In a previous post I have talked about the expected VCDX program announcements at VMworld 2014. There is now a very strong rumour that the first VCDX-NV candidates will be defending their designs next week. The first batch of newly minted VCDX-NVs will likely be celebrated at the VMworld US – VCDX/vExpert party. This was intimated by the “VCDX-NV” option present in the VCDX/vExpert party registration.
From reading the VMware NSX Training and Certification page, it appears that there will be three levels to the VMware Network Virtualisation Certification Program:
- VMware Certified Design Expert – Network Virtualisation (VCDX-NV) – VMware equivalent to Cisco CCAr
- VMware Certified Implementation Expert – Network Virtualisation (VCIX-NV) – VMware equivalent to Cisco CCIE
- VMware Certified Professional – Network Virtualisation (VCP-NV) – VMware equivalent to Cisco CCNA/CCNP
Suprisingly, there are no “VCAP-NV Admin or Design” exams at the moment, which are currently required for the other VCDX tracks; there is just a straight jump from Professional to Expert. I wonder if you have to complete VCIX-NV before you can apply for VCDX-NV?
I am sure the entire VMware community is very eager to review the blueprints for these new certifications. It will be very interesting to see how vSphere administrators who have been traditionally weak on networking will beef up their skills for the NV track. I have already noticed an increase in CCNA and CCNP study posts amongst VMware bloggers. The “Rise of the Super Architect” has begun.
Currently, VMware Education have the “NSX 6.0: Install, Configure and Manage” course available, with the “NSX Fast Track”, “NSX Integration and Design Best Practices” and “NSX Troubleshooting Workshop” courses announced and on the way.
Furthermore, the VMware community has been frustrated by the lack of access to the NSX 6.0 binaries for home lab testing. This will soon be rectified for vExperts, where Eric Nielsen announced on VMware Communities Roundtable Podcast #289 that vExperts would be added to the “NSX approved list in the near future”.
Other Resources
- Wahl Networks – VMware To Offer Hands-On Expert Level Certification for NSX
- Jason Nash – Thoughts on VMware’s Expert-Level Certification Plan
The clock is ticking, register for VMworld US 2014, plan your travel and reserve your sessions:
vcdx133.com 
What really excites me about this isn’t so much the VCDX level cert details, but the addition of a VCIX certification. I’d be thrilled to see this level of certification show up in the other branches, as an alternative for non-design folks like myself.
Rene Van Den you are the only one who appeared to my Google search list of VCDX, vExpert in Saudia , i have two questions if you do not mind i am a student and a bout to finish my studies and come back to saudia will it be ok for me to do vcap-dcd before having any real world experience ? which track do you think is having a better job prospects in saudi ? Thanks
Recommend: VCA x 4, VCP-DCV, then VCAP-DCA, VCAP-DCD after you have a few years of experience. vSphere is the foundation of VMware’s solutions, master that first, then move onto Cloud, Desktop and Network virtualisation.