Virtualization Tips » Certification

The VMware VCAP-DCD Design Exam blueprint guide now available

Brian — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 05:26:05 +0000

The second of the new VMware VCAP exam blueprint’s is now available. This latest one covers the VCAP-DCD exam which is a Design related exam that is more theory based material. You can see a short description of the exam below.

The VCAP-DCD is directed toward IT Architects and Consulting Architects who are capable of designing VMware solutions in a multi-site, large enterprise environment. They have a deep understanding both of VMware core components and their relation to storage and networking, and also of datacenter design methodologies. They also possess knowledge of applications and physical infrastructure, as well as their relationship to the virtual infrastructure.

VCAP-DCD exam blue print

About Brian

Brian is a Technical Architect for a VMware partner and owner of this website. He is active in the VMware community and is helps lead the Chicago VMUG group. This blog Virtualize Tips was started to document and remember things that I come across while working with tech.

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VCAP-DCA exam to remain focused on ESX 4.0

Brian — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 20:58:56 +0000

For at least the near term the newly released VCAP exam for Administrators will remain focused on vSphere ESX and ESXi 4.0. This was confirmed with John Hall and announced on the Bi Weekly brown bag study sessions hosted by Cody Bunch of Professions VMware. This kind of gives a mixed signal when it comes to VMware exams. Previously it was reported that the VCP exam’s would always be based on the most recent version of the product available. This meant that sometime this fall the VCP would be updated to reflect the changes in ESX 4.1. But the announcement that the VCAP will stay on vSphere 4.0. This decision must be due to the huge investment of time spent developing the new VCAP certifications and not having enough time to switch gears with the recent release.

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The VCAP4-DCA Exam Blueprint is now available to download

Brian — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 18:11:08 +0000

The first exam in the new VMware intermediate series has released the Blueprint document. Blueprints are intended to give you a list of topics that are covered on the exam. So that if you are well versed in these topics you should do well on your exam. For this type of exam there is no substitute for real world experience or hundreds of hours of lab time.

The VCAP4-DCA is the VMware Certified Advanced Professional exam focused on Datacenter Administration. This is going to raise the level for VCP’s who want to show that they know their stuff. The exam is 100% hands on lab based exam material. The VDCA410 exam consists of approximately 40 live lab activities and a short pre‐exam survey consisting of 9 questions. Live lab activities consist of multiple tasks, where each task is scored. The total number of activities provided is based on the total number of tasks. Because of this, the actual number of lab activities may vary slightly between exams.

The scoring for the exam is not fully worked out until after the Beta period is over. The scale for scoring this exam will be like other exams and will have a range from 100-500.

For now the exam is available in English and countries where English is one of the languages will get an additional 15 minutes of time for the exam. The retake policy will require someone to wait 10 business days before they are able to try again. Something different or at least I have not noticed this before is that once you achieve a passing score you are not allowed to take the exam again.

Since you cannot yet book this exam the pricing is not yet available. According to earlier estimates from John Hall of VMware this exam should be in the $400 range depending on your location and exam provider.

You can find out all of the details on VCAP and download the blueprint from here.

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VMware Certified Advanced Professional is now offical

Brian — Mon, 24 May 2010 14:09:43 +0000

Earlier today VMware announced details about the VCAP certifications. These are the two new intermediate certifications that are also used as steps towards earning the VCDX.

Upon accomplishing VMware Certified Professional on VMware vSphere 4 (VCP4) you are eligible to pursue our intermediate level certification: VMware Certified Advanced Professional (VCAP). Available in Datacenter Administration (DCA) and/or Datacenter Design (DCD), this program is appropriate for VCP4s that are ready to further enhance their skills with the virtual infrastructure and add new, industry-recognized credentials to their list of accomplishments. Find the full details from VMware here.
VCAP4 – Datacenter Administration – Gain industry recognition for your technical leadership in the planning and administration of vSphere technologies. You will be able to sit for the exam starting July 12.

VCAP4 – Datacenter Design – This design focused exam is expected to be available sometime in August.

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VMware Certified Advanced Professional certifications grow closer

Brian — Fri, 14 May 2010 15:14:17 +0000

With the voting opening up for VMworld 2010 this fall, I noticed a session that grabbed my attention. It was submitted by John Hall from the Certification group at VMware. These are the long discussed advanced certifications that will also server as a mid point to the VCDX certification. You can see other sessions and vote here. I will keep watching this for more details as they are released.

Title: VMware Certified Advanced Professional Certifications Are Here

Session Id: V18061

Abstract:

This session announces the availability of two new Advanced certifications, the VCAP Enterprise and the VCAP Design certifications. These certifications allow a VMware Certified Professional to demonstrate advanced mastery of two areas of expertise: Enterprise Administration and Design. The VCAP Enterprise candidate demonstrates advanced abilities in implementation and administration of large and/or complex vSphere environments, while the VCAP Design candidate demonstrates advanced abilities in designing vSphere solutions. This session will further describe the purpose of these two certifications, along with the requirements for obtaining each.

Type: Breakout Session

Track: Virtualization 101

Speaker Detail: Speaker: Jon Hall Company: VMware, Inc.

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New VMware Certifications coming soon

Brian — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 15:14:09 +0000

There has been rumblings for awhile now about some new intermediate certifications coming from VMware. Today Scott Vessey is confirming the names of the new Certifications. He also goes on to say that there should be a formal announcement coming in a few weeks. I look forward towards several of these and what the paths will look like for achieving them. One immediate question that comes to mind would be how these new certifications work with the VCDX. For example while working towards the VCDX you are required to pass a Enterprise Admin and then a Design exam. Would these be also the steps to earn these new certifications and provide a higher level of recognition to Admins that do not wish to progress all the way to the VCDX? Hopefully these details are cleared up in the coming weeks.

Enterprise Administrator Certification (Final name may differ)
Design Administrator Certification (Final name may differ)
VMware Certified Design Expert on vSphere 4 (VCDX4)

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VMware vSphere Design Workshop new training class is announced

Brian — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 15:12:24 +0000

Looks like VMware is continuing its push to create more specialized training classes. There has been demand from the community for a long time for advanced troubleshooting classes. Now to go along with it’s VCDX certification VMware has created the vSphere Design Workshop, while this is not just geared towards someone seeking their VCDX it is sure to be a big help along the way.

The curriculum for this class was designed in part by the infamous Duncan Epping a VMware consultant. According to Duncan the class is a real workshop and it is all about discussing design considerations with your peers and crafting a design based on specific requirements and constraints.

The class schedule can be seen here and they are available starting in April around the world. The cost for the class is around $1800 and is a 3 day long session. There is a course outline listed below. The class is around 19 hours of instructor led training that breaks down to be 60% lecture and 40% lab time.

Course Outline
Module 1: Course Introduction
• Provide a general overview of the course
Module 2: Design Process Overview
• Discuss the design methodology, criteria, and approach
• Introduce an example five-step design process
Module 3: ESX/ESXi Host Design
• Identify useful information for making host design decisions
• Analyze best practices and host design alternatives
Module 4: vSphere Virtual Datacenter Design
• Identify useful information for making vCenter Server, database, cluster, and resource pool design decisions
• Analyze best practices and vCenter Server, database, cluster, and resource pool design alternatives
Module 5: vSphere Network Design
• Identify useful information for making network design decisions
• Analyze best practices and network design alternatives
Module 6: vSphere Storage Design
• Identify useful information for making storage design decisions
• Analyze best practices and storage design alternatives
Module 7: Virtual Machine Design
• Identify useful information for making virtual machine design decisions
• Analyze best practices and virtual machine design alternatives
Module 8: Management and Monitoring Design
• Identify useful information for making management and monitoring design decisions
• Analyze best practices and management and monitoring design alternatives
Design Workshop
• Small group case study workshop to practice using the methodology, criteria, and approach required to design a vSphere virtual datacenter

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The day before heading to vSphere training

mike — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 17:58:50 +0000

Well I woke up a bit late this morning and have been taking it very easy today. My lab is all built up, with one DL360 as an esxi 4 host and the other as a normal esx 4 host. I’m all packed and will be heading for the train station this afternoon. I think my preparations thus far have been really good. I’m finishing up Mastering VMware vSphere 4 by Scott Lowe, which has been an excellent book. I’ll be taking the VCP next week, probably Wednesday? Depends on how I feel over this coming weekend with practice tests and the like. I’ll post throughout the week as the training continues to give a sort of blow by blow.

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VMware launches page to verify VCDX certified consultants

Brian — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 17:40:27 +0000

If you are a VCDX holder there is now a place on VMware.com to let people verify your certification. This should help weed out the people who might by lying about their status. This will go a long way to keeping this elite Certification at the forefront of Virtualization. You can see some summaries of the more widely known holders and a list of other VCDX’s on VMware’s site here.

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