I think that the process of getting certifications helps you to expand your
knowledge in areas that you are weak and/or haven't really gotten around to.
I had messed with routers here and there for a few years and had just
recently needed to get in-depth knowledge. I decided to take a CCNA
training class just to see what I didn't know (and what I thought I knew but
really didn't) before I dug into the more advanced stuff. Taking the class
and reading the book filled in little gaps here and there. Since I took the
class I thought I might as well take the test. I took the test and passed
(and happened to have a lot of ISDN questions which I had never messed with
until the class).
My point? I think that studying the material for a certification helps to
give you a good foundation to broaden your knowledge. If you learn only by
hands-on (which I had), I think you sometimes miss little stuff (and
sometimes big stuff). There were lots of little things that I always
thought, "What does that do?" or "What is that for?", that I at least I know
know. Sure, there wasn't much of that for me at the CCNA level, but I've
read a lot of certification books that I never really took the test for and
thought they helped out. I'm now learning stuff for the CCNP when I have
time. Personally, the actual certification is at least a way to gauge the
basic knowledge that a person might have. The same thing can be said for a
college degree (which I don't have). Some places require one. Does it mean
that they are better qualified? Not really, but meaybe it says something
about the ability to take upon a large task and get it done.
Are there any sort of general firewall certifications (I've never looked)?
What are your general thoughts for those who have reviewed the material
and/or have worked with people who had the cert?
Mike
BTW - m, I hope you don't use the same criteria for network hardware as you
do motorcycles. Look cool, sometimes sound cool, everyone thinks it's cool,
but are average performing, unstable, and over-priced for what you get (a
name)... ;-)
-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of Mark Teicher
Sent: Friday, August 11, 2000 5:28 PM
To: Mikael Olsson
Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Re: Split DNS
At 12:48 AM 8/12/00 +0200, Mikael Olsson wrote:
>Nothing against him at all, really. But the again the much-debated
>question arises: "What the hell are those certs worth anyhow??"
Certifications are worth the following: You have the ability to grok the
material presented and are able to answers questions correctly on some exam
topic you are presented. It does not however certify one to be a good
sysadmin or a good security type person.. I still consider myself a novice
at what I am doing. Because there is so much to absorb and remember
etc,etc. Just learning the ins and outs of one particular IDS application
could take many manhours with in a given manmonth.
I remember when I was presented with a system and someone drew something on
the whiteboard and said make it do this and that, and have it send some
sort of notification when it does this or that. Oh yeah, we wanted it
yesterday.. It has been like that ever since. :)
Hands-on experience plus being able to afford a custom Harley also helps :)
/m
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