Top 10 Senior Systems Administrator Certifications

Certifications are important for a senior systems administrator because they demonstrate a level of expertise and knowledge. They provide proof that the candidate is qualified to manage complex systems, troubleshoot issues, and configure hardware and software. Having certifications also shows potential employers that the candidate is serious about their career and has taken the time to invest in their professional development. The certifications can help differentiate the candidate from other applicants and make them more attractive to employers.

The purpose of this article is to review the top certifications for Senior Systems Administrators and explain how they can help advance a senior systems administrator's career.

What are Senior Systems Administrator Certifications?

Senior Systems Administrator Certification is a professional certification program specifically designed for senior IT professionals who are responsible for managing and maintaining enterprise-level computer systems. This certification helps to demonstrate an individual's expertise and knowledge in the field of system administration, as well as their ability to effectively manage complex networks and server systems.

The certification includes a comprehensive set of topics covering areas such as system design, security, installation and maintenance, network configuration, user management, and troubleshooting. It provides individuals with the necessary skills to efficiently manage large-scale systems by providing them with the knowledge needed to identify potential problems before they occur and resolve issues quickly when they do arise.

Having Senior Systems Administrator Certification also demonstrates that an individual has the knowledge required to provide efficient services in the IT field. This can be extremely beneficial when applying for jobs or promotions within an organization. It may also help to increase salary potential by demonstrating that an individual has the necessary skill sets needed to handle more advanced tasks.

Pro Tip: If you are considering becoming a Senior Systems Administrator, make sure to research the various certifications available and choose one that best suits your career goals. Additionally, look into specific training programs or courses that can help you gain the necessary skills and knowledge to become certified.

Related: What does a Senior Systems Administrator do?

Top 10 Senior Systems Administrator Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Senior Systems Administrators today.

1. Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE)

Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) is a certification program offered by Microsoft to demonstrate expertise in designing and implementing solutions based on Microsoft server products and technologies. The MCSE certification is designed for IT professionals who want to specialize in the design, implementation, and management of complex IT infrastructures.

The MCSE certification requires passing multiple exams that cover topics such as Windows Server, networking, security, virtualization, cloud computing, storage solutions, and more. It typically takes around 12-18 months to complete the MCSE certification depending on the individual’s experience level.

To get the MCSE certification you must first pass one or more of the required exams which are available through Microsoft or its authorized training partners. The cost of each exam varies but typically ranges from $100-$200 USD per exam. Once all of the required exams have been passed you will then receive your official MCSE certificate from Microsoft.

2. CompTIA A+ Certification

CompTIA A+ is an industry-leading certification program that validates the skills of IT professionals in computer repair, maintenance, and troubleshooting. It is a vendor-neutral certification that covers a wide range of topics related to hardware and software, networking, security, and operational procedures.

The certification consists of two exams: 220-1001 (Core 1) and 220-1002 (Core 2). Each exam takes 90 minutes to complete and contains 90 multiple-choice questions. The exams are available in English or Japanese language versions.

In order to get CompTIA A+ certified, you must pass both exams with a score of at least 700 out of 900 points. You can take the exams online or at an authorized testing center. The cost for each exam is $226 USD.

It typically takes about 6 months to prepare for the CompTIA A+ certification exams depending on your experience level and available study time. To help prepare for the exams, you can use textbooks, practice tests, online courses, or instructor-led courses from CompTIA approved training providers.

3. VMWare Certified Professional (VCP)

VMWare Certified Professional (VCP) is a certification program designed to recognize IT professionals who have achieved expertise in VMware technologies. It is the highest level of certification offered by VMWare and demonstrates a candidate’s ability to deploy, manage, maintain, and troubleshoot virtualized environments using VMWare products.

It typically takes around six months to prepare for the VCP exam depending on the individual's experience with VMware products. To become certified, candidates must first complete a training course from an authorized VMware Education Provider and then pass the VCP exam. The cost of the training course varies depending on the provider but generally ranges from $2,000 - $4,000 USD. The cost of the exam itself is $250 USD.

4. Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA)

Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA) is a certification program designed to validate the skills of system administrators who have experience with Red Hat Enterprise Linux. It is an entry-level certification that demonstrates knowledge and understanding of core system administration tasks. The RHCSA exam assesses the ability to configure local storage, deploy and manage systems, configure network services, and security policies.

It typically takes about three months of study and practice to prepare for the RHCSA exam. It is important to have hands-on experience with Red Hat Enterprise Linux before attempting the exam. There are many resources available online such as tutorials, practice exams, books, and videos that can help you prepare for the exam.

The RHCSA exam consists of two parts: a performance-based section and a multiple choice section. The performance-based section requires candidates to demonstrate their ability to perform specific tasks in a live environment while the multiple choice section covers topics such as networking, security, storage management, system installation, package management and troubleshooting.

The cost of taking the RHCSA exam varies depending on your location but generally ranges from $400-$500 USD.

5. Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)

Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) is a globally recognized certification that validates an individual’s knowledge and skills in networking. It is designed to give network professionals the ability to install, configure, operate, and troubleshoot medium-sized routed and switched networks.

It typically takes around six months to a year of study and practice to pass the CCNA exam. To get certified, you must first complete one or two courses from Cisco’s approved training curriculum. After completing the course(s), you will be eligible to take the CCNA exam. The cost of the exam varies depending on your country of residence, but it typically costs around $300 USD.

Once you have passed the exam, you will receive your official Cisco Certified Network Associate certification. This certification is valid for three years and can be renewed by taking a new CCNA exam every three years or by taking a recertification exam once every three years.

6. Citrix Certified Administrator (CCA)

Citrix Certified Administrator (CCA) is a certification program that validates the skills and knowledge of IT professionals in the installation, configuration, and management of Citrix products. The CCA certification is designed to demonstrate an individual’s ability to deploy, configure, manage, and troubleshoot Citrix XenApp/XenDesktop solutions.

The CCA exam takes approximately two hours to complete and consists of multiple-choice questions. To become certified, individuals must pass the CCA exam with a score of 70% or higher. The cost of the exam varies by country but typically ranges from $200-$300 USD.

In order to prepare for the CCA exam, individuals should have at least six months of experience working with Citrix products such as XenApp/XenDesktop 7.x or later versions. Additionally, it is recommended that individuals have a good understanding of networking concepts such as TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, load balancing technologies, and authentication protocols.

To get started on your path to becoming a CCA certified professional you can take advantage of various training resources provided by Citrix including instructor-led courses and self-paced eLearning modules. Additionally there are several third-party vendors offering practice exams and study guides which can help you prepare for the actual exam.

7. Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE: Server Infrastructure)

Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE): Server Infrastructure is a certification program that validates an individual's expertise in designing, implementing, and managing the physical and virtual infrastructure of a Windows Server 2012 environment. The MCSE: Server Infrastructure certification demonstrates that an individual has the skills necessary to run a highly efficient and modern data center, with expertise in areas such as identity management, systems management, virtualization, storage, and networking.

The MCSE: Server Infrastructure certification requires individuals to pass four core exams and two elective exams. It typically takes between six months to one year to earn the certification.

To get the MCSE: Server Infrastructure certification, individuals must first take and pass four core exams: 70-410 Installing & Configuring Windows Server 2012; 70-411 Administering Windows Server 2012; 70-412 Configuring Advanced Windows Server 2012 Services; and 70-413 Designing & Implementing a Server Infrastructure. After passing these four core exams, individuals must then take two elective exams from a list of approved courses.

The cost for taking the MCSE: Server Infrastructure exam varies depending on which tests are chosen but can range from $150-$400 per exam.

8. Oracle Database Administrator Certified Professional (OCP)

Oracle Database Administrator Certified Professional (OCP) is a certification program offered by Oracle Corporation that certifies individuals who have achieved expertise in the administration of Oracle databases. The OCP credential is designed to demonstrate a mastery of database administration skills, including database design, installation, configuration, patching, backup and recovery, performance tuning, security management and troubleshooting.

The OCP certification requires successful completion of two exams: the Oracle Database 12c: Administration I Exam and the Oracle Database 12c: Administration II Exam. The first exam tests your knowledge of database architecture, installation and configuration, storage structures, user security and database objects. The second exam covers advanced topics such as backup and recovery strategies, performance tuning techniques and managing data integrity.

The cost for each exam is $245 USD. You must pass both exams within 18 months in order to earn the OCP certification.

In addition to passing the exams, you must also complete a hands-on course from an authorized training provider or submit proof of relevant experience in order to qualify for the OCP certification.

The entire process can take anywhere from several weeks to several months depending on your experience level and study habits.

9. Amazon Web Services Certified Solutions Architect – Associate

Amazon Web Services Certified Solutions Architect – Associate is an industry-recognized certification that validates your expertise in designing and deploying applications on the Amazon Web Services (AWS) platform. This certification demonstrates your ability to design, deploy, and maintain applications on the AWS platform.

The exam consists of multiple-choice questions that test your knowledge of the AWS architecture, services, and best practices. The exam covers topics such as:

• Designing highly available, cost-efficient, fault-tolerant, scalable systems
• Selecting appropriate AWS services to design and deploy an application based on given requirements
• Migrating complex multi-tier applications on AWS
• Implementing security controls, governance processes, and compliance validation
• Defining operational procedures for system maintenance

The exam takes approximately 130 minutes to complete and costs $150 USD. To become certified as a Solutions Architect – Associate you must pass the exam with a score of 70% or higher. You can register for the exam online at the AWS Certification website.

10. Linux Professional Institute Certification Level 1 (LPIC-1)

Linux Professional Institute Certification Level 1 (LPIC-1) is a certification program that is designed to validate a person’s knowledge and skills in Linux system administration. LPIC-1 is the first level of certification offered by the Linux Professional Institute and it is intended for entry-level Linux system administrators.

It typically takes between 2 to 6 months to prepare for the LPIC-1 exam, depending on your prior experience with Linux. The exam consists of two parts: 101 and 102. Both exams must be passed in order to receive the LPIC-1 certification.

To get certified, you need to register for the exam at Pearson VUE or Prometric testing centers and pay the associated fees. The cost of the exam varies depending on location, but it usually ranges from $200-$300 USD per part (for a total of $400-$600).

The LPIC-1 certification is valid for 5 years after which you will need to recertify in order to maintain your credentials.

Do You Really Need a Senior Systems Administrator Certificate?

Whether or not you need a Senior Systems Administrator Certificate depends on your individual career goals and the requirements of the job you are applying for. A Senior Systems Administrator Certificate is an advanced certification that demonstrates knowledge and experience in managing complex IT systems and networks. It is usually awarded by an accredited institution after completing courses in system security, network design, server maintenance, database administration, and other topics related to computer systems management.

Having a Senior Systems Administrator Certificate can be beneficial for many IT professionals seeking positions in large organizations. Many employers prefer candidates who have achieved this certification because it indicates a higher level of expertise and credibility than someone without it. Additionally, having this certificate could also give you an edge over other applicants when it comes to negotiating salary or benefits packages.

On the other hand, some jobs may not require this certification or may not even recognize it as a requirement. Therefore, before investing time and money into earning this certificate, make sure that you are aware of any potential employer’s expectations regarding certifications or qualifications.

In conclusion, whether or not you need a Senior Systems Administrator Certificate depends on your individual career goals and the requirements of the job you are applying for. Do your research beforehand to ensure that achieving this certification will benefit your career in the long run.

Related: Senior Systems Administrator Resume Examples

FAQs About Senior Systems Administrator Certifications

1. What are the benefits of becoming a Senior Systems Administrator?

Answer: A Senior Systems Administrator can benefit from increased job security, higher salaries, and greater career opportunities. They will also have the opportunity to work on complex systems and develop their technical skills.

2. What qualifications are required to become a Senior Systems Administrator?

Answer: To become a Senior Systems Administrator, you typically need at least 5 years of experience in systems administration and an industry-recognized certification such as Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA), CompTIA A+, or Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA).

3. How much does it cost to become a Senior Systems Administrator?

Answer: The cost of obtaining the necessary certifications varies depending on the provider, but typically ranges from several hundred dollars up to several thousand dollars. Additionally, additional training may be required depending on the organization you are working for and your specific job requirements.

4. How long does it take to become a Senior Systems Administrator?

Answer: It typically takes at least 1-2 years to complete the necessary certifications and gain enough experience in order to qualify for a senior systems administrator role.

5. What type of jobs can I get with a Senior Systems Administrator certification?

Answer: With this certification, you can apply for roles such as system architect, network engineer, network administrator, database administrator, cloud computing specialist, IT security specialist, or software developer/engineer.