After passing the VCAP5-DCD a few weeks ago, I figured I should give a shot at the DCA exam, one step closer to the VCDX. And since VMware decided a few days after I passed the DCD to set an expiry date on VCP, my DCD doesn't count to extend it so....
I decided to build a nested lab, using the 2 servers (whiteboxes) I already have. Tight fit for RAM (16GB) but that'll work.
After reading about Autolab, I decided to try it. Great automation tool to build your lab, however it didn't quite fit my goals. And since I'm in a Powershell/PowerCLI mood these days (doing lots of it at work), I decided to customize it.
I reduced the build to only the servers I need, a virtual router, a virtual storage appliance (FreeNAS), a DC/DHCP/TFTP server, a vCenter server with SQL Express, and 2 hosts. I added the vSphere 5 documents on the NAS, so that when I build the environment, everything is there.
Why am I bothering? Because I'm like that
And because there's a loftier goal behind it...
A few years ago, I wrote two CCNA lab guides (ICND1/ICND2) to practice labbing for the exam. The became partially obsolete when Cisco updated the exam and I am not in the mood to redo them.
I am however doing the same thing this time for the VCAP5-DCA. Once I pass the exam, the lab guides will be made public, and will be free. I am not reinventing the wheel here, whatever lab exercises I find online, or that I come up with, I will include in the guide. If you have suggestions and want to chip in, let me know!
I am going on vacation for a month (mid-april to mid-may). I am planning to take the exam this summer (probably mid/end june 2014).
The lab guide will be based on the customized autolab version I am making (which will be available to download from my blog).
So that's what the plan is. Now that I made it public, I have to push through or look like a fool
Marc
