Moderator-Julie: For more information on "network coding" read Network coding: networking's next revolution? .

Bobm: Any recommendations about certifications if you are more hardware oriented?

Patrick_Regan: What do you mean by hardware oriented? WAN? LAN? or PC?

Bobm: What I mean by being hardware oriented is PCs or LANs primarily.

Patrick_Regan: Typically, for a PC technician, there is only one cert to get and that is the A+. While the A+ is really only a basic PC technician, it has enough clout and recognition to get your foot in the door. I used to recommend the Network+ exam, but a lot of the material has been brought into the A+ exam that is not necessary. There is not a specific LAN hardware cert to go except the CCNA, which test switches and routers and TCP/IP in general.

SpyMaster: Wondering about Java certifications. Do they guarantee a job?

Patrick_Regan: With any certification, there is no guarantee. Think of a certification as being a foot in the door to get an interview. Then when you interview, you will really show them what you can do. As a Java programmer, it really helps to have some nice razzle dazzle applications so you can show them what you have created -- not that it looks pretty and flashy, but that it also has a concrete function that a company may want.

FlyboyC172: What is the highest sought-after certification by employers in the job market today? What is the best way to obtain these certs?

Patrick_Regan: I am not 100% on the exact rankings but the Cisco CCIE is very high. Also the CCISP is high if you want to specialize in security. The CCISP usually goes well with a Cisco security certification or a Microsoft MCSE certification.

Moderator-Keith: PRE-SUBMITTED QUESTION: How does the release of Windows Server 2008 impact Microsoft's certification programs?

Patrick_Regan: When Microsoft releases a server operating system, they retire the older certification. So in this case, Microsoft will be retiring the Windows Server 2000 MCSE program. Therefore, you should expect the Windows Server 2003 MCSE program to be around for a minimum of three more years. Another change to the program is that Microsoft will not be continuing the MCSE program for Windows Server 2008. Instead, it has been replaced with the Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP), which you will find is very similar to the MCSE program. If you compare the MCITP Enterprise and the MCSE Windows Server 2003, you will find that the two tracks are very similar. For the workstation requirement, Windows Vista exam replaced the Windows XP exam. Both tracks have an Active Directory exam and a Network Infrastructure exam. The Windows Server 2008 Application/Platform Configuration exam replaces the Windows Server 2003 exam. With the Windows Server 2003 exam, you would take one design course plus one elective, while the MCITP has the Enterprise Administrator exam which includes advanced topics including design.

StevenB: Cisco CCNA Question: What is the best material to prepare you for CCNA -- software, simulations and/or books? What specific ones do you prefer?

Patrick_Regan: Of course, I would recommend the Exam Cram books, but then again I've written some of them. I also know that Que is about ready to release a whole new set of books for the newer exams. I would also try to acquire RouterSim, which allows you to build a network consisting of multiple subnets, switches and routers. If you programmed all of the routers and switches properly, you should be able to ping from one side to the other. The Sybec book for the CCNA is good also.

Rocky: I felt that after graduating with my BS in Computing Technology and my knowledge that a job would be waiting for me somewhere. I know computers well. How long should it take to obtain a certification? Will the standard Microsoft certs and Cisco certs offer a good base for understanding where the Internet and corporate internets meet?