Bill Dunford
The Internet is finally coming of age at the office: For most companies, Internet access has become as essential as a fax machine. Many companies have created World-Wide Web sites, and some companies are even forging ahead by creating intranets and extranets. The professional potential of the online world is big--and getting bigger every day.
But if you are new to the Internet, how do you become an Internet professional? And if you already know the Internet as well as you know your own neighborhood, how do you prove your expertise?
Through the Certified Internet Professional program, Novell Education provides a complete strategy for Internet training and certification. If you are an Internet novice, participating in the Certified Internet Professional program can help you acquire the skills necessary to start an Internet career. If you are a Webmaster, on the other hand, participat-ing in the Certified Internet Professional program can set you apart from the competition. This program can help you demonstrate to employers that you can plan, design, and build web sites.
This article describes the five certifications that make up the Certified Internet Professional program. This article also outlines the requirements for each certification.
When Novell Education introduced the Certified Internet Professional program in 1996, this program offered only one certification with a few courses and tests. Since that time, however, the Internet industry has expanded to include new concepts, such as intranets, and advanced technologies, such as the Java programming language. As a result, the Certified Internet Professional program now offers the following certifications, which provide cross-platform skills for five job functions:
Each of these certifications requires you to pass one or more tests at any Sylvan Prometric testing center. You can also substitute approved third-party tests for some Certified Internet Professional tests. For example, instead of taking a Novell-specific test, such as intraNetWare: NetWare 4.11 Administration (test 050-613), you can take an equivalent third-party test that focuses on another platform, such as Implementing and Supporting Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 from Microsoft. (You can view a complete list of approved third-party tests at http://www.netboss.com/multiven.htm.)
To prepare for the Certified Internet Professional tests, you have several training options. For example, you can attend instructor-led courses at any Novell authorized education center (NAEC) or at hundreds of colleges and high schools through the Novell Education Academic Partner (NEAP) program. You can also purchase self-study kits for these courses. The courses are optional, however; the only requirement for certification is that you pass all of the required tests.
The following sections explain the five certifications available through the Certified Internet Professional program:
The Certified Internet Business Strategist certification ensures that you have the skills necessary to plan your company's Internet strategy. For example, you must demonstrate that you are familiar with Internet technology and that you understand how to use this technology to expand your company's marketing reach, reduce customer support costs, and increase employee productivity. The Certified Internet Business Strategist certification is especially useful for IS managers, web publishers, and strategic planners whose job requires them to make recommendations about Internet strategy.
To earn a Certified Internet Business Strategist certification, you must pass the Internet Business Strategies test (test 50-701). You can prepare for this test by taking the following courses:
The Certified Web Designer certification ensures that you have the skills necessary to create web pages that meet your company's corporate and marketing objectives. This certification is ideal for artists and graphic designers who want to add web designing to their resume. Marketing professionals, corporate communications professionals, editors, librarians, and administrative assistants can also benefit from this certification.
You are required to pass the following tests to earn a Certified Web Designer certification:
To prepare for these tests, you can take the following courses:
The Certified Web Developer certification ensures that you have the skills necessary to write Java-based applications and to integrate these applications with your company's web site. This certification is a good choice for application developers who want to learn how to program in Java.
You are required to pass the following tests to earn a Certified Web Developer certification:
To prepare for these tests, you can take the following courses:
The Certified Intranet Manager certification ensures that you have the skills necessary to turn your company's network into an intranet and to manage this intranet effectively. For example, you must be able to develop intranet services such as a corporate directory, publish human resources information, and provide database access. The Certified Intranet Manager certification is especially useful for network administrators, systems integrators, and consultants who want to deploy an intranet.
You are required to pass the following tests to earn a Certified Intranet Manager certification:
To prepare for these tests, you can take the following courses:
The Certified Internet Architect certification ensures that you have the skills necessary to connect your company's network to the Internet. You must demonstrate that you can set up Internet services such as access to FTP and web sites while maintaining tight security. The Certified Internet Architect certification is ideal for anyone who wants to specialize in integrating networks with the Internet, including network administrators and systems integrators.
Before you can earn a Certified Internet Architect certification, you must become a CNE. You can substitute approved third-party certifications for the CNE certification. For example, you can fulfill the CNE requirement by earning a Certified Solaris Administrator certification from Sun Microsystems. (You can view a complete list of approved third-party certifications at http://www.netboss.com/multiven.htm.)
You are required to pass the following tests to earn a Certified Internet Architect certification:
The requirements for a Certified Internet Architect certification are similar to the requirements for a Master CNE certification. As a result, you can earn both certifications by passing only one additional test: NetWare 4.11 Design and Implementation (test 50-601).
To prepare for these tests, you can take the following courses:
To sign up for any Novell Education course, you can contact your local NAEC. (You can find the NAEC nearest you at http://db.netpub.com/nov_ edu/x/naecloc.) To sign up for a Novell Education test, you can contact your local Sylvan Prometric testing center. (You can find the testing center nearest you by calling 1-800-RED-TEST or 1-612-820-5706.)
For more information about the Certified Internet Professional program, visit Novell Education's web site (http://www.netboss.com). You can also call 1-800-233-EDUC or 1-801-861-5508.
Bill Dunford is a web page designer and a writer for Novell Inc. in Orem, Utah. He writes content for and designs InnerWeb, Novell's intranet.
NetWare Connection, March 1998, pp. 28-30