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...

These few days there are many discussion regarding VMware Certification changes. If you are not aware here is a summary. Over the last two years, VMware Certification policy was made mandatory to renew a VCP certification once every two years to stay relevant and failure to do so, require you to re-do the whole five days course with a foundation exam and a VCP exam. With immediate effect on 4th Feb as announced here , VMware is removing this mandatory policy. So what is relevant is up to you. You can stay up to date or not, however, you will only be allowed to upgrade to a later VCP certification not more than three versions. Taking an example, if you are currently a VCP 5.0. You will be able to upgrade to VCP 2019 (which is based on either vSphere 6.5 or vSphere 6.7). This is less than three version from 5.0, 6.0, 6.5 or 6.7. Which also means if the next VCP is based on such as 7.0, then those who are still on VCP 5.0 will not be allowed to upgrade to it. VMware Education fina...

Since the release of vSphere 6.7, the VMware certification has yet to be updated and the last VCP DCV was based on 6.5. Today VCP DCV 2019 based on 6.7 is live and available for booking. Do note that there are two available VCP DCV, one based on 6.5 and one on 6.7. whichever you take, on passing you will be granted VCP DCV 2019. This is so to help easily identify when was the last time you took that exam and a reminder to renew it before 2 years expiry. For those taking the VCP DCV 2019 based on 6.7, do check out the exam guide . Credits go to the awesome team that I have worked with in Nov 2018 to have this exam coming out live. Good Luck!

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...

I got lot of ask and question regarding the new VCIX certification from VMware. So how do I get qualified? What do I need to do? Do I need to upgrade VCP first? I am confused which VCAP to take as I have already had one? The proper way to get to VCIX certification is stated here . The scenarios for VCP certification is stated here . So in the past, passing a VCAP allows you to upgrade your VCP.  However, with the expiry program and VCP certification article above on inheritance, only the expiry of existing VCP will be extended. No inheritance of VCP when passing a VCAP of the same track. Example: Hold VCP5-DCV, passing VCAP6-DCV Design, does not upgrade VCP5-DCV to VCP6-DCV.  Only VCP5-DCV expiry period is further extended. In order to attempt VCDX of any track, you will need to attain VCIX for that track.  Below is how you can attain your VCIX using Data Center Virtualization track as a scenario. Scenarios: For one who has valid VCP5-DCV, VCAP5-DCV D...

The wait is over.  With the announcement of vSphere 6 in Feb 2015, to the General Availability in Mar 2015, today marks the day where the certification becomes available.  This is one of the fastest release over a major version release I seen since VI3.5. Read about it here .  You can also find out the requirement to be certified VCP6-DCV.  There is also extension to re-certify your VCP and discount for existing VCP on VCP6-DCV as announced here . In previous article , for new comers, you will have to take up the 5 days course, if you have attended a vSphere 5 training course but not taken an exam, you can proceed to next step.  Next step is to pass the foundations exam (75 questions in 90 minutes for USD50) and the VCP6-DCV (100 questions in 120 minutes for USD50) exam.  All exams requires application for authorization. For existing VCP5-DCV, course is recommended but not required.  You can go straight to VCP6-DCV Delta (75 question in 90 minut...

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...

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...

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...

For those who are already VCAP5-DCA, currently there is a a fast upgrade track. Typically you would need to take up VCP5 followed by the various VCAP track e.g. VCAP5DCD or VCAP5DCA to be certified VCAP in the different tracks. However for now till 9th Oct 2012, the VCAP5DCA requires you only to take up VCAP5DCA if you are already VCAP4DCA to be upgraded.  You will also get awarded wth VCP5. So hurry! As for those who are already VCAP4DCD, you just need to take up the VCP5 and VCAP5DCD to be VCAP5DCD.

If you have heard and wondering its almost here.  VCP for Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS). As the cloud has been now popularize, whether it is private and public cloud we need to have some ways qualify these people just like for desktop VCP5-DT. Requirement will be the same as desktop, you would need to be a VCP5 first.  You can check out Eric Sloof's post . Sign up for to be informed once VCP5-IaaS goes GA here . For more information on all the certification you can refer to certification site . Update 31th May 2013 VCP-IaaS exam is now certified as VCP-Cloud.  There is some confusion so here I share explain as below. If you are a VCP5-DV, you would need to just take VCP-IaaS which contain 85 questions to be VCP-Cloud.  This exam will require per-authorization and a check if you are VCP5-DV will be done before granting you to even see this exam to be booked. What if you are not VCP5-DV but a VCP4-DV?  You can also be VCP-Cloud.  What ...

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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...