VMware offered the same path for existing VCP3′s when vSphere 4 was introduced in 2009.  The course exemption is again a time limited offer.  After February 29, those who attain or hold a VCP4 will be required to attend the $1495 “VMware vSphere: What’s New [V5]” class.  The class is a 2-day class and can be attended in a classroom offering or an online offering.

For individuals who do not currently hold a VMware certification, the “VMware vSphere: Install, Manage and Configure [V5]” class is required before testing. People holding a VCP2 or VCP3 certification are treated the same as someone without a certification.

For more info, see the Certification section of the VMware website.

Thanks to vm/etc for posting this originally…

For anyone considering taking the exam, here is a quick list of the resources I used to study:

• Simon Long’s VCP4 Practice Exam
• VMware’s Official Documentation
  * ESX and vCenter Server 4 Installation Guide (minimum system requirements, etc.)
  * Configuration Maximums for vSphere 4
• Scott Lowe’s Mastering VMware vSphere 4

Areas I’d suggest focusing on – system requirements, configuration maximums, new technologies – Data Recovery, vApp, Distributed vSwitches (vmkernel and service console ports on dvSwitches), and licensing and portfolio offerings.  Don’t forget some general knowledge about View, Fusion, VMware Server 2 and their other products – those are good for a quick and easy couple correct answers.

I had attended both of the VI3 classes and knew that the classes were a pre-requisite for the VCP certification.  And although I’d waited for too long between class and testing, I was still able to pass the exam with a little studying.  But, the same might not be true with vSphere 4 with budget constraints and considerations.  So, if I didn’t want to lose my education investment, I needed by VCP3.

The good news for existing VCP3′s is that VMware is offering the vSphere 4 exam for you until December 31 without the requirement of taking any additional classes.  For anyone who has taken the VI3 classes, you still need to attain the VCP3 first before being able to take the VCP4 test.

VMworld attendees should also note that the test is available at a discount during the conference.

For more information on specifics for your situation, take a look here on VMware’s site.

I opened the package and quickly read the letter enclosed.  It outlined the program and how to access the VMware website to access logos and my free copy of VMware Workstation (thanks, but I’m on Mac…).  But that wasn’t the exciting part, I opened a crisp blue envelope, embossed with the VMware logo to find a certificate stareing back at me with my name in blue, 50 point font across the middle.  That was it, in my eyes it was official.

Since passing the exam at my local Peason Vue location, I hadn’t had any official communication from VMware.  I’d met the requirements – the exam and the VMware official courses – but there was still the anticipation of it being official.  Having the official word was a great feeling of accomplishment.  I consider it my first (real) certification.

In all my years working in the industry, none of my employers have ever put a major emphasis on certification.  This year, however, I included obtaining my VCP as a goal on my evaluation.  I’m happy to cross that item off my list for the year.  And it wasn’t at the insistence of management, this was something I wanted to do for myself.  I hope that it also helps the company (if not my group, possibly our sales engineering team) by having a VCP on staff.

Anyways, I wanted to take a moment to post an update and to take a few minutes to enjoy my accomplishment…  I hung the certificate in my office today… Picture below.

But this was a very different test than the one that I took when I was in Las Vegas last fall.  In the fall, the test centered around and focused on a lot of storage related questions.  And iSCSI was likely my downfall and the cause for me failing attempt #1.   We don’t use iSCSI in our environment – we’re a Fiber Channel shop and so that is what I know best.  I also don’t do any NFS, but knew there’d be some questions on that, also.   Even though I passed this go round, I felt like I did better on the last test (yeah, I know that doesn’t make sense – but subjective versus objective scoring, I guess).

Some things tripped me up this go round that I wasn’t expecting.   I apparently didn’t read everything I should have in the 3.5 documentation and had not noticed that VMware introduced a new method of multi-pathing for fiber channel, so not sure I got the questions about Round Robin multipathing correct.  Then there was the issue of traffic shaping.  Ok, let me admit, I’m not doing traffic shaping with my ESX.  Perhaps I should – my test obviously thought I should have been as there felt like there were 10 questions on the topic.

I guess I realize that I should be paying more attention to my resource pools, especially now that my environment has grown.  I believe I got those questions correct, but I didn’t feel like I knew the answers – it took some thinking.

I am still waiting for the official word on my certification from VMware.  I have my unofficial results from PearsonVue printed and on my desk to keep me company until that email arrives.  There is a nice note that says that if I have completed all the requirements for VCP on VI3, I’ll get a notice within 30 days.

Attempt number two – I’m determined to be different this time.  I’ll be retaking the test for certification on June 15 – next month – giving me a month to go over all my study materials.  I am taking the 3.5 certification exam. Yes, I’m aware vSphere has arrived.  That’s exactly why I’m taking this test.  One, I need to take it because that’s where my experience lies and two, I need to take it while its still available.

So, any tips, sources, or suggestions for study materials and resources would be greatly appreciated.  I am armed with Mike Laverik’s Virtual Infrastructure 3.5 book, my 3.0 courseware and a few study outlines from VMware.

I moved back into my preferred career path about 3 years ago now (my 3 year anniversary with HTC is June 6!) and certifications became something I wanted again.  I think the desire is to prove that I know what I profess to know.  At the same time, I’ve met a number of certified professional who are about as dumb as dirt when it comes to the technology they are certified on, but I digress.

So, to date, I have completed just one certification exam for our corporate mail product.  That was a test I took at the tail end of the training course.

I have spent two and a half years working very hard to learn VMware – the in’s and out’s of the software – and the gotchas that might bite.  And so, I want to be VMware certified.  During my annual review, I also submitted VMware certification as one of my annual goals.  It will be included in my review for this year.  So, that was motivation to finally take this test and make it happen.  So, I will update you on my quest for certification.

Being a Windows administrator for the company, I feel like I should have a Microsoft certification or two.  Given Microsoft’s new certification program, I am not sure what certifications I want, so that too may be something to ponder.  Updates coming soon…