vmware vs ms virtualization

jmanrta

Hi Guys,

i decided I want to dive into virtualization, and I was wondering if I could get some input as to what track to go down. I am trying to decide between vmware and hyper-v with systems center.I am trying to figure out which is more beneficial to my career. I am leaning towards vmware, but I heard in order to validate a vcp cert, you have to take their course, is that true? Just want to see what everyone here thinks. Thanks in advance.

cs8400

VMware. While Hyper-V knowledge would be a great asset to have, learning vSphere would be of greater benefit in the long run.

OctalDump

I vote for VMware, certainly. I think for more serious virtualisation, especially at the service provider level, Vmware is a better option. I think that enough of the MS stuff is covered in their general MCSA certs. Conceptually, there is a lot of overlap, so once you 'get' virtualisation learning new platforms is easier.

At a practical level, I had to choose between the two, and went with VMware because it supports a greater range of platforms. I think it's the only current type 1 hypervisor that supports OS X, for example. And, although I haven't gone into enough depth, it does seem to scale better and offer more redundancy/availability.

If you get heavy into virtualisation, I think VMware offers a much better track.

Yes, you do need to at least one VMware course before they let you sit the VCP-DCV exam. There are ways around that, I think via the VCP-NV if you have current Cisco certs (you'd need to check that out, and is only relevant if you have good networking to start with).

The cheapest way to do the course is through a VMWare Academy program. These are usually run by technical colleges, community colleges, polytechnics, high schools, and some universities. VMWare has a list of their Academies, so you find one nearby and then contact directly.

I did my training through a VMWare Academy and it was about 40% of the standard going rate for training and came with a 70% off voucher for the exam. The training was two evenings a week for 7 weeks, so does take longer than the usual intensive 4/5 day courses. The upside though is that it gives you more time to practice and absorb the knowledge.

Once you are VCP certified, you don't need to do anymore training as long as you keep the certs up to date. So, you can then go and do a different stream, like cloud, or go up a level to VCAP, or do the delta and go to the next version eg 5.5 to 6. The delta gives you certification at the higher level, and renews at the lower level. Only one delta per level is required, so you can do the delta in another stream to recertify in 2 streams.

I'd suggest thinking about doing 5.5 and then doing the delta to 6 in a different stream. That way you could get, for example, VCP-DCV 5.5 do the delta for VCP-CMA (Cloud) 6, and you would end up with VCP5-DCV, VCP6-DCV, VCP-Cloud 5, and VCP-CMA 6. For the price of two exams, you end up with 4 certifications.

All that is subject to change, VMware are a bit flaky with changing their programs.

techfiend

VMware is still king in virtualization but hyper-v is definitely gaining ground. 4 of the last 5 positions I applied to asked for hyper-v, 2 asked for vmware. I could be wrong but I think enterprise is mainly vmware where they can hire SME's. Most SMB's have sys admins taking care of visualization and that's where hyper-v is gaining a lot of ground. It's free software, it's a familiar interface to windows admins and the MCSA covers a lot of it so likely won't need to hire a virtualization position.

VMware has a much steeper learning curve and I see most positions requiring years of experience. It really depends on where you are in your career and where you want to go. Virtualization enterprise specialist? Go VMware and hopefully you can gain a lot of experience before specializing. If you want to be a more marketable system admin for an SMB go MCSA.

VCP generally requires courses. On this forum I've read of 2 ways to get around this:
1. Get the CCNA, get VCP-NV, get VCP-DCV
2. WGU offers a course-free VCP-DCV voucher through dreamspark

Stanly CC offers the least expensive courses I've seen but it's become quite restrictive.