Thinking about pursuing the VCP-DV and have questions

Gorby

I wanted to go after the VCP-DCV certification and I wanted to know what background/skills should I have before taking the certification? Should I be familiar with Linux? Microsoft Server technologies?

I also wanted to know whether the VCA would be worth it as an initial or should I skip ahead.

Verities

If you have no server experience, I recommend getting some prior to going after VCP-DCV. The server skills aren't required for the certification, but in a virtual environment, you'll be hosting VMs that have Windows and/or Linux which means you'll need experience to configure/troubleshoot the operating systems.

Todd B

Gorby wrote: »

I wanted to go after the VCP-DCV certification and I wanted to know what background/skills should I have before taking the certification? Should I be familiar with Linux? Microsoft Server technologies?

I also wanted to know whether the VCA would be worth it as an initial or should I skip ahead.

I have VCA... it's good for product knowledge, not much or any technical stuff. I'm looking to get my VCP by the end of this year. I just signed up for VCP5-DCV on v5.5 at yourtechtraining.com and start in about 2 weeks.

JasminLandry

I believe it would help you if you knew a bit about storage technologies. You don't need to be an expert on it but know what's out there and how it works.

joelsfood

Skip the VCA. It was an online, open-book test, that basically just tested very low level knowledge of features. IE, which feature would you use on your VMs if you needed to power off a SAN? Storage vmotion them to another datastore. Stuff like that.

For VCP, "before" knowledge is a bit hazy. Are you planning on doing the one week course and then instantly testing? If so, get experience on at least network+ level of networking and storage+ level of storage. If you're talking about training, setting up test lab and trying things for 6 months before you test, then you can probably just go in somewhat cold.

Like all tests that are delivered from Prometric/Vue, there's not a ton of hands on, from my experience (VCP will be next year after I finish my CCIE-DC). What you're going to do instead is need to know features, facts, etc. To make sure it's not just a paper cert though, the only real option is to get hands on experience, either at work, or in a home lab. Definitely look into building at least a single host with Vcenter on a machine, making use of the Vmware trial licenses.

Gorby

Thanks I have some network level and system knowledge mainly with the CCNA and Windows Administration, I do need to brush up on storage though. I'm going to check out the link for yourtechtraining.com and compare with my local CC to see which is cheaper.

Todd B

Gorby wrote: »

Thanks I have some network level and system knowledge mainly with the CCNA and Windows Administration, I do need to brush up on storage though. I'm going to check out the link for yourtechtraining.com and compare with my local CC to see which is cheaper.

When I considered books and everything, it was only $150 more than my cc, but there was a long wait-list at the cc. I need this for my job, so the $150 seemed like a deal to me... and I will be done by the end of this year.

SimonD.

Sorry I would be slightly concerned with yourtechtraining as I can't find them on the VMware IT Academy list found at https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0At5YcMvz2XzJdHFCSVJWcUEzaGpPZ2pxd0taVXVJcnc&hl=en_US#gid=0

Gorby

SimonD. wrote: »

Sorry I would be slightly concerned with yourtechtraining as I can't find them on the VMware IT Academy list found at https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0At5YcMvz2XzJdHFCSVJWcUEzaGpPZ2pxd0taVXVJcnc&hl=en_US#gid=0

So would that mean that if I were to sign up with yourtechtraining it wouldn't count towards the exam?

Todd B

SimonD. wrote: »

Sorry I would be slightly concerned with yourtechtraining as I can't find them on the VMware IT Academy list found at https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0At5YcMvz2XzJdHFCSVJWcUEzaGpPZ2pxd0taVXVJcnc&hl=en_US#gid=0

I emailed them and they said they ARE an authorized VMware IT Academy and that this course DOES count toward VCP. They said they became authorized about 4 months ago. Looks like the spreadsheet you posted does say it's a "partial list" https://labs.vmware.com/vmware-it-academy

SimonD.

Let me check out tomorrow, I am in the right place as I am in Barcelona at the moment and have a good relationship with the certification\education guys here, let me see if they have an updated academy list available.

I would probably be asking to speak to some of their former attendees and see if their attendance was recorded at VMware (you're supposed to sign in and out of the course to qualify you to sit the exam).