Top 11 Vmware Administrator Certifications

Certifications for a VMware administrator are extremely important in the job market as they demonstrate that an individual has the necessary skills and knowledge to be successful in their role. Certifications show potential employers that the individual is up-to-date on industry trends, understands how to manage virtualized infrastructures, and can work with various technologies like vSphere, vSAN, NSX, and so on. Additionally, certifications provide a way for administrators to differentiate themselves from non-certified candidates by demonstrating their commitment to the profession. Finally, certifications are often required by organizations when hiring new VMware administrators, making them essential for anyone seeking employment in this field.

This article reviews the top certifications for Vmware Administrators, providing an overview of how they can help to advance a vmware administrator's career.

What are Vmware Administrator Certifications?

VMware Administrator Certification is an industry-recognized certification program designed to validate the skills and knowledge of professionals who work with VMware products. This certification is designed to ensure that IT professionals have the skills and knowledge necessary to successfully manage, configure, deploy, and troubleshoot VMware solutions in production environments. The certification covers a wide range of topics related to virtualization technologies, including installation, configuration, deployment, management, and optimization of VMware products. It also provides a comprehensive understanding of networking concepts as they relate to virtualization technologies.

The benefits of having a VMware Administrator Certification include being able to demonstrate your expertise in virtualization technologies and gain recognition for your technical abilities. Additionally, it can help you become more marketable in the job market as employers will recognize you as someone with the technical acumen needed for managing and deploying their virtualization solutions. Furthermore, having this certification can make you eligible for higher salary packages due to its recognition in the industry. Ultimately, achieving this certification will help you stand out among other IT professionals and give you a competitive edge when it comes to job opportunities.

Pro Tip: When preparing for VMware Administrator Certification, make sure to focus on the key concepts and features of the VMware platform. Be sure to review the official documentation and get hands-on experience with the product in order to best prepare for the exam.

Related: What does a Vmware Administrator do?

Top 11 Vmware Administrator Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Vmware Administrators today.

1. VMware Certified Professional (VCP)

VMware Certified Professional (VCP) is a certification offered by VMware that validates an individual's skills in virtualization and cloud computing. It demonstrates the ability to install, configure, manage, and troubleshoot VMware vSphere environments.

To become a VCP, individuals must first attend an authorized VMware training course. The training course can be taken online or in person and typically takes between three and five days to complete. After completing the training course, individuals must pass the VMware Certified Professional exam.

The cost of becoming a VCP varies depending on the type of training chosen. Online courses are typically less expensive than in-person courses. Additionally, there are fees associated with taking the certification exam which range from $225 to $250 USD depending on region.

Once an individual has passed their exam they will become a VCP and receive their digital badge as well as access to exclusive resources such as discounts on future exams and events.

2. VMware Certified Advanced Professional (VCAP)

VMware Certified Advanced Professional (VCAP) is a professional-level certification offered by VMware, a leading provider of virtualization and cloud computing solutions. VCAP certification validates an individual’s ability to design, deploy, and manage VMware technologies. It is designed for experienced IT professionals who want to demonstrate their expertise in virtualization and cloud computing.

To obtain the VCAP certification, individuals must first pass the VMware Certified Professional (VCP) exam. The VCP exam covers topics such as installation, configuration, and management of vSphere environments. After passing the VCP exam, individuals can then take the VCAP exam which covers topics such as designing complex virtual networks and storage solutions, deploying advanced applications in a virtual environment, and managing large-scale vSphere deployments.

The amount of time required to obtain the VCAP certification varies depending on an individual’s experience level with VMware products and services. Generally speaking, it takes between three months to one year to complete all of the necessary exams and training courses needed for VCAP certification.

The cost of obtaining the VCAP certification depends on the number of exams taken and any additional training courses or materials purchased. The cost for taking each exam ranges from $125-$250 USD per exam depending on location. In addition to this cost, individuals may also need to purchase additional training materials or enroll in online courses which could range from $100-$1000 USD depending on what is needed.

Overall, obtaining the VCAP certification requires dedication and hard work but can be very rewarding for those who are looking to demonstrate their expertise in virtualization and cloud computing technologies.

3. VMware Certified Design Expert (VCDX)

VMware Certified Design Expert (VCDX) is a certification program designed to recognize the highest level of expertise in VMware virtual infrastructure design and implementation. It is the highest level of certification offered by VMware and requires an extensive amount of experience, knowledge, and technical skill.

In order to be eligible for VCDX certification, you must first hold either a VMware Certified Professional (VCP) or VMware Certified Advanced Professional (VCAP) certification. You must then pass the VCDX-level exam and submit a detailed design project for review. The design project must include an architecture diagram, design decisions, configuration details, and other related documents.

The entire process can take anywhere from 6 months to 1 year depending on your experience level and the complexity of your design project. To get started, you will need to register with the VCDX program and pay an application fee of $300 USD. After submitting your application, you will be given access to resources such as study guides, practice exams, and sample projects that can help you prepare for the exam.

Once you have successfully passed the exam and submitted your design project for review, it will be evaluated by a panel of experienced VCDX holders who will decide whether or not you are awarded the certification. If successful, you will receive an official certificate from VMware acknowledging your achievement.

4. VMware Certified Implementation Expert (VCIX)

VMware Certified Implementation Expert (VCIX) is a certification program from VMware that recognizes IT professionals who have demonstrated advanced-level skills in deploying and managing VMware solutions. It is the highest level of certification offered by VMware and requires passing three exams: one for each of the three major areas of expertise – Data Center Virtualization, Network Virtualization, and Cloud Management & Automation.

To become VCIX certified, you must first obtain two VMware certifications: VCP-DCV (VMware Certified Professional - Data Center Virtualization), VCP-NV (VMware Certified Professional - Network Virtualization), or VCP-CMA (VMware Certified Professional - Cloud Management & Automation). After obtaining these certifications, you must then pass the VCIX exam. The VCIX exam consists of a series of practical scenarios and troubleshooting tasks that are designed to assess your ability to manage and configure complex virtual environments.

The time it takes to become VCIX certified depends on how quickly you can complete the prerequisite certifications and study for the VCIX exam. Generally speaking, it could take anywhere from several months to a year or more depending on your experience level and dedication to studying.

The cost of becoming VCIX certified varies depending on which prerequisite certifications you need to obtain as well as any additional training materials you may need to purchase for studying for the VCIX exam. Generally speaking, expect to pay around $3,000-$4,000 USD for all associated costs including training materials, exams fees, etc.

5. VMware Certified Associate – Cloud (VCA-Cloud)

VMware Certified Associate – Cloud (VCA-Cloud) is an entry-level certification designed to validate a candidate’s knowledge and skills in cloud computing. It is intended for individuals who are new to the field of cloud computing, or those who need to demonstrate a basic understanding of the technology. The certification covers topics such as cloud concepts, virtualization, security, and networking.

The VCA-Cloud certification requires that candidates pass a single exam, which consists of 60 multiple choice questions. Candidates must answer all questions correctly in order to pass the exam. The exam typically takes around 90 minutes to complete.

In order to get certified, candidates must register for the exam through VMware’s website and pay an associated fee (currently $125 USD). Once registered, candidates can schedule their exam at any Pearson VUE testing center worldwide.

The cost of the VCA-Cloud certification is $125 USD per exam attempt.

6. VMware Certified Professional 6 – Data Center Virtualization (VCP6-DCV)

VMware Certified Professional 6 – Data Center Virtualization (VCP6-DCV) is a certification that validates an individual’s skills in virtualizing and managing a data center using VMware vSphere 6.0 technologies. This certification demonstrates that the individual has the knowledge and experience to install, configure, manage, and troubleshoot a vSphere 6.0 environment.

It typically takes around three months to complete the VCP6-DCV certification process. The first step is to attend an authorized training course from VMware or a VMware Authorized Training Partner (VATC). After completing the training course, candidates must pass two exams: the VMware Certified Professional 6 – Data Center Virtualization (VCP6-DCV) Exam and the VMware Certified Associate – Data Center Virtualization (VCA-DCV) Exam.

The cost of obtaining VCP6-DCV certification varies depending on the type of training courses taken and whether or not one opts for self-study materials or instructor-led courses. Generally speaking, it can cost anywhere from $500 - $3,000 USD for all associated costs such as exam fees, course fees, and study materials.

7. VMware Certified Professional 6 – Network Virtualization (VCP6-NV)

VMware Certified Professional 6 – Network Virtualization (VCP6-NV) is a certification that validates an individual’s skills in designing, deploying and managing VMware NSX virtual networks. It is designed for professionals who have experience with VMware vSphere and want to gain the knowledge and skills required to design, deploy, configure, manage and troubleshoot VMware NSX networks.

The VCP6-NV certification requires passing two exams: the VMware Certified Professional 6 – Network Virtualization (VCP6-NV) exam and the VMware NSX Troubleshooting & Operations exam. The VCP6-NV exam is a multiple choice exam that covers topics such as networking concepts, virtual networking components, installation of NSX components, configuration of logical switching, routing, security services and more. The NSX Troubleshooting & Operations exam focuses on troubleshooting issues related to NSX components such as virtual switches and routers.

It typically takes around two months to prepare for the VCP6-NV certification exams if you are already familiar with vSphere and have some experience working with NSX. To get started on your journey towards becoming certified in this area you will need to purchase the official courseware from VMware which includes videos, labs and study guides. You can also take advantage of online resources such as blogs or forums where experienced professionals share their knowledge about VMware products.

The cost for taking the VCP6-NV certification exams varies depending on where you take them but typically ranges from $250-$400 per exam.

8. VMware Certified Associate 6 – Network Virtualization (VCA6-NV)

VMware Certified Associate 6 – Network Virtualization (VCA6-NV) is a certification program designed to validate the skills and knowledge of IT professionals in the field of network virtualization. The certification covers topics such as VMware NSX, vSphere, virtual networking, and security. It also validates an individual’s ability to design, deploy, configure, and manage a virtualized network environment.

The VCA6-NV certification is available through the VMware Professional Certification Program. To get certified, candidates must complete a series of online courses and pass an exam. The exam consists of 65 multiple-choice questions and must be completed within 90 minutes.

The cost for the VCA6-NV certification depends on the country where you are taking it. However, in general, it costs around $250 USD for the exam fee alone. Additionally, there may be additional fees associated with taking the courses required for certification.

It typically takes about 2 months to complete all of the coursework and pass the exam necessary to obtain your VCA6-NV certification.

9. VMware vSphere: Optimize and Scale [V6]

VMware vSphere: Optimize and Scale [V6] is a suite of software products designed to help businesses optimize their IT infrastructure and scale their virtual environment. It provides an integrated platform for virtualization, cloud computing, storage, networking, security, and availability.

It takes about 30 minutes to download the vSphere: Optimize and Scale [V6] software from the VMware website. You will need to register with VMware in order to access the software. Once you have registered, you can download the software directly from the website.

The cost of vSphere: Optimize and Scale [V6] depends on your specific needs and requirements. Generally speaking, it costs $3,495 per processor for a single license or $5,995 per processor for a multi-processor license. Additional licenses may be needed depending on your specific needs.

In addition to the cost of the software itself, there are additional costs associated with implementing vSphere: Optimize and Scale [V6]. These include hardware upgrades (if necessary), training costs for staff members who will be using the product, as well as ongoing maintenance costs such as support contracts or additional licenses if needed in the future.

10. VMware vSphere: Troubleshooting Workshop [V6]

VMware vSphere: Troubleshooting Workshop [V6] is a comprehensive, hands-on training course that covers the fundamentals of troubleshooting and diagnosing VMware vSphere 6.x environments. It is designed to provide administrators with the skills necessary to identify, analyze, and resolve common issues in a vSphere environment. The workshop consists of lecture and lab sessions that focus on topics such as system performance analysis, network connectivity issues, storage problems, virtual machine configuration problems, resource contention issues, and more.

The course typically takes three days to complete and is available both online or in-person at various locations around the world. To get the course you can either purchase it directly from VMware or through an authorized training partner. The cost for this course varies depending on the delivery method (e.g., online or in-person) and location but generally ranges from $1,500 - $2,000 USD per student.

11. VMware vRealize Operations Manager: Analyze and Predict [v6]

VMware vRealize Operations Manager (vROPS) is a powerful analytics and monitoring platform that provides real-time visibility into the performance and health of virtualized IT environments. It helps organizations to identify potential issues before they become problems, optimize resource utilization, automate operations, and ensure service levels are met.

The vRealize Operations Manager version 6 is available as a 60-day free trial. To get started with the trial, you will need to register for an account on the VMware website. After registration, you can download the software from the VMware portal.

The full version of vRealize Operations Manager requires a license purchase from VMware. Prices vary depending on the features and number of CPUs needed for your environment. Generally speaking, prices start at $1,495 per CPU for Standard Edition and $2,995 per CPU for Advanced Edition.

Overall, it takes about 15 minutes to register an account and download vRealize Operations Manager version 6. The installation process should take around 30 minutes depending on your hardware configuration.

Do You Really Need a Vmware Administrator Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on what your goals are and how you plan to use a VMware Administrator Certificate. If you are looking to gain more knowledge and skills in the field of virtualization and cloud computing, then having a VMware Administrator Certificate can be beneficial. This certification demonstrates to employers that you have a solid understanding of the technology and can manage and maintain virtual infrastructure.

If you are already knowledgeable in this area, then you may not need a VMware Administrator Certificate; however, if you want to demonstrate your expertise or become certified as an expert in this technology, then obtaining the certificate would be beneficial. Additionally, if you are looking for job opportunities in the field of virtualization or cloud computing, having a VMware Administrator Certificate will make you stand out from other applicants as it shows that you have taken the time to learn about this technology and have achieved certification in it.

In conclusion, whether or not you need a VMware Administrator Certificate depends on your individual career goals and what type of job opportunities you are seeking. While having the certificate certainly has its benefits, it is ultimately up to each individual to decide whether or not they should pursue it.

Related: Vmware Administrator Resume Examples

FAQs About Vmware Administrator Certifications

Q1. What certifications are available for VMware Administrators?

A1. The certifications available for VMware Administrators include: VMware Certified Professional (VCP), VMware Certified Advanced Professional (VCAP), and VMware Certified Design Expert (VCDX).

Q2. What are the requirements to become a VCP certified administrator?

A2. To become a VCP certified administrator, you must attend an authorized training course and pass the associated certification exam. Additionally, you must have at least six months of experience working with VMware technologies and submit a course completion certificate to VMware.

Q3. How long does it take to become a VCP certified administrator?

A3. It takes approximately 4-6 weeks to complete the necessary training and pass the certification exam in order to become a VCP certified administrator.

Q4. Is there an age limit for taking the certification exams?

A4. No, there is no age limit for taking the certification exams; however, you must be 18 years or older in order to register for them.

Q5. Does becoming VCP certified guarantee job placement?

A5. Becoming VCP certified does not guarantee job placement; however, having this certification can give you an edge over other candidates when applying for jobs related to virtualization technology such as system administration or data center operations roles.