Tag: VMware

The State of VCDX (2026)

The VMware Certified Design Expert (original VCDX) program has been retired and all original VCDX certifications expired in June 2026. Original VCDX has been replaced by the VMware Certified Distinguished Expert (revamped VCDX) program, which was announced in 2025. The rest of this article will use original VCDX and revamped VCDX to distinguish between the old and new.

The original VCDX program had four technology tracks: Data Center Virtualization (VMware vSphere), Cloud Management Automation (VMware vCloud Director and VMware vRealize/Aria Automation), Network Virtualization (VMware NSX), and Desktop/End User Computing (VMware Horizon and VMware Workspace ONE). The certification pre-requisites included technology specific VCP, VCIX (VCAP deploy exam via live lab administration), and a VCAP design exam before submitting an architectural design package to the VCDX program before being invited to a panel defense.

That all changed when Broadcom acquired VMware from Dell Technologies in November 2023 and proceeded to revamp the VMware organization and solution stack. VMware Horizon and VMware Workspace ONE were spun off to become Omnissa, and Broadcom doubled down on VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) as being the way to consume the entire suite at scale. No more picking and choosing which solution and license components you wanted to use. The first exception was vSphere customers could consume vSphere and VCF Operations Manager with VMware vSphere Foundation (VVF). The second exception was the VMware Application Networking and Security (ANS) solution stack being an optional add-on to VCF.

These changes have been executed in VMware Cloud Foundation 9.0 (2025), VMware Cloud Foundation 9.1 (2026), with future versions of VCF coming each year. Major architectural changes in the VCF control plane have been made as Broadcom moves VCF to their desired target state. The first major change to mention is the move from license keys to license files with a dedicated License Manager running in VCF paired with the customer’s Broadcom Business Console tracking license usage. The second major change is the containerization of the control plane with the VCF Management Services Platform (VMSP/VSP) where services like VCF Fleet Manager and VCF Operations for Logs run as containers (no more OVA appliances). The third major change is the convergence of vCloud Director (vCD) and Aria Automation into VCF Automation.

The revamped VCDX program has changed from being technology-based to role-based, with the Architect, Administrator, and Support roles (see diagram below). To achieve the revamped VCDX, you have to complete the relevant role-based VCP and VCAP, and three technology domain VCAPs (VKS VCAP is mandatory) and then apply to the revamped VCDX program as a VCDX candidate.

This diagram was sourced from NTPRO.NL. I have not seen it anywhere on the Broadcom site.

Has the revamped VCDX program fully launched?

I would say not yet. There were reports on LinkedIn of a revamped VCDX VCF Architect defense panel being held at VMware Explore 2026 last week. The revamped VCDX VCF Architect Credly badge has been published by Broadcom, but I have not seen it awarded to anyone yet (myself included). The revamped VCDX VCF Administrator and VCDX VCF Support badges do not exist yet. Original VCDX holders will be grandfathered into revamped VCDX when they complete the VCP and VCAP certification requirements; they will not need to defend before a panel again (see program overview PDF link in next section below).

The three role-based VCF VCP exams are available (Architect, Administrator, and Support). Five of the eight technology VCF VCAP exams (Network, Storage, VKS, Automation, and Operations) are available, and the three role-based VCF VCAP exams are available (Architect, Administrator, and Support). Pearson VUE also lists the revamped VCDX Architect Candidate exam (4V0-01.26) as available (not sure if this is another exam or a way to apply for the panel defense).

Where can I find out more about the revamped VCDX program?

Visit these Broadcom resources:

Is the revamped VCDX at the same level of validation as the original VCDX?

Too soon to tell. The revamped VCDX role-based exam blueprints have not been published yet.

How can you tell if someone is an original VCDX?

The Broadcom academic transcript does not show expired certifications (see image below), so you will have to rely upon Credly badges from the original VCDX certified individual. The Credly badge with the original VCDX number will still list the technology tracks and is current (not expired).

Some examples:

How to tell if someone is a revamped VCDX?

Their Broadcom academic transcript will list it and their Credly badge for the revamped VCDX role will be valid. No examples as yet.

VMware HCI Master Specialist Exam (5V0-21.21) Study Links

I took the VMware HCI Master Specialist Exam recently and these are the preparation resources I used:

VMware vSAN Specialist Exam (5V0-22.23) Study Links

I took the VMware vSAN Specialist Exam recently and these are the preparation resources I used:

Which is better? VMware or Nutanix?

I get this question all the time – “Hey René, you are an expert on VMware, why do you bother with Nutanix?” or vice-versa, depending upon whether I am talking to a VMware or Nutanix employee.

And my answer is, “Well it depends upon the customer requirements, both vendors have great solutions.” Let me elaborate, generally speaking both companies have the following attributes:

VMware

  • Extensive product eco-system that is getting broader and deeper each year
  • Broad support for third party vendors
  • Loads of nerd knobs exposed for complex use-cases
  • Rolls Royce of software and features
  • Likes to lead by acquisition
  • VMware is over 20 years old

Nutanix

  • An obsessive focus on simplicity
  • Second to none customer support
  • Great choice for simple use-cases
  • Likes to build from the ground up
  • Nutanix is 10 years old

In summary, my advice to customers is this: If you have very simple use-cases, you care about vendor support and you want things to work with the minimum of fuss, then Nutanix with AHV should be on your list. If you have complicated use-cases, your infrastructure team loves fiddling with software settings and you have a broad range of third party integrations into the hypervisor, then VMware is the way to go. Both companies have a vision that they are currently executing and will deliver working solutions, it just comes down to what the customer is trying to achieve.

First Turbonomic Reference Architecture White Paper

Turbonomic and RoundTower Technologies are collaborating on a series of “Powered by Turbonomic” Reference Architecture and Best Practice Guide white papers.

Eric Wright and myself worked together on producing the first in this series, the Turbonomic Automation Platform with VMware vSphere Reference Architecture. Click on the link to download. Any feedback or questions you may have are welcomed.

Announcement – VMware VSAN 6.2

VMware Virtual SAN version 6.2 has been announced.  Two big improvements are the inclusion of Data Integrity (checksum on write and read) and improved UI integration into the vSphere Web Client.

This is the fourth major release of VSAN functionality.  VMware is definitely taking this product seriously and trying to evolve VSAN to a true enterprise-grade SDS stack.

If you are a customer that has an extensive investment in the VMware eco-system from a people, process and technology perspective, then VSAN could be a good choice if you are dipping your toes into the HCI space for a small part of your infrastructure.  Use-cases such as Management, DMZ, PCI, Dev/Test and EUC Clusters are a great fit, in my opinion.  If you are selecting an enterprise-wide solution for mission/business critical applications, then a more mature SDS vendor would be worth considering to minimise risk.

Continue reading Announcement – VMware VSAN 6.2