Plain Virtualization

VMware vExpert program is an accreditation given to an individual for their past year effort in contributing to the VMware community via multiple channels. This is a yearly accreditation and the application is open twice a year. The second application opening allows those who lack contribution to have at least 6 months more to prove themselves. I was fortunate to be appointed as a vExpert Pro with other professionals, we were tasked to assess the applications for vExpert 2019 based on past year, 2018, contribution. We have to go through thousands of applications and able to see some with great work while some fall short. This article is to provide some feedback based on my observation and hopefully, those who didn't make it can start improving your contribution when the next application comes in the middle of the year. There are three tracks and I like to mention what to expect in general first and focus on each track later. General In the application form...

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...

With the new year of 2015, VMware education also did some amendments to their certification roadmap to adapt to the industry requirements.  However there isn't a big change but one major one I see is the VMware Certified Advanced Professional (VCAP) has been renamed to VMware Certified Implementation Expert (VCIX).  You can view more details here .  The roadmap diagram is as below: You can also find the more updated charts for version 5 and version 6 here . In fact I was seeing this coming since under Network Virtualization track it has already started with VCIX. Although VCIX6-NV started with only an administration exam, I believe all tracks will contain both design and administration exam as mentioned under VCIX section. The other change would be under the Cloud Management & Automation track where there are two different VMware Certified Associate (VCA) but only one VMware Certified Professional (VCP) track.  This will be focused on VMware vRealize A...

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...

For some of you, you might know I have attempted VCDX defences couple of times and none was a success and after my last attempt recently I have decided to stop doing it.  The reason was not I given up hope, perhaps I have lost more touch toward post sales consulting where I used to do it and feel different from to what I am doing as a Presales.  As all my attempts were submitted with vSphere 4 design which has retired since the last defense, I have no confident in doing a brand new frictional design based on vSphere 5.  Also I can feel the way I perform during defense versus how I face customer were completely difference.  I just cannot bring myself to be the same in a defense environment and felt the different when I did it with real customers perhaps the environment was just different. The purpose of this article would to share all my 3 attempts and the experience I have gained and each time I always feel I could do better and, Yes I can really do better but it'...

With the recent revamped of VMware Certification site which I mentioned in my prior post , you may also see there are other enhancements in individual certification transcript. Thanks to Choon Kok who brought this up in the VMware User Group - ASEAN . By logging into the certification site , and choosing myTranscript to view all your certificates. You will then see all your certifications that you hold to date. For each certification, you will also see View and Share . View - Let's you download a PDF of your certification.  The link is the same link as the provided in the Share popup window (Weird.  Either one of this link become redundant.  I do not see the need to provide a certificate to other if they can verify you from Share). Share - Provide a link to others who need to make sure you are claimed who you are whether you hold a valid certification.  In here there are two options, one which is as above like View but the link has been cop...