VCAP5-DCD - exam format

The format for the VCAP5-DCD exam will be similar to the existing VCAP4-DCD exam. This exam will contain some items that are based around vSphere 5 features such as Storage DRS.

The final release date of the exam is yet to be confirmed but I would anticipate that it would be towards the end of April.

The time allocated to the exam is 4 hours, and managing your time effectively is one of the key strategies.

There are three different types of items in the exam:

1. Multiple-choice questions (approximately 50% of the items)

This is the same format as the VCP5 exam, where some items require only a single answer and some require multiple answers.

2. Scenario questions

Drag-and-drop questions based on a given scenario.

3. Design questions

A Visio-style design interface where you have to match customer and design requirements.

The items are scored according to the level of difficulty of the individual item, the multiple-choice questions count the least and the design questions the most. The scenario and design questions can also be answered partially correctly, but the multiple-choice questions have to be answered completely correctly to count towards your score.

Updating your VCAP4-DCD to VCAP5-DCD AND VCP5

VMware have decided that only a single step will be necessary for those who already hold VCAP4-DCD to update to VCAP5-DCD and also be awarded the VCP5 certification - pass the VCAP5-DCD exam when it is released!

VCAP4-DCD + pass the VCAP5-DCD exam = VCP5 AND VCAP5-DCD

We don't yet know exactly when the final VCAP5-DCD exam will be released, although I anticipate that it will happen towards the end of April - the beta period for the exam ended in early-March - there's more about that here:

http://vmwaretraining.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/vcap5-dcd-now-in-beta.html

VCAP5-DCD information and Preparation

This page contains a collection of links to the key posts on this blog for the VCAP5-DCD certification.

General information
New VCAP5-DCD exam available for vSphere 5.5
VCAP5-DCD - registration is now open!

VCAP5-DCD - now in beta!

VCAP5-DCD - exam format

vSphere 5.0/5.1 exams for VCAP certifications are retiring

Updating to VCAP5-DCD

Updating your VCP4/VCAP4-DCD to VCAP5-DCD AND VCP5

Useful Links

Official VCAP5-DCD page

Gregg Robertson's VCAP5-DCA and VCAP5-DCD page

Trainer opportunity at VMware

VMware are looking for an EMEA-based Enterprise Management Technical Trainer to deliver and maintain technical courses for distributors and channel partners around the vCenter Operations Manager Suite and other Enterprise Management products and solutions.

The ideal candidate would have 4+ years experience teaching technical training material on operating systems, hypervisors, and management products - either VMware's own or similar competitive products, and have strong experience on other management products (eg. Microsoft SystemCenter, HP OpenView, IBM Tivoli).

If you want to know more about this role, please email me with your relevant skills/experience: vmtraining.blog@gmail.com

New course - VMware vCloud: Deploy and Manage the VMware Cloud [v1.5]

VMware are about to release the first full hands-on training course for vCloud Director, and the first instructor-led course for vCloud Director 1.5 - VMware vCloud: Deploy and Manage the VMware Cloud [v1.5]

It's a 4-day training course aimed at those who hold VCP4 or VCP5 or have the equivalent level of skills/knowledge. This is very much a hands-on course, there are 21 hands-on labs that take up an estimated 60% of the course time!

The course labs cover the installation and configuration of vCloud Director components, networking and network pools, provider vDCs, organisations, and vApps. There are also labs on monitoring, vShield, VPNs and routing, security roles, LDAP, and vCloud resources.

Delivery of this new course begins in April 2012, initially at least the course will only be delivered by VCIs who hold VCP and VCAP-DCA certifications and have good experience of working with vCloud Director.

Pastures new...

It's all change for me during the next week - after 3+ years I'm leaving Global Knowledge to take up a position at VMware.

I've worked in technical training/education for 15 years now, most of the roles I've had in that time have been as a full-time trainer, although over the last 4 years I've deliberately spent less time in the classroom. In 2008 I ran the virtualisation training team at Magirus where I managed the day-to-day operational side of training delivery, and in my time with Global Knowledge I've been involved in activities and projects covering all elements of being a growing and successful training partner for VMware products.

So what am I going to be doing?

My new role at VMware is Field Enablement Specialist - I will be designing and managing the technical education and enablement programs for the 400+ customer-facing technical staff within VMware across the EMEA region. The role gives me get an opportunity to take myself in a new direction whilst bringing my technical and personal skills/experience with me.

And what about the blog?

Well it's "business as usual" as far as my online/networking activities are concerned - I have every intention in continuing the work I do in those areas - I need to have a good understanding of what matters to technical people within VMware as well as those working in virtualisation outside the company.

I do feel a little sad to be moving away from a trainer/instructor role, but this is a great opportunity for me - I'm going to be working with a great team of people, and I'm really looking forward to getting started!

About Me

Scott Vessey

VMware Certified Professional 2/3/4/5 (VCP)

VMware Certified Advanced Professional 4 - Datacenter Administration (VCAP-DCA)
VMware Certified Instructor (VCI)
VMware vExpert 2010-2012

I joined VMware in March 2012 and am currently the Program Manager for the EMEA Solution Engineering organisation - I help the leadership team build and implement change programs for the 700+ employees in the organisation.

I have worked intimately with VMware virtualisation products and technologies since 2006, when I also gained my initial VCP and VCI certifications. Prior to joining VMware I worked as the Lead Virtualisation Instructor for Global Knowledge, and before that I was the Training Operations Manager for the virtualisation training team at Magirus.

I am a major contributor to the official VMware Training & Certifcation community forums and I also contribute to other certification-related forums. As well as this blog I can also be found on Twitter and LinkedIn where I also run a group related to VMware training and certification.

Feel free to send me an email if there's anything related to VMware training and certification that you think I might be able to help you with - vmtraining.blog@gmail.com

Please note that any opinion expressed on this blog is mine personally, and not that of VMware.

Current paths to VCP5 - March 2012

VMware launched the VCP5 certification exam on August 29th 2011, and they had given VCP3 and VCP4 holders a 6-month window in which they could update to VCP5 with little or no training requirement.

As of March 1st 2012, that window closed, meaning that from this point forward these are the paths to achieve VCP5:





Note that if you are a VCP2 or VCP3 holder that certification now doesn't qualify you for any form of VCP "upgrade" and you must take a full 5-day vSphere 5 training course.

VCP4 holders have the option of attending just the 2-day What's New training course, they can also take the 5-day courses if they wish but shouldn't need to do that unless they want a refresher of some of the fundamental vSphere features. The same applies to those who have attended training that would qualify them for VCP4 certification but have yet to take the VCP4 exam.