VCP without hands on?

Im just thinking about VCP. I know you have to go to offical vmware training which is making me just ask a few questions about the whole thing. I can use vmware workstation but i have never used esx server. I have books for esx server and i can get the 60 day trial for a hands on lab. But is it worth going for VCP without real-world experience? Im going to have to pay for training myself if i went for it, hoping that it would pay off. My employer wont pay for training as we dont use esx, but it is something i like to do. Bad idea or no harm?
Comments
You're kind of in the same boat as I am. I'm going to take the course, probably on my on dime, and then bail. I won't have experience in anything other than their Workstation/Server product as well. MCSE and CCNA first though...
This is a good book: http://www.amazon.com/VMware-ESX-Server-Enterprise-Virtualization/dp/0132302071/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1207496027&sr=8-1
That's the newest book I've seen, but it only covers 2.5 and 3.0.
Trainsignal has an updated 3.5 CBT: http://www.trainsignal.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=90
I just got it the other day, but I haven't really had a chance to look into it. The nice surprise was that it came with a Server 2008 intro DVD. It sounded cheesy, but it has a ton of info in it. It's not comprehensive, but it's actually a really well done intro to the new features.
Also, be sure to grab the 3.0 flashcards here: http://techexams.net/forums/viewtopic.php?p=210387#210387
http://www.amazon.com/Virtualization-VMware-ESX-Server-Muller/dp/1597490199
http://www.amazon.com/VMware-ESX-Server-Advanced-Technical/dp/0971151067
Main thing is to get a head start before official training if i go down that route.
Oh yes, that's right, you can install ESX in a VMWare Workstation/Server VM.
Hey man, whatever it takes to learn...
Is it worth it? Well, keep in mind not many people have experience with VMWare at this point, so getting the cert kinda sets you apart even from people who have a lot of experience with it.
I can't really say if it's worth it for your career. Go look at jobs in areas where you want to live at the salary you want. Do they want people with VMWare expertise or VCP? If not, what do they want that you don't have? That will answer your question better than I could.
Good to know. I was hoping you'd be able to do that. I really don't have a spare machine to dedicate to that, and I'd prefer to not screw around with one of my existing ones.
If i get the trial of esx 3.5 i can use SATA drives cant i, but you couldnt before?
Correct me if im talking crap.
Commentary on VMware ESX 3.5 on Workstation 6
I fortunately had ESX servers at work to mess with, so I didn't need to do it. I just heard it's possible.
When are you taking it? Perhaps we could fill up one of their million or so classes with TechExams.net people?
MS
Any idea how they qualify their instructors?
MS
You should totally come up to MSP; I'll even buy lunch.
Wait until August though. That's when our cooler weather is actually nice.
No clue on the quality of their instructors. I've heard the course packet is quite useful though. I'm going to go into it not expecting much and hope that I'll be pleasantly surprised.
Just an FYI. But there are some SATA controllers that will emulate SCSI that work with ESX. Also, ESX 3.5 adds native support for some SATA controllers. In the ESX 3.5 documentation, it lists what SATA controllers it natively supports.
Is the VCP in your future as well, Royal? It seems like it would complement what you do nicely, but I suppose if you're just focusing on MS products, Hyper-V might be all you need.
Good to know that the Intel G33 chipset (ICH9) is supported as well as the Silicon Image 3512. You could buy a cheap Vostro 200 desktop which uses the G33 chipset and stick another few hard drives in to it and the SiI 3512 is the chipset Ive seen used most with cheap SATA controller cards.
Ive run out of excuses to set this up
My instructor was very good. I was pleasantly surprised.
There are plenty of them here in Dallas, it's just that if I am going to sit through something that I only have a passing familiarity with, then I need to get away from my home area to minimize distractions....
With that in mind, perhaps Vegas is also not a good choice....
MS
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