Totally confused. Can anyone help me ?

[Cathey872000]

:confused: Hello Forum!

I am new to the IT certification arena. I have decided to go for MCSE preparation, as I am comfortable with networking field. For last six months I am working for a company that give support for network on various platforms. I have started preparing for MCSE 2003 stream by reading some Microsoft Press book. I have not worked with routers yet. I want to know whether it will affect my results? Please help me finding out what else should I do to pass the certification? I have fixed target of three months to pass these exams. Please help me!!!

[deddard]

Hi - Welcome aboard!

I've just started the MCSA, so we're going along the same paths! I've been enrolled in the Cisco Network Academy for the last 18 months, so the router side of things isn't a major problem for me (thankfully!)
As Microsoft don't actually make the things, I'd look at them in general. Learn to Subnet, and specifically be able to recognise the network address, first and last host address, and broadcast address- it's amazing how many questions revolve around these facts in all sorts of network qualifications.
I haven't looked at the relevant coursebook for the microsoft network basics, but I believe they do cover things like VLSM (Variable length subnet masks). recognise Private addresses, the major characteristics of routers (separation of broadcast domains etc) and you'll be on track.
Hopefully someone who has taken the relevant exam will be able to give you more specific pointers, but bear in mind that although Cisco provide most of the routers in the world, Microsoft are not going to ask you how to configure a Cisco Router subinterface from the command line - the system has nothing to do with them, so don't worry about that side of things.
If you can understand the general concepts of Routers and how they work for the network, I don't think you'd need much more than this.

[CuratoR]

I think its too late to enter this discussion now.
Well, I've entered anyway.
From what I've known so far, I don't think lack of experience with router will affect MCSE in ayway.
Not at all.
But I must tell you, I'm not a MCSE or a CCNA.
A friend of fine is a MCSE, he just finished(maybe a month ago) that.
There was nothing related to router in his course.