VMware Certification – Preparing for Success

Scott VesseyLead Virtualisation Instructor

Global Knowledge UK

Session Overview

© 2009 Global Knowledge Training LLC. All rights reserved. 04/08/23 Page 3

Session Overview

VMware Training and Certification ProgramsPreparing for Datacenter CertificationsGeneral Reference Sites

VMware Training and Certification Programs

© 2009 Global Knowledge Training LLC. All rights reserved. 04/08/23 Page 5

VMware Training

© 2009 Global Knowledge Training LLC. All rights reserved. 04/08/23 Page 6

Datacenter Certifications - Overview

Certification for vSphere 4.x:Foundation

VMware Certified Professional (VCP4)Advanced

VMware Certified Advanced Professional – DataCenter Administration (VCAP4-DCA)

VMware Certified Advanced Professional – DataCenter Design (VCAP4-DCD)

Expert VMware Certified Design Expert (VCDX4)

© 2009 Global Knowledge Training LLC. All rights reserved. 04/08/23 Page 7

Datacenter Certifications - Training

© 2009 Global Knowledge Training LLC. All rights reserved. 04/08/23 Page 8

Desktop Certifications - Overview

Certification for vSphere 4.x and View 4.5:Administrator

VMware Certified Associate – Desktop (VCA4-DT)Engineer

VMware Certified Professional – Desktop (VCP4-DT)Architect

VMware Certified Advanced Professional – Desktop (VCAP4-DT)

© 2009 Global Knowledge Training LLC. All rights reserved. 04/08/23 Page 9

Desktop Certifications - Training

Preparing for Datacenter Certifications

© 2009 Global Knowledge Training LLC. All rights reserved. 04/08/23 Page 11

General Preparation Tips (1)

Exam Blueprint – THE most important document for any VMware exam!Defines the exam format (eg. number of questions,

style of questions, time allowed)Defines the specific objectives tested onSuggests learning methods for each objective

Mock Exams and DemosAllows you to experience the format first-hand

vSphere DocumentationAll exam answers are validated against it

© 2009 Global Knowledge Training LLC. All rights reserved. 04/08/23 Page 12

General Preparation Tips (2)

vSphere Lab60-day evaluation mode for vSphere componentsPhysical lab or virtual lab

Unofficial blogs and websitesStudy guides, practice questions

BooksStudy guides, reference books

BraindumpsBe wary of them, they are frequently inaccurate, can

be counter-productive, and are a form of cheating!

© 2009 Global Knowledge Training LLC. All rights reserved. 04/08/23 Page 13

VCP4 Exam

85 multiple-choice questions in 90 minutesSome questions require multiple answersScaled scoring system, from 100-500

300 or higher required to passExam scored immediately on completion

Answers will be either things you know, or things you don’t know

Exam items are consistent with vSphere 4.0 and 4.1Available at all PearsonVUE testing centres

© 2009 Global Knowledge Training LLC. All rights reserved. 04/08/23 Page 14

VCP4 Exam Preparation Resources

Exam Blueprint and Mock Exam http://www.vmware.com/go/vcp

The SLOG http://www.simonlong.co.uk/blog

vSphere Reference Card http://www.vreference.com/vsphere4-card

Exam Preparation Workshop http://www.globalknowledge.co.uk/vmware

© 2009 Global Knowledge Training LLC. All rights reserved. 04/08/23 Page 15

VCAP4-DCA Exam

40 live lab activities in 210 minutesSame scoring system as VCP4 exam

Lab assessed and scored within 10 working daysScore is based on the end result of the lab activities,

rather than the method usedAccess to vSphere Client, an SSH client, and

vSphere documentationLab systems include vCenter Server, vSphere

Management Assistant, ESX hostsOnly available at selected PearsonVUE testing

centres

© 2009 Global Knowledge Training LLC. All rights reserved. 04/08/23 Page 16

VCAP4-DCD Exam

Mixture of multiple-choice and drag-and-drop design questions

Same scoring system as VCP4Exam scored immediately on completion

Only available at selected PearsonVUE testing centres

© 2009 Global Knowledge Training LLC. All rights reserved. 04/08/23 Page 17

VCAP4 Exam Preparation Resources

Exam Blueprints and User Interface Demos http://www.vmware.com/go/vcap

Sean Crookston http://www.seancrookston.com/

Kendrick Coleman http://www.kendrickcoleman.com/

TheSaffaGeek http://thesaffageek.wordpress.com/

© 2009 Global Knowledge Training LLC. All rights reserved. 04/08/23 Page 18

VCDX4

Available only to those who hold VCP4, VCAP4-DCA and VCAP4-DCD certifications

Complete and submit a designDefend the submitted design

Program Overview, Defence Overview, Handbook and Applicationhttp://www.vmware.com/go/vcdx

Yellow Brickshttp://www.yellow-bricks.com/?s=vcdx

General Reference Sites

© 2009 Global Knowledge Training LLC. All rights reserved. 04/08/23 Page 20

General Reference Sites

VMware Training & Certification bloghttp://vmwaretraining.blogspot.com

Global Knowledgehttp://www.globalknowledge.co.uk/vmware

VMware Education Serviceshttp://www.vmware.com/education

VMware Certificationhttp://www.vmware.com/certificaiton

Email: scott.vessey@globalknowledge.co.ukTwitter: @vmtrainingFacebook: vmware.training