Plain Virtualization

I haven't been actively looking at VMware certification upgrade or into exam writing over more than a year. My certification has been at least 2 version back last was due to developing the initial vSphere 7.0 back in 2021. VMware has since remove the so call "expiration" of certification. Since due to Broadcom acquisition, was looking at my own certification making sure it is updated and all was dated 2021 version. Which means I would need to pass one exam which is current as documented  here . If your exam is just a year before, the requirement is just to attend a recommended course instead of an exam. So if you have not updated to the current year and is just one year before, a course would make the most sense. In my case, I would not have to take an exam if I have attend a course last year and to renew this year, would be another course. The good news is, if you own both VCP or VCAP of the same track and year, you only need to take the higher (in my case, VCAP) and do ...

Have you recently visited the VMware certification site? I was asked on the eligibility of getting VCIX for network virtualization recently. Previously it would take some understanding to understand what is the requirement. However, upon navigating after the revamp, it much easier. Let assume someone have a VCP-NV which was few years ago. But has passed both VCAP-NV for design and deploy recently. He has not received his any of his VCAP certification badges. If you head over to VMware certification site , click on Network Virtualization on the left panel and choose either VCAP-Deploy or VCAP-Design. Let's assume the person has no prior certification or any Cisco certification. It a new candidate who have an old VCP-NV. Let's just click on no VCAP certifications on the left panel. You will see the below: You will need at least VCP-NV 2021 to consider a pass in your VCAP-NV design or deploy. Since he has a VCP-NV few years ago, he will not be granted his VCAP certification. He wi...

Without any announcement made, the VCAP-DCV Deploy 2021 based on vSphere 7 is now available! It available for booking now. If you are interested in the VCAP-DCV Design 2021 based on vSphere 7, it is available at the same time here . If you head over to VMware VCAP-DCV Deploy  exam, you will see you are given two options based on vSphere 6.7 or vSphere 7. Not sure how long the vSphere 6.7 exam will last but at least the vSphere 7 now made available. You can refer to the exam guide here to understand what the questions are testing you on with the resources provided. I am glad to be part of the team to develop this exam. And this is not an easy effort to burn off many midnight oils for conference meeting since I am only one based out in APJ. It was a wonderful experience to have work with members in the team to develop this exam and getting our hands dirty to also test out validating the exam. All thanks to these folks and not forgetting the exam project manager,  Lourdes Soler ...

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 a...

Yes, the VCAP6.5-DCV Design has been released on 7th Aug 2017.  I was fortunate to be part of the exam creation, and experience the process to understand how much effort and time is put into creating an exam, is never simple. You can find out the requirement to take this exam. Do read the exam guide to make sure you are up to the level to take this exam. The exam is targeted at an advanced level that is someone who has the experience above VCP.  I have seen many try to attempt this exam and failed right after their VCP exam.  There is a difference for a reason.  Some have attended the recommended vSphere Design Workshop and mention the exam is not covering what is covered in the workshop. Do note that this is a certification exam and it is to assess your level of expertise and not your memorize work on a particular course like what we study in schools.  In all certification exams, it is to test on your know-how and knowledge level. This year,...

If you have been following the exam news that has been release, starting from 1st April, the price of the exams for all level starting from Foundation, Associate, Professional, Advanced Professional and Expert have all increased.  You can read up the official post here . I will skip the Foundation and Associate exam since these are just entry level exams. Looking at Professional (VCP), Advanced Professional (VCAP) and Expert (VCDX), each has increased from $225 to $250, $400 to $450 and $300 + $900 to $995 + $3,000 respectively.  If you look at it its a gradually increase in tier except for the Expert level which one would think twice attempting with an increase over 130%.  With this increased, this exam will be a company sponsored exam moving forward and not meant for one to self sponsor himself at close to $5,000.  Though these prices are affecting the developed countries. Not sure why the move but it seems like VMware it controlling the number of people atta...

If you head to VMware Certification site, you will be able now to book the following VCAP6 exams at USD400 each and USD100 for the beta exam: Data Center Virtualization VCAP6-DCV Design  (GA) VCAP6-DCV Deploy Network Virtualization VCAP6-NV Design (pending release) VCAP6-NV Deploy Cloud Management and Automation VCAP6-CMA Design  (GA) VCAP6-CMA Deploy Desktop and Mobility VCAP6-DTM Design VCAP6-DTM Deploy Apparently only VCAP6- NV Design is not yet release.   During this period, passing VCAP6-NV Deploy will give you direct access to be VCIX6 waving the two VCAPs requirement.  So if you are keen, do be fast.   This is also stated here . As for the rest of the track, well you will need both VCAPs in Design and Deploy to be VCIX unless you are upgrading our certification from VCAP5.  Read more about it in my previous post . Update One of our VMUG SG Member pointed this out.  Apparently only the VCAP6-DCV Design and VCAP6-CMA Design...

With the release of vSphere 6, there were some changes to the certification as posted earlier. VMware announced the retirement of VCAP for vSphere Design and Administration and replaced it with VCIX which requires equivalent of both VCAP category exam with half the exam time . As announced recently, VMware Education has listen to feedbacks and instead of retiring VCAP certification all together it will still have it valid however VCIX will only been granted to individual with double VCAP for each track in Design and Administration except for VCIX-NV which will be the only direct VCIX certification with no option of VCAP. With this announcement, individual can now still be recognize in passing one of the category in each track and granted VCAP or VCIX for earning a double VCAP in any track. The upgrade path for existing VCAP does not change as announced earlier.  To achieve VCIX, existing VCAP with either category need just pass the other category in version 6. ...

VMware has announced a proper migration/upgrade path many of us might be still wondering after VMware announced the version 6 certification roadmap awhile ago.  All these currently do not require a class. VCP6 I read through a few times to make out how the migrates works.  Before we start with the example, let's understand some of the acronyms for the track. VCP-DCV = Data Center Virtualization VCP-DTA = Desktop & Mobility (formerly VCP-DT = Desktop) VCP-CMA = Cloud Management & Automation (formerly VCP-Cloud = Cloud) VCP-NV = Network Virtualization For existing VCP5-DCV, you can upgrade this without a class via a VCP6-DCV Delta exam (this is yet to release) similar to VCP5.5-DCV Delta exam. For new users trying to get certified, you will be taking the VCP6-DCV inclusive of a class as usual. Since there are already new some version 6 exams: VCP6-DT and VCP6-Cloud, already released (Check here ).  These certification will be automatic upgrade to V...

Starting from today, 10th March 2014, the recertification agreement and policy takes into effect as stated here .  What this means from this policy, any VCP certification be it VCP-DV, VCP-DT or VCP-Cloud earned prior to 10th March 2013, would be affected by this policy. What this means in short, anyone who has a VCP-x earned prior to 10th March 2013, will need to do another VCP-x or a VCAP certification by 10th March 2015 to be recertified (extended to 8th May 2015). Those who have earned a VCP after 10th March 2013, will have 2 years to recertified any VCP or above to renewed another 2 years from last date of passing. This process is not a painful process as this encourage professionals to be up to date with their skills and validiate their knowledge. Taking e.g. of myself, who did VCP-DV back in Oct 2012, by this year it would be almost 2 years.  If a professional like myself who earned the VCP but hardly apply this knowledge, it is as good as gone.  Doing ano...

Once again just like the past year, the VMware Education team has managed to organize a one day bootcamp for those who are planning or wanted to find out more on becoming a VCAP and VCDX.  This is a similar bootcamp that has been held several times in US and its really rare opportunity that this is conducted in ASEAN. While this is a great move, this will be more applicable for those who are already a VCP.  As the number of vacancy is limited, I would encourage anyone who are a VCP and keen to pursue a VCAP or those who have VCAP and intend to give VCDX a shot to register now! Here is the registration link .  Please be responsible and only register if you are able to attend as this is a rare opportunity and we will be having our VCDX#001, John Arrasjid to host this bootcamp. Below is the respective countries in ASEAN where the bootcamp will be held: 11th Mar 2014  Malaysia (in collaboration with MDeC) Information 13rd Mar 2014  Singapore Information...

After the big event, VMworld 2013 at San Francisco and the coming Bacelona, there will be various events to carry on the information that was announced at the APAC regional vForum or VMware Solutions Symposium at individual APAC countries. Other than the announcements and launches of new version and products, there is also promotion for certifications announced here . I am going to take Singapore for example here where vForum 2013 will be held on 24th Oct where information of all the events are shown here . For Singapore, you will be able to take the certification exams like the new associates exams with 50% off the price and as well as VCP and VCAP exams at 75% off the price as shown here .  One thing as a reminder, if you are taking exams that need authorization, you will still need to go through this process which I posted here . The information on this page is rather confusing so here I am going to make a summary for easy understanding. Exams can be taken from 11th N...

Just got back from company kick off and haven't got the time to put in something new this month.  Hectic month for me. Taking a step back and viewing what I have done so far, I realize I did some sharing on VCAP DCD on networking when I first passed my VCAP 4 DCD. I almost forgot about this till someone approached me and this still stay very relevant till today irregardless of version as the fundamental should remain the same other than the new features added to networking in vSphere 5.  This brownbag can still be viewed here and with also some others related been done by my colleagues in other areas in storage, host design, etc. I have thus completed my VCAP 5 DCD and DCA as well. Though I am not a network expert in any field, I do like to highlight that the exam focus on your knowledge in terms of networking on vSphere and not particularly pertaining to any hardware in specific. As much I have shared, it is tested on things that should work irregardless of type of...

Did the VCAP5-DCA beta exams which comprises more than a hundreds of questions.  As the kits are limited there were only a few participants or should I say unless you manage to book the exam for a time slot of your choice. Its has been a long waiting time and finally receive a note that I have passed.  I didn't manage to finish the exam though but there are just too many things on each task to be completed.  I must congrats the certification team for able to rush the results out.  They have been providing us the update of the progress.  Having that there are the current certifications to be assessed and the betas.  It won't be easy. I have drop some feedback to the certification team on some of the "not so specific" tasks which need to be completed.  That is the purpose of going through the beta exam.  Feedback is really important. I managed to secure one slot before the closing date and brave through it.  4 hours of lab.  Expe...

Today I make an attempt to retake my VCAP-DCA.  Yes, the first time I failed by 13 marks as I wasn't prepared enough and as this exam state it is related to Data Center Administrator.  Its more to administrator than a implementer exam (I work as a consultant so daily administration is a problem for me). Beside studying the blueprint, practice is very important.  Luckily for me, I have a whitebox setup with ESXi 4.0 and I was able to test out vMA, VDS, etc.  This flashcard is also very useful. Base on my first experience, I realize I am weak in vicfg commands and as well as performance charting and some hardening/security questions. You will be tested base on ESX/ESXi 4.0 and vMA 4.0.  If you realize that vMA 4.0 and vMA 4.1 there are some changes and commands for e.g. vifptarget does not exist in vMA 4.0. Unlike my first attempt, this time it was very smooth for me and I have my questions answered just in time.  Previously I was rushing the last 10 ...

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Yes I have passed my VMware Certified Professional 4 in Data Center Design on 31st Mar 2011.  You will get you result immediately unlike VCAP-DCA. Talk to people who have passed the beta exam and got to do my last minute reading up for things I might have missed out. The blueprint is a must to follow. If you must attend a course, go for the VMware vSphere: Design Workshop [V4x]. It provided me an insight of the things I might have missed out during implementation. Blogs like Sean Crookston is a good place to get all your guide at once. Luckily for me, I was did some switches configuration and thus it helped me understand much more on the switches portion. Yes you need to understand not just on VMware switches concept but in real work ones as well. And of course not forgetting storage. The drag and drop questions are like other typical IT exams where you are given some selection to place them in order or use some of the selection or not all. The design questions ar...