Rise of the Super Architect

With the Software Defined Data Center, essential services are being pushed into the hypervisor: Server, Network, Storage, Security.  With that change in technology, you are starting to see a shift in the evolution of an architect’s skill-set.  It is now becoming necessary for an IT Professional to break the traditional model of single silo expertise and transform into a multi-silo “Super Architect”.

My take on the most difficult to obtain certifications on the planet at this point in time:

• VCDX-DCV
• VCDX-Cloud
• VCDX-Desktop
• VCDX-NV (coming soon)
• Cisco Certified Architect (CCAr – only problem is US$15K exam fee)

These certifications deserve a mention – mix of Administrator, Design and Architect tracks:

• Cisco Certified Design Expert (CCDE)
• RedHat Certified Architect (RHCA)
• Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE – R&S, Security, Service Provider, Wireless, Data Center, etc.)
• VMware VCAPs (Administrator and Design – Data Center, Cloud, Desktop, NV) – Pre-requisite to VCDX, but still very difficult.
• Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE – Server, Desktop, Private Cloud, Messaging, etc.)
• Citrix Certified Expert (CCE-V)

This could also be interpreted as a representation of skill-sets.  There are plenty of top-level architects who have never bothered certifying but are world-class.