VCDX – Page 10 – vcdx133.com

VCDX-NV Explained

The VCDX-NV “Blueprint” and “Handbook and Application” are now available at the VMware Certification site. I have blogged about VCDX-NV before and I tweeted the other day about VCDX-NV which generated quite a bit of conversation. This post summarises the points raised in that chat.

Ignore version 1.1 of “Handbook and Application”, it was a cut and paste of the DCV blueprint, they need to update the “Index to Highlights” to match the “Blueprint”. From the Blueprint you can see that the technology silos are:

NSX Infrastructure Components
Virtual Networking
Physical Networking
NSX Security
NSX – Cloud Management Platform Integration

It makes sense that there is no requirement for Compute, Storage or Virtual Machines in your VCDX-NV design. So you can use any hypervisor that supports NSX, the only requirement is that you include NSX in your design.

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Next track – VCDX-SAA

There is a very strong rumour that the next VCDX track to be announced will be “Storage and Availability” (VCDX-SAA). This will be the final track to complete the SDDC “Quad VCDX” super architect classification (Data Center, Cloud, Network and Storage). No indication of when it will be announced, just keep an eye out for it. I would imagine it will include SRM and VSAN.

There is also the hint of a management track for VCDX (probably include the vC Ops suite) and that the Implementation Expert exams (VCIX) will be developed for Data Center, Cloud and Desktop; possibly replacing the VCAP framework. The certification space of VMware Education is in a state of flux, changes are “a-happening”.

Furthermore, there was a great VCDX discussion with John Arrasjid on the VMware Community Roundtable Podcast (Episode #291) a few days ago, have a listen on iTunes.

VUPaaS – start listening to it!

I was lucky enough to be on VUPaaS recently. It is hosted by GS Khalsa, Josh Atwell and Chris Wahl. I have found it very useful for hearing about how other customers are using virtualisation and cloud automation technologies to solve their operational issues and then applying those lessons within my own organisation. This series of podcasts was also a very important part of my VCDX preparation, particularly in developing use-cases and alternate design scenarios for my defence.

So if you have not subscribed to the show on iTunes, then you should do yourself a favour and give it a go!

VMworld 2014 – VCDX Academy, Game On!

UPDATE: Official name is “VCDX Fast Track”. Today John Arrasjid officially announced the “VCDX Academy” (aka “AcademyX”) in a series of tweets:

First VCDX Academy “Beta” will be held in Palo Alto on the 15th of September 2014.
First VCDX Academy “Beta” will host 40 students.
Course will be available from MyLearn next week.
It is a paid 5 day class, led by VCDXs and specialists for each track (DCV, Cloud, Desktop & NV).
Includes Discovery Phase Questions, Design Decision Workbook, Design Review Readiness Assessment, Mock Defences and Design/Troubleshooting scenarios.
Built upon material used within the VCDX Mentoring Program, Boot Camps, PEX Sessions and his new book.
Depending upon success, VMware Education expects to offer this course quarterly in multiple regions.
Prerequisite for students: MUST have a design.

So if you are a VCDX Candidate who wants to maximise their chances of success, sign up! I also recently blogged about other VCDX Program announcements.

Continue reading VMworld 2014 – VCDX Academy, Game On!

VMware Education – VCDX-NV, but no VCAPs

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.

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VMworld 2014 – VCDX Program Announcements

With John Arrasjid’s permission, I talked about this during the “VCDX Prep” vBrownbag EMEA Podcast in May 2014. Following on from that podcast, be expecting more information on the following during VMworld 2014:

VCAP/VCDX Boot Camps – 8 hours, will include NV track (NSX), launch by VMworld 2014 (Free)
New book -> “Art of Infrastructure Design, A Practical Guide for IT Architects” – Q4 2014 (By John Arrasjid & co.)
VCDX Mentor Program – 3 month program, 4 hours per month (Free – 32 VCDX Volunteers)
Update to Design Workshops – 3-4 Hours, now using VCDX design methodology (Conferences & Events – Cloud, vSphere, SRM etc.)
Infrastructure Design Workshop – 1-2 Days, offered at VMworld 2014 (Fee based) – Professional Level Class
Infrastructure Design Course – 4-5 days, similar to AcademyX, but without the design requirement (Fee based) – Advanced Level Class
AcademyX – 4-5 days, for candidates with a design, launch by VMworld 2014 (Fee based) – Masters-Level Class

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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”.

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