Among Microsoft various system certifications, the Microsoft Certified Server Administrator certification is among the most highly-sought. Individuals who complete the requirements for this certification have demonstrated an uncommon knowledge of the workings and administration of Microsoft's Server 2000 and Server 2003 platforms. For those who wish to expand their knowledge and increase their earning potential within a company or to change career, there are few more useful courses of study.

The MCSA program is somewhat different than the MCSE, the latter being the certification most often held by the best contractors who set up and deploy the Microsoft Server 2000 and Server 2003 technologies. Unlike an MCSE, an individual with an MCSA is an expert in operating the server technologies, is familiar with the best ways to deploy their various features and has an in-depth knowledge of the networking, security and function of server operating systems. The principal difference is that individuals with an MCSA are not typically responsible for designing the architecture or coordinating the actual implementation of a server running Server 2000 or 2003 but are, rather, concerned with keeping those systems running at their most efficient and with installing and maintaining the various components that allow a company to tailor those systems to their specific needs.

For employers, the MCSA certification is a guarantee that the individual bearing it is qualified to handle just about any server administration issue. The certification, in fact, is designed to offer some differentiation between individuals who are at the top levels of the IT world. While an MCSE is usually called upon as an outside contractor to deploy Windows Server technologies, the MCSA is usually a staff person. When trying to find individuals who can fill the specific role of a server administrator, consider an MCSA certification a reason to have great confidence in their abilities.

MCSA certified individuals usually have a specialization, in addition to their broader certification. One of two specializations will be carried by individuals with MCSA certifications: security or messaging. Those individuals with the security specialization may also have passed tests that deal with specific security issues. MCSA Security specialists are an asset for any company and can help keep a company's system as secure from outside and inside threats as possible. MSCA messaging specialization certifications denote those individuals who have a significant knowledge of Server 2000 and Server 2003's various mail server components. Exchange Server is the most frequently-used email server program by those companies that use Microsoft Server products. MCSA's who have studied this program in depth understand the deployment, maintenance and workings of this email server to a degree that ensures that a company enjoys the best possible support for its email servers.

The MCSA certification is offered by many different Microsoft partners, many of whom offer the coursework online. This certification is often a stepping stone to the more advanced MCSE certification, though the earning potential of an MCSA certified tech is more than enough reason to pursue the certification. This certification will really help you change career.