Peter Gregory, CISSP

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GoCertify: In your opinion, what is the most difficult topic or subject that is covered?

Peter Gregory: In my opinion the Role-Based Access Control and Solaris Management Console are the two most difficult topics, because they are both fairly new. Not many system administrators will have deep knowledge and experience with these.

GoCertify Resources:
Sun Certifications: Sun Certified System Administrator for Solaris Sun Certified Network Administrator for Solaris

GoCertify: What are the most valuable study techniques for this certification, in your opinion?

Peter Gregory: This really varies by individual. The chapters that are valuable for any individual will depend on their strengths and weaknesses.

GoCertify: How much actual hands-on experience does one need to pass the exams?

Peter Gregory: Quite a bit of hand-on experience is required; many of the questions are situational and require a judgment call that is difficult to know with book knowledge alone.

GoCertify: Could one pass it without hands-on experience?

Peter Gregory: In my opinion, only someone with experience on another UNIX platform has a chance of passing the Solaris CSA exams with out Solaris experience. But, those people would have to study the Study Guide especially carefully.

GoCertify: What other advice do you have for would be CSAs?

Peter Gregory: CSA's need to stay current on their certifications in order to preserve competitive value in the job market. First and foremost, they need to get the Sun Certified Network Administrator for the Solaris ^TM Operating Environment certification. This is complementary to the CSA certification.

They need to stay abreast of new Solaris technologies and watch for upgrade exams.

CSA's may also want to "branch out" and consider other certifications; for instance, Sun has three storage certifications: Sun Certified Data Management Engineer, Sun Certified Backup and Recovery Engineer, and Sun Certified Storage Architect . Sun also has four Java Certifications for developers and architects.

Further, CSA's should consider certifications for security (CISSP, GIAC, or CISA) and other technical areas of particular interest.

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