MS 2012 or 2016 to learn and certify ?

openit

Hello all,

Currently we are running Windows Server 2012 R2 at our office.

I need/want to learn AD and Domain things, so I am thinking of learning and certifying MCSA in Windows Server 2012/2016 in this process, so that I can learn and getting Certified too. So I am at starting point to learn and following are few queries based on that :

I need to learn, so better to learn in a way that I can learn, practise and Certify too, is that good idea ?
Now we are using Windows Server 2012 R2, but 2016 is already in market, so may be better to start learning 2016 to be advanced and Certify in latest one ?
Now looking for a PDF material based on certification (guide in getting certification point of view), do you know any ? if require I would like to buy PDF and get a Print out for hard copy.
I seen one test/mock paper on MCSA Windows Server 2012, it was very strange for me, even though I am working on Windows server, and there seems to be lot of theory and other things involved in Certification point of view.

Thanks for suggestions !

scottalanmiller

Always current (the latest you can do), never certify old ever. Makes zero sense.

Dashrender

You never start with something old.

scottalanmiller

Unlike a job where you might 1% of the time have a reason to consider deploying an old version of software (like you already own it) education is not like that. You always educate forward, never backwards. Certifying on old tech has zero potential value compared to certifying on the latest.

DustinB3403

@Dashrender said in MS 2012 or 2016 to learn and certify ?:

You never start with something old.

College programs would argue otherwise. . . .

scottalanmiller

@openit said in MS 2012 or 2016 to learn and certify ?:

I need to learn, so better to learn in a way that I can learn, practise and Certify too, is that good idea ?

Yes, this is a great idea.

http://www.smbitjournal.com/2017/04/using-certifications-to-drive-education/

DustinB3403

But I agree, only start with the most current course you can.

If they have some archaic system where you must learn old things, find a different course.

Dashrender

@DustinB3403 said in MS 2012 or 2016 to learn and certify ?:

@Dashrender said in MS 2012 or 2016 to learn and certify ?:

You never start with something old.

College programs would argue otherwise. . . .

That's because they are slow dinosaurs who can't ever keep up.

scottalanmiller

@DustinB3403 said in MS 2012 or 2016 to learn and certify ?:

@Dashrender said in MS 2012 or 2016 to learn and certify ?:

You never start with something old.

College programs would argue otherwise. . . .

Proving the point

Dashrender

@scottalanmiller said in MS 2012 or 2016 to learn and certify ?:

Unlike a job where you might 1% of the time have a reason to consider deploying an old version of software (like you already own it) education is not like that. You always educate forward, never backwards. Certifying on old tech has zero potential value compared to certifying on the latest.

If a job needs you to learn something old, but you already know the new way - the company can train you on the old.

scottalanmiller

@openit said in MS 2012 or 2016 to learn and certify ?:

Now we are using Windows Server 2012 R2, but 2016 is already in market, so may be better to start learning 2016 to be advanced and Certify in latest one ?

Ideally you always want to learn and certify on what isn't on the market yet. But there are no educational materials for 2016 R2 yet, so you are stuck with 2016 as the latest thing that you can study in any way. It's already more mature than you actually would want to focus on, but it is what it is. But 2012 R2 is legacy and out of the question by educational standards. Ideally you'd want to have studied 2016 in late 2015 when the beta was out. That's the time to be working on a new tech - prior to release but after the final product is pretty well set in stone.

scottalanmiller

@Dashrender said in MS 2012 or 2016 to learn and certify ?:

@scottalanmiller said in MS 2012 or 2016 to learn and certify ?:

Unlike a job where you might 1% of the time have a reason to consider deploying an old version of software (like you already own it) education is not like that. You always educate forward, never backwards. Certifying on old tech has zero potential value compared to certifying on the latest.

If a job needs you to learn something old, but you already know the new way - the company can train you on the old.

And typically learning something new teaches you about the old stuff, but not vice versa. That's why even if you run 2012 R2, you want to hire the guy with 2016 training, not the gyu with the same 2012 R2 training.

openit

@scottalanmiller @Dashrender @DustinB3403
Thanks for quick response, I agreed on learning latest one (2016).

scottalanmiller

@openit said in MS 2012 or 2016 to learn and certify ?:

I seen one test/mock paper on MCSA Windows Server 2012, it was very strange for me, even though I am working on Windows server, and there seems to be lot of theory and other things involved in Certification point of view.

Yes there is, as there should be. The hope for the Microsoft certs is that you learn the IT behind the product, not just which buttons to push. It's the MCSA exams that taught me about RAID theory. They've always been very good.

scottalanmiller

Also, should go without saying... build a huge home lab and test EVERYTHING hands on while doing it.

openit

@scottalanmiller said in MS 2012 or 2016 to learn and certify ?:

@openit said in MS 2012 or 2016 to learn and certify ?:

Now we are using Windows Server 2012 R2, but 2016 is already in market, so may be better to start learning 2016 to be advanced and Certify in latest one ?

But there are no educational materials for 2016 R2 yet, so you are stuck with 2016 as the latest thing that you can study in any way. It's already more mature than you actually would want to focus on, but it is what it is.

One another concern is, I will be having holidays from tomorrow for some reason, so I am thinking to buy (if require) PDF material on MCSA 2016 to starting studying immediately, as book delivery may take long for Middle East region.

Thanks !
@Dashrender @DustinB3403