Passing CompTIA Network+ "A Prelude To CCNA"

If you are a network administrator or engineer, you might find it easy to pass Network+ but mind you guys, in my case, this one is a tough one. I’ve been in this field but it gave me a scare of not passing it.

When I took it 2006, I’m almost sure I failed it because the answers were so close to be the right one. It’s an option of what’s the best one among four answers and the two or three answers could also be correct. If you are not really ready to take this exam, have more time to study because my fault is I took it just a week after I passed my A+ 220-202. Good thing I know some of the answers practically.

During the MCSA years, you can incorporate Network+ with A+ as an elective as well as other corporations such as Novell, Cisco and HP to name a few. Though I got my elective by passing CompTIA Security+ first, I never hesitated to take this exam because personally, I want to measure my networking skills and knowledge and also I’m not ready yet to take the CCNA at that time.

It became my personal prerequisite to be able to pass CCNA which I did few years later.

Passing CompTIA Security+ "The Core Exam"

I took an online training for Security+ and fortunately a voucher was given up by a colleague because he has to move to another post. So as soon as an offer was put out for exam takers, I seized it right away…

This exam is a standard requirement for companies who require a good knowledge on security which I think is “a must” not just for security practitioners but for all IT professionals. It’s given a great value that Microsoft adapted it as an Elective for MCSA and MCSE certifications.

Before my current employer, I’ve worked with a local VeriSign partner for a year and it was a great experience for me. VeriSign is one of the leading brands in digital security. I was about to go to San Francisco for training when the 9/11 chaos happen. All flights were cancelled and consequently my training as a Professional Service Engineer for VeriSign products. I got my trainings locally with fellow engineers who were in the company several months before me.

I was the one responsible for maintaining the Production Servers as well as the installation of test certificates to companies and government agencies. During that time, not too many were aware of its importance or they find it expensive but today almost every site has a secure seal which indicates that the processes and transactions within it are secured.

9/11 became the instigator that we all must adhere to security practices at all times. CompTIA Security+ is a Core Exam which we all can learn a lot. Look for it at CompTIA website and you’ll understand why…

Merville Siege: Die Another Day

Going back to this picture of the teams that competed during the tournament in Merville Parañaque made me realized that I've been out of the game for the past three years. This was in 2005 and I haven't seen most of these guys since then...

I build a team and named it "Legion of Doom" with a logo of a Darth Vader helmet with an attitude of the legendary tag-team wrestling champion LOD. I got with me my nephew Ken, my cousin Erwin, my brother-in-law JP and his best friend King, my officemate Jun and my best buddy Jeff.

We were unfortunate to get an award but we enjoyed being part of the game and battle with teams who competes internationally, a couple of US marines, ex-militaries, mountaineers and guys from different professions...and kids as well... We’re so disappointed that time because we're still four of us alive in our team and we're looking for just a single opponent to advance to quarter finals but could not find him only to know that we've passed over him and we didn't know that he's the one were looking for and he's just a twelve year old kid. I’ve seen him sitting in one corner so I thought he might be just watching the game…

If only we've studied every team specially their team members, we might have won a trophy... and that's a hint for you guys who are new to the sport!

Passing CompTIA A+ "The Essential"

CompTIA called it “A certification that validates the latest skills needed by today’s computer support professionals.” It was created in 1993 and was updated in 2003 which is what I have and sad to say, I’m kinda obsolete with the release of a new generation of exams in 2006.

When you want to be certain that you can support your customers’ knowledgably, though you know already you are capable of doing so… try adding more credentials to your resume by passing this exam. In 2003 series, A+ includes two exams, the Core Hardware and the Operating Systems Technologies or simply 220-201 and 220-202. The 201 and 202 now becomes A+ Essentials or 220-601. In the 2006 series, I can still use my certification to become an A+ IT Technician by passing one more exam the 220-602. I might take it this year if I got the cash and time. In addition to the IT Technician (220-601), two more titles are released, the Remote Support Technician (220-603) and the Depot Technician (220-604).

Now I’m a bit skeptic, do I really need to take them all? I guess what CompTIA is trying to say is that now you have a selection to choose that distinguishes your field of work or what skill you want to be familiarized with…

I think I might take the 603 this year because most of my work now is through remote configurations and desktop support. For whatever reasons you have, it’s always practical to venture with A+ as it is an IT prerequisite for many organizations that I know…