Rocky: What is the progression with the MCSE exams? Is the MCP the first cert you take?

Patrick_Regan: When you take many of the exams toward the MCSE, you will get a MCP certification. Therefore, like I said in one of my recent blog posts, you will get some benefit right from the start from the MCP, including access to solutions that are not available to the general public.

Karra: What are the various certifications needed to be an expert in Layer 3?

Patrick_Regan: The Cisco CCNA, is a good one to cover both Layer 2 and Layer 3. Then if you want to go more into the other routing problems, then go for the professional certification for routing from Cisco.

Brownmcse: What about Security+?

Patrick_Regan: I recommend the Security+ to be coupled with the CCNA or Microsoft certs. It is a nice supplement and is the one that has the second most recognition from COMPTIA after the A+. Eventually, you would like to go for the CCISP, but you need a couple years of documented experience before you can do that.

Rocky: What about getting both the MCSE and the CCNA? We were told by one instructor that the areas where the two meet might be important enough to focus on.

Patrick_Regan: They are important enough and they give you focus on both hardware (Cisco) and software (Microsoft). This allows you to support a small to medium size company, which would have a person who wears multiple hats.

Moderator-Julie: We have about 10 minutes remaining. If you have any questions for Patrick, send them in now. He'll get to as many as he can.

Rocky: How did you go about learning enough to write over 10 books? I really want to learn everything I can.

Patrick_Regan: Really, when I wrote my first book, I treated it as a research project. I knew a lot about computer and networking but still had holes in what I felt I needed to know. So when I planned my first book, I wanted to learn about those areas. I researched them and learned what I could and tried to get some hands-on experience. You need to be open and eager to learn

DavidM: Hi, Patrick, I am a network routing engineer (mostly Cisco) but as Windows provides more and more networking and security features and I see more and more Windows Networking on job specs, I would like to supplement my Cisco certs with Windows. Which Windows cert is most focused on networking and security? And are there any special Websites or books focused on Windows networking and security?

Patrick_Regan: You can go for the new 2008 certs, either enterprise (which is equivalent to the MCSE), or server. The server would be a good fit because it is only four exams and it doesn't have you focus on the workstation, you focus on network services that make the entire network work.

Moderator-Keith: PRE-SUBMITTED QUESTION: What's up with beta exams? Do they count toward credential?

Patrick_Regan: Beta exams do count toward certification if you pass. The advantage is that you often don't have to pass if you can acquire the code that allows you to take the exam for free and gives you an opportunity to get certified before anyone else. The disadvantage is that you will not get the test results immediately after taking an exam. Since they are grading how well the questions are written, they use beta testers to validate the test questions. After they get enough testers, they will throw out some questions that are judged as bad questions and then re-grade the exams. They will then release the exam results. If you pass, you get credit for that exam and any certifications related to that exam. By the way, the MCP Flash newsletter that is available to MCPs will let you know when some beta exams are available.