Tuesday 17 December 2019

VMware Starting Certifications


VMware Certification Tracks, an overview

As with most major software and cloud vendors, VMware have a range of certifications that map to all levels of expertise and experience of their products, this blog takes a look at those certifications and the VMware authorised courses that can help achieve those certifications.

VMware Certification tracks

VMware have broken down their certifications into tracks, as with most things in life technology can be complicated and as such, VMware feel that breaking their certifications into a career focused set of tracks, this in turn will allow IT professionals to concentrate on a career track and then build on this track as their experience of the product evolves.

The tracks are as follows.

Data Centre Virtualisation (DCV Track)

This track focuses on the birth of VMware and their VM hypervisor product.

Network Virtualisation (NV) Track

This track focuses on the VMware NSX products, and now prioritises the VMware NSX-T product.

Cloud Management and Automation (CMA) Track

This track focuses on the vRealize suite of products, these products can be used in a truly multi-cloud environment

Desktop and Mobility (DTM) Track

This track focuses on VMware Horizon, which in its simplest form provides a Virtual Desktop Infrastructure

Digital Workspace (DW) Track

This track focuses on the VMware WorkspaceONE and Digital workspace solutions, this provides and extensive set of endpoint management technologies.

For a handy poster to track a progress through each of the certification tracks , visit the VMware certification site for the free download

VMware Certifications

VMware break down their journey to certification into a number of levels, and at each level their recommend certain training.

The following are the certifications for beginning the journey to VMware Certification.



For Administrators, Architects & Executives

This entry level certification is ideal for new IT professionals as well as executives making decisions about VMware solutions.

The recommended training for this certification is available via the VMware Learning Zone

This certification is a useful entry point for the DCV, NV, CMA, and DTM track.

VMware Certified Professional

For Administrators & Engineers

This level is designed for IT professionals who install, configure, manage, and optimize VMware solutions.

There are five different VCP tracks to follow, and these are:






The VCP-DCV 2019 certification validates candidate skills to implement, manage, and troubleshoot a vSphere V6.7 infrastructure, using best practices to provide a powerful, flexible, and secure foundation for business agility that can accelerate the transformation to cloud computing.

This certification requires passing both a Foundation exam and then passing one of the professional data centre virtualisation exams

The recommended training for this certification is as follows

Core course               - VMware vSphere: Install, Configure, Manage [6.7]
Elective course          - VMware vSphere: Optimise and Scale [6.7]




The VCP-NV 2019 certification proves you can transform the economics of network and security operations for your company. VCP-NV 2019 certification validates your ability to install, configure, and administer NSX virtual networking implementations, regardless of the underlying physical architecture.


Prospective professionals can choose either:

NSX-V, and this would require passing a foundation exam and then passing the network virtualisation exam

or

NSX-T, and this only requires passing the professional network virtualisation exam

The recommended training for this certification is as follows

Core course                           - VMware vSphere: Install, Configure, Manage [6.7]
Elective course NSX-T          - VMware NSX-T: Install Configure, and Manage [v2.4]
Elective course NSX-V          - VMware NSX-V: Install, Configure, and Manage [v6.4]




Earning this certification validates your understanding of virtualization concepts and how they drive an enterprise’s digital agenda. It proves that you are familiar with the VMware products and technologies that support VMware Cloud Foundation and Cross-Cloud Architecture solutions including vSphere, vSAN, NSX, and the vRealize Suite.

This certification requires passing both a Foundation exam and then passing one of the professional cloud management and automation exams

The recommended training for this certification is as follows

Core course               - VMware vSphere: Install, Configure, Manage [6.7]
Elective course          - VMware vRealize Automation: Install, Configure, Manage [7.3]






VMware Desktop and Mobility certifications are designed to gauge your level of skill designing, installing, and managing a VMware Horizon with View environment deployed on a VMware vSphere implementation. The VCP-DTM 2019 certification validates a candidate’s skills in performing in-depth configuration and management of VMware Horizon 7.5 environments. This industry leading certification proves that VCP-DTM 2019 earners can securely deliver personalized virtual desktops, applications, and online services to end-users.

This certification requires passing both a Foundation exam and then passing one of the professional desktop and mobility exams.

The recommended training for this certification is as follows

Core course               - VMware vSphere: Install, Configure, Manage [6.7]
Elective course          - VMware Horizon 7: Install, Configure, Manage [7.7]




The VCP-DW 2019 certification validates that a badge earner can configure, deploy, manage, maintain, optimize, and perform basic troubleshooting of VMware Workspace ONE and related solutions, as well as properly identify and differentiate any needed supporting products and components.

This certification requires passing the Professional Digital Workspace exam.

The recommended training for this certification is as follows

Core course   - VMware Workspace ONE: Deploy and Manage [v19.x]

Where Next

Once the VCP tracks have been covered, progression moves into the VMware Certified Advanced professional certifications, and then culminate in the VMware Certified Design Expert Certifications and these will be outlined in later articles.

For now however, this should give prospective VMware professionals a good starting point.