2nd Shift Cisco NOC Engineer

Skills:
Cisco, Routers, Switches, Call Manager, Unity, NOC support, customer service

Date:
1-29-2010

Description:
At Network Data Systems we believe work is only "work" when it isn't fun - and we like to have fun. We are passionate about what we do. We enjoy providing our clients with exceptional value and we want people on our team who feel the same way.

NDS is a leader in IT infrastructure consulting and managed services - we are both a Cisco and Microsoft Gold Partner and have four specific technical focus areas. We are privately owned, profitable, and growing - a combination that provides our employees with a lot of different opportunities. We believe that if we make our people our first priority, our customers will benefit from working with highly skilled, professional and happy consultants. A lot of companies talk about being employee focused, but we live it.

The Second Shift Network Operation Center (NOC) engineer has three main roles:

1. Ensure maximum possible service availability and performance
2. To remediate customer service request tickets on network services and core applications
3. To provide technical support services for customers engineering and technical teams

NOC engineers will be required to provide a highly diverse range of duties within our NOC - our engineers are required to ensure they support our customers in a timely, co-operative and professional manner. We interact frequently with Cisco technical support, Telco service companies, and end customer technical teams so it is important that we are clear and concise in our communications. NOC engineers will also work closely with our internal engineering team on transitioning new clients into our NOC support center and our NOC team will need to ensure a good overall understanding of the client systems and networks. Diligence and attention to detail are key skills along with an ability to multi-task and prioritize work appropriately.

NOC engineers must have a solid understanding of the following Technologies and Tools:

Cisco Unified Communications Applications to include but not limited to:
* Cisco Communications Manager
* Unity Voicemail/Unified Messaging
* IPCC Express
* Presence, Mobility Manager
* Meeting Place

Cisco Router/Switch Platforms

Cisco Firewall and ASA Platforms

NOC Management Tools
* Solarwinds
* Solarwinds - Orion
* Performance Mgt - Solarwinds
* Configuration Mgt - Solarwinds

NOC Engineers Requirements and Responsibilities:

* NOC engineers must be eager and quick to learn, be clear communicators and must be able to use their initiative to tackle a broad range of problems.
* Manage and maintain the Monitoring Management Systems, Performance Management Systems, Configuration Management Systems
* Fault handling and escalation (identifying and responding to faults on Cisco Applications, Cisco Networks, and Carrier PSTN/WAN)
* Managing and coordinating 3rd party suppliers (Cisco and WAN/PSTN Carriers) on handling escalated issues through to resolution.
* Addressing customer service requests/trouble tickets. Fault resolution, Configuration change requests, upgrade requests, MACD requests.
* Provisioning (IOS upgrades, Cisco network configurations, Cisco Application Configurations (UC apps), Carrier lines, and other customer network services).
* Maintenance of WIKI and technical documentation (for NOC) of processes and procedures used throughout normal operations.
* Continued development of knowledge and skills in network and system administration, particularly with regard to Cisco architecture and platforms.


Qualifications, Experience and Skills:

* A minimum of 3 years experience in a Technical Support or similar role.
* Cisco Certifications: CCNA, CCVP or CCNP/DP
* Good written and verbal communicator with a natural aptitude for dealing with people.
* Strong Cisco network diagnostic skills.
* Work well in a busy team, being quick to learn and able to deal with a wide range of issues.
* Strong analytical skills and able to collate and interpret data from various sources.
* Ability to assess and prioritize faults and respond or escalate accordingly. .
* Good academic background with a degree or equivalent qualification in Information Technology, Computing or relevant subject.
* Strong knowledge of the OSI model, switching and internet routing technologies
* Experience of network monitoring tools and protocols
* Experience of analyzing system and network performance using monitoring and graphical data.
* Good self-awareness. Actively seeks out tasks that help develop skills and knowledge.
* Ability to work on own initiative. Actively seeks ways of improving existing systems and processes.
* "Can do" attitude. Flexible and adaptable approach to problem solving.
* Co-operate with other teams. Actively encourage strong working relationships with other teams.

This is a full-time second shift position. Some weekend shift work will be required.

NDS offers our employees great benefits. (everybody says that, right? But does everyone include annual training, cash awards and bonuses, plus ample paid time off?) The salary for this role depends largely on experience and certifications. All candidates must be authorized to work for any employer in the United States, and must pass a drug test and criminal background investigation.

If you are interested in this position, please contact me immediately at gpost@network-data.com.

If you this doesn't sound like the right opportunity for you, but you know someone who is looking to make a positive change in their career, please do them a favor and forward this information to them today!

Greg Post
Network Data Systems
1921 Rohlwing Rd
Suite D
Rolling Meadows, IL 60008
Fax: (847) 577-4066
Web: http://www.network-data.com

From Dice.com

Client Technical Analyst II - Hoffman Estates

Employment Status: Full Time - Permanent

Job Responsibilities:
(Description) About ADP
Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (Nasdaq: ADP), with nearly $9 billion in revenues and over 585,000 clients, is one of the world's largest providers of business outsourcing solutions. Leveraging nearly 60 years of experience, ADP offers a wide range of HR, payroll, tax and benefits administration solutions from a single source. ADP's easy-to-use, cost-effective solutions for employers provide superior value to companies of all types and sizes. ADP is also a leading provider of integrated computing solutions to auto, truck, motorcycle, marine and recreational vehicle dealers throughout the world. For more information about ADP visit the company's Web site at www.ADP.com.

Position Overview, IP Telephony Client Technical Analyst

As an IP Telephony Technical Analyst, you will be able to demonstrate your leadership and expertise by working as the vital link between ADP and the car dealerships.

You will provide World Class telephone support in a fast paced, service-focused environment providing solutions to real world IP Telephony problems.

Receive in bound calls from dealership clients on technical issues/problems
Responsible for resolution and/or escalation of issues.
Dedication to exemplary customer service is necessary
Provide timely resolutions
Knowledge of CISCO products needed to resolve related issues.

QualificationsRequired
(Experience, Skills, Academic): Qualifications:

Education:

Technical Bachelors Degree such as Computer Science or Information Systems required

Experience:

- Experience/exposure to Cisco or CCNA related classes highly desired. CCNA would be highly desired but not a requirement.
- Working experience with Cisco IP Telephony products or previous PBX exposure is also highly desirable.
- Prior experience in customer service, preferably in a call center environment
- Ability to identify problems, research and analyze solutions, make appropriate recommendations and decisions, and effectively communicate directly with ADP clients
- Experience with Microsoft Windows Server and a basic working knowledge of networking is desired.
- Commitment to excellent customer service.

The Benefits of a Career at ADP

At ADP, our associates are the key to our success! At ADP you will enjoy a vibrant and diverse organization with exceptional leadership committed to providing every associate with career building opportunities. Our environment is fast paced and dynamic with work/life initiatives that allow for individual goals to be realized. ADP offers benefits that are second to none. Some benefits include:

*Medical * Dental * Vision, on your first day *Pension Plan * Company Matched 401K * Stock Purchase Plan *Vacation * Personal Days * Holidays *Tuition Reimbursement * Corporate Discounts *Employee Assistance Program * Employee Referral Bonus

Plus, you will have access to our extensive offering of on-line and instructor led training which is made available to all associates through our Global Learning

ADP is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer; M/F/D/V. ADP believes that diversity leads to strength.
DBOT
Education: Bachelors

Job Category: Customer/Client Service

Area of Interest: External Client Support

Link: http://jobs.netmirchi.com

New CCNP v6.0 Curriculum

Cisco annouces a new CCNP v6.0 Curriculum which aligns with updated Cisco certification.

Cisco recently updated its Cisco CCNP certification for network engineers through a comprehensive process involving customers and partners from around the globe. The revision focuses on the competencies that are needed to plan, implement, and troubleshoot the latest routed and switched networks and is designed to be more predictive of job readiness.

The revised CCNP certification requires candidates to complete three 120-minute exams that validate the key competencies of network engineers: ROUTE 642-902, SWITCH 642-813, and TSHOOT 642-832. ROUTE and SWITCH replace the current BSCI and BCMSN exams; however the TSHOOT exam covers new material on troubleshooting multisite enterprise networks. Learn more about the redesigned CCNP certification on the Cisco Learning Network.

The Networking Academy CCNP v6.0 curriculum consists of three new courses that align with the new Cisco certification exams:

CCNP: Implementing Cisco IP Routing (ROUTE), which replaces Building Scalable Cisco Internetworks (BSCI), is scheduled for release in July 2010
CCNP: Implementing Cisco IP Switched Networks (SWITCH), which replaces Building Cisco Multilayer Switched Networks (BCMSN), is scheduled for release in July 2010
CCNP: Troubleshooting and Maintaining Cisco IP Networks (TSHOOT) is scheduled for release in April 2010

These three new courses will replace the current four CCNP v5.0 courses. Please note that two of the v5.0 courses, Implementing Secure Cisco Wide Area Networks (ISCW) and Optimizing Converged Cisco Networks (ONT),do not have a direct replacement. The content of these courses has been either incorporated into the three new courses, or dropped from the CCNP curriculum.

Cisco Announces Changes to CCNP

Cisco Announces Changes to CCNP
Troubleshooting Returns, but CCNP Gets Skinnier
By wendell on Mon, 01/25/10 - 12:39pm.

It's almost like those too-familiar infomercials that get so popular around New Year's - time to get rid of the fat and add some muscle. Cisco's done the same to CCNP with today's announcement of CCNP changes. Cisco starts by removing roughly half the topic breadth from the old CCNP: most every topic from ONT and ISCW is gone. Cisco then adds back a Troubleshooting exam that focuses on routing and switching with a few other topics. Today I'll begin an examination of this revised cert, with lots of links, some impressions, and a promise to more time in the coming weeks drilling down on the new exams.
For a bit of historical perspective can be useful to frame this change. From its inception in 1998, CCNP has included a 4-exam path. Additionally, Cisco has normally also offered a composite exam that covered the same topics as either 2 or 3 exams, just to reduce the overall time and cost. However, from a breadth perspective, CCNP has always covered topics that matched 4 authorized Cisco courses of 5 days in length. So, the breadth was basically what you could learn in class in 20 days of classroom learning.
The first few iterations of CCNP included a Troubleshooting exam, which matched a T'shooting course. With the last big change to CCNP before now - 2006 I believe - Cisco really changed things up a bit. Gone was T'shooting. Cisco changed CCNP to reflect the fact that route/switch engineers were more often route/switch/security/QoS/Wireless engineers, with much broader job roles. With the 2006 changes, in came ISCW (mostly security, VPNs, Internet access, MPLS) and ONT (mostly QoS and Wireless). But CCNP was still four 5-day courses, still same relative effort based if compared to the number of days in the authorized courses, but a much wider range of topics.
So, back to the present. Roughly 4 years after the widening of CCNP, Cisco makes a philosophical shift. CCNP now has less breadth of topics, at least if you compare the current exam topics. However, those topics require more depth, particularly due to the significant focus on troubleshooting. At the same time, Cisco appears to be kicking up the overall required skill level on the core routing and switching topics, to what I cam calling the skilled engineer level, rather than a skilled implementer level. (I believe Cisco refers to this skill level as "professional network engineer", but that may just be to match the P in CCNP.)
To see why, here's the scoop on the exams in the new CCNP:
 ROUTE 642-902 (replaces BSCI)
 SWITCH 642-813 (replaces BCMSN)
 TSHOOT 642-832 (brand spanking new)
ROUTE and SWITCH essentially replace the old BSCI and BCMSN courses and exams. (The new names are not acronyms, but rather, abbreviations.)
Comparing these two, ROUTE may have more changes compared to its predecessor exam. First off, the ROUTE Exam covers the material in the new 5-day ROUTE authorized course, plus around 7.5 hours of e-learning content. It's basically the equivalent of 6 days of course material, figuring that you're actually in class 6 hours a day once you add up breaks, lunch, and the like. Compared to BSCI, ROUTE loses multicast, IS-IS, DHCP, and multicast. It adds some depth across the board, and unsurprisingly, notably more depth on IPv6. It also has some coverage of Internet access and VPN tunnels.
SWITCH doesn't have any extra e-learning beyond the 5-day course. SWITCH removes multicast compared to BSMSN, and adds some wireless and switch supervisor redundancy. I'll leave a detailed analysis of the exam and changes to Dave Hucaby, author of the SWITCH Cert Guide from Cisco Press, who'll guest blog in a week or two.
TSHOOT's topic breadth matches a new 5-day course, plus 9.5 hours of e-learning content, for about the equivalent of a 6.5 day course. The topic breadth includes all the topics in ROUTE and SWITCH, a few small topics from CCNA (eg, SSH, NAT, DHCP), and a few other topics not in any of these other exams. It's new, and of course since it's just announced today and the exam's not out until April, it's hard to tell exactly what this exam will include. Cisco claims around 90% of the authorized course is labs - sounds like an interesting course. I'll leave some of the speculation to Kevin Wallace, author of the new TSHOOT Cert Guide from Cisco Press, who'll give us some analysis of the new TSHOOT exam and topics. I should have his guest blog posted in the next week or so.
Finally, one big overarching change affects all 3 exams, particularly ROUTE and SWITCH. All three exams have a bit of a new philosophy about the skills required to pass the test. All three sets of exam topics list topics for creating implementation and verification plan documents. The idea is that you should be able to figure out everything that should be considered to implement a design, and be able to build a correct config, without the benefit of being there when the change is made. The general idea is that you build the implementation plan, and some other person comes in a 2AM Sunday to implement your config. At the same time, the exam topics expect you to be able to develop a verification plan at your desk, telling others what commands to use to verify whether the implementation worked or not when those other people implement the changes over the weekend. It's the difference between remembering that one of 2-3 commands probably tells you the info you're looking for, versus knowing for sure what show command to use, and exactly what info confirms whether a particular feature is working or not. Testing for that planning skill is a challenge for Cisco, in my opinion. I haven't seen the exams yet, so it's hard to tell how much this translates into the actual exam, but that's the gist of these types of topics on Cisco's web site.
So, to net it out, what's changed - at least in my interpretation? Here we go:
 CCNP is 15-20% narrower, based on the days-of-courseware measurements (17.5 vs 20)
 It is centered squarely on route/switch topics (obvious)
 It is deeper than the old CCNP, just through TSHOOT alone
 It my require deeper skills due to the planning tasks (to be discovered)
 New exams $200 each
 120 minutes for each of the 3 exams (versus 90 minutes for the 4 old exams), so total time for all CCNP exams you take is the same
 Many transition paths - see Cisco's combination tool
 Cisco recommends that you pass ROUTE and SWITCH before you take TSHOOT
For those of you already into CCNP, here's a brief synopsis of the transition options.
 The old exams are available to all until July 31st
 If you're in a CCNP Networking Academy class, you may get more time based on when the CCNP Academy curriculum changes, but I've not seen it yet. (Anyone? Anyone?)
 ROUTE and SWITCH exams available March 10th
 TSHOOT exam available April 30th
 ISCW and ONT expire July 31st this year, so wrap your old CCNP by then! (IE, if you finish CCNP before July 31st, your ONT and ISCW count. If not, your ISCW and ONT exams don't count towards your CCNP.)
Here's some more links to Cisco's pages. Feel free to weigh in as to what you think of the changes, good and bad. More detail and analysis over the coming weeks...
Cisco pages:
CCNP Page
Video about the CCNP Redesign (Video, 10 minutes)
CCNP Exam Combination Tool
Cisco Learning Network CCNP Announcement info

Books:
(I'll add links once they're live on ciscopress.com - they weren't live yet when I posted):

ROUTE Cert Guide (Odom)
SWITCH Cert Guide (Hucaby)
TSHOOT Cert Guide (Wallace)
CCNP Library (all 3)

Network/System Administrator and Desktop Support Professional - Indiana

Network/Systems Administrator and Desktop Support Professional
4+ years of experience listed above and MS certification. In addition, desired experience with Cisco routers and switches, VPN, basic DBA experience, basic systems programming, Cisco telephony products, etc. Requires the ability and willingness to troubleshoot workstation and network issues; strong communication skills and user oriented attitude are also required. Great learning environment with complex technology.
$65-75,000

POSITION IN INDIANA, 75 miles SE of INDIANAPOLIS
Require a move to the Richmond, Indiana area

Lorena M. Blonsky
President
--
LMB Associates
1468 Sunnyside Avenue
Highland Park, IL 60035
847-831-5990
lorena@lmbassociates.com
www.lmbassociates.com

Is LinkedIn 100% Secure?

"Hi Joanne
I just received an invitation to connect on Linkedln. Is is 100% secure? I did join but then had a friend challenge me on the security of it and said to leave him out? I saw your name in there also. Can you give me your opinion? I have avoided Twitter, Facebook and one other for security reasons."

As I tell my students, anyone with the motivation, expertise, resources, time, and social engineering can make you a target if you are connected to the Internet. I think you have to consider the costs and benefits of joining LinkedIn.

As far as I know, there are no means of identification other than email address. If some malicious person wanted access to your list of contacts, perhaps a competitor, he/she could create a hotmail or Gmail account, masquerading as someone you personally know. For instance, they could create an email account, joannewagner@gmail.com, and use it to set up a LinkedIn profile. They would use this account to masquerade as me and invite you to connect up. You would falsely assume you were connecting to me. Once connected, the malicious person, and not me, would have access to your list of contacts. Some of our mutual friends may also decide to ask me to connect to them, giving that imposter even more contacts.

Other than identity theft, I suppose privacy is an issue with LinkedIn. Since I don’t keep any personal id or financial information on my profile, I don’t concern myself so much with it. I think the benefits outweigh my concern for privacy. I really think LinkedIn is great and has so much to offer. I haven't been in it for a very long time but would definitely recommend it as a way to get yourself connected.

I hope this helps!

Top 10 Skills in Demand in 2010

Top 10 Skills in Demand in 2010
By Linda Leung

In the Global Knowledge/TechRepublic 2010 Salary Survey, conducted at that end of last year, one of the questions put to respondents was "What skill set will your company be looking to add in 2010?" The skills listed by respondents include the perennial favorites: security, network administration, and Windows administration. Also included are virtualization/cloud computing and Web development. Meanwhile, an old favorite, business analysis, makes a come back. Here's the complete list, with the No. 1 skill listed being in the highest demand.

1. PROJECT MANAGEMENT:
As we emerge from the recession, organizations aren't likely to go back to the go-go days of throwing money at IT initiatives or taking risks and deploying without careful thought and planning. Organizations are putting pressure on IT to only implement projects that can show real return-on-investment. The first step to achieving a good ROI is professional project planning and implementation.

Project management skills often appear in top 10 skills lists, perhaps because some organizations got their fingers burned in the 1990s through the poor implementation of IT projects such as enterprise resource planning initiatives. But even though the profession is mature (in IT terms), project managers still have work to do to advance their status within organizations. According to an article on the Project Management Institute Web site, project managers still have to develop their people skills, organizational leadership, and individual professionalism.

2. SECURITY:
It's a never-ending game of cat and mouse for security professionals and 2009 proved to be another fun filled year. According to Symantec's Security and Storage Trends to Watch report, the number of spam messages containing malware increased nine-fold to represent more than 2% of e-mails, while other criminals manipulated people's love of social networking sites to launch attacks. Twitter, for example, spent much of 2009 battling DDoS and other attacks. Meanwhile, top headlines, such as the H1N1 flu and the death of Michael Jackson were used by criminals to lure people to download malware.

Symantec predicts more of the same in 2010, warning that attackers will continue to use social engineering to get to consumers' sensitive data, and criminals will take Windows 7 as a challenge for seeking and exploiting vulnerabilities in the new platform. Mac and smartphones will also be targeted more by malware authors, Symantec says.

Despite the economic challenges of '09, organizations continued to hire security pros. The most sought-after security skills were information risk management, operations security, certification and accreditation, security management practices, and security architecture and models, according to a survey last year of 1,500 U.S.-based security pros by security certification provider ISC2. 2010 is expected to be another busy year from security professionals.

3. NETWORK ADMINISTRATION:
Networking administration skills never lose their luster. It's the second most sought after skill in the Global Knowledge survey and it will be the top skill sought by CIOs in the first quarter of 2010, according to a survey of IT chiefs by Robert Half Technology. In 2010, organizations are expected to upgrade to Windows Server 2008 R2 and the Windows 7 client, and perhaps install Exchange Server 2010 and SharePoint 2010. Enterprises are going to need network administrators to ensure network traffic continues to move without a hitch.

Meanwhile, Cisco hopes to push more data-intensive traffic onto corporate networks. Video is a key focus for Cisco in 2010 as it works to finalize its control of video conferencing maker Tandberg and through its 2009 purchase of Pure Digital, developer of the Flip video camera. At the end of last year, Cisco introduced two TelePresence certifications: the Cisco TelePresence Solutions Specialist for midcareer voice or networking engineers seeking to specialize in the planning, design and implementation of Cisco TelePresence; and TelePresence Installation Specialist aimed at installation technicians.

4. VIRTUALIZATION - CLOUD:
The projected cost savings and efficiencies are no-brainers for organizations seeking to implement virtualization and cloud computing. With the cloud computing space now taking shape it's difficult for enterprises to find pros with substantial relevant experience. Instead companies are drawing expertise from a range of IT skill sets, including storage, networks and desktop, according to a Network World article. Initially companies will set up cross-functional teams to buy and implement virtualization, but eventually cloud computing will be an expected skill set of systems administrators. In a few years, it could even be a standard skill set of all IT pros because it touches different aspects of IT.

For details about virtualization certifications from leading virtualization software vendors VMware, Citrix and Microsoft, see Global Knowledge's Top IT Certifications in Demand Today newsletter of June 2009.

5. BUSINESS ANALYSIS:
Business analysis roles were commonplace in many organizations in the 1990s when big projects, such as enterprise resource planning initiatives, required the critical thinking that business analysts could provide. But as businesses began moving at a faster pace, business analysis fell by the wayside. Factors such as the economic downturn and regulatory compliance have forced companies to take a step back and to think through business problems and their solutions, and business analysis is making a comeback, as a result. Kathleen Barret, president of the International Institute of Business Analysis says the discipline is a phoenix rising.

The IIBA describes the job of a BA as a "liaison among stakeholders in order to elicit, analyze, communicate, and validate requirements for changes to business processes, policies, and information systems." IT pros are good candidates for BA jobs because they have a broad perspective of a company's business, says Barret. There are three types of BAs: enterprise BAs who identify opportunities for business change and defines the work to be done; transition BAs who fine-tunes the plans; and project BAs who work on project teams that implement the changes. Annual salaries average around $75,000 with enterprise and transition analysts earning more, Barret says.

For more about business analysis, see the IIBA's Guide to the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge.

6. BUSINESS PROCESS IMPROVEMENT:
With project management and business analysis skills appearing in this skills list, it's no surprise that business process improvement skill is also here. Business process improvement and business analysis go hand-in-hand. Business analysts identify areas for improvements to business processes, while business process improvement or management pros use BPM techniques and technologies to help companies optimize their business processes.

A recent BPM survey by IT researchers, the Aberdeen Group says the top reasons business are driving BPM activity are the need to reduce operating costs and to improve cash flow. However, the top barrier to adoption was the lack of knowledge about BPM. According to Gartner, among the competencies required for successful BPM initiatives include process skills, tools and process assets, and transformation skills.

To learn more about BPM, go to the Web site of the Business Process Management Initiative (BPMI.org), which promotes the standardization of common business processes; and the BPMinstitute.org, which describes itself as a peer-to-peer exchange for business process management professionals.

7. WEB DEVELOPMENT:
If you are -- or you know friends who are -- addicted to the FarmVille game on Facebook you'll know the power of Web development. In just a few short months, FarmVille's popularity has spread across the globe as Facebook fans tend to their farms and purchase virtual goods. The game, including others by FarmVille developer Zynga, has netted the start-up more than 200 million monthly unique users for its online apps. One financial analyst reckons Zynga could be valued at $1 billion if it were to go IPO in mid-2010.

Developing Facebook games is just one extreme of the vast Web development spectrum. Building iPhone apps could also be very profitable, writes Web developer and blogger Glen Stansberry. As moderator of the Freelance Switch job board, Stansberry listed other popular Web development skills including Framework knowledge, widget development, content management system customizations (for small businesses looking to create a unique look to their standard Wordpress and Drupal blogs), and Javascript Plugin creation.

8. DATABASE MANAGEMENT:
Databases are the hearts of key business systems that drive payroll, manufacturing, sales, transaction processing, and more. Programmers must be able to build programs that quickly and efficiently interface with the database management system (DBMS), while database administrators "must be able to bring the full power of database features to bear on business problems", writes Oracle- and IBM-certified DBA Howard Fosdick in his whitepaper Database Skills Availability: Critical to Your Selection of Database. "DBA expertise can be the Achilles' heel of database projects - many IT projects have failed due to the inability to secure DBA talent or successfully address DBA issues," he adds.

The major database vendors are Oracle, IBM and Sybase. Oracle runs three main certification programs for database professionals. Oracle Certified Associate is the first rung of the Oracle certification ladder. Next is the flagship Oracle Certified Professional (OCP) credential, which certifies an individual's ability to manage, develop, or implement enterprise-wide databases and other software. Oracle Certified Master (OCM) is Oracle most advanced accreditation. IBM offers a dizzying array of certifications surrounding its DB2 product series. The main credentials are IBM Certified Database Associate, Database Administrator, Application Developer, and Advanced Database Administrator. Sybase has two sets of certifications for its Adaptive Server Enterprise product: ASE Administrator Associate and ASE Administrator Professional; and ASE Developer Associate and ASE Developer Professional.

9. WINDOWS ADMINISTRATION:
As previously mentioned, Microsoft shops are expected in 2010 to upgrade to Windows Server 2008 R2 and the Windows 7 client, and perhaps install Exchange Server 2010 and SharePoint 2010 as well. Windows administration skills is going to be key for many enterprises implementing and maintaining existing and upgraded systems.

Microsoft Windows Server 2008 certifications at the MCTS level cover configurations for Active Directory, networking, and applications. Certifications available for the MCITP level are Server 2008 Server Administration, Enterprise Administration. In a November blog posting in Microsoft's Born to Learn blog, the company wrote that the first of its Windows Server 2008 virtualization exams would be entering beta soon. The exams will cover server virtualization, desktop virtualization, and virtualization administration. Windows 7 pros can certify as MCTS: Windows 7 - Configuration, and MCITP: Enterprise Desktop Administrator 7.

10. DESKTOP SUPPORT:
Our recent article "Top Certifications in Demand Today" listed desktop support as a hot skill. In Global Knowledge's 2010 salary survey, it was named as the 10th most sought-after skill this year. In the June article, we quoted Robert Half Technology Executive Director Dave Willmer as saying that businesses will need desktop support personnel to support new workers as organizations begin hiring as the economy improves. The introduction of Microsoft Windows 7 is also expected to generate additional interest.

Microsoft currently provides the MCITP: Consumer Support Technician, and MCITP: Enterprise Support Technician certifications, but they are based on Windows Vista. Microsoft, in its Born to Learn blog, in November said that it is working on a MCITP: Windows 7, Enterprise Desktop Support Technican certification. Prospective candidates are advised to prepare for 680: Win 7, Configuring and 685: Win 7, EDST.

What Does a CCNA Certification Usually Do for a Person?

Another question that comes to me on a regular basis is, "What Does a CCNA Certification Usually Do for a Person?". I think the very best answer to this question comes from, Stephen McQuerry, author of, Interconnecting Cisco Network Devices, in an article he entitled, CCNA Certification- More Than a Piece of Paper.

The article, "CCNA Certification-More Than a Piece of Paper" can be found at: http://www.ciscopress.com/articles/article.asp?p=31817

Would you Recommend Taking the Composite Exam or the Two Exams?”

I have been asked the following question many times by my students, “Would you recommend taking the composite exam or the two exams?”

As most of you know, to become CCNA certified, you can take the composite exam (640-802) for $250 or you can take two individual exams, the ICND1 (640-822) and the ICND (640-816) for $125 each.

The CCNA (640-802) composite exam will cover the same topics as the ICND1 and ICND2 exams. There are between 45 to 55 questions with 90 minutes to complete the exam. Once completed, you become a Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA).

The ICND1 and the ICND2 exams can be taken as an alternative to the CCNA composite exam. The ICND1 exam has between 40 to 50 questions with 90 minutes to complete; the ICND2 exam has about the same number of questions but you are only given 75 minutes to complete the exam.

The ICND1 Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices Part 1 is the first step in achieving the Cisco Certified Network Associate certification. This exam tests the knowledge and skills required to successfully install, operate, and troubleshoot a small branch office network. The exam includes topics on networking fundamentals; connecting to a WAN; basic security and wireless concepts; routing and switching fundamentals; the TCP/IP and OSI models; IP addressing; WAN technologies; operating and configuring IOS devices; configuring RIPv2, static and default routing; implementing NAT and DHCP; and configuring simple networks.

My recommendation is this: if you have been through the four CCNA classes at the College of DuPage, CCNA1 through CCNA4 (CIT1121, CIT1122, CIT1123 and CIT1124) then it doesn’t really matter if you take the composite exam or the two individual exams – the cost is the same. But, if you have only taken CCNA1 (CIT1121) and CCNA2 (CIT1122), you will not be prepared to sit for the ICND1. The ICND1 exam covers concepts that are not covered in the Cisco Academy curriculum until CCNA3 (CIT1123) and CCNA4 (CIT1124). For instance, wireless concepts is covered in CCNA3 and NAT/DHCP is covered in CCNA4. Unfortunately, you will see questions on wireless concepts, NAT/DHCP, Frame Relay, etc. on both exams. Therefore, if you are not already comfortable with all curriculum topics covered CCNA1 through CCNA4, you do not want to take the two-exam path. Wait until you have been through CCNA4.

It would be great if the two individual exams lined up with the Cisco Academy curriculum. If that were the case, a student could take CCNA1 and CCNA2 and be ready to sit for the ICND1 exam. Upon passing that exam, they would have that ICND1certification to add to their resume (every certification helps when you are trying to get your foot in the door).

My advise would be, if you haven’t already guessed, is to take one exam and be done with it! At least, that is my recommendation until Cisco lines the curriculum up with the certification exams.

I hope this helps! Joanne

Industrial and Information Technology - What is the Difference?

Hi Ahmed

To answer your question, I went on-line to Wikipedia. Here is what Wikipedia has to say about Industrial Technology and Information Technology:

A typical Industrial Technology college or university curriculum would include courses on manufacturing process, technology and impact on society, mechanical and electronic systems, quality assurance and control, materials science, packaging, production and operations management, and manufacturing facility planning and design. Graduates of Industrial Technology programs are usually seen as moderators between engineers, top management and production-line workers. Typical job titles include industrial engineer, construction engineer, detail/fabrication engineer, production supervisor, manufacturing engineer, etc. Industrial Technology program graduates obtain a majority of positions which are engineering and manager oriented. Industrial Technology is considered to be a career path that is separate from engineering technology and equal in stature to an engineer.

Information Technology is the study, design, and development, implementation, support or management of computer-based information systems, particularly software applications and computer hardware. IT deals with the use of electronic computers and computer software to convert, store, protect, process, transmit, and securely retrieve information. The term information has ballooned to encompass many aspects of computing and technology. IT professionals perform a variety of duties that range from installing applications to designing complex computer networks and information databases. A few of the duties that IT professionals perform may include data management, networking, engineering computer hardware, database and software design, as well as the management and administration of entire systems. When computer and communications technologies are combined, the result is information technology. Information technology is a general term that describes any technology that helps to produce, manipulate, store, communicate, and/or disseminate information.

I hope this helps!

CCNA Security Student Certification Exam Voucher

CCNA Security Student Certification Exam Discount Voucher Incentive Program FAQs:

Q. What is the purpose of the Cisco CCNA® Security student certification exam discount voucher incentive program?
A. The purpose of this incentive program is to:
● Encourage interest in the Cisco® CCNA Security course and CCNA Security certification.
● Create an incentive reward for students who achieve a high standard of performance in their studies, demonstrated by a score of 75% or higher on their first completion of the CCNA Security final exam.
● Encourage qualified students to pursue CCNA Security certification through a one-time discount opportunity for the IINS (640-553) exam.

Q. How much of a discount does the CCNA Security certification exam voucher provide?
A. Eligible students will receive a 60 to 75% discount on the IINS 640-553 examination fees. The discount rate is tied to the World Bank Country Classification level of the country in which the student resides and takes the exam. The applicable discount amount will be provided along with the voucher.

Q. Who is qualified to receive a CCNA Security certification exam discount voucher?
A. To sit for the CCNA Security exam, the student must hold a valid CCNA certification. To qualify for a voucher, a student must successfully complete the CCNA Security course with the following level of performance: achieve at least a 75% passing mark on their first attempt at the final exam, and have a P (pass) grade entered by their instructor in the course grade book.

Q. What is the process for obtaining a CCNA Security certification exam discount voucher?
A. Eligible students should see a link to request a voucher on their Academy Connection homepage. The link will remain active for one year or until the end of the voucher incentive program (July 31, 2010), whichever comes first. After a student clicks the link to request a voucher, the link will disappear and the voucher information will appear in the student’s profile.

Q. How do I register for a CCNA Security (IINS 640-553) certification exam?
A. Cisco certification exams are delivered through Cisco’s primary testing partner, Pearson VUE. There are three ways to register for an exam with Pearson VUE:
● To register online, please sign in to your account using your Pearson VUE username and password. If you do not have a username and password, please create a web account through the sign-in page.
● Call a Pearson VUE service center (www.pearsonvue.com/cisco/contact)
● Register directly with a testing center. Visit www.pearsonvue.com/cisco to find a center near you.

Q. What exam do I need to complete to obtain my CCNA Security certification?
A. To obtain a CCNA Security certification you must hold a valid CCNA certificate and successfully pass the IINS (640-553) exam.

Q. What is the duration of the incentive program?
A. The incentive program begins December 18, 2009 and will continue through July 31, 2010.

Q. What will happen at the end of the incentive program?
A. Networking Academy and Learning@Cisco continually evaluate the effectiveness of certification incentive programs and reserve the right to end, extend, or modify them. We will provide timely announcements of any changes.

Q. How long will my CCNA Security certification exam discount voucher be valid?
A. The link to request your voucher will remain active until the program ends on July 31, 2010, and the voucher will expire on October 31, 2010.

Q. If I qualify for and receive a CCNA Security discount exam voucher, and find that I cannot use it, can I give it to someone else to use?
A. No. Networking Academy discount exam vouchers are intended for use only by the individual who earned the voucher. Any attempt to transfer a voucher, whether by sale or gift is a violation of Cisco policy. Cisco reserves the right to revoke any current or future Cisco certifications for individuals who engage in this type of activity. Maintaining high standards of compliance helps protect the value of Cisco certifications.

Q. How does Cisco manage possible ethics or policy considerations raised by the provision of discount vouchers?
A. Cisco is dedicated to the highest standards of legal compliance, ethical behavior, and accurate disclosure to the public. Various organizations may have gift rules that either limit or prohibit their employees from accepting anything of value or benefit above a specific dollar amount. We respectfully ask potential participants in this voucher program to first confirm that it complies with your employer's ethics guidelines and other applicable laws and regulations. Participation in this program implies that you have confirmed it is appropriate under your organization's rules to accept this voucher. Vouchers are not transferable. Qualified participants are those who meet all requisite criteria, as set forth at Cisco Networking Academy Vouchers.