My climb to the VCDX

Essendon

Just submitted in the nick of time. What a mad scramble at the end. Submitted a total of 82 documents. Triple checked to make sure everything was in order, hit submit. Some time later realized the installation guide wasn't in the original package. Damn.. Sent it in via another submission, after the deadline though. Hopefully they wont crack it over something minor.

Going to chill for 2-3 days and then start off with preparing for the presentation and mock panels. Cannot lose the momentum.

dave330i

Good luck. How did you get 82 docs?

Essendon

@Dave - Got to 82 because I had lots of small SOPs for the various bits instead of one massive SOP.

Essendon

Stuff just got a lot more real!

Got the email saying my design's passed technical review and scored enough points to be invited to defend in Sydney on the 16th/17th of next month.

We're on!

dave330i

They probably got tired of reading your 82 docs.

Congrats and good luck in your defense.

Essendon

You defending too Dave?

dave330i

No. I've been diving into VIO, VVD & vRNI lately.

Essendon

Cool. I've been doing a VVD deployment for a customer and it's interesting.

kj0

Congrats bud. Never a doubt in mind. That's awesome news and not much time. Sounds like they got the 3 defences to do now it's local.

Essendon

Exactly 2 weeks to go.

Build deck, mock, review, build deck. Onwards and upwards.

kj0

Are you setting a block out period a couple days before just to run over the presentation as it will be?

Essendon

Yeah been doing some intensive mocks these days. Did 5 yesterday, I have 2 today (done 1 already), then another 2 tomorrow. I'm constantly reviewing and updating the deck based on the feedback. Getting better as I go through this iterative process over and over. For the last 2 days before the defense, I'll chill out. I need to be well slept and well fed so I can bring my A+ game to the panel.

kj0

That's a VCDX right there. Good luck bud.

Essendon

Thanks Keiran!

So exactly a week to go. This time next week I'll be in front of the panelists.

Nailed down my presentation deck based off of the feedback I've received from several current VCDXs and other smart people.

Reading up my design over and over and lots of whitepapers on designs and some on configuration. Gotta learn up a bit more of SSO.

Finally, going to do 3 scenario mocks before my date with the panel.

This'll be my last post before the defense. Going in full throttle.

Thank you for the support TE and its members have provided me over all these years.

blargoe

Good luck!

Essendon

Survived the panel.


Seriously though, I think I did okay, could've done better here and there. Whether or not it matters, I'll soon find out. The result should be out in a week or so. The panelists were great, not the demons they're sometime made out to be. They were helpful, prodded me for the right answer if I didnt give them the exact answer they were looking for. I had a good experience overall. Now where's my bottle of single malt..

kj0

Well done again. You've worked really hard and we all know you would have nailed it.

I reckon Josh would be the demon among them. Are you able to say who your Panelists were yet?

Essendon

Cheers K! Been thinking of the defense and my performance over and over, we're all human, as much as I try not to dwell on it. Could've/should've done this better, said that a bit better.. Who knows.. No one knows the way they score it though it's said the documentation package plays a majority role in the scoring, I did put in a lot of effort into the package. So yeah let's see how I go.

No not Josh, he cant be a panelist. I mean there're blogs etc out there saying how the panelists are out to slaughter ya, how they pounce on various things/shortcomings etc - none of that. My panelists were a nice bunch and all the other candidates in various parts of the world (Colorado/Staines) also said their panelists were great. No complaints at all there. They let you sip water, things are informal in there, the moderator helps out with logistics etc. I accidentally switched off the display not once, but twice during the presentation because the button on the remote was so sensitive! I cracked a joke or two, helped relieve some of the stress. I wasn't stressed at all, my mouth did dry up for the first 5 mins or so, once I got into gear, it was a roll from there. I was prodded for answers if I didnt give a concise reply. So yeah overall a good experience.

As for the panelists, I dont know if I can say it out who they were, havent found a written statement about it. Since I'm not sure, I wont give out the information and it doesnt matter anyhow. Let's say there were 3 Aussies and 1 from another country. VMware try to lower costs by flying in local panelists. I dont think VMware make any $$ out of the panel defenses, the price of the defense is to cover their airfare, hotel and time.

Finally, I'd just like to say it's been an awesome journey. Very time consuming, long hours at the keyboard typing the whole thing out, exercise in extreme dedication and perseverance (especially for someone that doesnt do architecture day in and out). I highly, highly recommend all folks that have done some sorta design exercise in their career to go for the VCDX. The journey will make you a better engineer, I guarantee it.

Essendon

The result came out early this morning. I didn't make the cut my first time. Hopefully the feedback will contain useful information on which areas need improvement.

Feedback or not, I'm submitting for the next round the deadline for which is 15 days away. I sorta know (from the questions I was asked) as to where I may not have provided enough information in the design document. Including several more things this time - a detailed risk register, a detailed design decisions and their alternatives register, lots more SOPs for completeness' sake, a detailed site planning guide, more information on BC/DR processes etc.

15 days to the next submission. Next time I'll ram it home.

dave330i

It's unfortunate you didn't make it. I'm sure you'll get it next time.

blargoe

Sorry you didn't get it the first time. You will nail the next one.

Essendon

Based on feedback received, I didn't need more than 2 minor (really minor) changes to the design document. Documented them both in the presentation and the design. Hitting those weaker areas repeatedly to really get me up to speed on the various topics the panelists said they were looking for more depth in.

Essendon

Submitted my documentation package this past Saturday. Took a few days off to relax and chill with the family. Back at it today. Hitting all those points the panel asked me last time, over and over. Gotta make sure that this time I finish my presentation within the hour, this should happen since all those questions the panel asked me have now been included in the architectural design document and they wouldn't have to ask me for the information. Full steam ahead.

kj0

All the best Manny, you've got it this time!

Essendon

Second (and final) attempt is exactly a month away now. The finish line is in clear view.

Essendon

VMware ended up rescheduling my defense to December this year. Looks like we're short on panelists in Australia. Maybe I'll become one when I'm done with this.

EANx

Would be a nice side-note on a resume.

kj0

Man.... That sucks. Take a weeks holiday and then back into it.

dave330i

Essendon wrote: »

VMware ended up rescheduling my defense to December this year. Looks like we're short on panelists in Australia. Maybe I'll become one when I'm done with this.

You can agonize over your decisions for 4 more months.

Really sucks that they had to reschedule you. Get them to squeeze you in at VMworld?

Essendon

Yeah it sucks, but not much anyone can do about it. @Dave - nope, I'm not going to VMworld this year. They did offer a remote defense in October to which I said no thank you. I'd much rather defend in person than have to worry about audio and display issues while doing a remote defense. Ah well, got to wait out another 4 months somehow.