The Server+ certification from CompTIA is a middle-level certification aimed primarily at candidates who have approx. 18-24 months experience working in or around a server environment.
While CompTIA certifications are generally aimed at entry-level candidates, this is not the case with the Server+ certification – prior experience is assumed. By the time you’re ready to take the Server+ exam you should be competent in server technology, installations and configuration, troubleshooting, maintenance, upgrading and disaster recovery.
While there are no specific pre-requisites for the Server+ exam, it should be noted that the exam is targeted toward mid-level technicians so adequate knowledge of networks and hardware is required.
To that end, those who are considering doing the Server+ certification as an entry-level cert might be more suited to CompTIA’s other offerings such as the Network+ or A+ first. Indeed, approximately 10 – 15% of the exam objectives for both the Network+ and the A+ overlap into the Server+, so having those exams under your belt first will give you a good foundation to move onto the Server+ exam.
While being able to pass the Server+ exam without hands-on server experience is certainly possible, the Server+ exam is geared toward those who currently work in a server environment and are looking to validate and expand on their experience. For those looking to go further than the Server+ credential, gaining the Server+ also counts as an elective credit toward Microsoft’s MCSA (with the A+).
Having done the Net+ and the A+ I'm now currently studying for the Security+ exam.
If all goes well, I hope to have it done in the next two months - so unfortunately I can't offer you any insight to the exam and how you should prepare.
But I can share the resources that I've found to help me study for the Security+, so hopefully there'll be something here to help you also.
And of course, I'll be adding to the list as I come across good Security+ resources, so if you have any links of your own that you'd like to contribute please feel free to e-mail me at doc AT certification-crazy.net.
I'm currently thumbing my way through the Testtaker's Security+ Exam Guide - it had a reasonable write up on Amazon.
So far it seems to be a reasonable source of information, but I'm not doing too well at the test questions ;). Hopefully that means the questions are tough enough to test my ability.
If you're doing the Security+ exam then, as a fellow student, I wish you the best of luck. From what I gather, the Security+ exam is pretty broad, not too deep.
In other words, there are many topics covered but not to any great depth. In my view, this is a good thing as the Security+ certification is only meant to be an entry-level certification.
I've also put up on this site a studying tips section. There'll you'll find advice on how to study effectively, memory improvement, speed reading etc. Perhaps you might learn something about your studying habits, perhaps not.
CompTIA Security+ certification is aimed at IT professionals who have two years on-the-job networking experience, with an emphasis on security. The Security+, exam code SY0รข€“101, was introduced in December 2002.
It is an entry-level, vendor-neutral certification which makes a great stepping stone to more advanced certifications, such as the ISC2 SSCP and CISSP, and the SANS GIAC. It also may be used in some Microsoft certification tracks.
The Network+ Certification from Comptia is a vendor-neutral certification that is aimed at network technicians with about one to two year’s experience. This doesn’t preclude you from pursuing the Network+ certification however if you don’t have that experience as there are no pre-requisites for the exam – indeed having this CompTIA certification may just be the difference between getting your foot in the door into the I.T. industry or not.
This exam is a good compliment to the Comptia A+ certfication exam and should equip a successful candidate with the necessary knowledge to administer and support a network.
The certification targets 4 main areas (although I recommend checking out Comptia’s Network+ certification objectives here for the full list of what is covered in the exam):
• Media and Topologies (20%)
• Protocols and Standards (25%)
• Network Implementation (23%)
• Network Support (32%)
The most heavily weighted section in the CompTIA Network+ certification exam is Network Support, and it's the most likely section to throw those people off who haven’t had much experience in the work force. A candidate can easily memorise subjects like TCP/IP (although you could probably devote many years alone to that subject) but it’s the real-world questions where you’ll want to be drawing on real-world experience.
Having said that, the Network+ certification is an entry-level certification so again, if you know your stuff you shouldn’t go wrong – and you’ll be able to use this exam as cross-credits for Microsoft and Novell certifications also.
The CompTIA Network+ certification exam itself consists of 72 questions and you have 90 minutes to complete them – and it’s not as daunting as it sounds. Some questions will obviously take longer to read and complete than others, but if you know your stuff you should get through the exam with sufficient time to spare for review if required. The passing score is 646 out of a possible 900, and if you pass you too could be the proud owner of a flimsy cardboard wallet-card that you’ll receive some weeks after the exam.
CompTIA’s e-Biz+ certification is aimed at “both technical and non-technical individuals who work in an e-Business environment and possess at least 12 months of core e-business experience.”
The e-Biz+ program, exam code EK0–001, was transferred from the Gartner Institute to CompTIA in April 2001.
While under the control of Gartner, this certification was called e-Business Fundamentals. The e-Biz+ designation is an entry-level, vendor-neutral certification that requires no prerequisites.
CompTIA i-Net+ certification is meant for entry-level Internet and e-commerce technical professionals. The i-Net+, exam code IK0 “002, was introduced in April 2000 and then updated in April 2002.
It is a vendor-neutral certification that is worth achieving on route to more advanced Internet-related certifications.
In fact, you may use your i-Net+ certification to become a CIW Associate, rather than taking the CIW Foundations exam. There are no prerequisites for this certification.
CompTIA’s Certified Technical Trainer (CTT+) certification is for IT professionals who are full or part time technical instructors.
The CTT+ cross-industry certification was acquired from the Chauncey Group International in July 2001.
It was most recently changed in September 2003 when new objectives were released that “bring the format into closer alignment with CompTIA-based standards, following a job task analysis just completed.”
CompTIA CDIA+ certification is meant for document imaging professionals. The CDIA+, exam code 225-020, was introduced in 1995 as the Certified Document Imaging Architect. It was updated in April 2002. It is a fairly high-level, vendor-neutral certification that validates document imaging and management skills. There are no prerequisites for this certification, although CompTIA suggests holding their Network+ or IT Project+ titles.
