05-09T17:01:00.003+05:30

elearning is gradually getting its due globally and especially here in India. Young working professionals are turning to elearning to gain access to courses in their spare time. This has become essential in today’s ever so competitive world!

There are plethora of websites conducting online courses and assessments. For example, the Indiatimes group has introduced the Mindscape test center where one can appear for mock IIT-JEE exams online for making self-assessment.

In fact, from this year onwards, the Common Admission Test (CAT) is going online. This will allow more students to be able to take the exam and enable faster processing. It will also help students to apply to colleges using CAT scores in a convenient manner. Top educational institutes like IIM’s, Symbiosis have started their MBA programs, which are based on e-learning in some form or the other. IIMs have tied up with NIIT to offer short duration programs in a synchronous fashion through NIIT Imperia. McGraw Hill Education, a primary educational publisher, recently launched its e-learning section, for IIT, CAT and AIEEE aspirants.

NIIT’s e-learning websites www.niit.com and Hyperlessons (for IT Certification) providing an upper hand to IT Professionals to survive in this recession period. Hyperlessons.com is an eLearning initiative by NIIT to provide convenient, personalized and affordable training courses and programs for Career Certifications to students and working professionals. NIIT’s e-learning initiative has 80,000 registered members and Thadani expects this to go up by at least 100 per cent by end of the year.

According to Vijay Thadani, CEO NIIT, “In the past six months, there has been a significant change in economic environment. Since organizations are looking to cut costs, they prefer to draft their training modules using e-learning, as it is cost-effective. This has resulted in a spurt of professionals logging on to education web sites to upgrade themselves.”

Oracle wins over Sun Microsystems

2009-04-30T18:08:00.002+05:30

I had earlier written about the possibility of IBM taking over Sun Microsystems, but that was not to be! Finally Sun Microsystems has been taken over by Oracle Corporation on April 20th, 2009. Oracle Corporation has bought Sun Microsystems for a whopping $7.4 billion after an alternative buyout bid by IBM did not come to fruition.

Oracle now will be able to incorporate Oracle databases into the Solaris operating system. The acquisition of Sun Microsystems will transform the IT industry; it combines the best enterprise software and essential computing systems. Sun Chairman Scott McNealy said: “Oracle and Sun have been industry pioneers and close partners for more than 20 years. This combination is a natural evolution of our relationship and will be an industry-defining event.”

What will be the effect on Sun and Oracle certification tracks? Nothing will change anytime soon. Sun’s Java Certifications track and Oracle Database Administration Certifications are well-respected certification programs in IT industry and the change in ownership won’t change that. If at all demand for both these certifications will increase in the long term as synergies between these will create more applications and increase the user base.

ITIL - Gaining popularity by the day!

2009-04-27T09:39:00.013+05:30

Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) is the most widely accepted certification for IT Service Management in the world. ITIL is a set of theories and strategies for managing information technology infrastructure, development and operations. ITIL is considered as the best practice in IT Service Management, developed by OGC and supported by publications, qualifications and an international user group.

ITIL has been developed by Central Computer and Telecommunication Agency (CCTA), as a framework for efficient and financially reliable use of IT resources. ITIL provides best practices supported by quality services from a wide range of service providers, training agencies and professional qualifications.

ITIL consists of a series of modules giving guidance on the provision of quality IT services, and on the accommodation and environmental services needed to support IT. ITIL has been developed in recognition of organizations growing dependence on IT and represent best practices for IT Service Management.

There are five ITIL Service Modules: Service Strategy (SS), Service Design (SD), Service Transition (ST), Service Operation (SO) and Continual Service Improvement (CSI)

ITIL Certifications are managed by ITIL Certification Management Board (ICMB). There are three main levels on the ITIL Certification Path; Foundation, Practitioner and Manager Level. To pass exams on each level it is necessary to prepare through specialized ITIL courseware which are provided by a variety of vendors, both through instructors and online. For Practitioner and Master Level Certification, it is preferred that one possesses some work experience in the ITIL environment. Else it might be difficult to understand how ITIL processes work and succeeding in the final exams will be very hectic and difficult.

ITIL Foundation Certification is an entry level certification in ITIL.ITIL Foundation course is for those who want to gain basic understanding of the IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL). It focuses on aligning IT Service, improving service quality and implementation of service level agreements. It is a prerequisite for Practitioner and Manager Certifications in IT Service Management. It combines a few lectures with individual and group assignments. ITIL Foundation prepares participants to sit for the 1 hour ITIL Foundations exam, which is independently assessed by EXIN, an accredited ITIL examination body. ITIL Foundation target audience consists of employees and managers at all levels who wants to enhance their skills in IT Service Management.

ITIL Practitioner Certification is an intermediate level certification presented by OGC and the exam is conducted by EXIN. The ITIL Practitioner Certification focuses on the candidate’s capability in understanding and applying of the definite processes within the IT Service Management. ITIL Foundation Certification in Service management is a must for ITIL Practitioner Certification alongside three to four years of experience in ITIL. Practitioner Certification is all about practice and specialty. There are three areas covered in Practitioner Certification which are:

a) Release and Control

b) Support and Restore

c) Agree and Define

It is necessary to deeply understand all aspects of the ITIL process before going for Manager Certification. Practitioner Certification focused on team leaders and specialists who want to enhance their knowledge into new specialty.

ITIL Manager Certification is the top level of certification in ITIL Certification path. ITIL Manager Certification is also called as Master’s Certification due to amount of practical experience required and the extensive range of material and difficulty which categorize the assessment. Rigorous courseware and extensive training is extremely recommended before appearing for this exam. It is also recommended that to attain Manager Certification, you must have several years of experience in the ITIL atmosphere. ITIL Manager Certification is for Managers, Project Leaders in IT Companies.

Top 10 Myths about IT Certification

2009-04-20T18:52:00.003+05:30

No industry is safe from disbelief or proliferation of myths... Here are few myths regarding IT Certifications!

1. Certifications are Vendor-Centric

There are people who believe that the purpose of a certification is to measure a person's understanding of some of the functionality of a vendor's product and hence are vendor-centric. In reality, the vendor who creates the product is best-qualified to teach an individual about product and develop certifications around this.

2. Certification’s Life-Cycle is Short

Certificates are valid for limited time period, after which the individual needs to revise it or completely start again for the new certification series. It is true that vendors keep on modifying their certification offerings. This is a positive step because it keeps the certifications up-to-date with emerging technologies and practical situations. Technological developments do happen at a more rapid pace. Employers hire those with knowledge on the latest technology and hence there is merit in keeping abreast with new certifications.

3. Certifications are not Real- World Oriented

This myth advocates that as all certifications are vendor-oriented, they do not prepare you for the real world. In the real world, every environment has technologies from multiple vendors i.e., No environment is only made up of Microsoft or UNIX or Linux. Since real world enterprises work on several platforms, technologies and integrated systems, it is important for engineers and scientists to understand about these systems in a short timeframe. Many certifications involve working on real industry problems and simulate the real world through simulations.

4. No Oversight Body

All certifications are vendor-centric, so there is no one over-seeing the whole process of certifications. This is not true! An association of leading IT companies; Microsoft, Sun, CompTIA, Novell, Linux, HP, IBM and exam provider Prometric formed a council named, Information Technology Certification Council (ITCC) to administer the certification process. ITCC tackle important issues facing the IT certification industry, including exam security, perception versus actual IT certification and training to test taker ratios.

5. Degree vs. Certification vs. Experience

There will always be anxiety in the market over the value for degree versus the necessity of certification versus the need for experience. Certifications prove deep level of knowledge as well as has upper hand over other non-certified professionals.

6. HR people are not in contact with Real World

HR executives are hiring non-certified professionals instead of certified professionals which “devalued” the certifications. This is not true as well - HR execs who seek proof of claims through certification are more in touch with reality than those who rely on allegation alone.

7. Budget Cuts

Some companies have cut training funds, many have not. For training and certification, investments are required. Many employers today are reimbursing training and other types of training expenses. Reimbursements of training expenses attract employees and it is an effective way for employees to improve their skill sets.

8. Certifications have been de-valued

This myth explores the possibility that certifications are de-valued because applicants cheat on exams. However, the incorporation of replication and other performance-based measures are strong measures against cheating, since it's nearly unfeasible to plagiarize in an emulated environment.

9. Surplus of Certified People

This myth is around the fact that people are losing interest in certifications due to a surplus of certified IT Professionals available in IT industry. In fact nothing could be further from reality. There is incessant need for people who understand and navigate to latest technology. As the world around us changes and business environment changes as well, skill sets also need to change.

10.No One Knows Which Cert is Important

Irrespective of the number of certifications or the domains, getting reliably certified in your area of expertise is never a bad idea. Certification is a strong acknowledgement of initiative, knowledge and skill. It improves your knowledge and differentiates you from other non certified individuals.

Certification makes an individual a valuable employee. It also attaches credibility to one’s skill sets. Certification gives you a significant advantage in your career advancement. Is Certification a benefit? Answer is “definitely YES!”. It not only helps the professional who possesses it but the company and IT industry as well.

Adapted from: Addressing the Top 10 Myths about IT Certification

Certified Internet Web Professional - A vendor neutral certification

2009-04-15T22:13:00.002+05:30

Certified Internet Web Professional is a vendor-neutral Internet Certification. This means that the program focuses on the skills needed to perform job roles rather than on usage of specific products. CIW tests for vital internet technology skills starting from basic web authoring and networking concepts to advanced study in security and web languages.

CIW is the world’s largest growing vendor-neutral Internet Certification. CIW sets a standard for various academic institutions and businesses worldwide in Web Technology. Here are some reviews of IT Professional regarding CIW Certification.

Stay current with IT skills and industry trends

"I had been working on security issues for several years but I needed to learn how the industry handled threats and vulnerabilities, so I turned to CIW once again for my certification needs. Now I work in an environment alongside developers and server administrators to help them protect our enterprise environment."
-Sean Thompson, Information Security Analyst

Be competitive in the IT job market

"I wanted to be competitive in the field of professional Web site design. Pursuing CIW certification gave me industry-recognized knowledge, skills and credibility to do that."
- David Eash, Internet Business Owner

Have what employers want

"… CIW certification lets me know that they have a good fundamental understanding of the skill set I'd need, as well as the tenacity to work through the curriculum and pass the necessary tests for certification."
-Michael Boyink, Principal, Boyink Interactive

CIW consists of multiple certification tracks that map to industry job roles. No matter what pathway(s) you pursue, you learn the latest Internet technologies and job skills. CIW Certifications are helpful to many professionals whether they are in marketing, design, public relations or office administration. CIW Certification is available in various IT job roles, starting from foundation level to specialization and up to advanced Master level certifications.

CIW Associate - CIW Associate if for those who possess foundational skills including basic skills of Internet technologies, network infrastructure, etc. It’s also a starting point for more advanced certifications. It is beneficial for those working in business development, technical recruiting, etc. There is only one exam that an applicant needs to qualify to be a CIW Associate.

CIW Associate Design Specialist- It is a new CIW Associate Design Specialist Certification for organizations that wants to provide vendor-neutral certification in web designing. An applicant learns the basics of Web design with XHTML coding, e-commerce models and client side languages. There are two exams that an applicant has to pass to be CIW Associate Design Specialist.

CIW Professional - This mid-level CIW job-role certification validates the certificate’s knowledge in foundational IT skills as well as more advanced skills in a job role of your choice. CIW Professional certifications are best suited to individuals who are now performing jobs or pursuing careers in mid-level technical positions. CIW Associate certification is required to qualify for any CIW Professional certification. There are various disciplines within CIW Professional: server administrator, internetworking professional, security professional, application developer, and database design specialist.

CIW Database Design Specialist – It validates knowledge of database design principals and theory, and their application to the most popular database platforms. The CIW v5 Database Design Specialist certification is ideal for all professionals who use or develop database applications.

Master CIW Designer - Master CIW Designer build and maintain websites using scripting languages, makes content and digital media, utilizes technologies for business-to-business, business-to-consumer and e-commerce web sites. It leads to a successful career in web designing and creative designing. There are three exams that an applicant needs to pass to be Master CIW Designer.

Master CIW Enterprise Developer Certification - It is for those developers who can build n-tier database, can develop enterprise wide web enabled applications and connectivity solutions for web applications using Java language. There are various job roles for Master CIW Designer such as Database Developers, Client-Server Developers, and Internet Application Developers etc.

Median Salary by Job - Certification: CIW Professional (United States)

CAREER TOOLS: Salary Calculator, Career Path Tool, Cost of Living Calculator, Meeting Miser

Source: Payscale

The Marriage of IBM and Sun Microsystems

2009-04-13T14:16:00.003+05:30

The hot news in the IT industry today that is, IBM looking to acquire Sun Microsystems. In that may be a huge collaboration between the two technology majors, this can potentially hit Microsoft’s market hard. According to the source, if this merger/acquisition does go through, the combined companies can take over 40 % of the total server market revenue & 60% of market for servers based on UNIX operating systems.

IBM manufactures & sells computer hardware & software, and offers infrastructure services, hosting & consulting services ranging from supercomputing to nanotechnology. IBM is the largest manufacturer of servers in IT market, followed by HP, Dell and Sun Microsystems. Sun Microsystems are currently running losses. Last year, the stocks & share prices of Sun Microsystems have plummeted and continue to do so this year.

Numerous analysts are speculating about the possible profits for IBM post the acquisition of Sun Microsystems, which owns the right to Java programming language & MySQL open source database. According to the Wall Street Journal IBM has dropped its offer to $9 & $10 a share from their previous demand of $10 to $11 per share. If this major takeover happens, this will be one of the biggest in IBM’s history.

The possibilities are myriad. We can possibly see IBM computers with Solaris & other Sun Microsystems products and hence can give Microsoft, UNIX a run for their money. It will increase the demand of IBM and Sun Certifications in the IT industry.

Say No to Brain Dumps

2009-04-01T12:31:00.005+05:30

In common parlance, transfer of important information from one person to another on a piece of paper is called a “brain dump”. In IT terminology, copying material from any set of data is referred as “brain dump”.

This is a well renowned term in IT certification industry today. Exactly copied exams or questions in certification exams is called brain dump. There are people who deliberately memorize all the questions which appear in the exams. After they are through with exam, they transfer the questions to other aspirants for a token amount.

Why brain dumps?
IT certification exams are very costly and are high stake exams, most often leading to coveted jobs in the industry. These exams are relatively difficult to crack as well. Approximately 60% of people who are preparing for certification exams, go for brain dumps, because they are relatively cheaper and sometime you can get them completely free on the Internet. These come significantly cheaper than the authorized study material in the form of books and online training courses.

In my opinion, brain dumps are very bad, both for the candidate as well as the industry. They are not useful, if you are aspiring to carve out a real career in IT. Using these dumps shows that you are not being honest towards your career. The questions given in brain dumps are not very helpful, because the pattern of certification exams keep on changing. Also the learning is practically zero. One must understand that only what we have really learnt well will help succeed in our career.

Say no to brain dumps!
Brain dumps devalue the certification itself and even the genuine certification holders loose out because of a few who clear exams just based on their rote learning from dumps.

From my personal experience, I have seen people who used brain dumps for preparation for certification exam and then were eventually stripped off their certification credentials. Oftentimes, the material specified in dumps is obsolete, inadequate & you can’t trust those questions.

People, who are selling brain dumps, don’t care about a student’s future and their career. Their only aim to make money. Students who are not serious about certification and don’t want to work hard, go for brain dumps. Only when they fail do they realize their folly!

Non-Disclosure Agreement

Brain dumps are a clear violation of the certification Non-Disclosure Agreement. Many certification vendors are using Non- disclosure Agreement (NDA) to prevent examinees to go for cheated material. It’s necessary for participant’s to sign the agreement before going for the exam.

Microsoft’s Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) and General Terms of Use (the "Exam Agreement") is made and entered into as of the electronic signature date below by and between Microsoft Corporation, ("Microsoft") and the examinee (the "Examinee").

Cisco also maintains a record of participants who sign the Non-disclosure Agreement (NDA). If you are found searching for brain dumps or going for them, you are committing a legal offence.

Bottom Line
The bottom line is that brain dumps hurt everyone, whether you are going for it or not. I suggest that you should not go for brain dumps, rather start studying as we all do in our schools. They are strictly illegal & waste.

There are certain other ways to prepare for certification. There are affordable alternatives such as e-learning, where an aspirant can get all necessary material for preparation. Try out websites such as HyperLessons.com for a very holistic way to prepare for IT Certification exams.

SCJD as a follow up to SCJP

2009-03-30T16:04:00.007+05:30

Sun Certified Java Developer (SCJD) is a specialty level certification for java programmers. SCJD is not as easy as SCJP. SCJD checks the individual’s skill to perform in the practical world. The applicant should be able to work on commercial web applications. An applicant should be proficient in Java programming language using Java Standard Edition (J2SE). This is the qualification that Sun requires in a programmer who is appearing for SCJD.

As a prerequisite, the applicant must be a Sun Certified Java Programmer (SCJP) in any edition. In SCJD, you learn how to apply skills and language that you have learn while doing SCJP to solve practical problems.

There are two exams or assignments that are required for SCJD certification. First, CX-310-252A is a programming assignment type of exam. It takes a lot of time (at least several weeks) for completing this program. Second the CX-310-027 exam is an essay type. SCJD applicant must use custom file formats in his program for a detailed program. The program should be detailed in every aspect. Also, there is no strict limit for both these exam.

SCJD certification has become a global standard for many IT companies and the SCJD certified people are in good demand in the IT industry. The reason for this demand is that SCJD’s are assumed to be more competitive, confident & they have ultimate evidence to show that they can perform complex task or projects very well than a non-certified developer. The graph shown below provides an indicative measure of salaries which a SCJD certification leads to, although this is only valid for the US.

Median Salary by Job - Certification: Sun Certified Java Developer (SCJD) (United States)

CAREER TOOLS: Salary Calculator, Career Path Tool, Cost of Living Calculator, Meeting Miser

Source:Payscale

Related to: SCJA and SCJP

Train Now!

2009-03-26T17:24:00.005+05:30

Rarely does a day go by without a friend or former colleague calling up to ask for a job. He’s either been asked to go or simply wants to quit because “the writing is on the wall”. And I tell them all to be patient. I also request them to take time off, plan their expenses and invest – not in stocks or real estate or gold; but invest in themselves.

How?! How does one invest in oneself?

So, be patient. And read on…

Yesterday, The Economic Times reported “India’s second-biggest software exporter, Infosys Technologies, has postponed its hiring plans for engineering graduates this year by almost six months, as the company seeks to cope with a lower demand for software services in its top markets of US and Europe. Next fiscal, Infosys will be interviewing potential employees by visiting top engineering colleges during eighth semester, and not sixth semester as before.”

Nothing new, you’ll say. This is the kind of bad news that appears every day and makes us want to stop reading the papers: ironical, isn’t it, that the pink dailies keep telling us our economy is in anything but the pink of health? But, think about it - isn’t there another message here that’s obvious if you choose to read between the lines? Isn’t it true that half-empty glasses are also half-full?

If Infosys and a hundred other sure-shot employers are going to defer their recruitment plans and then get really selective about who they’ll eventually hire, it means that life is going to get even tougher. Because it means that being good is no longer enough – to convert a CV into an appointment letter, you have to be the best. You have to be better trained, smarter, more confident. Actually, if you go deeper, you'll find Infosys saying so as well: read what they have to say in the part on Enhancing Human Capital here.

You have to invest in yourself - right now. Simple.

It may sound paradoxical but the best time to study and retrain yourself, upgrade your skills is now – when jobs are scarce. When the pressure of meeting deadlines, screaming bosses and political-minded, back-stabbing colleagues isn’t there. Take advantage of this time and do something productive – you’ll find that the return on this investment will last a lifetime. And when Infosys comes calling, you’ll be ahead of the queue ☺

And there are many ways to do it: enroll for a course at a physical centre/university. Or prepare for stuff like IT Certification online without losing the flexibility and free-time you have.

After all, the darker the cloud, the more silver there is in the lining.

Cheers!

Entry Level Java Certifications - SCJA and SCJP

2009-03-26T17:15:00.010+05:30

There are four levels in Java certification. The first is the associate level, which affirms that you have a basic knowledge which enables you to get an entry into a career in Java application development. On the next level, the associates need to be trained on foundation set of Java skills, which confirms by becoming a Sun Certified Java Programmer. Thirdly, you have advanced or specialty training & certifications that helps in your career growth into more specific job roles that make you a very value asset for your organization.

Source: Java Certification Path

SCJA
Sun Certified Java Associate (SCJA) is the newest of Sun's Java Certifications. It tests your basic knowledge of Object oriented programming, UML (universal markup language) concepts, the Java programming language & general knowledge of Java platforms & technologies. By becoming a sun certified associate, sun confirms that you have a basic set of knowledge that helps you get an entry into a career in application development or software project management using Java technology. It is targeted at new-comers to Java who are not necessarily working in technical positions, such as project managers, students, or developers for whom Java is not a primary requirement. SCJA certified associates are great in demand by employers & clients.

Demand trend
Salary trend

Let's talk about certification: SCJA

View more presentations from José maria Silveira neto.

Source: Slideshare

SCJP
Sun Certified Java Programmer (SCJP) is an entry level Java exam and is a prerequisite for other Java related certifications. There have been a number of previous versions of SCJP. The current version, SCJP 6.0 is aimed at JDK 6.0 release of Java. It is basically for programmers interested in showing their skills in the fundamentals of the Java Programming language. It’s not necessary to be Sun Certified Java Associate prior to taking this exam. This exam tests looping constructs and variables, and does not cover specific technologies such as GUI creation, Web or network programming. It is designed as a fairly detailed test of basic knowledge of the essentials of the Java programming language. It tests looping constructs and variables, and does not cover specific technologies such as GUI creation, Web or network programming. In recent years, the SCJP certification has become a global standard for many successful IT companies.

Demand trend

Salary

How much are certifications worth?

2009-03-24T16:23:00.005+05:30

Median Salary by Certification - Country: India (India)

CAREER TOOLS: Salary Calculator, Career Path Tool, Cost of Living Calculator, Meeting Miser

Use this handy tool from Payscale to understand how certifications can really boost your confidence as well as your wallet :) In fact, if your salaries are not close to these benchmarks, you better get certified!

All about Database Certifications

2009-03-23T12:56:00.002+05:30

A collection of grouped information organized in such a way that a simple computer program can select the desired data according to the requirement, in IT terminology it is called database. It is an application that manages the data & allows fast storage & retrieval of data. There are different types of databases, but the most popular among all is relational database. It stores data in tables where each row holds the same sort of information. Relational databases are currently the predominant choice in storing financial records, manufacturing and logistical information, personnel data and much more. Oracle and SQL Server are popular commercial relational databases.

A database management system (DBMS) is software that has been created to allow the efficient use and management of databases, including ensuring that data is consistent and correct and facilitating it’s updating. For small, single user databases, all functions are often managed by a single program; for larger and multi-user databases, multiple programs are usually involved and client-server architecture is generally employed. Software database drivers are available for most database platforms so that application software can use a common Application Programming Interface (API) to retrieve the information stored in a database. Two commonly used database APIs are JDBC and ODBC.

Why every small, large multinational company need database administrator?

If you are a database administrator professional and you need to improve your skills or want to upgrade your resume, then you should go for certification in database administration. Perhaps you had just started your career in database administration & you like to make a mark in your field. Thereare various database administration certification provided by some popular database vendors.

Microsoft Certified Database Administrator (MCDBA) - It’s a certification designed for professional who implement, design & administer SQL databases. It’s appropriate for those individual who handles all the database related work starting from creating the database till managing the database. The job roles for Microsoft certified database administrator professionals include: database administrator, analyst, & developers. MCDBA is a part of previous MCP certifications.

Oracle

Oracle has introduced a wide range of certification programs for entry level to experienced professionals and for domains ranging from database administration, database management to programming, web development and other advanced technologies. For Database Administration related certifications are discussed in two parts.

Entry Level
Oracle’s OCA DBA 9i & 10g - They are designed to certify foundation skills in an individual for database administration. If you want to go OCP 9i or 10g exams, then you should be an OCA DBA 9i or 10g. There are no prerequisites for OCA DBA 9i & 10g certification; it would be helpful if you have experience working with SQL and Oracle database or other databases. OCA 9i & 10g certified professionals find appropriate job easily & get paid more.

Professional Level
Oracle’s OCP DBA 9i - OCP status prove that you have achieved a high level of oracle database design & implementation skills. As an OCP certified professional, your employers & customers will be confident in your knowledge, skills to design, develop & implement solutions. The prerequisite for OCP DBA 9i certification is the OCA certification. You have to take two tests to achieve this certification.

Oracle’s OCP DBA 10g - It requires skills that include implementing & managing complex Oracle Database 10g functions, recovering and tuning the database using advanced tools and technologies. The OCP DBA 10g is an advanced certification targeted towards DBAs having full experience on Oracle databases. The prerequisite for OCP DBA 10g certification is the OCA 10g certification. The OCP certification is highly demanded. Employers prefer professionals holding the OCP DBA 10g certification, as they can be sure that he has a solid foundation of skills needed for effective performance in the workplace.

Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) - Specializations Available

2009-03-20T10:20:00.000+05:30

CCNP Certification focuses on routing & switching of scalable networks including intranets & campuses. It includes building scalable CISCO networks, securing converged wide area networks. It is used by Cisco certified professionals as a step between CCNA & CCIE. This article goes beyond CCNP (Routers and Switches) to the other specializations in the area of design, voice, internetwork & security. We discuss what is involved in each, the career options and the demand trends for these certifications.

CCDP – It is a professional-level certification designed to reflect advanced knowledge in network design. After you successfully complete CCNA or CCDA certification, you are eligible to give exams CCDP. It is a direct entry into the professional world and a certificate that is recognized by the industry. It is crucial for you to invest your time and money in this certificate, by appearing for the CCDP exam. After you get CCDP certified, you can find jobs in the domains of network design and implementation, or optimization network performance.

CCVP - There is growing demand for CCVP (Cisco certified voice professionals) in the global market to integrate the VoIP (voice over internet protocol) system into the existing networks. To be eligible for CCVP, you must first pass the CCNA certification. VoIP system is integrated into the IP-based networks. CCVP is the worldwide recognized IT certification in IP-based networks.

CCIP - This is for those professionals who want to work, or are working in a service provider organization with competencies in infrastructure IP networking solutions. CCIP certified individuals must have a thorough knowledge & understanding of network technologies in the service provider arena. Demand for CCIP is great in the current scenario, and CCIPs command high salaries as compared to other professionals.

CCSP - It is designed for IT Professionals who are responsible for delivering self-defending networks that are integrated & adopted. CCSP ensures that a network professional should be actively involved in designing and delivering multiple levels of security departments. A CCSP can secure and manage network infrastructure to protect productivity and reduce costs. Either the CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate) or CCIP (Cisco Certified Internetwork Specialist) are prerequisites for CCSP.

Source: CCDP, CCVP, CCIP, CCSP Jobs

Related to: CCNA

Beyond CCNA Routers and Switches

2009-03-18T15:51:00.000+05:30

CCNA Certification is a means to demonstrate one’s ability to work on medium size route & switched networks. The most popular variant of the certification is CCNA (Routers and Switches). This article goes beyond CCNA (Routers and Switches) to the other specializations in the area of security, voice, wireless and design. We discuss what is involved in each, the career options and the demand trends for these certifications.

CCNA Security - It meets the needs of IT professionals who are responsible for network security. It also confirms an individual's skills for job roles such as Network Security Specialist, Security Administrator, and Network Security Support Engineer. CCNA Security prepares you for new career opportunities in security networking. There is an immense rise in demand for CCNA jobs. The Salary packages have also increased with an in increase in demand for jobs

CCNA Voice - It confirms that an individual possesses required skill set for specialized job roles in voice technologies. Voice is becoming more & more accepted in today’s world & network admins who have certification in Voice will have an upper hand over those who don’t have a voice certification. There are various designations after this; an individual could work as a voice engineer, voice specialist & voice analyst. Employers are looking for voice engineers; demand is also on the rise for this position.

CCNA Wireless - It validates your skill and ability to implement, configure & support wireless LANs using CISCO equipments. Training is provided to students with information & practice activities to prepare them for monitoring, troubleshooting for basic tasks of Cisco WLan’s in small-medium sized business & enterprise networks.

CCNA Design(CCDA) - Cisco Certified Design Associate is certification for IT professionals who can design routed and switched network infrastructures involving LAN, WAN services for businesses and organizations. The CCDA has as its prerequisite the knowledge and skills to install, configure, and operate basic network infrastructures such as, Cisco Designer. As well, Cisco highly recommends holding the CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate).There is an immense rise in demand for CCDA associates. Companies providing a good salary packages to certified associates. Demand & Salary Graph for CCDA.

Source : CCNA Jobs, CCDA Jobs

How to prepare for IT Certification exams

2009-03-12T18:18:00.000+05:30

Generally speaking, what are the best resources to use when studying for your certification exams? This quick guide to study will help you organize your thoughts and decide what resources to use when preparing. We have considered various factors including your budgetary constraints as well as the amount of time you can devote towards training for IT Certifications.

Case I: You are quite comfortable with the technology in question and you have some finances to spare

Being comfortable with the technology you do not require hand holding class room sessions. You can do really well with online training such as that provided by Hyperlessons.com. This not only has authorized courseware but also provides expert chat sessions to clarify your doubts, virtual labs for hands-on practice as well as practice tests from Brainbench. To get more exam tips from other fellow learners you can supplement your learning by frequenting forums such as Microsoft, Cisco, Sun, Oracle, ProProfs. Top this up with authorized practice tests from MeasureUp (authorized by Microsoft) and you are on strong footing. If online learning is not your cup of tea, go in for O’Reilly and Amazon to purchase books on IT Certifications. Books are relatively cheap and some are specifically geared towards examination preparation. One piece of advice here would be to use authorized courses as these are updated constantly and with these you can never go wrong.

Case II: You are NOT comfortable with the technology

Here the recommendation would be combine some online learning with instructor led classes such as those from NIIT. For students outside India there are other instructor led training options available. Also, there are options such as video lectures offered by players such as Testout. This combination ensures clarity in concepts and helps you succeed with certainty. All supplements help – for example, knowledge gained through forums, mock tests etc.
After learning online or from books depending on your preference it is advisable to keep abreast of exam changes by visiting popular forums for certification preparation, maintained by top experts & certified people, Hyperlessons, Microsoft, Cisco, Sun, Oracle, ProProfs. There are some general forums also like Cert Guard. Several sites offer chat rooms geared towards helping students with their certifications. Visit these chat rooms, Microsoft chat rooms, Hyperlessons, Cisco and Test Out.
Supplement these with authorized mock tests and you are prepared to take on the certification exams!
It is always important to keep abreast with general knowledge on IT Certifications. You can have these on general certification forums where experts and fellow learners share their knowledge on certifications. Handy links to some common ones are here - Cert Cities, ProProfs

Following the steps above with concentration and honesty will ensure that you do well on the D-Day. A general advice – never reply on brain dumps. First and most important, it does not lead to actual skill development and second you can be deceived (more often than not) when questions you have mugged up do not appear.

All about IT Security and related Certifications

2009-03-10T15:51:00.000+05:30

In the computer industry, security refers to techniques which ensure that data stored in a computer cannot be read or compromised by any individual without authorization. Most security measures involve data encryption and passwords. Data encryption is the translation of data into a form that is unintelligible without a deciphering mechanism. A password is a secret word or phrase that gives a user access to a particular program or system.
IT Security is a vast domain and has various subsets as listed below:

Application Security
This encompasses measures taken throughout the application's life-cycle to prevent exceptions in the security policy of an application or the underlying system (vulnerabilities) through flaws in the design, development, deployment, up gradation, or maintenance of the application. Certification for application security: GIAC Web Application Penetration Tester (GWAPT).

Computer Security
This is a branch of technology known as information security as applied to computers. The objective of computer security can include protection of information from theft or corruption, or the preservation of availability, as defined in the security policy.

Network Security
This consists of the provisions made in an underlying computer network infrastructure, policies adopted by the network administrator to protect the network and the network-accessible resources from unauthorized access, and consistent and continuous monitoring and measurement of its effectiveness (or lack) combined together.
A video on network security certification

Internet security
When a computer connects to a network and begins communicating with others, it is taking a risk. Internet security involves the protection of a computer's internet account and files from intrusion of an unknown user. Basic security measures involve protection by well selected passwords, change of file permissions and back up of computer's data.
Providing full security to the network and its users is the job of internet security professionals. The description of their job position: First, the internet security professionals design security protocols that should be followed by every user in the network; second, they work with network professionals to ensure network security through proper network design; and third, they work with application developers so that the application would be implemented according to the network’s security measures.

Important Certifications in the Security Domain (According to International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium (ISC2)).

Certified Information System Security Professional (CISSP) - If you plan to build a career in information security – one of today’s most visible professions – and if you have at least five full years of experience in information security, then the CISSP® credential should be your next career goal.CISSP certification is not only an objective measure of excellence, but a globally recognized standard of achievement.

Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP) – ISC2 introduced the Systems Security Certified Practitioner certification in March 2001. This intermediate-level certification is meant for IT security practitioners with a minimum of one year of PROFESSIONAL experience in the field of information security. SSCP is ideal for those working towards positions such as Network Security Engineers, Security Systems Analysts, or Security Administrators.

RSA Certified Security Professional - The RSA Certified Security Professional Program offers technology professionals the knowledge, skills, and credentials necessary to deploy and maintain reliable enterprise security systems.

Cisco Certified Security Professional (CCSP) - The CCSP certification is an advanced network security certification. With CCSP certification, a network professional demonstrates the skills required to secure and manage network infrastructures to protect productivity and reduce costs. Candidates for the certification are tested for advanced knowledge of various Cisco security products
Brainbench Internet Security Certification (BIS) - This credential identifies individuals with a good working knowledge of Internet security practices, principles, and technologies.
Brainbench Network Security Certification (BNS) - This program identifies individuals with a good working knowledge of network security practices, principles, and technologies.
Security Certified Network Professional (SCNP) - As part of the vendor-neutral Security Certified Program (SCP) sponsored by Ascendent Learning, the SCNP is an advanced security certification designed to test knowledge of high-level security topics.

Sources
· [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Application_security]
· [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_security]
· [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_security]
· [http://certification.about.com/od/securitycerts/a/seccertessentls.htm]
· [http://www.hyperlessons.com]

Another Fun Online Tutorial to Learn Adobe Photoshop

2009-03-10T11:17:00.000+05:30

A Fun Way to Learn Microsoft Excel Online!

2009-03-10T11:12:00.000+05:30

IT Certifications in Demand

2009-03-04T16:50:00.000+05:30

Top 15 Highest Paying Certifications in the Technology Industry

According to recent salary surveys by ZDNET's Tech Republic organization, the following are the highest paying certifications to have in the technology industry.

Following each certification is the average annual salary being paid to individual responders that hold the certification. I have also listed training resources to learn more information about how to acquire each of the highest paying certifications.

1. PMI Project Management Professional (PMP)

With an average annual salary of $101,695, the PMP certification from the Project Management Institute (PMI) organization tops the list of highest paying certifications for the current year.

2. PMI Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)

Next highest on the list of highest paying certifications is PMI's Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM). The average annual salary for CAPM holders that were surveyed is $101,103.

3. ITIL v2 - Foundations

With an annual average salary of $95,415 the ITIL v2 Foundations certification came up third on the list of highest paying certifications. ITIL stands for the IT Infrastructure Library. The ITIL certification is designed to show expertise in ITIL service support and service delivery.

4. Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

Coming in at a close 4th on the list of highest paying certifications is the Certified Information Systems Security Professional or CISSP certification from (ISC)2. The average annual reported salary was $94,018.

5. Cisco CCIE Routing and Switching

At $93,500 per year average annual salary, the Cisco CCIE Routing and Switching certification came in 5th on the list of highest paying certifications in the technology industry.

6. Cisco CCVP - Certified Voice Professional

Number six on the list of the highest paying certifications is the Cisco CCVP or Cisco Certified Voice Professional. The average annual salary of CCVP respondents was $88,824.

7. ITIL v3 - ITIL Master

The ITIL v3 certification - the ITIL Master - came in 7th on the list of the highest paying technical certifications. The average annual salary for ITIL Master certification holders was $86,600.

8. MCSD - Microsoft Certified Solution Developer

The MCSD or Microsoft Certified Solution Developer certification pays an average of $84,522. This puts the MCSD certification at number 8 on the list of highest paying certifications in technology.

9. Cisco CCNP - Cisco Certified Network Professional

Cisco Certified Network professional or CCNP certification is number 9 on the list of highest paying technical certifications. The average annual salary reported by CCNP holders is $84,161.

10. Red Hat Certified Engineer

The Red Hat Certified Engineer (RGCE) came in at number 10 on the list of highest paying certifications. The average annual salary reported by Red Hat Certified Engineers is $83,692.

Source: http://jobsearchtech.about.com/od/educationfortechcareers/tp/HighestCerts.htm

Welcome to Hyperlessons.com

2009-03-04T15:18:00.000+05:30

Hyperlessons.com is an eLearning initiative by NIIT to provide convenient, personalised and affordable training to students and working professionals. We provide online training courses and programs for Career Certifications such as those by Microsoft, Sun, Cisco, Red Hat, Oracle and PMI. With strong partnerships with Microsoft, Sun and Cisco amongst others, we bring authorised courses compiled by experts in ElementK, USA, from these technology majors.

Representative Courses

Hyperlessons.com offers online courses for career certifications such as MCTS, MCITP, MCSE, CCNA, CCNP, SCJA, SCJP, SCJD, SCWCD, OCA, OCP, RHCE, RHCT and PMP. Apart from these, we offer career value-added courses such as those in Leadership, Conflict Management, Negotiation skills etc. to help professionals and individuals grow their skill set holistically.

What makes us the leaders in online training
Our content has helped over 3.5 million learners worldwide from Fortune 100 companies, universities, technology majors, training corporations and publishing houses.

The online learning packs offered by Hyperlessons.com are characterised by the following unique features:
·     Authorised training content from Microsoft and Sun
·     State-of-the-art virtual labs or v-Labs which provide hands-on experience on technology and simulations
·     Learning communities to help you interact with fellow learners
·     Expert Chat Sessions to clarify doubts
·     Brainbench exams to help you do your best