Nuts and bolts of Novell's updated CNE cert
Emmett Dulaney
Published: 17 Oct 2003 12:50 BST
You can find course objective lists for each exam in Novell's Test Objectives Index. To get your hands on the material that corresponds to the objectives, you can often order the manuals used in the classes from Novell Training Partners. You can also purchase the study guides written by David James Clarke, IV and published by Novell Press. For years, Clarke has taken the course manuals and significantly enhanced them to create the study guides -- superior test preparation products sold through many booksellers.
As an aside, many years ago I was the publishing manager for a company that published NetWare exam preparation books. Although our products were very good, I used the Novell Press Study Guide to become a CNA and then a CNE.
Be ready to recertify
One of the more recent changes to the CNE is that it now requires Continuing Certification Requirements (CCRs) to remain current. This prevents someone who became a CNE with NetWare 3, for example, from still claiming CNE certification when they haven't touched the network operating system in years.
In November 2002, Novell announced that all CNEs certified under previous versions had until the end of October 2003 to upgrade their credentials by passing an Upgrade exam to avoid losing their certification. You can expect this trend to continue. Know going into the certification that when the NOS updates, you'll need to keep your skills current within a certain time period or you'll lose the certification.
Look for changes
Novell has announced that there well be exams in a Novell Certified Linux Engineer track available by the end of the year, and it recently purchased Ximian, a Linux desktop company. Though no plans have been announced for mixing/intertwining the CNE and CLE certifications, it is certainly conceivable in the near future.
There will also likely be updates in content from NetWare 6 to NetWare 6.5. Although it is unlikely that the change from 6 to 6.5 will require recertification, it is highly likely that the existing courses/exams will be updated to include new material for the latest version of the NOS. Before signing up for any exam or beginning any earnest objective study, make certain that you have the latest copy of the material currently in use.
Emmett's recommendation
The CNE certification track has been greatly revamped in recent years. Once written off as a relic of days gone by, the new track is worth consideration if you are familiar with NetWare and looking to add an acronym to your resume.
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