To take the new or continue with the old?

I had this question from a student last week. This student was taking a Windows Server 2003 class (as part of a series of classes) and asked if they should just skip the 2003 MCSE track altogether and take the Windows Server 2008 MCTS/MCITP exams. What my answer was I’ll save for later.

Windows Server 2008 has been officially released only six months or so. The exams are new, some only a few months old themselves and even some of the courseware is still being finalized. This is an entirely new product and testing format. Windows Serve 2003 has been out for five years now, has a very strong base and many companies are not immediately jumping onto the 2008 bandwagon – yet! The number of students in Windows Server 2008 classes is increasing – so the momentum is building, but it will be awhile before companies have switched over to 2008. Besides, there are still some NT4 networks out there – not many, but they do exist. As a result, do not expect a quick demise to Windows Server 2003.

Now, back to the student in question. He asked if he should continue on with his 2003 training as he had his MCSA and wanted to earn his MCSE. I told him he should continue on with his training and get his MCSE. His company was not planning on migrating to Windows Server 2008 in the next year or two and nor was he planning on seeking a new job either. A number of the skills he was developing on Windows Server 2003 would carry over to Server 2008, so he was not “losing” anything by finishing his training and earning his MCSE. I also pointed out the new MCTS/MCITP track and the upgrade tests he could take from his soon-to-be-earned MCSE on Windows Server 2003 to MCTS and MCITP on Windows Server 2008.

There is no need to discontinue your MCSE training on Windows Server 2003 in favor of the new Server 2008 classes, it is going to be around for awhile longer and besides, you still have your MCSE on Windows Server 2003 even when Windows Server 2012 is released:)