qualifications

[aftermath]

I am considering getting some more new qualifications/certification for my CV, my self and it would perhaps mean learning new stuff that’s the hope at least.
I’m a member on these forums primarily to learn things and you people are a good resource some times I can help people with what I have learned too.
So now its time to get a structure to my learning and a piece of paper to show what I know.

What I want to know this time is where to go to from where I’m at (graduate software engineering) was thinking of CompITA network+ to start of with what do you guys think? Good place to start? I'm looking for a job but a bit board so I thought a new qualification would while a way the time between searches.

I want to go in to server and network support. Initially I could start as a desktop support person general help the IT boss kind of position, I am quite happy to be a general kind of person (well yeah... der) to start off working up to a system or networks admin position.
Many people seam to use me as tech support any way so I guess I know a little already.
I think the most interesting place (or the most interesting place I can think of) is CERN I hear they have a couple of computers and just a little data.

I have studied software engineering at uni I figure that a good understanding of the development cycle to be able to support developers better and software development understanding would be a general benefit especially if I were helping out with a project or implementing some database (SQL? Done that etc) have a bit of java skills could adapt to C++ or C# I suppose.
Uni had models like networking basics, network performance analysis and the theory of concurrent systems (and a related concurrent systems module where we made client/server programs that used RMI then TCP and finally UDP protocols to communicate)

I have my own little LAN I had a 2k server (MSDN Academic Alliance) and worked through the guide for MCSE 70-215 then upgraded it to 2k3, which gave me a whole heap of problems to fix afterwards )) I have a SmoothWall
I have done just about all you can do with one server. I am now playing with Linux on a virtual machine.

Iv read THF’s compITA A+
http://www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?t=471376&highlight=certification

and I am thinking of actually doing just network+ but I am posting for input.

My options would be
A local course which says CISCO in the title
http://www.kendal.ac.uk/course_documents/PC Networking Level 3 - CISCO.pdf seams rather basic. Iv emailed for more details of the course
CompITA A+
CompITA network+ or maybe server+?
CCNA (really want to do this with in 2 years have not looked in to this too much wanted to get experience first.)
MCSE (lots of exams at around £80 each think I need work first + experience. Cant see me doing that much in a month)
CISSP seams tough

So where would be a good place to start getting certification at?

I was thinking Network+ as a basis and then go from there. Been on the web site found my nearest test centre found I can get past papers, objectives (the syllabus?) and found a list of books for network+

If you have done the CompITA network+ what book did U use?
Is Network+ in Depth a good choice? I can find that one.

So whose done a CCNA or higher CISCO test?

Also am I being realistic that I can go from what I know to having this certification in a month?