Eric Sloof

1. Attend the vSphere 5.0 What’s New class and take the VCP 5.0 exam by the 29th February – they won’t be able to take the exam after 29th February if this the only training they have attended.

2. Attend vSphere 5 Install Configure and Manage or vSphere 5 Fasttrack and take the VCP5.0 exam – there is no deadline for when they have to take the VCP5.0 exam

Option 3 - Currently a VCP4.0

Go take the VCP5.0 exam by 29th February. If a student in this situation wants to become a VCP5.0 after the 29th Feb they have to attend a vSphere 5.0 What’s New class.

Option 4 - No VCP Certification but have completed one of the VCP4 qualifying classes

In this example a student has attend let’s say the vSphere 4.x ICM class but they haven’t passed any VCP exams.

1. A student will be allowed to take the VCP4.0 exam and then VCP5.0 exam to get the VCP5.0 BUT they must pass the VCP5.0 exam by the 29th February

2. A student will also be allowed to take their VCP5.0 exam (without taking VCP4.0) if they have attend the vSphere 5.0 What’s New class – again no deadline for taking the VCP5.0 exam

So if student in this situation passes their VCP4 exam today, they must pass their VCP5.0 exam by the end of February. If they don’t pass by 29th Feb they are effectively at Option 3 and they have to attend vSphere 5.0 What’s New class

• List and describe key enhancements in vSphere 5.0
• Upgrade a deployment from vSphere 4.x to vSphere 5.0
• Use Image Builder to modify and export an image profile as part of Auto Deploy
• Use Auto Deploy to Install a stateless ESXi host
• Manage a version 8 virtual machine with the next-generation Web-based VMware vSphere Client
• List and describe key networking enhancements, including the ESXi firewall and new features in vNetwork distributed switches
• Upgrade and manage a VMware vSphere VMFS5 datastore
• Understand and configure policy-driven storage management
• Create a datastore cluster and configure Storage DRS
• Configure a VMware High Availability cluster based on the new Fault Domain Manager agents
• Use the Linux-based VMware vCenter Server Appliance
  

VMware vSphere: Install, Configure, Manage [V5.0]

This hands-on training course explores installation, configuration, and management of VMware vSphere®, which consists of VMware ESXi™ and VMware vCenter™ Server. The course is based on ESXi 5.0 and vCenter Server 5.0. Completion of this course satisfies the prerequisite for taking the VMware® Certified Professional 5 exam.

Objectives

• Install and configure ESXi
• Install and configure vCenter Server components
• Configure and manage ESXi networking and storage using vCenter Server
• Deploy, manage, and migrate virtual machines
• Manage user access to the VMware infrastructure
• Use vCenter Server to monitor resource usage
• Use vCenter Server to increase scalability
• Use VMware vCenter Update Manager to apply ESXi patches
• Use vCenter Server to manage higher availability and data protection

The second tier of the latest VMware Desktop certification program, VMware Certified Professional 4 – Desktop (VCP4-DT), is now available.

VMware Certified Professional 4 – Desktop (VCP4-DT) is directed toward Virtualization Systems Engineers who seek to demonstrate their ability to install and configure the VMware View environment and enable View Client users. Candidates must also be able to configure the vSphere environment, possess a deep understanding of VMware core components and their relation to storage and networking and be proficient in datacenter design methodologies.

VMware Desktop Certification Overview

VMware Certified Associate 4 – Desktop (VCA4-DT) is the first step toward gaining expertise in desktop virtualization and earning the respect and recognition that comes with being VMware Certified. There are no course requirements in order to take the exam. Learn more and register today.

VMware Certified Professional 4 – Desktop (VCP4-DT): After earning your VCA-DT and VMware Certified Professional on vSphere 4, you are ready to take the VCP4-DT exam. If you meet the pre-requirements, register for the VCP4-DT exam before September 1, 2011 and take advantage of the $50 discount. Learn more and register today!

Coming Soon: VMware Certified Advanced Professional – Desktop (VCAP-DT): is directed toward Virtualization Architects who seek to demonstrate their deep knowledge of VMware vSphere and VMware View design. Candidates will be able to expertly manage all aspects of the vSphere and View environments from installation and configuration to maintenance and troubleshooting. Candidates will also possess a deep knowledge of virtualization architectures and components and be able to architect VMware desktop solutions to meet specific customer business requirements.

http://mylearn.vmware.com/mgrReg/plan.cfm?plan=21427&ui=www_cert

This morning I’ve taken the VCP4‐DT Beta Exam. The final VCP4‐DT exam is a core component of the VCP4‐DT certification. The certification requires a passing score on the exam. The VMware Certified Professional (VCP4) and the VMware Certified Associate – Desktop (VCADT) certifications are pre‐requisites.

The VCP4‐DT certification is a requirement for the upcoming (live lab?) VMware Certified Advanced Professional: Desktop (VCAP-DT). Note: Unlike the other VCAP certifications, VCAP‐DT is not required to pursue the VMware Certified Design Expert (VCDX) certification.

The VCP4‐DT VMware Certified exam tests potential VMware Certified Professional ‐ Desktop (VCP4‐DT) candidates on their skills and abilities monitoring and managing a View 4.5 environment. Successful candidates demonstrate mastery of these skills and abilities.

The beta exam consists of 100 questions and a short pre‐exam survey consisting of 7 questions. The questions are fair but certainly not easy. Although there was a very time short notice, I had about a week to prepare for the exam. As a VMware Certified Instructor, I have access to the instructor training guide for the View 4.5 Install Configure and Manage training. I’m glad I went through it again, the training is well aligned to the exam. I also recorded a VCP-DT Prep Video – Installing the VMware View Composer which actually contains a few interesting topics. Besides that Mark Benson did a great job with his video about The VMware View 4.6 Security Server and PCoIP.

Conclusion: Don’t take this exam for granted - you have to know your stuff and have been around in a View environment. You don’t learn troubleshooting by reading a book or watching a cool Sloef video :-) True troubleshooting skill comes from attention to detail and experience.

VMware is offering a free second chance if you fail for your first attempt and believe me the exam isn’t easy. I’ve seen a lot of VCP candidates fail at their first attempt. To be eligible for a free second chance, you must use a special promotion code when booking the first one. For a limited time, VMware is giving you a free second chance at the VCP4 exam when you register for a full-priced exam by following the steps below.

• Register to take the VCP4 exam at a Pearson VUE test center for the full price (no discounts apply) using the promotion code: VCPTAKE1.
• If you fail your first exam, simply schedule your “second chance” exam with the promotion code “VCPTAKE2” and it’s free! Please note that this discount will only be valid on retakes of exams that were initially scheduled using the “VCPTAKE1” promotion code and must be taken before July 31, 2011.

There's also a VCP LinkedIn group which you can join. Members of this group have gained the in-depth skills and industry-recognized certification on VMware technology. The VMware Certified Professional Program is designed for everyone who wants to demonstrate their expertise in virtual infrastructure and increase his potential for career advancement. If you are a VCP you can join this group.

If you don’t know what a LinkedIn group is, here is a short explanation : Many professionals advance their careers and business goals by counting on industry and professional groups, alumni organizations, industry conferences and corporate alumni groups to help them make vital new business contacts. The VMware LinkedIn Groups offers extra features stay in touch with one another and discover powerful new business contacts within their groups and beyond.