Cisco Wireless Certifications get a Refresh

Cisco recently updated their wireless exams to version 2.0 for both CCNA Wireless and CCNP Wireless.The new version brings a much needed update that is more in line with current Cisco wireless technologies.

Some of the updated content includes more recent versions of WLC (Wireless Lan Controller) and client software. They've also expanded 802.11n support and added more information about Video over wireless and Voice over wireless. Check Cisco's website for more details.

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Microsoft MTA vouchers

In its part of 20 years| 20 ways, a year long effort which celebrates 20 years of Microsoft certification, Microsoft has partnered with Net Hope Academy to give aspiring young IT professionals a chance to earn a Microsoft Technology Associate MTA certification.

MTA certification is an entry-level certification designed to help individuals take their first step toward a career as an IT professional or developer. Learn more about Microsoft Technology Associate here.

Microsoft has donated up to 1,000 vouchers to NetHope academy for distribution around the world with specific locations in Africa and Kenya in general, to illegible and aspiring technology professionals. The donated vouchers and free learning resources will help one earn a Microsoft Certification.

In this program, there are 7 different options for MTA certification where students can show their competency; Windows Azure, Window Server Administration, Virtualization Administration, Enterprise messaging, Lync Server 2010, Sharepoint 2010 application development and developing Windows phone Applications.

 Request an MTA Exam Voucher here.

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IT Certification and Experience: Which comes first.

When i earned my first cert as an MCP, i expected to be a hot cake opening doors like i owned the city. How wrong i was! It later dawned on me that i was a newbie who had the right credentials but lacked experience.

Certifications are a way of demonstrating the knowledge and experience that one has already accumulated. They hardly give you a direct path to that dream job or make you an exception. In many cases HR departments will focus on finding experienced and certified individuals. Infact having a couple of certifications without having any experience raises red flags and makes prospective employers suspicious. Having experience is what speaks loudest.

Too often many of this certification available in the IT industry are all paper based..read the study guides and you have all you need to pass the certification exam. After all there are certified chaps who have passed tests, but who when required on the job, cannot perform the simplest if IT tasks.
It is always advised that one acquires the experience; and no...you don't have to have paid experience. you can volunteer to help fix computers and set-up basic networks in small and medium enterprises.

In my own humble opinion, you shouldn't be able to get a certification without proof of related hands on experience. A certification without any experience is like shooting yourself in the foot. The correct path for professional certification is acquire the knowledge and experience and then earn the certification.

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CompTIA Announces New Data Storage Certification

CompTIA and the Storage Networking Industry Association  (SNIA) has introduced a new exam and certification targeted towards IT storage professionals with atleast 12 months of experience.

ComTIA Storage+ powered by SNIA is relevant to a number of positions in the IT industry, including Storage administrators, system administrators and network engineers.
The certification comes at a time when organisations are scrambling to come up with strategies to manage the massive volumes of data they're generating.

"The rise in mobile computing, the shift to cloud-enabled services, a need for heightened security and a host of other factors add to the complexity of this environment, which can challenge even the most seasoned IT storage pro. Together with SNIA we've developed a certification that will help individual IT workers keep pace with the changing storage landscape and empower employers to validate the skills of their IT professionals," said Terry Eradle-CompTIA executive president.

The exam certifies that a successful candidate has the knowledge and skills required to configure basic data storage and storage networks to include archive back-up and restoration technologies. Though not required,either CompTIA A+, Network+ or Security+ is recommended as a prerequisite.

The exam costs Sh.29,000 in Kenya.

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Certification training: Self study 101

If you are looking at obtaining a certification in Kenya, whether Microsoft, Comptia, HP or Cisco, training and preparation is essential. The big question always is if you can’t get your employer to pay, can you afford it?

Certs in Kenya can be expensive especially for students and/or job entry professionals. Training fees in Kenya rages from Ksh30,000 to Ksh.150,000 on a single certification without the exam cost. It's obstacles like this that hinder cert progress in Kenya to individuals who are in most occasions self sponsored.

Exit training fees enter self study. Self study has become the chosen method of learning new information or continuing one’s education. This method proves to be more adaptive inform of time consumption and self pace.

When settling out to study for the certs, one of the most important tools you will use is an e-book. E-Books are often the least expensive and simplest way to study for your exams. If you already have some knowledge of your subject, they are a great way to prepare. There are several good study guides and books out there, once you know how and where to look. Most certification books come with practice question CD and other helpful study tools.

Quick tips:

• Always check year or date published and make sure you’re getting recent books with current information.
• Look for book reviews on websites like amazon.com
• Look for established authors who have published multiple books like Mike Meyers.

Another method for self study is video training. Video training is becoming very popular and is a great way to learn at your own pace, with a classroom experience. Video training are good for demonstration and interactivity purpose. They crate powerful and very high impact learning experience. Providers of computer based training videos for IT professionals include: trainsignal.com, cbtnuggets.com, learnsmartsystems.com, and vtc.com.

With sites like Googletrader.com and uzanunua.com, you can get great deals on used servers, software and other hardware. There is nothing like working with real-world equipment to help prepare for an exam.

Check for learning materials in certcollection.org, techexams.net, warez-bb.org, pdfbook.co.ke and certification news at mcpmag.com, informit.com, and born to learn

Always be on the look out for promotional offers, discounted and free vouchers on vendors’ websites and tech forums.

Whatever you do keep away from Braindumps ! IT certifications, like the doctor says, are bigger on the inside.

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