Virtualization Certification: What Options are Available?

Posted bySteve Beaver 5 Comments on Virtualization Certification: What Options are Available?

I mentioned in another post that there is a big push for the current VMware VCP4’s to prepare to take the VCP5 exam by the end of February when the grace period for not having to take a class is over.  I did leave out one other great resource that is worth mentioning. Cody Bunch hosts the BrownBags on Wednesday nights.  The sessions have been focusing on the VCP5 exam blueprint and this week’s guest was Jason Boche (VCDX #34) and he did a great job, as always,  presenting the information on virtual machines and giving the rest of us extreme home lab envy. After the VCP roadmap is the finished the BrownBags will continue with the VCAP blueprint with the idea of working for the VCDX.  If you are interested in another way to study and learn from some well established people in the industry sign up and check things out.

Virtualization Certification, It used to be just VMware and the VCP, but things have changed as other players get involved and I thought it would be interesting to see what virtualization certification options there are out there.

VMware

Datacenter Virtualization

  • ·        VMware Certified Professional (VCP)
  • ·        VMware Certified Advanced Professional  – Datacenter Administrator (VCAP-DCA)
  • ·        VMware Certified Advanced Professional  – Datacenter Design (VCAP-DCD)
  • ·        VMware Certified Design Expert (VCDX)

Desktop Virtualization

  • ·        VMware Certified Associate (VCA-DT)
  • ·        VMware Certified Professional (VCP-DT)
  • ·        VMware Certified Advanced Professional (VCAP-DT) — Coming Soon

Microsoft

Windows Server 2008 R2, Virtualization Administrator

  • ·        Exam 70-669 – TS: Windows Server 2008 R2, Desktop Virtualization
  • ·        Exam 70-693 – PRO: Windows Server 2008 R2, Virtualization Administrator
  • ·        Exam 70-659 – TS: Windows Server 2008 R2, Server Virtualization

Windows Server 2008 R2, Server Virtualization

  • ·        Exam 70-659 – TS: Windows Server 20008 R2, Server Virtualization

Windows Server 2008 R2, Desktop Virtualization

  • ·        Exam 70-669 – TS: Windows Server 2008 R2, Desktop Virtualization

CISCO

Cisco Data Center Unified Computing Design Specialist

Prerequisites

  • Earn the following two Cisco certifications DCSNS (Data Center Storage Networking Design Specialist) and DCNID (Data Center Networking Infrastructure Design Specialist)

OR

  •   “Fast start option” Bypass DCSNS and DCNID options by completing your Cisco CCDA certification and passing the DCUCD Qualifier Exam

AND

  •    Pass the VMware Certified Professional Exam (Cisco requires VCP Exam validation)
  • ·  Required Exams
    • o   642-982 DCUCD – Cisco Data Center Unified Computing Design

Or

  •    642-993 DCUCD – Cisco Data Center Unified Computing Design

EMC

Cloud Architect (EMCCA)

  • ·        E20-002 CIS Exam OR E20-001 ISM Exam
  • ·        E20-018 Virtualized Data Center and Cloud Infrastructure Design Specialist
  • ·        E20-918 IT-as-a-Service Expert Exam for Cloud Architects

Citrix

Citrix Certified Enterprise Engineer for Virtualization (CCEE for Virtualization)

  • ·        CCA for Citrix XenApp 6
  • ·        CCA for Citrix XenServer 6
  • ·        CCA for Citrix XenDesktop5
  • ·        CCAA for Citrix XennApp 6
  • ·        1YO-A25 Engineering a Citrix Virtualization Solution

Citrix Certified Integration Architect for Virtualization (CCIA for Virtualization)

  • ·        Citrix Certified Engineer (CCEE) for Virtualization
  • ·        Gain Architect-level field experience (recommended)
  • ·        A16 Architecting a Citrix Virtualization Solution

Red Hat

Red Hat Certified Virtualization Administrator (RHCVA)

  • ·        EX318 Red Hat Certified Virtualization Administrator Exam

The certification list is getting quite impressive as well as the depth that some of the certifications require.  If I have missed any that are worth mentioning, please add them to the comments.  I think the number of certifications will continue to grow and evolve over time as the technology continues to mature.  I still believe that virtualization is in its infancy and it is still a great time to specialize in virtualization.

I would love to see to other companies consider following Cisco’s example in that they require another venders certification as a prerequisites (VMware VCP).  I fully understand why Cisco does this since all the UCS training is based on using VMware ESXi server running on the UCS blades.  With Cisco’s partnership with VMware, I would not expect to see the UCS training running Hyper-V anytime soon but then again you never know.  I am not sure that prerequisites would work for the other certification like it does for Cisco, but that is an interesting thought. I am willing to bet that VMware is currently working on other new exams and I would expect to see a Cloud track added to the DataCenter and Desktop options.  But hey I am just speculating.

Are any of you actively working on other vender certification besides VMware?  Share your thoughts!!!

5 replies on “Virtualization Certification: What Options are Available?”

  1. Hi,

    great post. I completly agree because we need always additional knowledge in networking, servers and storage.

    btw:
    The Cisco certification you mention is only designing Unified Computing solutions. There is also a certifiation for implementation engineers called Cisco Data Center Unified Computing Support Specialist.

  2. I had this funny feeling that I was missing something. Thanks for sharing about the Support Specialist

  3. Another “non-vendor” virtualization certification that I have is the CVE (Certified Virtualization Expert) from VMtraining.net.

    In truth it’s not really “non-vendor” specific as over 90% of the course and the labs use and cover VMware vSphere.

    I thought the course and the information covered was well written and planned and provides about the same information as the VCP course.

    But having to choose between a relatively unknown cert and a known cert in the VCP, I’d choose the VCP cert.

  4. Hi Guys i work in a reputed IT company . I needed to know what certification in Virtualisation will be best for me . I want to start a small firm of my own which will provide solutions to companies willing to Migrate to cloud computing facilities. Please help me on this one .
    And also ,will be helpful if we go for a vendor specific certification?

  5. Akshay,

    That can really depend on what technology you are using the most. I would start with both VMware and Mirosoft but to really be successful you are going to really need to fully understand storage and networking

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