Certification Watch: Cisco Offers Optical Specialist Exam

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The growing portfolio of Cisco Qualified Specialist certifications has expanded again. This time the new title, Cisco Optical Specialist 1, is for individuals who design, install, configure, operate, and maintain optical networking systems. The focus is on Cisco optical products as they are applied in a metro and regional environments. Technologies and protocols covered include SONET/SDH, DWDM, DPT/RPR, POS optical cross connects, Ethernet over optical, and element management.

To earn this designation candidates must pass one exam: #9E0-611, which is available through both Prometric and VUE. There are no prerequisites. The certification will remain valid for two years after passing the exam.

In other Cisco news, the PNNI and MPLS Networking Exam (PNNIMPLS 9E0-921) which is one of the two required exams for the recently released Cisco Multiservice Switching Specialist certification, is now available.

First CompTIA HTI+ Beta Exam Available

The first exam (HT1-101) of two required for CompTIA’s new home technology integrator certification (HTI+) is available in its beta version. HT1-101 contains approximately 120 questions, covering residential subsystems, including computer networking, audio/video, security and surveillance, telecommunications, and other topics. The exam costs $90 and candidates have two hours to complete it.

The second exam, slated for a September beta, will cover systems infrastructure and integration. The exams are offered through Prometric and VUE.

CompTIA Security+ Exam Now In Beta

The beta version of the single exam required in order to earn CompTIA’s Security+ certification is scheduled to undergo its beta period this week through Sept. 30, 2002. Candidates that pass the beta version of the exam will receive Security+ certification.

The exam will cover general security concepts (30%), communications security (20%), basics of cryptography (15%), and operational/organizational security (15%). Test takers will have two hours to complete the 125 questions included. The beta exam costs $90 and is available through Prometric and VUE testing centers. The exam code is SY1-101. Complete objectives for the beta are available in pdf format on the CompTIA site.

Tivoli Certified Consultant – Storage Manager V5.1 Available

Tivoli Certified Consultant in IBM Tivoli Storage Manager V5.1 is the latest addition to the Tivoli Certified Consultant program and requires passing one exam (#000-772) covering the related product. It replaces the exam/certification for Tivoli Certified Consultant – Tivoli Storage Manager V4.1. Individuals certified on V4.1 will remain certified.

Linux Professional Institute Releases New Level 1 Exams

The Linux Professional Institute (LPI) has released new versions of its Level 1 certification exams. The new exams are currently available at VUE and Prometric testing centers. Unlike traditional betas, where exam takers must wait weeks or months to find out if they passed, candidates will receive their pass/fail score immediately upon completion of these exams.

LPI Level 1 certification requires passing two exams that cover basic system administration skills. The exams are vendor-neutral -i.e. not tied to any specific Linux distribution. Objectives for the new betas are available on the LPI Web site. Candidates who wish to take the previous exam versions can still do so, through Nov. 1, at VUE testing centers.

That’s all for this edition of Certification Watch. Please keep your certification news and tips coming to news@gocertify.com.

Anne Martinez is the author of Cheap Web Tricks: Build and Promote a Successful Web Site Without Spending A Dime and Get Certified and Get Ahead. She also is the founder of GoCertify.com.