PhD. in Architecture Design?

I listened to a recent Nutanix .NEXT Community Podcast (Episode #6) that had Mark Brunstad talking about the education and certification plans of Nutanix.  Very interesting, it confirms a speculative post I wrote last year after VMworld US 2014 based upon rumours I heard around the Blogger’s Area.  There is also Steve Kaplan’s blog post that alludes to this.

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VCDX – Ask, Listen, React

I was on a group VCDX conference call with Chris Colotti, Matt Vandenbeld, Alexander Thoma, Karl Childs and a few other VCDX’s, where the discussion focused on the upcoming PEX VCDX Workshop (formerly known as the bootcamps).  One of the key messages from Chris, Matt and Alex that is going to be delivered to VCDX candidates: “During the Design and Troubleshooting scenarios, be careful about what questions you ask and make sure you listen to the Panelist’s answer and react to it.” – Matt Vandenbeld

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VCDX Design with vSphere 6.0

For all you VCDX Candidates out there, with vSphere 6.0 about to be generally available (complete speculation on my side – 2 Feb 2015), submitting vSphere 6.0 designs for your VCDX defence is not a good idea until Update 1 is released (probably August 2015).

Otherwise, you will have to explain how you will mitigate the risks that come with GA code and how they will impact your Customer’s Mission-Critical and Business-Critical services.  Which is not a pleasant conversation to have.

“Hardening” the Architect

I have always been petrified of public speaking.  During my VCDX certification journey, the presentation was always my toughest task, I would spend hours and days stressing and freaking out about talking to the panelists.  Yesterday, I realised I was cured.  Now public speaking does not bother me in the least; no nerves, no second guessing, just the concise delivery of information to my audience.  How did this reversal occur?

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