VMware vExpert 2019 Application is Live!

The application runs during Jun and Dec each year for two applications cycle. In case you are not notified, do sign up to be notified for the application period here.

For the application for vExpert 2019 is now open! So if you are a current vExpert, this year you will still need to fill in the normal form. Head over to the application here.

For new applicants, you will need to put up your case to be accredited vExpert for 2019. You can read up more of the requirements from my previous post on my experience.

If you have any questions, feel free to approach any of the vExpert Pro in your country or a place near you for questions. Head over to this site for the people.

Things to take note, applications will be accepted until February 8th, 2019 PDT. The vExpert 2019  results announcement will be late Feb to early March.

Good Luck!

Locating Your VMW ID

Recently I came across the sign-up form when you log into your myVMware account. This form is for those who are interested in being an education SME whether in developing the learning zone materials or as a certification development.

One of the form requirement was to provide your VMW ID. This was something new to me as well. Doing a quick search there is a document here, which detail how you will find your VMW ID. Do note, this ID is the same throughout your certification path. With this ID, you will see all your certification ownership thus far.

Head over to Certification Manager (you will need your myVMware ID), you will see the banner which has a form link to sign up as an SME.

Lastly, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to everyone in the community.

Windows 2016 Core Licensing FAQ

A very busy month for me and also traveling to take a break from work. Finally to sit down and compose which got confused by many of my co-workers.

It came across to me many people are confused over the windows 2016 licensing. I have previously explained how it is licensed here.

However, there are cases where customer like to know what will be the break-even point if they are running on Windows 2016 Standard licensing instead of Windows 2016 Datacenter edition.

Someone has also done up some scenario to explain the cost and break-even point here. Basically, the 13th Windows VM that you run on a physical server will make more sense to run Windows 2016 Datacenter edition license. That is if your consolidation is high which is subject to your server specifications as well as VM workload.

Just to give you the explanation from my post previously, whether it is a standard edition or datacenter edition, the way you license in cores doesn't change. But in the standard edition, you are only limited to run two OSIs in every box with every Windows 2016 Standard edition license you use on all cores. What question comes next is how do I run more than 2 OSI? Well, you have to license another set that will allow you to run 4 OSIs. So two Windows 2016 Standard edition license used on one physical server will allow you to run 4 OSIs. The caveat, you need to license all the cores and minimum still applies.

Here is the example:

Windows Server 2016 Standard License, Two-Core Pack: $111.00

Minimum per server:

• A server with two CPUs on 16 cores each. There will be 32 cores in total.
• Minimum to license is 8 cores per socket and 16 cores per servers. (not to worry unless you still have 8 cores per processor CPU or you running one CPU server with a total of less than 16 cores)
• Windows Server 2016 Standard edition license, Two-Core Pack: $111.00 x 16 packs = $1,776.00, you will incur $1776. 

This allows you to run two OSIs for licensing all the cores. To run more OSIs in increment of 2, you will need to license the core again. Such as 4 OSIs, you will incur $1,776 x 2 = $3,552.

vForum 2018 Online

Missed the vForum locally in your country especially the one in Singapore? No worries, there is still a chance to attend some of the tracks and win some gifts for yourself.

Check out the events that are coming up this week here. Don't miss out and chat with the expert and get your questions answered.

Still not sure whether you can make it? Register first, and attend the sessions you are available to join.

What are you waiting for?

vExpert Pro What is it?

Something new just starts out from VMware Palo Alto. There is a new twitter handler, VMware vExpert Pro. It just posted something a few hours ago.

We know what is a vExpert program. If you do not do check out here. The vExpert came a long way from a general vExpert to now another three more tracks namely: vSAN NSX, Cloud and now Pro.

So what is really vExpert Pro? This is someone volunteered in the individual country as a vExpert recruiter. So how is the person been selected? A short requirement is as below:

A current vExpert who excels in their local region, adding value to the program and giving back to the community. This person has a strong relationship with the local IT community in general, and works as an advocate to the vExpert program, recruiting, mentoring and training people.

I am fortunate to be selected out of the many vExperts in Singapore. Not because I am an employee in VMware (initially information was sent to my personal email and the program team from VMware wasn't aware I am working in VMware) but because of my contribution thus far.

Check out the announcement here.

For those in Singapore, if you are interested in becoming a vExpert, do not hesitate to contact me. I can guide you through. With commitment and effort, you will eventually be rewarded.

VMware New Updated Certifications Release

There is three certifications release before VMworld 2018 announced here. Namely VCAP-DCV 2018 Deploy, VCAP-CMA Deploy 2018 and VCP7-DTM 2018.

Here is something new is the naming convention. The certification is no longer tied to the version of the product. Though this is also mentioned in the article as well as in the certification page.

This is a long awaiting certification since vSphere 6.5 was released more than a year ago and the Design exam was available since last year and Deploy was not till now. This applies the same for Cloud Automation exam too.

For VCP-DTM, this is more of an update to match Horizon 7.5.

I do welcome the naming convention as it also allows testers to know when they last took their exam especially VCP is valid for two years.

As mentioned in my last blog on VCAP6.5-DCV Design, the difference between VCP and VCAP testing of capabilities is different. The way Design and Deploy testing criteria is also different for the different audience between an architect and a administrator per-se.

As I am fortunate to be involved in the contribution for both VCAP6.5 in Design and Deploy exam, it really took lots of time and debate between all the SMEs to have the exam created. It is a great opportunity to met up many expertise in the field around.

If you have taken of the exam, do provide some feedback good or bad so VMware Certification team can take that into future development.

VMware vForum 2018 Singapore: vWarrior Championship!

The yearly VMware vForum 2018 Singapore is announced to be on 4th Oct and can be registered here just as when VMworld 2018 is running. You will be expecting some content from VMworld for sure.

What's New?

One new program that is coming out from vForum this year in Singapore, will be vWarrior Championship. This is going to be one of it's kind.

This is going to be a Hands-on Lab competition and teams will be competing in completing tasks in the correct manner. Of course, there will an introduction session beforehand for those who ain't familiar. We don't expect everyone to know everything that is for sure to be fair.

Here are the details:

Grand Prize: Go Pro Hero 6 Black per member

Runner Up Prize: Amazon Echo Dot 2^nd Gen per member

Short description: Showcase your technical capabilities in our Hands-on Lab environment across the VMware portfolio of solutions in Software-Defined Data Center (SDDC) and End-User Computing (EUC). 

Compete through a group stage and knockout rounds to be crowned the grand prize winner!

Notes: 

• Each round will cover a different solution
• Form a team of 1 – 3 members and register via this link
• Briefing and training will be held on 13^th and 20^th September, each session covers a different set of solutions related to the competition < Recommended to attend
• Registration ends 3^rd September

What are you waiting for?

What are you waiting for? Quickly sign up. Did I mention, each participant will be given away a vWarrior Varsity Jacket?