VCP5 Study Plan

I am a helpdesk tech/sharepoint admin/light system admin wanting to zero in on VMware . My experience with VMware consists of adding new hosts to a cluster and creating VM's. I have a basic understanding of networking and SAN's but its def. my weakness.

Based off my research, here is how I plan to study. Feedback would be great. Need motivation.

- Build nested lab with a single PC (real lab not an option right now)
- Go through Trainsignals VCP5 course mirroring my lab with thiers or as close as i can get it with nested
- Read Scott Lowes mastering vsphere 5
- Creat flashcards for things that need memorizing like maximums
- Take practice exams

Anything I'm leaving out? Would like to be ready in 2 to 3 months. Would like to pass exam first then take required vmware course.

Thanks

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dave330i

There's a popular online ICM class (few different threads on the forum). I would try to get into it before taking the exam. Rest of it looks good.

blargoe

I would agree with trying to get the course first. Another reason for this is you might pass the v5 exam, but once they release v6, the v5 classes may soon be discontinued.

scott28tt

Do the training first, you might not need the TrainSignal videos after that.

Don't worry too much about memorising maximums, it was the VCP3 exam that used to ask direct questions on them.

atl_libra

I thought you had to take a Vmware class before being able to sit for the exam anwyay. Has this requirement been lifted?

dave330i

atl_libra wrote: »

I thought you had to take a Vmware class before being able to sit for the exam anwyay. Has this requirement been lifted?

You can take the exam before the class.

atl_libra

dave330i wrote: »

You can take the exam before the class.

Gotcha....thanks.

meadIT

Like Dave said, you can take the exam before the class, but you have to complete both before you will be granted the certification.

Mikdilly

Anyone have a link to newest exam blueprint for VCP, the one i have is titled 'VCP5-DCV-Exam-Blueprint-v2_7'. Is that the correct one for VCP, DCV doesn't sound right, why they make it so hard to locate the blueprints on their site?

dave330i

Mikdilly wrote: »

Anyone have a link to newest exam blueprint for VCP, the one i have is titled 'VCP5-DCV-Exam-Blueprint-v2_7'. Is that the correct one for VCP, DCV doesn't sound right, why they make it so hard to locate the blueprints on their site?

They renamed VCP to VCP5-DCV

tstrip007

(off topic) if you were Director of IT and looking for a solid systems admin for a mid size vmware shop. What 3 or 4 certifictions would you like to see? (Assuming there's 5+ years of experience)

Essendon

The VCP and the MCSA/MCITP.

jibbajabba

scott28tt wrote: »

Do the training first, you might not need the TrainSignal videos after that.

Don't worry too much about memorising maximums, it was the VCP3 exam that used to ask direct questions on them.

It even asked what color the CDP icon had lol .. thankfully it all changed

Essendon wrote: »

The VCP and the MCSA/MCITP.

Some of the companies I have seen were asking for VCP and Storage Related experience. Some other ones asked for VCP and CCNA ... Hard to say - it really depends on the company

dave330i

Essendon wrote: »

The VCP and the MCSA/MCITP.

Here's the funny thing about virtualization. VCP = CCNA. I don't think too many mid-size company is willing to let a CCNA design their network, but they don't have any problems letting a VCP design their virtual infrastructure.

tstrip007

Thanks for all the feedback. I am on the waiting list for the August ICM course at that CC. In the mean time, Im trying to stick with my goal of passing the exam before the course.

Over the long weekend I setup a new workstation I was able to borrow from work and began setting up a nested lab. The first two days were spent designing a basic infrastructure so that I would be able to test the enterprise features like HA and vmotion. It took me a min to understand the networking side and the virtual network editor but finally got it.

Im using linked clones and currently have a DC and sql server built and configured. Looking forward to getting the hosts, vcenter, and storage up.

Building the lab has been EXTREMELY helpful thus far.