Microsoft UC (Unified Communcation)

Hello Sreekanth,

Nice to hear from you. Before giving any advice, I would like to point out a few things. There are two aspects of the whole IT infrastructure. One is the networks and the other is the systems. No two are complete without the other completing the whole infrastructure. In networks, be it Cisco/Juniper/Extreme and other vendors (majority Cisco is prefered in our region), they play an important role in the Systems functionality. If the LAN infrastructure is not properly segmented, if the WAN links are properly routed, if the access restrictions to different segments of the networks is not properly done, (for example) AD will either be not accessible to different parts of the network or prone to security threats. Same goes for the Systems that if AD is not properly configured or the Exchange is not properly functioning, regardless how good the networks is it would be a useless infrastructure on the whole.

What I am trying to imply here is that having the the two technological expertise accentuates each other. From my perspective with the expertise of Networks (Cisco/Juniper etc.) an OS systems expertise should also be taken ex. Microsoft/Linux. I am not against specialization in a certain field but you should get expertise to atleast an associate level in Cisco, CCNA accentuating your MCITP Server Administrator so you become a double edged sword, a one man army.. you get my point rite…

I myself a Cisco Certified Associate level but have worked my way upto an advanced level just out of hobby and believe me, it has helped me loads of time where I was supposed to be dependent on someone but got the work done on my own.

Salary… Well lets just take this scenario, I am a company which has a basic level LAN architecture and microsoft based servers. I have two engineer one for each. You come along and I see that you have expertise in both the fields and can manage either at ease. Who would I prefer A salary boost is there when a company feels that you are competent and have better expertise.

On the last note, do something that you really like, be it Microsoft or Cisco, don’t go doing what the people tell you. I had first aspirations of Microsoft but was kind of forced to move to Cisco because my first job wasn’t really focusing on MS and you know what, I realized that knowing about Cisco isn’t a bad thing but my priority will always be MS and Thanks to the grace of ALLAH, I am earning very good in the MS field. A technology doesn’t limit your growth, every technology has potential, it’s you who has to work your way up so don’t hesitate to work on new stuff as it will help you one way or the other in the long run.

NB: I am starting another blog on my site dealing with different career, mixture of careers and counseling. Do drop by when it’s up and ask questions if you have any.