Upgrading my MCDBA to MCITP Database Administrator 2008
by Brent on Jan.15, 2009, under MCDBA, MCITP, MCTS, Microsoft
As an old Microsoft Certified Database Administrator (MCDBA) I have great interest in the new Microsoft SQL Server 2008 database administrator exams, unfortunately I didn’t have much interest in the SQL Server 2005 exams and having skipped the Microsoft SQL Server 2005 exams, I’m now looking at upgrading my MCDBA to Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP): Database Administrator on SQL Server 2008 certification.
I’m looking at two options: upgrading to MCITP: Database Administrator on SQL Server 2005 and then to MCITP: Database Administrator on SQL Server 2008 or just do the MCITP: Database Administrator on SQL Server 2008 exams.
Option 1: The Upgrade exams
If I go with the first option, upgrading to MCITP: Database Administrator on SQL Server 2005 and then to MCITP: Database Administrator on SQL Server 2008, my upgrade path would be the Microsoft 70-431 TS: Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Implementation and Maintenance exam and the Microsoft 70-447 UPGRADE: MCDBA Skills to MCITP Database Administrator by Using Microsoft SQL Server 2005 exam to upgrade to the MCITP Database Administrator on SQL Server 2005 certification; and then it’s the Microsoft 70-453 Upgrade: Transition your MCITP Database Administrator Skills to MCITP Database Administrator 2008 exam.
So a total of three exams and I end up with my MCDBA, a Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS): SQL Server 2005 certification, a MCITP: Database Administrator on SQL Server 2005 certification, and a MCITP: Database Administrator on SQL Server 2008. So four database administrator related certifications!
Option 2: The SQL Server 2008 Database Administrator exams
The other option is to simply do the SQL Server 2008 Database Administrator exams and skip SQL Server 2005 altogether. I’d want the MCITP: Database Administrator 2008 certification at the very least, which means I’d need the prerequisite MCTS: SQL Server 2008, Implementation and Maintenance certification. In other words, the Microsoft 70-432 TS: Microsoft SQL Server 2008, Implementation and Maintenance exam, which is the only exam requirement for the MCTS: SQL Server 2008, Implementation and Maintenance certification. Then it’s on to the Microsoft 70-450 PRO: Designing, Optimizing and Maintaining a Database Administrative Solution Using Microsoft SQL Server 2008 exam, which completes the exam requirements for the MCITP: Database Administrator 2008 certification.
So a total of two exams and I add the MCTS: SQL Server 2008, Implementation and Maintenance and the MCITP: Database Administrator 2008 certifications to my MCDBA. So only three database administrator related certifications but two of them related to SQL Server 2008!
The real question is do I need four database administrator related certifications of which two is related to SQL Server 2005, or is three certification with two related to SQL Server 2008 better? Given that SQL Server 2005 has not made the same impact as SQL Server 2000 and has already been superseded by SQL Server 2008, I’m leaning more towards the two SQL Server 2008 certifications. What do you think?
