A Beginner to Virtualization

Hello,

I am about to finish studies for my CCNA and was looking into what certification to go after next. The CCNA was merely to brush up and to make sure I understood networking with Cisco devices, even though I am not planning on making a career out of networking.

VMware and virtualization in general seems to be something that will definitely come in handy in one way or another as I advance my career. I currently work as a Computer Tech and am just looking to learn skills that will buff both my resume and my knowledge for future advancement.

Where would one start as a complete beginner to VMware certification? Is there a different cert that I should try and achieve before this one, or is there an introductory VMware cert at the start of their certification path?

I appreciate any advice.

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Comments

ande0255

The VCA certs are the beginner cert for the vmware paths, but they are really only an overview of the vmware products, nothing you won't learn if you intend to go the VCP path which is more administration of the products. I was completely brand new to VMware a few months back when I started studying, and Train Signal VCP5 videos combined with Scott Lowe book Mastering vSphere 5 book has been really good resources, in addition to a lab to configure and practice the concepts.

A lab is really the most crucial part, as if I don't lab something, it is quickly forgotten with this certification as what you learn is mainly VMware specific. If you know storage then you are leaps and bounds ahead of me in understanding the product as well, it's a pretty thick chapter in my vSphere book, and I'm not sure if even that is enough to bring me up to speed.

Good luck!

SteveFer

Unless you know storage well, I'd recommend studying the Storage + book before you start the VCP, I started the VCP recently and read the Storage + book but didnt take the exam , I have little storage / Virtualization experience and would have struggled without it in some chapters.

ande0255

I haven't started through the storage chapter just yet for Mastering vSphere 5 Scott Lowe book yet, but I can say the train signal vcp5 course videos on storage have been a really good intro for me, explaining storage basically from the ground up basics rather than just those that are directly related to the VCP exam.

Essendon

Here's a link to some great free videos to get you started > http://viadmin.com/pages/VMWare-FREE-Training-Videos.html . There should be dozens of videos on youtube too to help you along.

As the others have already said, a lab is paramount.

Deathmage

....a lab can also be expensive! ....eek my electric bill for 6 server's on weekend usage is um interesting. Lol.

SimonD.

DPM my friend, DPM

jibbajabba

Nested my friend, Nested