What's a BrownBag? Find out this week!

There are only a couple of things in life that I would buy and expect the contents to be given to me wrapped in a brown paper bag, and lunch isn't one of them! However, over in the US the term Brown Bag (or "brown bag seminar" according to Wikipedia) is designed to be an hour-long seminar that can be consumed by attendees whilst they also consume their lunch!

Well-known blogger Cody Bunch started his VCP BrownBag series over a year ago, extended the coverage to incorporate VCDX, and now has an impressive list of guests and topics similar to the VMware Communities Podcast! The problem for us Europeans is that we have to stay up very late if we want to join Cody's BrownBags live, so Tom Howarth of PlanetVM fame has agreed to start a BrownBag series that will run during evening hours in the UK and Europe.

So, the first European BrownBag takes place this Thursday, July 7th, and it starts at 7pm UK time. Tom has kindly asked me to be a guest speaker/presenter on the session, and we plan on discussing the current state of play with VMware certifications and curriculum.

Register for the first European BrownBag here: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/389446408

Latest VCAP4 exam blueprints - April 2011

Jon Hall from VMware has published updated versions of the blueprint documents for both the advanced-level vSphere certifications, here's the all-important links:


VCAP4-DCA exam blueprint v1.9
VCAP4-DCD exam blueprint v1.6


I've had a look through both documents, and it's not obvious what's been modified, but as usual with VMware it is recommended to use the latest blueprint documents when starting to prepare for an exam.

Updated VCAP4 exam blueprints

4VMware have just released new versions of the VCAP4-DCA and VCAP4-DCD exam blueprints, and it is always recommended to use the latest blueprint documents as the basis for any study/preparation for a VMware certification exam.

MyLearn (account required)
VCAP4-DCA blueprint
VCAP4-DCD blueprint

Communities forum
VCAP4-DCA blueprint
VCAP4-DCD blueprint

As of today, the VCAP4-DCA blueprint is at v1.7, and VCAP4-DCD is at v1.5.

VCAP4-DCD beta results, first VCDX4s

Twitter has gone pretty crazy in the last 24 hours with those reporting that they got their results for the VCAP4-DCD beta exam - well they did eventually! Something odd originally happened at VMware where they were emailing out the results to the wrong people but it looks like it's all been sorted out now!

Some of those that passed are VCDX3 holders, and the VCAP4-DCD is the only element needed to "upgrade" VCDX3 to VCDX4, so we now have our first batch of VCDX4s too!

Here's a collection of some of the many blog posts from those that took the VCAP4-DCD beta exam, and passed:
Justin Paul
Harley Stagner
Jason Boche
Simon Gallagher
Chris Kranz
Colin Barker
Phil Ditzel
Kanuj Behl

Congratulations to all those who've now gained VCAP4-DCD certification, as well as those who've now met the VCDX4 requirements!

VCAP4 Updates - January 2011

Some updates related to the VCAP4 certifications from the last few weeks:

Registration for the final VCAP4-DCD exam opened in December, it's one of a number of links and resources you can find on the main VCAP4-DCD page on the VMware website.

Global Knowledge are now able to offer the VCAP4 exams at their training centres in Wokingham and Wakefield, these UK locations have now been added to the VCAP Testing Centre Locations list.

Updated versions of the VCAP4-DCA exam blueprint  and VCAP4-DCD exam blueprint are now available and should be used as the primary study guides for the exams.

Gregg Robertson has continued to add new links to some really key study resources for both exams to his blog TheSaffaGeek - you'll find links back to my blog there as well as some overlap to some of the links/resources I've posted on here previously.

VCAP-DCD beta exam experiences

This is the week where the VCAP-DCD beta exams are being taken around the world, and I've read various items of feedback in the way of blog posts, comments on the VMware community forum, as well as numerous tweets on Twitter.

Here's a list of the key feedback I've come across so far:
VMware community forum post
Chris Dearden's blog post
Jason Boche's blog post
Jeffrey Wolfanger's blog post
Dave Convery's blog post
Rick Scherer's blog post

Remember that all the above links refer to the beta exam - the final exam should be released in the next 6 weeks or so, once the feedback and responses given during the beta process has been collated and analyzed.

Update on November 11th:
Additional blog posts added above

VCAP exams user interface demos

VMware have just released Flash demos of the exam environment used for the VCAP4-DCA and VCAP4-DCD exams - I spoke with Jon Hall at VMworld Europe a couple of weeks ago and he told me then they were almost ready to be published - Jon narrates the demos himself.

You'll find the VCAP4-DCA demo in the VCAP4-DCA Resources section on the main VCAP4-DCA page, and in case you want to watch the demo straight away here's the direct link.

The VCAP-DCD page has an idential layout, so again check under the VCAP4-DCD Resources section on the VCAP4-DCD page, here's the direct link.

VCAP4-DCD beta exam

Emails have been going out in the last day or so inviting people to register for the VCAP4-DCD exam - passing this exam brings the VCAP4-DCD certification, lets you work towards VCDX4, and is also the exam that the current VCDX3 holders need to pass to gain VCDX4 status.

The beta period is short, November 8th-12th, and slots are filling incredibly quickly - I know of one guy in the UK who has had to schedule his in Amsterdam...

VMware are only offering the beta exam through the same testing centres as those currently enabled for the VCAP4-DCA exam - I've been assured by numerous people at VMware that the final VCAP4-DCD exam will be available at all testing centres.

If you want to try and register for the beta exam, send an email asap to certification@vmware.com and include your VCP ID.

VCAP and VCDX updates

If you're a regular reader of the blog, you'll know already that registration for the VCAP4-DCA exam for vSphere 4 is now open. The VCAP4-DCA exam forms part of the up-and-coming VCDX4 certification, and is a chance for VCP4 holders to "raise the bar" in terms of their VMware certifications.

With the introduction of the VCAP4-DCA and VCAP4-DCD certifications, VMware are retiring the various components of the VCDX3 certification for VI3:

- Registration for the Enterprise Administration exam for VI3 are now closed
- Registration for the Design exam for VI3 are closed too
- Those who have already passed both the exams above for VI3 can still submit a defence to achieve VCDX3, but the design must be submitted by November 22nd 2010
- The design defence element of VCDX3 will only be available at a couple more VMware partner events, the final event being Partner Exchange in Florida in February 2011

VMware also stated previously that those that had completed elements of the VCDX3 certification would receive discounts on the equivalent exams for vSphere 4, to allow them to "upgrade" their certification. As I have previously passed the Enterprise Administration exam for VI3, and I have my VCP4, I now have a 50% discount voucher for me to use against the VCAP4-DCA exam. An equivalent voucher will be sent out to those eligible for a discount on the VCAP4-DCD exam once that exam has been released.

The VCDX4 defence application will be made available in November 2010, which suggests to me that the VCAP4-DCD exam will launch next month too - we shall see...

50% VCAP4 exam discount

VMware are currently running a promotion around the exams for the VCAP4-DCA and VCAP4-DCD certifications - a 50% discount voucher to anyone who attends one of the recommended training courses.

It's not compulsory to attend any training courses to take a VCAP4 exam, you do have to be VCP4-certified (which does have training requirements) but you can then self-study in terms of preparation for the VCAP4 exams.

There are recommended courses for each of the two certifications, and if you review the exam blueprint documents for either of the certifications (VCAP4-DCA blueprint, VCAP4-DCD blueprint) you will see the strength of the relationship between these courses and the exams:

VCAP-DCA
vSphere: Troubleshooting
vSphere: Manage for Performance
vSphere: Automation with PowerCLI
vSphere: Manage and Design for Security

VCAP-DCD
vSphere: Design Workshop

Attend any of the above instructor-led courses between now and November 30th and the week after your course VMware will email you the 50% discount voucher. For further information, follow the link to the VMware Education Services page and click the Learn More icon under VMware Training and Advanced Certification - here's the direct link too.

VCAP4-DCD exam blueprint now available

The exam blueprint for the VCAP4-DCD exam has now been published, although it is not available yet via the main VCAP4-DCD page

Here's the link to the blueprint document:
http://mylearn.vmware.com/register.cfm?course=76644

The exam has yet to enter beta, so the blueprint still has some final details missing related to the number of items and the required passing score, but at least those wanting to take the exam can begin their preparation.

It's back - 10% discount off any VMware exam!

Pearson Vue have just sent me a new 10% discount code, applicable to any VMware exam taken between now and December 15th 2010. I can give the code to any student who I train between now and then on any official VMware course.

The discount code can be used against any VMware exam, so not just the VCP4 exam, but also the VCAP4-DCA and VCAP4-DCD exams when they are released soon. The code can also be used multiple times, so if you are following the VCAP4-DCA and you still need to do your VCP4 first, you can use the code when booking each of the exams.

Note that the discount code only applies to exam bookings made directly with Pearson Vue.

Handy URLs to VMware certification and education pages

I'm going through the process of updating my VCP4 exam prep workshop to reflect the vSphere 4.1 release, and stumbled across something very useful - shortcut links to the various certification pages on the VMware website.

So instead of saving this in your browser favourites:
http://mylearn.vmware.com/mgrReg/plan.cfm?plan=12457&ui=www

You can just enter this URL in your browser:
http://www.vmware.com/go/vcp

There are also other shortcuts that might come in handy too:
http://www.vmware.com/go/vcap
http://www.vmware.com/go/vcdx

You can also get a simple redirection to the general Certification area by going to:
http://www.vmware.com/certification

And if it's training you're looking for:
http://www.vmware.com/education
or of course:
http://www.globalknowledge.co.uk/vmware ;-)

New Certification: VMware Certified Advanced Professional on vSphere 4 - Datacenter Design (VCAP4-DCD)

As well as the VCAP4-DCA certification, VMware have also launched the VCAP4-DCD certification for those who are capable of designing VMware solutions around vSphere 4 in multi-site, large enterprise environments. The certification builds on the foundation-level VCP4 certification and gives architects the opportunity to use VCAP4-DCD as a step towards the full VCDX4 certificaiton.
 To achieve the VCAP4-DCD certification requires two exams to be passed:

The exam will be a mixture of multiple-choice questions and a design exercise, and registration for the exam begins in August. The fee for taking the exam has yet to be set, but like the VCAP4-DCA exam it will be available at a large number of Pearson Vue testing centres around the world. Those who have passed the Design exam on VI3 as part of the VCDX3 program will be entitled to a discount on the VCAP4-DCD exam.

The official VMware page on the VCAP4-DCD can be found here.

The VCAP4-DCD exam will not have a compulsory vSphere training requirement, however VMware are recommending that the vSphere: Design Workshop be considered as the exam objectives are all met by the instructor-led workshop.

Those who are new to VMware training/certification who wish to pursue the VCAP4-DCD should follow this path:

A few notes about the new VCAP4 certifications

Here's a colleciton of lots of things I've learned about the new VMware Certified Advanced Professional certifications for vSphere 4:

• The DataCenter Administration exam will be 100% live labs
• Your score for the DataCenter Administration exam will not be given immediately on completion of the exam, just like the Enterprise Administration exam for VI3 today
• The DataCenter Administration exam will cost $400, the price for the DataCenter Design exam has not yet been set
• The DataCenter Design exam will be a mixture of multiple-choice questions, and a design exercise, as it is today for VI3
• The testing centres for the DataCenter Administration exam will be expanded to a significantly larger pool than it is today
• The new exams will be scheduled directly with Pearson Vue, only the VCDX design defence will need arranging directly with VMware
• The blueprint documents for the new exams are still in development and will be released soon
• The new exams will not have compulsory training course requirements
• The advanced-level Performance, Troubleshooting, and Security courses are recommended as preparation for the DataCenter Administration exam, the exam content is centred around those 3 key areas
• The vSphere: Design Workshop will be excellent preparation for the DataCenter Design exam, the workshop content covers all of the objectives in the exam
• The beta periods for both exams will begin shortly, and will be invitation-only
• VMware partner requirements will not include VCAP4 certifications at this time

Advanced-level vSphere certifications

VMware have now officially announced the three advanced-level certifications for vSphere 4:

1. VMware Certified Advanced Professional on vSphere 4 - Datacenter Administration (VCAP4-DCA)
2. VMware Certified Advanced Professional on vSphere 4 - Datacenter Design (VCAP4-DCD)
3. VMware Certified Design Expert on vSphere 4 - Datacenter Design (VCDX4-DCD)

I've gots lots of content ready to post later today, here's the official news from VMware.