Saturday 13 February 2010

vSphere course suitability for VCP4 exam

If you're a regular reader of my blog, or you just have an interest in the VCP4 certification from VMware, you will be aware that attending at least one official training course on vSphere is part of the process an individual needs to follow to gain VCP4.

As outlined an another post here recently, there are a number of qualifying courses, and the course an individual could attend depends on past course completion or certification on previous versions of the software.

Something else I'm often asked by my students, and by current and prospective Global Knowledge UK customers, is "So which course matches the exam the best?" - so I've decided to give you my view on the suitability of each of the qualifying courses in terms of how closely their content matches the topics that get tested on in the exam.

vSphere 4: What’s New is only suitable for those that have knowledge of VMware Infrastructure 3 (VI3) to VCP3 level. It offers a broad grounding in many of the new features of vSphere 4, and is geared towards updating an individual’s skills and knowledge rather than preparing them specifically for the VCP4 exam.

vSphere 4: Install Configure Manage course is suitable for all individuals, and the course content is a close match to the topics covered in the exam - it should be noted that the VCP4 exam does cover some topics that are not covered in the course.

vSphere 4: Fast Track covers all of the Install Configure Manage content, so is equally beneficial to those wishing to get trained on the topic areas covered in the VCP4 exam. This course also covers some additional command-line material and labs which do not form part of the exam objectives.

vSphere 4: Troubleshooting also qualifies for the VCP4 certification, but bears no relation to the exam content. VMware accept this course as qualification for those that already have an enormous amount of experience with VI3 and vSphere 4 where the other courses above would not be suitable.

Note that in all cases, I would advise that plenty of additional study is necessary in order to be fully prepared for the VCP4 exam. Take a look at my VCP Study and VCP Exam Preparation Workshop pages for the resources I would recommend.

November 10th 2010:
Updated post to reflect the new 5-day vSphere: Install Configure Manage course, and to advise on additional study.

11 comments:

  1. Hi,
    I am interested in getting VCI. I am a current VCP ( 4.0) and wants to improve my Vmware skills

    Can you please help me How I should prepare for VCI

    Do U think going through the advance Certification will help

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Subir,

    I created a special post a few weeks ago about the VCI program, click on "vci" under the LABELS section on the right-hand side of this page.

    Scott.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hello,

    I am interested with Vmware and want to get started with It.I do not have any VMware specialization. Please advice on the basic course

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi Karthik,

    I would advise that you take a look at some of the overview documents for vSphere on vmware.com, and familiarise yourself with virtualization concepts using an evaluation copy of VMware Workstation. Attending the vSphere: Install Configure Manage course if virtualization is completely knew to you can be challenging, depending on your wider experience.

    Scott.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi ,

    I am an Linux administrator with 6 years experience , want to get VCP certification , is the 5 days authorized course enough ? .... how will be the exam , is it objective type ?

    Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hi Anupam,

    Have a look at the "VCP Study" tab at the top of this page, follow the link to the VCP exam blueprint and you will find answers to some of your questions. The exam blueprint will also demonstrate that the 5-day course does not cover every objective/topic in the exam.

    Scott.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hi

    Do you offer the virtual class courses?
    If so are you able to give a cost?

    Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  8. @Ranj Bassi, we can run most of our vSphere and View courses as remote learning events - feel free to email me it you want to know more: scott.vessey@globalknowledge.co.uk

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hi,

    I am new to this technology, but i am interested in getting into VMware field. Could you please advice me which course do i opt for to start off with and also i would like to have job in this particular field. Your response will be highly appreciated.

    Thanks.

    Aasim

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hi Scott,

    I have completed VCP VSPHERE 4 exam in December 2009 without the authorised training. So i didnot get any authorised certification from VMWARE. Now i would like to take up the training course and how to get the authorised certification with that. Please advise.

    Thanks & Regards,
    Sudar

    ReplyDelete
  11. How a host can reclaim the disk space?

    ReplyDelete