As a VMware VCI I have to ensure that not only do I learn about the products that I teach, but also I need to ensure I maintain the correct certification, this is important to me as it allows me to be confident in product and also prove to myself that I know the product.

With that in mind, I have been looking at extending my certification further and VMware have now released two additional “Specialist badges”.

Here they are:

VMware vSAN 2017 Specialist

These digital badge holders understand the vSAN 6.6 architecture and its complete feature set and know how to conduct a vSAN design and deployment exercise. They can also implement a live vSAN HCI environment based on certified hardware and software components and best practices, and can administer and operate a vSAN cluster properly.

Here’s the path to becoming a vSAN Specialist, the training components are optional, but as a VCI, I’d say they’re worth it (keeps me in a job).

First things first, you must hold a current VCP certification, such as VCP6 or later, so VCP6.5-DCV, VCP6-NV, VCP7-CMA etc.

I’d then recommend sitting the latest vSAN Hands On Lab

Come and sit on the VMware vSAN: Deploy and Manage [V6.6] course

Check out the exam blueprint at VMware certification

Finally book yourself in for the VMware vSAN 2017 Specialist Exam (2VB-601)

For more information on this certification visit the VMware education site

VMware vRealize Operations 2017 Specialist

This digital badge shows that you can plan, manage, and help scale SDDC and multi-cloud environments through unified monitoring, automated performance management, cloud planning and capacity optimization. These specialists help their organizations streamline and automate IT operations from applications to infrastructure across physical, virtual and cloud environments.

Here’s the path to becoming a vRealize Operations Specialist, the training components are optional, but as a VCI, I’d say they’re worth it (keeps me in a job).

First things first, you must hold a current VCP certification, such as VCP6 or later, so VCP6.5-DCV, VCP6-NV, VCP7-CMA etc.

Come and sit on the VMware vRealize Operations Manager: Install, Configure, Manage [V6.2] course.

Check out the exam blueprint at VMware Certification

Finally book yourself in for the VMware vRealize Operations 2017 Specialist exam (2VB-602).

For more information on this certification visit the VMware education site.