Re: MCDBA vs. MCIPT: Database Administrator
- From: "Lawrence Garvin [MVP]" <onsite@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Fri, 2 May 2008 19:30:42 -0500
"iamurboo" <iamurboo@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message news:9975C128-7DE3-44D1-91C8-D980BE8DE678@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I'm an DBA by title only but want to become certified. Do I first have to
take the required courses to be a MCDBA and then a MCTIP: Database
Administrator or can I just go directly and take the courses for MCITP: DA?
First... do not discount your "by title only"! I have a lot more respect for *real* DBAs who work every day in the field than I do for anybody who has the piece of paper, but can't do a simple backup/restore without assistance.
There is no requirement to take any coursework to sit for the exams, and there is no requirement to take the exams or certification programs in any particular order.
I myself, am working concurrently on all three certs (MCDBA, MCITP:DBA, MCITP:DBDev), and it's a race as to which one I'll actually get first.
You should take note, however, that while the MCITP certs are focused exclusively on DB skills (except the part of the MCITP:DBA exam that's going to require understanding server infrastructure to support DB clustering, etc.), the MCDBA (in addition to being SQL 2000 specific) is a bit broader, and requires you pass some elective exams on Windows Server 2003 or Visual Basic/Visual C# programming.
Much of the question of MCDBA vs MCITP really depends on where your actual experience exists, and what you plan to be doing in the coming months and years. If you're already working in a SQL2005 environment, I really wouldn't bother with the (SQL2000) MCDBA certification. The core exam for both MCITP certs is the 70-431, MCTS: SQL Server 2005, and that's where you'd logically want to start.
However, if you're still actively working on SQL2000, and need those skills (or plan to continue using those skills, say to do migrations for the next 3-5 years), then you might find some value in holding the MCDBA in addition to the MCITP:DBA.
It's also worth noting that the hardest exam in the MCDBA program is, pretty much without contest, the 70-228, Database Administration with SQL 2000 Enterprise Edition. But, if you have very solid SQL2000 skills, and much experience, it's conceivable you could walk in off the street, and pass this exam cold. For some DBAs, the real challenge is the 70-229, Database Development with SQL 2000 Enterprise Edition -- particularly if they don't have well-developed T-SQL skills.
--
Lawrence Garvin, M.S., MCITP, MCBMSP, MCTS(x4), MCP
Senior Data Architect, APQC, Houston, Texas
Microsoft MVP - Software Distribution (2005-2008)
MS WSUS Website: http://www.microsoft.com/wsus
My Websites: http://www.onsitechsolutions.com; http://wsusinfo.onsitechsolutions.com
My MVP Profile: http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/profile/Lawrence.Garvin
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