The way I look at being VMware VCP certified is that it’s one more reason for an employer to choose me. And IMO, it’s a big one…

Just look at all the TV commercials, web ads, etc. all touting “the cloud” and how it’s revolutionizing the IT world. That’s not B.S. — things like VMware are making inroads into the core infrastructure of small and large companies around the world.

And guess what? Once an environment is converted over to running on a platform like VMware, it’s difficult to change that. Once the sysadmins know the joys of VMotion and never having to take servers down to do hardware maintenance… Once the bean counters see that their hardware, datacenter, cooling, and other overhead costs are down because they are utilizing resources more effectively… On and on…

VMware is here to stay (just look at the stock performance!) and having a VCP is like the capstone on your other foundation skills like Windows admin, AD, networking, etc.

So, logically, you can see and understand why having a VCP is well worth the few hundred bucks and a weekend or two of your time. Even if it gives you a 1% chance over someone else, it’s unquestionably worth it.

Second, just go to any of the job sites like Dice, CareerBuilder, etc. and search for “VMware”. You’re going to find hundreds, if not thousands, of positions that all want some level of VMware experience. Remember, everyone from small to large businesses are adopting this stuff at an incredible pace.

These career site search results alone should be enough reason for you to be interested in getting a VCP.

Imagine, especially in the crappy economy we’re in as I write this, the dozens of resumes a hiring manager gets for every single job posting. How can you stand out from the other applicants? Having an “up and coming” hot certification like a VCP could very well be the answer.

VMware is the higher-level admin stuff at most companies (leaving the rack-and-stack stuff to the junior guys) and having a VCP just reinforces that you’d be a good candidate to consider for the role — that you took your knowledge of VMware seriously enough to get the paper credentials to prove it.

As cheap as the VCP is to get, I simply see no reason why you would not want it.

Why wouldn’t you do everything possible to land that job you dream of, or to even get another $5K per year salary (which pays for the VCP many times over EVERY year!)? It’s not like going back to school that takes years of your life and tens of thousands of dollars. Grab a VCP exam preparation kit, spend a weekend or two reviewing the kit materials, and then spend a couple hundred bucks on the exam fee (and that’s if your current company won’t pay for it). All done, nice and simple!

I arrived at the small testing center, which was part of a larger office building. If I didn’t know the address and that there was a Pearson Vue testing center inside the building, I would have driven right by. This was the same as my VCP 3. It seems that the testing centers like to rent excess space in office buildings, probably to save on costs, so when you go to take your test, make sure you have an accurate address, an idea of where you’re going, and allow plenty of time to find these tiny offices.

Opening the door to the PV office, there was a receptionist who wanted to see two forms of ID — one photo and one NON photo. I have no clue why or how they think having an ID without photo is more secure, but they would not even accept a card I had with my photo on it. Instead, I gave them a credit card (they did not note the number — just the name on the card).

After this strange IDing process, I had to have my photo taken. VMware is including photos on the certification numbers these days, I guess to prevent you from paying someone to take the test for you, or to prevent someone else from masquerading as you and using your certification number. Anyway, if you’re the type that’s worried about appearance, be sure you dress nicely and comb your hair in preparation for the photo as that’s what people will see if they ever look-up your certification number for verification.

With my photo taken, I was asked to leave *everything* at the reception desk — even the single sheet of paper I was carrying with nothing but the address of the center on it. In return, the proctor gave me a laminated piece of paper and a dry-erase marker in case I needed to take notes. I knew they wouldn’t let me bring much stuff in, thanks to my previous VCP 3 experience, but the level of strictness was turned-up a notch for the VCP 4. Do yourself a favor and leave everything but your two forms of ID in the car when you go for your testing.

The proctor lead me to a room with small study carrols, like what you’d remember as a kid from the library at school. In each little cubby hole, was an ancient computer complete with CRT screen and a ball mouse!!! The mouse I had to use made an odd squeaking sound every time I moved it, which the rest of the room could hear. I’m pretty sure that the PV center I went to this time got their computers from a thrift shop or something, but that’s another story.

The test itself was administered on the computer, just as with previous VCP versions, and I used the mouse to select the various answers for each question. I could flag any question with a “come back later” flag, so at the end of the test, I could re-visit any answers I may have been uncertain about and change them. Thankfully, as I had used a VCP4 exam preparation kit, I knew I had answered all the right questions correctly, and all the wrong questions correctly (yes, there are quite a few questions on the VCP exam where the answers are just plain wrong, but you must answer them that way to pass…)

After I did the final submission of my answers, I stopped by the front desk, and received my score. Pearson Vue prints a page out with your photo, certification ID number, and whether you passed or not. Oh yeah, and I also got my 8×11 page back which they confiscated earlier, but I told them to recycle it since I didn’t need the testing center address any longer.

At this point, I was VCP 4 certified!

About 3-4 weeks later, I got a cardboard mailer from VMware with my certificate in full color, suitable for framing or whatever else you do with such things. Mine went into my folder of certifications which I pull-out for job interviews — and I think the VCP 4 cert will be one of the first I show prospective employers due to the high value of being a certified VMware certified professional!

However, if you want to study the “official way” here’s a TASTE of what you’ll need to know:

Deploying a new VMware installation:

• Identify minimum hardware requirements
• ESX Hardware Reqs – http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vsphere4/r40/vsp_40_esx_vc_installation_guide.pdf#page=13
• ESXi Hardware Reqs – http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vsphere4/r40/vsp_40_esxi_i_vc_setup_guide.pdf#page=13
• Download, prepare and validate installation media
• Download media – http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vsphere4/r40/vsp_40_esx_vc_installation_guide.pdf#page=25
• Determine appropriate ESX/ESXi configuration in a given situation
• Obtain required information for environment: IP info, LUN info, boot information, service console memory, user accounts, ntp server IP, etc.
• Verify hardware against the VMware Hardware Compatibility Guide: Server, hard drives, san, HBAs, nics, procs, etc. all on HCL
• Perform a custom installation
• Booting ESX installer – http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vsphere4/r40/vsp_40_esx_vc_installation_guide.pdf#page=27
• Graphical Install – http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vsphere4/r40/vsp_40_esx_vc_installation_guide.pdf#page=39
• Text Install – http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vsphere4/r40/vsp_40_esx_vc_installation_guide.pdf#page=42
• Scripted Install – http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vsphere4/r40/vsp_40_esx_vc_installation_guide.pdf#page=45
• Customize storage layout for given situations
• Required Partitions – http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vsphere4/r40/vsp_40_esx_vc_installation_guide.pdf#page=61
• Optional Partitions – http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vsphere4/r40/vsp_40_esx_vc_installation_guide.pdf#page=62
• Configure ESXi from the direct console
• Install ESXi – http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vsphere4/r40/vsp_40_esxi_i_vc_setup_guide.pdf#page=22
• Direct Console User Interface – http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vsphere4/r40/vsp_40_esxi_i_vc_setup_guide.pdf#page=26
• Configure ESX/ESXi NTP
• ESX NTP During Install – http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vsphere4/r40/vsp_40_esx_vc_installation_guide.pdf#page=24
• Configuration tab, Time Configuration, Properties
• Manage ESX/ESXi licensing
• Compare/Contrast VMware vSphere editions
• Edition Comparison Chart – http://kb.vmware.com/kb/1010579
• Manage license keys – http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vsphere4/r40/vsp_40_esx_vc_installation_guide.pdf#page=107

Upgrading an existing VMware installation:

• Plan a VMware vSphere upgrade
• Backup/Restore ESX/ESXi host configuration
• Backup host configuration – http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vsphere4/r40/vsp_40_upgrade_guide.pdf#page=71
• Restore host configuration – http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vsphere4/r40/vsp_40_upgrade_guide.pdf#page=83
• Understand Virtual Machine backup options
• VMotion, storage VMotion, vcb, converter, vdr, third party
• Determine if existing hardware meets upgrade requirements
• Hardware Requirements – http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vsphere4/r40/vsp_40_upgrade_guide.pdf#page=27
• Understand VMware ESX/ESXi upgrade scenarios
• Host Upgrades – http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vsphere4/r40/vsp_40_upgrade_guide.pdf#page=67
• Release Upgrade Support – http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vsphere4/r40/vsp_40_upgrade_guide.pdf#page=72
• Perform upgrade to ESX 4.0
• Upgrade VMware ESX/ESXi
• About Host Updates – http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vsphere4/r40/vsp_40_upgrade_guide.pdf#page=101
• Update Manager Upgrade Baseline – http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vsp_vum_40_admin_guide.pdf#page=53
• esxupdate/vihostupdate – http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vsphere4/r40/vsp_40_upgrade_guide.pdf#page=104
• ESX Upgrade – http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vsphere4/r40/vsp_40_upgrade_guide.pdf#page=75
• ESXi Upgrade – http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vsphere4/r40/vsp_40_upgrade_guide.pdf#page=77
• Upgrade virtual machine hardware
• Virtual Hardware Upgrade – http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vsphere4/r40/vsp_40_upgrade_guide.pdf#page=97
• Upgrade VMware Tools
• Tools Upgrade – http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vsphere4/r40/vsp_40_upgrade_guide.pdf#page=86
• Verify success of upgrade
• Upgrade Logs – http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vsphere4/r40/vsp_40_upgrade_guide.pdf#page=79
• Understand upgrade roll back options
• Roll Back an ESX Upgrade – http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vsphere4/r40/vsp_40_upgrade_guide.pdf#page=82
• Roll Back an ESXi Upgrade – http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vsphere4/r40/vsp_40_upgrade_guide.pdf#page=83

Understand VMware security:

• Identify default security principles
• Default Roles – http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vsphere4/r40/vsp_40_admin_guide.pdf#page=214
• General Security – http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vsphere4/r40/vsp_40_esx_server_config.pdf#page=179
• ESXi Lockdown Mode – http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vsphere4/r40/vsp_40_esxi_server_config.pdf#page=168
• Understand Service Console firewall operation
• Service Console Security Level
• COS Security – http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vsphere4/r40/vsp_40_esx_server_config.pdf#page=142
• Firewall Security Level – http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vsphere4/r40/vsp_40_esx_server_config.pdf#page=180
• Opening/Closing ports in the firewall using the vSphere Client
• Configuration, Security Profile, Properties
• Set up user/group accounts
• Host Users/Groups – http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vsphere4/r40/vsp_40_admin_guide.pdf#page=212
• Understanding Users/Groups – http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vsphere4/r40/vsp_40_esx_server_config.pdf#page=167
• Working With Users & Groups – http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vsphere4/r40/vsp_40_esx_server_config.pdf#page=170
• Determine applications needed for accessing the service console in a given scenario: vSphere client, ssh client, vCenter, VCB/VDR, Update Manager, Converter, etc.

Know these tools:

• VMware Hardware Compatibility Guide
• VMware ESX/ESXi and vCenter Server Installation Guide
• Configuration Maximums Guide
• Product Documentation
• VMware Virtualization Toolkit
• vSphere Host Update Utility
• vCenter Update Manager
• vSphere Upgrade Guide
• ESX 4 Patch Management Guide
• Product Documentation
• esxupdate
• vSphere Client
• ESX/ESXi Configuration Guides
• Product Documentation

As you can see from this sampling, you need to know a ton of stuff to pass the VCP 4. And, here’s a word of warning: not all of the test questions are answered the way that it’s done in the real world. Some of the answers are just plain wrong. The test prep materials will let you spot those questions which you’d otherwise get wrong because you know better

But, there’s still one question in your mind – what kinds of ID do they mean when they say “bring two forms of ID”?

Here’s what I found from taking both the VCP 3 and VCP 4:

1. Bring a state driver’s license. This is a no-brainer.
2. Bring a credit card or something else with your “signature” on it.

Beyond that, don’t bring anything else. The test center will provide you with an erasable/laminated paper and marker should you want to take notes. Nothing else is allowed to enter the computer area with you.

When I went to take my VCP 4 in December 2009, I brought my company badge with me since it has my name AND photo on it. The guy at the testing center would not accept the photo-badge as the second form of ID. He then asked for a credit card “because it has a signature on it”. How that proves my identity is beyond me, but whatever.

Oh, and the new process (at least since I took the VCP 3 in 2008) involves taking a photo of you to put on the print-outs/etc. so be prepared to smile and dress reasonably well if that’s of concern.

Basically, VMware is looking to increase the difficulty by a VERY large margin. Previously, the VCP 3 was taken in about an hour by most people. The beta testers in the VCP 4 program report that it’s going to be a FOUR HOUR test! The guide given to the beta testers which just outlines the areas to study is a whopping 16 pages long. Yikes!

So, what does this mean to you?

If you’re wanting to get “VCP certified” (or have a boss who’s demanding it) and you want to take the easier test, I would strongly advise that you make it a high priority goal to take the VCP while it’s still in version 3. If you delay too long, you’ll be stuck taking the four hour long VCP 4 exam instead and who knows how many times you’ll have to attempt it before passing. Grab the VCP study kit today and get started before it’s too late!

First, I had to schedule an appointment with your local Pearson Vue test center. I did this via their website and there’s not really much to say about that.

When I arrived, I had to sign-in and provide identification. At my testing center, they wanted two forms of ID, but the confirmation e-mail from Pearson Vue will confirm the requirements for your test, so be sure to read it closely. Bring multiple IDs regardless.

Next, I had to place everything in my pockets such as car keys and wallet into a backpack. The attendant placed a padlock on the backpack so that I could not get into the bag. She kept the key at the front desk while the backpack traveled with me so I could know that nobody was stealing my wallet.

I was lead into a small room with four or five computers each divided by a wall. Think of the study carols you used to have in school. The attendant started the particular testing program on the computer and told me to sit down and follow the on screen prompts. There were TV cameras watching the room to ensure that you don’t talk with other people or try to pull a cheat sheet out of your pocket.

On the computer system, I entered my name/etc. and the test began. Using the mouse, each question is answered one at a time. As you proceed, you have no indication of how well you’re doing. You may go back to previous questions and at the end of the test before you submit it, you have another chance to re-visit any questions. I think the time limit was 90 minutes and I took my time, being extra careful, and finished in about 60 minutes.

Once done, I took the backpack up to the front counter where the attendant was waiting with my print-out showing my score and certification number on a temporary form. I grabbed my keys and wallet and left. The print-out is your temporary proof that you passed or failed and it has a confirmation number and some other information on it.

A couple weeks later, I received the official certificate of completion from VMware in the mail along with a free serial number for a copy of VMware Workstation. The certificate is the usual “congratulations you’ve completed such and such” type, but I am proud of it. Even with my day-to-day use of VMware and relatively deep knowledge, I only passed with a 77 out of a required 70, so I’m very glad I prepared for the VCP exam in advance or I’d probably have failed.

Taking the official VMware Certified Professional test is much harder than most of the hundreds of tests I took in college for one simple reason: there can be multiple answers for each question.

You see, after many years in college, I have become very adept at taking multiple choice tests and when there is only one answer allowed per question, I can usually rule-out at least half of the questions and then reason the actual answer from what remains. You probably can too.

However, the VCP destroys that multiple-choice test taking skill by requiring multiple answers on most of the questions! For example, some questions may have a list of seven possible choices and you will select four of those to arrive at the correct answer. You can’t use deductive reasoning on these questions – you must know the answer and know it well.

The difficulty is also increased because a very large number of the VCP exam questions are derived from the introductory/early chapters in the official VMware manuals. Yeah, you know, those books/sections that you never read? If you’re like me and use the manuals as a reference and don’t actually read them from cover-to-cover, you’ll be in for a shock when you see that many VCP questions are pulled from those early beginner-level chapters in the manuals!

The hours I spent studying and memorizing the study guide and sample exam were invaluable. Having many possible answers per question really makes the test tough, especially when the questions may be about trivial information or even (gasp) things I know to be wrong or untrue from my experience using VMware on a daily basis! Do yourself a favor and grab the study kit. If you have to re-take the VCP test, it will cost you more than the kit, so it’s really stupid not to prepare fully with the kit.

The HA process can determine that a VM is unreachable in a number of ways such as by network connectivity, heartbeat, or even by failure of an application. These conditions can trigger failover and thus the starting of another instance of the VM in question so that visible downtime to users is minimized.

VMware High Availability requires Virtual Center to setup and configure, but once it is configured, the VC machine can be removed (for example if it crashes) and the ESX hosts will continue to operate the HA environment.

DRS takes advantage of VMotion so that it can move a VM between two servers without incurring downtime. In the automatic mode, an algorithm will determine the optimal deployment of virtual machines based upon the min/max settings you dictate, while the manual and semi-automatic modes allow you to have a finer grained level of control over VM movement.

In configuring DRS, you will create various logical structures in the Virtual Center interface such as “datacenters”, “clusters” and “resource pools”. Each of these logical constructs operates with DRS to control which hosts are allowed to run which VMs and which VMs can consume what resources. I’ll get more into these ideas in the detailed information pages.

VMotion requires shared storage that can be accessed by all of the ESX hosts which will be expected to run a VM. When you do a hot migration between hosts using Virtual Center, the VM is placed into snapshot mode, the memory of the VM transferred to the new location, and then snapshot mode is removed thus allowing the new host to write to the virtual machine’s files.

This ability to move VMs which are executing is the basis for the DRS (Distributed Resource Scheduler) as VMs can be rearranged on different ESX hosts to meet various CPU and memory requirements.

In addition to truly shared storage, VMotion requires a gigabit network and VMware Virtual Center.