When it comes to managing computer systems, whether in an office environment, on a campus or in an enterprise data center, there’s a long list of tools and technologies SysAdmins need to master. There are numerous certifications can help validate knowledge and skills in those areas.

In addition to server and client configuration and maintenance, many system administrators must understand access controls, network services and resource requirements for applications. They often find themselves working with directory and name services as well as network addressing, database services, web and desktop applications, email, and more.

Making sense of all these different system administrator roles and accompanying certifications is no easy task. After examining various credentials, we came up with a list of our five favorite system administrator certifications for 2019.

The following chart shows the results of an informal job search we conducted that gives you an idea of the relative frequency with which our top five certifications appear in genuine job postings. While all the certifications are popular, the CompTIA Server+ stands out as the clear favorite.

Job Board Search Results (in alphabetical order, by certification)*

*When searching for VCP – Data Center credentials, we found most job descriptions didn’t indicate a specific version.

Although employers tend to pay SysAdmins less than some of their IT peers, such as network engineers and data architects, a career in system administration is still worth pursuing. SimplyHired reports $77,296 as the national average salary for SysAdmins, in a range from $49,746 to $120,102. Indeed.com pegs averages at $75,967 for plain-vanilla, and $88,032 for senior systems administrators.

MCSE: Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert

The Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE) certification has long ruled the hearts and minds of those who work on Microsoft-based systems, servers and clouds. MCSE certifications focus on the latest technologies for business applications, cloud infrastructures, data management and analytics, mobility, and productivity.

But when it comes to system administration certifications in general, the brightest lights are those that address Windows Server at the enterprise and server administrator levels. While these credentials don’t all specifically use “system administrator” in their descriptions, they all fall well inside the roles and responsibilities of system administration jobs. They’re also in high demand in job postings and classified job advertisements.

The MCSE: Cloud Platform and Infrastructure targets IT professionals seeking to promote careers such as information security analysts or computer support specialists. Those obtaining the certification will find that the MCSE: Cloud Platform and Infrastructure credential is designed to validate the skills necessary to effectively run a data center, including networking, storage, systems management, virtualization and identity management.

Note: The Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA) is Microsoft’s prevailing mid-range IT certification. It covers most administrative job roles, including system administration at both the desktop and server levels, as well as more specialized job roles that include SQL Server and Office 365. MCSA: Cloud Platform is a gateway certification that feeds into these MCSE certifications.

System administration candidates might also want to take a close look at the MCSE: Productivity credential, which garners nearly as many hits on job boards as the MCSE: Cloud Platform and Infrastructure cert. The MCSE: Productivity focuses on Microsoft Exchange, SharePoint or Skype For Business. Because communications systems and services of all kinds are so important to business, these are good areas for aspiring and practicing system administrators to specialize in.

The Microsoft Certification Program underwent extensive changes in September 2016. Once you earn one of the latest MCSE credentials, you do not have to recertify within three years as used to be the case. However, by passing an elective test each calendar year, you add an entry to your transcript that indicates your commitment to staying current on technologies and expanding your skillset.

MCSE: Cloud Platform and Infrastructure Facts and Figures

Oracle Linux System Administrator

Although known for its database products and solutions, Oracle also has its own distribution of Linux, geared for the enterprise and designed to support cloud environments. In fact, Oracle Linux is optimized for various Oracle products and platforms, such as Oracle Exadata Database Machine, Oracle Exalytics In-Memory Machine, Oracle Exalogic Elastic Cloud and Oracle Database Appliance.

To support Oracle Linux, the company offers the Oracle Linux System Administrator certification at Associate and Professional levels. A single Oracle Linux Certified Implementation Specialist credential is also offered. We focus on the Oracle Certified Professional (OCP) version in this section.

The OCP Oracle Linux System Administrator certification, currently at version 6 (although version 7 should be coming soon), covers a lot of details. Candidates must be well-versed on the Btrfs file system, control groups, Linux containers, advanced storage administration techniques, Oracle cluster management and package management. The certification also tests for knowledge of dump analysis, dynamic tracing, network and security configuration and more.

The OCP Oracle Linux System Administrator certification requires that candidates first obtain the Oracle Certified Associate (OCA) Oracle Linux 5 and 6 System Administrator certification and pass one exam.

SysAdmins who support Oracle Solaris might be interested in the Oracle Solaris System Administrator certification, which Oracle offers at the Associate and Professional levels. Oracle also offers several server-related certifications for SPARC and Fujitsu servers.

Oracle Linux System Administrator Facts and Figures

RHCE: Red Hat Certified Engineer

In the realm of Linux system administrator certifications, Red Hat certs really stand out. Red Hat’s more senior-level certifications are especially popular among IT professionals as well as the employers who hire them. Those holding the Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE) credential qualify for job roles such as senior Linux administrator, senior UNIX administrator, senior systems engineer, infrastructure systems engineer, IT analyst and the like.

The RHCE is regarded as a high-level credential that’s not easy to obtain. Candidates must first obtain the Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA) credential and then pass a three and a half hour, hands-on, performance-based test that’s intense and demanding. Those who earn the RHCE can go on to earn the Red Hat Certified Architect (RHCA) in Infrastructure credential.

The current RHCE test is based on Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 7. RHCE certification is valid for three years from the date the certification was achieved. To maintain the certification, a credential holder must pass any RHCA test or pass the RHCE certification test again before the end of the three-year period.

Note: In October 2018, IBM announced that it was acquiring Red Hat for the princely sum of $34 billion. It’s too early to tell what impact this may have on Red Hat certification offerings, if any.

RHCE Facts and Figures

CompTIA Server+

CompTIA offers a long list of entry-level certifications, such as the A+ for hardware technicians, Network+ for network admins and Security+ for security specialists, all of which are highly regarded in the computing industry. The CompTIA Server+ certification is no exception. Companies such as Intel, HP, Dell, Lenovo, Xerox and Microsoft, as well as the U.S. Department of Defense, recommend or require that their server technicians earn CompTIA Server+.

The Server+ certification test focuses on foundational server-related subjects that are vendor-neutral in nature, including server hardware, operating systems, storage systems, networking, the IT environment (documentation, diagrams and best practices), security and disaster recovery, virtualization and troubleshooting.

The Server+ credential, along with sufficient experience, is a great asset for individuals seeking a position as a server or network administrator, systems engineer or website administrator. You can also consider it as a stepping stone to a more focused certification, such as the Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA) or the Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA).

Server+ certification requires one exam, SK0-004. CompTIA recommends that candidates have at least 18 months of experience and A+ certification before sitting for the exam.

CompTIA Server+ Facts and Figures

VCP6-DCV: VMware Certified Professional 6 – Data Center Virtualization

The VMware family of certifications are must-have credentials for IT professionals interested in the field of virtualization. Offering a comprehensive certification program that encompasses all skills levels, VMware credentials are recognized globally as best in class.

The latest incarnation of the VMware vSphere product is Version 6.5. VMware currently offers two credentials which target vSphere V6.5 users: the VMware Certified Professional 6.5 – Data Center Virtualization and the VMware Certified Advanced Professional 6.5 – Data Center Virtualization (Design and Deploy). It’s anticipated that the VMware Certified Design Expert (VCDX-DCV) will be available soon.

Although Version 6.5 is the newest version of the vSphere product, interested candidates can still certify on vSphere V. 6. The VMware Certified Professional 6 – Data Center Virtualization (VCP6-DCV) is one of VMware’s most popular credentials with more than 100,000 certified credential holders. The VCP6-DCV prepares credential holders for more advanced certifications, including the VMware Certified Advanced Professional (VCAP6-DCV) and the pinnacle cert, VMware Certified Design Expert (VCDX-DCV). For this article, we chose to concentrate on the requirements for the VCP6.5 – DCV since it’s based on the newest version of vSphere.

Training is required for non-credential holders seeking to obtain the VCP6-DCV. VMware offers a variety of training options to meet the training prerequisite: self-paced (on demand), live online and live classroom, some of which include virtual labs. Those possessing a valid VCP5-DCV or VCP6-DCV credential need only pass a delta exam to obtain the credential.

VCP6.5-DCV Facts and Figures

Beyond the Top 5: More SysAdmin Certifications

Beyond the five system administrator certifications featured in this article, there are many other certification programs that can help to further the careers and professional development of IT professionals who work in system administration.

It makes sense to investigate the plethora of vendor-specific programs available for those who work with systems from companies such as Brocade, Dell EMC, HPE, IBM, NetApp, Symantec and so forth. Many of them play into key system specialty areas, such as storage, security or virtualization, while others offer a broad range of platforms for these and other technology areas. Here are some examples:

• IBM Certified System Administrator (and Advanced Administrator), for WebSphere Application Server Network Deployment, AIX, DB2, Connections, Sametime, Lotus Notes, Informix, IBM i and more
• NetApp Certified Data Administrator (NCDA), geared toward professionals who manage NetApp data storage controllers running the ONTAP operating system
• ServiceNow Certified System Administrator, aimed at professionals who are adept at configuring, implementing and managing ServiceNow systems

Likewise, vendor-neutral certification programs also offer a variety of interesting and potentially valuable credentials. For example, the LPI LPIC certifications, which had been in our top five list for several years, are well known and widely recognized in IT shops and operations that depend on Linux servers to handle their workloads. It’s best to think of our top five certifications as a good place to start, while also realizing that there are many other options to consider as well.

HP has assured all audiences that whatever the nature of their profession or interest, they can seek apt solutions at this year's Gitex. Be it a banker or a professional photographer, a person who is always on the go or a consumer simply enjoying life, HP will offer assorted solutions to suit all lifestyles.
Commenting on the new line-up and solutions at Gitex 2005, Amr Hassan, General Manager, Imaging and Printing Group, HP Middle East stated, “HP is at the forefront of the digital era, and is a global leader in imaging and printing products. Our customers are highly aware of what our products can do for them. What we want to demonstrate is how our products, which also includes our different forms of media and ink/toner cartridges, work together seamlessly to create ideal environments. Whether they are into mobility, working digitally from home, in need of in-house marketing and production, security and manageability, or simply wanting to print photos in the privacy of their own home, HP not only has the products, but also has the perfect solution for them.”

Wireless/Mobility
Be it the large number of cables and wires that is annoying, or simply, the need to have products while on the go, HP offers ideal wireless and mobility solutions.
For those who are averse to wires and are in need of LaserJet quality printing, the HP LaserJet 1320nw enables users to print wirelessly. For those who are always conducting meetings and are frustrated in connecting and unplugging projectors at every presentation is done, the HP mp3135 projector allows users to project wirelessly from their notebooks. The HP Deskjet 460wbt (wireless Bluetooth) is the ideal printer for businessmen who need to print while on the move.
As for the combination of the HP mp3135 projector and the HP Deskjet 460wbt, it offers the ultimate solution for those who are always on the move. Businessmen can now go into a meeting, conduct their presentation wirelessly with their light weight HP mp3135 digital projector, and print any document with their HP Deskjet 460 mobile printer.  Meetings away from the office have never been easier.

Printing Photos at Home
There is no more worry associated with taking or printing photos of holidays or evenings with friends and family.
Life's great moments can be captured with any HP digital camera, starting from the simple HP M22, to the high end more professional HP R817. The pictures can be printed immediately with the HP Photosmart 475. This fabulous appliance printer has a built-in hard drive to store photos and it can also be connected to the TV, to share the photos during a gathering.  Meanwhile, the HP Scanjet 4890 can scan photos and share it via e-mail through the HP Pavilion zd8100 and dv4000 notebooks – all this in the privacy of your home.

Digital Home Office
Working from home should not restrict the functionality available in a normal office. With the HP Pavilion dv1345 notebook, the HP Photosmart 3313 all-in-one printer or the HP Deskjet 9803d, a home office can be made both simple and efficient.
In-house Marketing and Production
Companies today are shifting towards producing their own marketing material, in-house. This shift is due to the increasing importance of personalising marketing material for customers as well as the heavy third party cost in producing such material.
The HP Color LaserJet 9500hdn, HP Photosmart 8753, HP LaserJet 4250, HP Designjet 90, 4000ps and 5500ps are all specifically designed to do such jobs. The HP Designjet 4000 is designed to print technical graphs and maps, the HP Designjet 5500ps is apt for printing high quality posters and the HP Photosmart 8753 and the HP Designjet 90 are specifically designed for professional photographers. Cheques too can be printed in-house on the HP LaserJet 4250.

Security
Printed documents drive many of the key processes with a business, for example, invoices, purchase orders and delivery notes. Furthermore, they often contain confidential information to the business. While customers spend a large proportion of their IT budget on PC security, firewalls and anti-virus, the protection of information on a printed page is often overlooked. HP Private Print ensures that confidential documents are only printed when a user enters a PIN at the HP LaserJet – allowing for shared network printers whilst maintaining user privacy. To maintain security across the network HP JetDirect print servers support SSL, 802.1X and HP MFPs allow for Secure Disk Erase to ensure that scanned images are securely deleted from the MFPs hard drive.

For customers who may need higher levels of security such as Government, Financial or Healthcare sectors, all print jobs can be securely encrypted and tracked with JetMobile SecureJet and only released by a PIN, Magnetic Card or Proximity Card.

Manageability
HP Total Print Management is a strategy to help corporate customers reduce imaging and printing costs by up to 30 per cent.
HP Web JetAdmin can significantly reduce IT and support desk costs through printer asset management, remote diagnostics and automated email alerts. This in turn reduces printer downtime and improves end-user productivity. Document distribution and retrieval can also be a significant cost to a corporate customer. The HP ScanJet 8290 scanner or the network based HP MFPs (ex. HP LaserJet 4345mfp) can act as an 'on-ramp' for emailing, fax, scan-to-folder or scan-to-workflow, to Excellerate business processes. For customers looking to manage the costs of a printed page, Follow-Me™ provides cost-per-copy/print accounting and 'rule-based printing' – allowing for total control of costs for what, when and how the devices are used.

About HP
HP is a technology solutions provider to consumers, businesses and institutions globally. The company’s offerings span IT infrastructure, global services, business and home computing, and imaging and printing. For the four fiscal quarters ended July 31, 2005, HP revenue totalled $85.2 billion. More information about HP (NYSE, Nasdaq: HPQ) is available at www.hp.com.
About HP Middle East
HP is the largest technology and solutions provider in the Middle East with 670 employees and subsidiaries in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, Jeddah, Khobar, Cairo and Ramallah servicing the GCC, Egypt and the Levant. HP has been present in the Middle East since 1968, and opened its first regional office in 1994.HP Middle East is the market leader for Enterprise, Small and Medium Business and Consumer technology products, and offers a large portfolio of solutions and services in various business domains.
For more information about HP in the Middle East, please visit www.hp.com/me.
© 2005 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. The information contained herein is subject to change without notice. The only warranties for HP products and services are set forth in the express warranty statements accompanying such products and services. Nothing herein should be construed as constituting an additional warranty. HP shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions contained herein.

A newer option for CFA test prep, Salt Solutions launched its Beta platform for CFA Level I test prep in late 2020. The company is now officially out of Beta, and the full CFA learning experience is available for Levels I and II (Level III will be available in 2022).

Salt Solutions knows it’s tough to stay focused on a large volume of material with limited study time, so it breaks it into small chunks to complete in 10 to 30 minutes. Salt Solutions also improves the study process by showing you which steps are most important. While the platform offers flexibility, the scheduler also sets weekly goals to keep you on track. 

The platform has a user-friendly interface with a light or dark mode, making it easier on your eyes after long hours of studying. The platform currently includes assignment questions, downloadable videos, and a scheduler with weekly goals to stay on track.

Although Salt Solutions doesn’t have a proven track record yet, the user-friendly and thoughtfully designed software looks promising, particularly for those tired of staring at textbooks. Passing all three CFA exams isn’t easy, and Salt Solutions may be a good option for those struggling to buckle down and focus.

HP PAT 2020 and HP LEET 2020 postponed

Image credit: Shutterstock image for representation purpose

Himachal Pradesh Takniki Shiksha Board (HPTSB) has announced that both Himachal Pradesh Polytechnic Admission Test (HP PAT 2020) and Himachal Pradesh Lateral Entry Entrance Test (HP LEET 2020) have been postponed till further notice due to COVID-19 crisis in the country.

The SEC’s accurate announcement of $1.8 billion in fines against 16 financial institutions over electronic communications violations, as covered in a Barron’s Advisor article by Andrew Welsch, have revealed widespread and firmwide compliance failures at all levels. 

Maintaining records of advisor-client interactions may seem an arcane area of financial regulation, but the SEC views these requirements as sacrosanct. “Record-keeping requirements are core to the commission’s enforcement and examination programs,” said Gurbir S. Grewal, director of the SEC’s Division of Enforcement, who added that the ability to examine a firm’s books and records is essential in carrying out the regulator’s mission of protecting the investing public and ensuring market integrity.

An impending test can put a lot of pressure on kids. Studying for it is not the only thing that plays on their little minds, but also the stress in anticipation of how they will perform and what their results will be. The effects of test stress on children's mental and physical health can be devastating at such a young age.

According to a accurate nationwide mental health survey, 81 percent of school students surveyed perceive "studies, examinations, and results" to be a major source of anxiety. These problems get worse as students move up to more difficult subjects. The pressure to excel in life can be incredibly stressful.

As parents, people still find themselves expecting children to meet, if not exceed expectations. This stress often leads to anxiety and other mental health problems among kids, who are already having a tough time returning to schools after Covid-19.

© Provided by Healthshots anxiety related to exams

Health Shots spoke to Dr Kamna Chibber, a senior clinical psychologist and the head of the department of mental and behavioral sciences at Fortis Healthcare, to find out ways to prevent test stress in children.

Dr Chhibber shared some ways for kids to manage test stress and anxiety.

1. Focus on the bigger picture

Looking at the overall approach instead of narrowly looking at what the results alone are, can help reduce stress in all scenarios.

Having a broad perspective helps you to emphasise on what is significant and then refocus your attention on the things that you have decided are your genuine priorities. For example, don't get upset or disappointed if you didn't do well in your examinations. Instead, use the experience to know the areas you need to improve. Focus on the wider picture by taking the time to learn from your mistakes rather than feel depressed about your outcomes. Strengthen your foundation and make your base stronger. Know that knowledge is what you are studying for, not grades.

2. Assess your mistakes

"Attempt to build an understanding of what changes are required in the manner of your preparation and responses to the question paper," suggests Dr Chhibber.

And we can't agree more! Knowing your mistakes, followed by taking corrective measures, are important and then correcting them is very important. Instead of working hard, try to work smart. Learning anything and everything is what you call hard work. This time, be clever about it. Plan everything out. Understand your question paper, go through it and start working accordingly. It will help you do smart work.

© Provided by Healthshots test stress and mental health in kids

3. Recognize your strengths

According to the expert, it's important for you to determine your strengths and remind yourself to lean on them in order to further enhance your results.

For example, if you're good at algebra in mathematics, make it your strong point. Don't avoid practicing it just because you think you're already good at it but practice it till you get perfect. You will feel much more confident by doing this.

4. Exams aren't everything

"Remember that this is just one aspect of life and there is much more that you need to manage and work through," says Dr Chhibber.

It's important to remember that getting poor grades isn't extremely serious. There will be many more opportunities in your life for you to demonstrate your abilities. So don't be restrictive on building an idea of your sense of self just on the basis of the results you have obtained.

© Provided by Healthshots communication with children

5. Communicate

It's okay to feel test stress, but a healthy way to deal with it is to communicate. "Look at speaking with adults and teachers to understand where you may need to focus your efforts at improvement," says the expert.

You could speak to teachers and parents. Your teachher can be your BFF when it comes to trying to learn how to Excellerate your grades. Ask them, learn from them and you'll definitely get a solution to your problem.

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Oct 11, 2022 (Reportmines via Comtex) -- Pre and Post Covid is covered and Report Customization is available.

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