Zandolie Networking - "MCSE Plus" Training

Our "MCSE Plus" Training Programme

Below are links showing the details of our MCSE Plus training programme which carry you to selected sections on this same page.

General Information and Prerequisites

Course Content

Duration and Schedule

Cost and Payment Options

Venue

If you are interested or have any further questions then you should Contact Us. To see what others who have trained with us have said about their experience visit our Training Testimonials page.

General Information and Prerequisites

This programme was specially designed by us to prepare the individual for the world of computer networking. Though its primary objective is to train the participant to become a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE), the programme includes many aspects of networking which are not covered by the MCSE syllabus, but is imperative for today's System Administrator operating within the peculiar IT environment that exists in Trinidad and Tobago

Our approach is mainly ‘hands-on’ and practical in implementation. The individual should understand that computer networking is really a vocational ‘trade’ and it is impossible to become a good tradesman or technician just by passing a series of exams in a short space of time. You are embarking on a vocation that needs both exposure and practice to gain what is termed as ‘experience’ in the I.T. industry. It is often said that the best exposure comes from 'On-the-job training'. However, the downside of 'On-the-job-training' alone is that, in most cases, you are exposed to only one particular aspect of I.T. This is because the individual is hired to perform a certain task concentrating on an area required by the employer. This results in neglecting all round career development. Further, you may only learn the "how" of performing certain operations not understanding the "why".

Our training aims to remedy these deficiencies and covers a broad area within computer networking. However, to maximize your return on this investment in your future, it is necessary to fulfill the following prerequisites:

• You must be ‘very’ computer literate – though the programme starts from the ground up, it is imperative that you have had a lot of prior exposure to computer technology, and it is up to the individual to determine what is meant by the adjective ‘very’.

• You must be dedicated - the more effort you put into this training, the greater the benefit you would reap from it. You need to be focused and consistent.

• You must love information technology – do not get into this career just for the money. You really must like computers to put in the time and effort that it requires to excel in this field. The competition is relentless.

Course Content

The MCSE Modules we will be covering are:

• 70-270 Installing, Configuring and Administering Microsoft Windows XP Professional
• 70-290 Managing and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Environment
• 70-291 Implementing, Managing and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure
• 70-293 Planning and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure
• 70-294 Planning, Implementing and Maintaining an MS Windows Server 2003 Active Directory Infrastructure
• 70-298 Designing Security for a Microsoft Windows 2003 Network
• 70-284 Implementing and Managing a Microsoft Exchange 2003 Server

In addition to the MCSE Syllabus, participants will be covering the following important areas:

Computer Hardware:
• Practical exploration of PC/Server hardware
• Understanding the Systems Unit (RAM, Motherboard, CPU, Drives, etc.)
• Best practices with respect to PC troubleshooting

Wired Networking Hardware:
• Introduction to Structured Cabling concepts
• Network Hardware practice: making/testing patch cables, troubleshooting hubs/switches
• Planning a network infrastructure - from the Core/Backbone to the Edge
• Introduction to fiber optic theory

Wireless Networking:
• Complete building of a Wireless LAN (WLAN) using 802.11g equipment (WiFi)
• Extending your WLAN using hi-gain antennae, etc.
• Preventing/minimizing interference with other WLANs
• Introduction to Wireless WAN Theory and current standards (WiMax and FSO)
• Securing a WLAN (WPA, WEP, MAC Filtering and the use of RADIUS Servers)

TCP/IP:
• Commands and Utilities
• Subnetting and Supernetting
• IP Routing (building your own Network Router with a PC)
• Advanced DNS
• IP Security: Firewalls, DMZs, etc.

Home/Office surveillance/security:
• Using standard USB ‘Web’ Cams to monitor a home or office
• Using more advanced IP ‘Pan and Tilt’ Cameras for surveillance

Managing Antivirus software in an Enterprise environment:
• Installing and configuring a Corporate Anti-virus Server
• Scanning, monitoring and managing anti-virus clients
• Trouble shooting infections on a network

Duration and Schedule
Unlike most MCSE Training, our programme will span one and a half years. Yes, it is considerably longer than any other programme, but the study is intense. Each text is over 600 pages and remember this is not light and easy reading. Much of it is difficult technical material covering concepts that may be brand new to most. Creating the scenarios needed to actually practice what is listed in a couple of pages could occupy several classes. Further, you will definitely need time between classes to read, internalize and research.

In our opinion, it is nigh impossible to churn out a Systems Engineer or Administrator in six months or less. Keep in mind, we do not focus on just passing exams. If that is your desire, then you should probably look somewhere else. Below is a summary of our duration and schedule:
• 304 contact hours spread over a one and a half years.
• Tuesday evenings from 5:00pm-9:00pm
• Start Date – May 8th, 2007
• Approximate completion - December 2008.

Cost and Payment Options
• Total cost: TT$16,000 cash or TT$18,000 credit
• Credit Plan:
- Initial down payment: TT$2,000 (by April 30th, 2007)
- Monthly installment: TT$1,000 over sixteen (16) months starting at end of June 2007
• This cost includes: Study Guides, exam prep manuals and practice test CD-ROMs
• Money-back guarantee (less cost of texts) if not satisfied with training by end of first month.

Venue:
Classes will be held at The Zandolie Networking Training Centre in Orange Grove, Tacarigua. Due to security and other concerns voiced by some of our team members, we have not posted a map or directions to the Training Centre on this site, but you can Contact Us to get both as well as more information.