Tuesday July 12th was a big day for VMware. They announced the VMware vSphere 5 product suite, restated their plans for enabling and accelerating private & public cloud adoption, revealed a change in licensing, and announced the VCP5 beta exam.
I wasn’t surprised that VCP5 was announced, but I imagine that some of you (like me) might be feeling a bit overwhelmed at the announcement of another VMware certification when many folks are still knee-deep in studying for their DCA/DCD or VCP exams. Fortunately, this is only the VCP5 beta, which means that the final test hasn’t gone live. There’s still plenty of time to pass the vSphere 4 certifications and still have time to study for the VCP 5 exam.
There are a couple things to be mindful of, before we jump into comparing the VCP4 and VCP5 exam blueprints. First, the VCP5 beta exam is 180 questions versus the VCP4’s 85 questions. Because of the number of questions on the VCP5 beta, the time limit is increased from 90 minutes to 225 minutes of pure exam time. There’s additional time allotted for survey questions, and additional time allotted for those who might be taking the beta in a country where English is not the primary language. The beta, unlike the official VCP4 exam, is only available in English; I imagine that additional language(s) will be added once the VCP5 exam becomes finalized.
Secondly, probably the best bit of news that I’ve seen so far, is that there is no course requirement for those that have a VCP4 certification until February 29, 2012. For those with a VCP2, 3, or no current VCP certification, my recommendation is to visit the VMware Education site for up to date information on the requirements to reach VCP5.
So without further ado, let’s dive right into the blueprint comparison. The first impression that I had when drawing up this comparison was that there wasn’t really a comparison to be had. The work put into the VCP5 blueprint is far more than simply removing ESX and shimming in the appropriate new features/changes where needed; the blueprint has been entirely rewritten. Objectives have been merged while others have been expanded. I debated on whether to compare the blueprints by aligning by objective, versus aligning by topic covered. Ultimately, I decided that the former would be easier to read than the latter.
Update: I’ve since learned that the VCP5 beta period ends late July 2011. According to the Pearson Vue, the VCP5 final exam can be scheduled as early as August 29th 2011.
| VCP5 blueprint | VCP4 blueprint |
|---|---|
| Section 1 – Plan, Install, Configure and Upgrade vCenter Server and VMware ESXi | Section 1 – Plan, Install and Upgrade VMware ESX/ESXi |
| Objective 1.1 — Install and Configure vCenter Server | Objective 1.1 — Install VMware ESX/ESXi on local storage |
| Identify available vCenter Server editions | Identify minimum hardware requirements |
| Deploy the vCenter Appliance | Download, prepare and validate installation media |
| Install vCenter Server into a virtual machine | Determine appropriate ESX/ESXi configuration in a given situation |
| Size the vCenter Server database | Obtain required information for environment |
| Install additional vCenter Server components | Verify hardware against the VMware Hardware Compatibility Guide |
| Install/Remove vSphere Client plug-ins | Perform a custom installation |
| Enable/Disable vSphere Client plug-ins | Customize storage layout for given situations |
| License vCenter Server | Configure ESXi from the direct console |
| Determine availability requirements for a vCenter Server in a given vSphere implementation | Configure ESX/ESXi NTP |
| Determine use case for vSphere Client and Web Client | Manage ESX/ESXi licensing |
| Compare/Contrast VMware vSphere editions | |
| Manage license keys | |
| Objective 1.2 – Install and Configure VMware ESXi | Objective 1.2 – Upgrade VMware ESX/ESXi |
| Perform an interactive installation of ESXi | Plan a VMware vSphere upgrade |
| Deploy an ESXi host using Auto Deploy | Backup/Restore ESX/ESXi host configuration |
| Configure NTP on an ESXi Host | Understand Virtual Machine backup options |
| Configure DNS and Routing on an ESXi Host | Determine if existing hardware meets upgrade requirements |
| Enable/Configure/Disable hyperthreading | Understand VMware ESX/ESXi upgrade scenarios |
| Enable/Size/Disable memory compression cache | Perform upgrade to ESX 4.0 |
| License an ESXi host | Upgrade VMware ESX/ESXi |
| Upgrade virtual machine hardware | |
| Upgrade VMware Tools | |
| Verify success of upgrade | |
| Understand upgrade roll back options | |
| Objective 1.3 – Plan and Perform Upgrades of vCenter Server and VMware ESXi | Objective 1.3 – Secure VMware ESX/ESXi |
| Identify upgrade requirements for ESXi hosts | Identify default security principles |
| Identify steps required to upgrade a vSphere implementation | Understand Service Console firewall operation |
| Upgrade a vNetwork Distributed Switch | Service Console Security Level |
| Upgrade from VMFS3 to VMFS5 | Opening/Closing ports in the firewall using the vSphere Client |
| Upgrade VMware Tools | Set up user/group accounts |
| Upgrade Virtual Machine hardware | Determine applications needed for accessing the service console in a given scenario |
| Upgrade an ESXi Host using vCenter Update Manager | |
| Determine whether an in-place upgrade is appropriate in a given upgrade scenario | |
| Objective 1.4 –Secure vCenter Server and ESXi | Objective 1.4 – Install VMware ESX/ESXi on SAN Storage |
| Identify common vCenter Server privileges and roles | Configure LUN Masking |
| Describe how permissions are applied and inherited in vCenter Server | Prepare SAN |
| Configure and administer the ESXi firewall | Configure FC or iSCSI HBA BIOS |
| Enable/Configure/Disable services in the ESXi firewall | Enable BIOS |
| Enable Lockdown Mode | Select Boot LUN |
| Configure network security policies | Install VMware ESX/ESXi |
| View/Sort/Export user and group lists | Determine boot LUN size in a given situation |
| Add/Modify/Remove permissions for users and groups on vCenter Server inventory objects | |
| Create/Clone/Edit vCenter Server Roles | |
| Add an ESXi Host to a directory service | |
| Apply permissions to ESXi Hosts using Host Profiles | |
| Determine the appropriate set of privileges for common tasks in vCenter Server | |
| Objective 1.5 – Identify vSphere Architecture and Solutions | Objective 1.5 – Identify vSphere Architecture and Solutions |
| Identify available vSphere editions and features | Differentiate VMware platform products and editions |
| Explain ESXi and vCenter Server architectures | Understand the various datacenter solutions (View, SRM, Lab Manager, etc.) |
| Explain Private/Public/Hybrid cloud concepts | Explain ESX/ESXi architecture |
| Determine appropriate vSphere edition based on customer requirements | Compare and contrast bare metal vs. hosted architecture |
| Section 2 – Plan and Configure vSphere Networking | Section 2 – Configure ESX/ESXi Networking |
| Objective 2.1 – Configure vNetwork Standard Switches | Objective 2.1 – Configure Virtual Switches |
| Identify vNetwork Standard Switch capabilities | Understand Virtual Switch and ESX/ESXi NIC and port maximums |
| Create/Delete a vNetwork Standard Switch | Determine the vSwitch NIC teaming policy in a given situation |
| Add/Configure/Remove vmnics on a vNetwork Standard Switch | Determine the appropriate vSwitch security policies in a given situation |
| Configure vmkernel ports for network services | Create/Delete Virtual Switches |
| Add/Edit/Remove port groups on a vNetwork Standard Switch | Create Ports/Port Groups |
| Determine use case for a vNetwork Standard Switch | Assign Physical Adapters |
| Modify vSwitch NIC Teaming and failover policies | |
| Modify vSwitch security policy and VLAN settings | |
| Configure VMotion | |
| Objective 2.2 – Configure vNetwork Distributed Switches | Objective 2.2 – Configure vNetwork Distributed Switches |
| Identify vNetwork Distributed Switch capabilities | Understand ESX Host and port maximums for dvSwitches |
| Create/Delete a vNetwork Distributed Switch | Determine the virtual port group NIC teaming and fail-over policy in a given situation |
| Add/Remove ESXi hosts from a vNetwork Distributed Switch | Determine the appropriate virtual port group security policies in a given situation |
| Add/Configure/Remove dvPort groups | Create/Modify a vNetwork Distributed Switch |
| Add/Remove uplink adapters to dvUplink groups | Create/Modify Uplink Group settings |
| Create/Configure/Remove virtual adapters | Create/Modify dvPort Group settings |
| Migrate virtual adapters to/from a vNetwork Standard Switch | Add an ESX/ESXi Host ta vNetwork Distributed Switch |
| Migrate virtual machines to/from a vNetwork Distributed Switch | Add/Delete a VMkernel dvPort |
| Determine use case for a vNetwork Distributed Switch | Migrate Virtual Machines ta vNetwork Distributed Switch |
| Objective 2.3 – Configure vSS and vDS Policies | Objective 2.3 – Configure VMware ESX/ESXi Management Network |
| Identify common vSS and vDS policies | Modify Service Console IP Settings |
| Configure dvPort group blocking policies | Configure Service Console availability |
| Configure load balancing and failover policies | Configure DNS and Routing settings for an ESX Host |
| Configure VLAN settings | |
| Configure traffic shaping policies | |
| Enable TCP Segmentation Offload support for a virtual machine | |
| Enable Jumbo Frames support on appropriate components | |
| Determine appropriate VLAN configuration for a vSphere implementation | |
| Section 3 – Plan and Configure vSphere Storage | Section 3 – Configure ESX/ESXi Storage |
| Objective 3.1 – Configure Shared Storage for vSphere | Objective 3.1 – Configure FC SAN Storage |
| Identify storage adapters and devices | Identify FC SAN hardware components |
| Identify storage naming conventions | Identify how ESX Server connections are made tFC SAN storage |
| Identify hardware/dependent hardware/software iSCSI initiator requirements | Describe ESX Server FC SAN storage addressing |
| Compare and contrast array thin provisioning and virtual disk thin provisioning | Describe the concepts of zoning and LUN masking |
| Describe zoning and LUN masking practices | Configure LUN masking |
| Scan/Rescan storage | Scan for new LUNs |
| Identify use cases for FCoE | Determine and configure the appropriate multi-pathing policy |
| Create an NFS share for use with vSphere | Differentiate between NMP and third-party MPP |
| Connect to a NAS device | |
| Enable/Configure/Disable vCenter Server storage filters | |
| Configure/Edit hardware/dependent hardware initiators | |
| Enable/Disable software iSCSI initiator | |
| Configure/Edit software iSCSI initiator settings | |
| Configure iSCSI port binding | |
| Enable/Configure/Disable iSCSI CHAP | |
| Determine use case for hardware/dependent hardware/software iSCSI initiator | |
| Determine use case for and configure array thin provisioning | |
| Objective 3.2 – Configure the Storage Virtual Appliance for vSphere | Objective 3.2 – Configure iSCSI SAN Storage |
| Define SVA architecture | Identify iSCSI SAN hardware components |
| Configure ESXi hosts as SVA hosts | Determine use cases for hardware vs. software iSCSI initiators |
| Configure the storage network for the SVA | Configure the iSCSI Software Initiator |
| Deploy/Configure the SVA Manager | Configure Dynamic/Static Discovery |
| Administer SVA storage resources | Configure CHAP Authentication |
| Determine use case for deploying the SVA | Configure VMkernel port binding for iSCSI Software multi-pathing |
| Determine appropriate ESXi host resources for the SVA | Discover LUNs |
| Identify iSCSI addressing in the context of the host | |
| Objective 3.3 – Create and Configure VMFS and NFS Datastores | Objective 3.3 – Configure NFS Datastores |
| Identify VMFS and NFS Datastore properties | Identify the NFS hardware components |
| Identify VMFS5 capabilities | Explain ESX exclusivity for NFS mounts |
| Create/Rename/Delete/Unmount a VMFS Datastore | Configure ESX/ESXi network connectivity tthe NAS device |
| Mount/Unmount an NFS Datastore | Create an NFS Datastore |
| Extend/Expand VMFS Datastores | Objective 3.4 – Configure and Manage VMFS Datastores |
| Upgrade a VMFS3 Datastore to VMFS5 | Identify VMFS file system attributes |
| Place a VMFS Datastore in Maintenance Mode | Determine the appropriate Datastore location/configuration for given virtual machines |
| Select the Preferred Path for a VMFS Datastore | Determine use cases for multiple VMFS Datastores |
| Disable a path to a VMFS Datastore | Create/Configure VMFS Datastores |
| Determine use case for multiple VMFS/NFS Datastores | Attach existing Datastore tnew ESX host |
| Determine appropriate Path Selection Policy for a given VMFS Datastore | Manage VMFS Datastores |
| Group/Unmount/Delete Datastores | |
| Grow VMFS volumes | |
| Section 4 – Deploy and Administer Virtual Machines and vApps | Section 4 – Install and Configure vCenter Server |
| Objective 4.1 – Create and Deploy Virtual Machines | Objective 4.1 – Install vCenter Server |
| Identify capabilities of virtual machine hardware versions | Identify hardware requirements |
| Identify VMware Tools device drivers | Understand configuration maximums |
| Identify methods to access and use a virtual machine console | Determine availability requirements for a vCenter server in a given situation |
| Identify virtual machine storage resources | Determine appropriate vCenter Server edition |
| Place virtual machines in selected ESXi hosts/Clusters/Resource Pools | Determine database size requirements |
| Configure and deploy a Guest OS into a new virtual machine | Prepare/Configure vCenter Server database |
| Configure/Modify disk controller for virtual disks | Install vCenter Server using downloaded installer |
| Configure appropriate virtual disk type for a virtual machine | Install additional modules |
| Create/Convert thin/thick provisioned virtual disks | vCenter Guided Consolidation |
| Configure disk shares | vCenter Update Manager |
| Install/Upgrade/Update VMware Tools | vCenter Converter |
| Configure virtual machine time synchronization | Determine use case for vCenter Linked Mode Groups |
| Convert a physical machine using VMware Converter | |
| Import a supported virtual machine source using VMware Converter | |
| Modify virtual hardware settings using VMware Converter | |
| Configure/Modify virtual CPU and Memory resources according to OS and application requirements | |
| Configure/Modify virtual NIC adapter and connect virtual machines to appropriate network resources | |
| Determine appropriate datastore locations for virtual machines based on application workloads | |
| Objective 4.2 – Create and Deploy vApps | Objective 4.2 – Manage vSphere Client plug-ins |
| Identify vApp settings | Identify available plug-ins |
| Create/Clone/Export a vApp | Determine required plug-ins for a given application |
| Add objects to an existing vApp | Ensure permissions tinstall plug-ins |
| Edit vApp settings | Enable plug-ins after installation |
| Configure IP pools | |
| Suspend/Resume a vApp | |
| Determine when a tiered application should be deployed as a vApp | |
| Objective 4.3 – Manage Virtual Machine Clones and Templates | Objective 4.3 – Configure vCenter Server |
| Identify the vCenter Server managed ESXi hosts and Virtual Machine maximums | Identify the vCenter Server managed ESX Hosts and Virtual Machine maximums |
| Identify Cloning and Template options | Join ESX/ESXi Hosts tvCenter Server |
| Clone an existing virtual machine | Configure Guest OS Customization |
| Create a template from an existing virtual machine | Use datacenters and folders torganize the environment |
| Deploy a virtual machine from a template | Configure/Use Scheduled Tasks |
| Update existing virtual machine templates | Configure/Use Resource Maps |
| Deploy virtual appliances and/or vApps from an OVF template | Use Storage Reports/Storage Maps |
| Import and/or Export an OVF template | View/Manage Events |
| Determine the appropriate deployment methodology for a given virtual machine application | Configure vCenter Server settings |
| Configure vSphere Client settings | |
| Objective 4.4 – Administer Virtual Machines and vApps | Objective 4.4 – Configure Access Control |
| Identify files used by virtual machines | Create/Modify user permissions in vCenter |
| Identify locations for virtual machine configuration files and virtual disks | Create/Modify user permissions in ESX Server |
| Identify common practices for securing virtual machines | Restrict access tvCenter inventory objects |
| Hot Extend a virtual disk | Define vCenter predefined roles and their privileges |
| Configure virtual machine options | Create/Clone Edit roles |
| Configure virtual machine power settings | Assign roles tusers and groups |
| Configure virtual machine boot options | Describe how privileges propagate |
| Configure virtual machine troubleshooting options | Understand permissions as applied tuser and group combinations |
| Assign a Storage Policy to a virtual machine | |
| Verify Storage Policy compliance for virtual machines | |
| Determine when an advanced virtual machine parameter is required | |
| Adjust virtual machine resources (shares, limits and reservations) based on virtual machine workloads | |
| Section 5 – Establish and Maintain Service Levels | Section 5 – Deploy and Manage Virtual Machines and vApps |
| Objective 5.1 – Create and Configure VMware Clusters | Objective 5.1 – Create and Deploy Virtual Machines |
| Describe DRS virtual machine entitlement | Understand virtual machine hardware maximums |
| Create/Delete a DRS/HA Cluster | Create a virtual machine |
| Add/Remove ESXi Hosts from a DRS/HA Cluster | Determine appropriate SCSI adapter |
| Add/Remove virtual machines from a DRS/HA Cluster | Determine Virtual Disk type |
| Configure Storage DRS | Install/Upgrade/Configure VMware Tools |
| Configure Enhanced vMotion Compatibility | Create/Convert templates |
| Monitor a DRS/HA Cluster | Customize Windows/Linux virtual machines |
| Configure migration thresholds for DRS and virtual machines | Manage Customization Specifications |
| Configure automation levels for DRS and virtual machines | Deploy a virtual machine from a template |
| Create VM-Host and VM-VM affinity rules | Deploy a virtual machine using VMware vCenter Converter Enterprise |
| Enable/Disable Host Monitoring | Perform a Hot Clone |
| Enable/Configure/Disable virtual machine and application monitoring | Perform a Cold Clone |
| Configure admission control for HA and virtual machines | Perform System Reconfiguration |
| Determine appropriate failover methodology and required resources for an HA implementation | Deploy a virtual machine using Guided Consolidation |
| Perform Discovery | |
| Analyze discovered virtual machines | |
| Consolidate selected virtual machines | |
| Clone a virtual machine | |
| Import a virtual machine from a file/folder | |
| Objective 5.2 – Plan and Implement VMware Fault Tolerance | Objective 5.2 – Manage Virtual Machines |
| Identify VMware Fault Tolerance requirements | Configure/Modify virtual machines |
| Configure Fault Tolerance networking | Add/Hot Add virtual machine hardware |
| Enable/Disable VMware Fault Tolerance on a virtual machine | Grow virtual machine disks |
| Test an FT configuration | Determine appropriate disk format |
| Determine use case for enabling Fault Tolerance on a virtual machine | Connect virtual machines tdevices |
| Configure virtual machine options | |
| General Options | |
| Advanced Options | |
| Power Management Options | |
| VMware Tools Options | |
| Configure appropriate virtual machine resource settings | |
| Objective 5.3 – Create and Administer Resource Pools | Objective 5.3 – Deploy vApps |
| Describe the Resource Pool hierarchy | Determine whether a vApp is appropriate for a given situation |
| Define the Expandable Reservation parameter | Define Open Virtual Machine Format (OVF) |
| Create/Remove a Resource Pool | Import/Export a Virtual Appliance |
| Configure Resource Pool attributes | Build a vApp |
| Add/Remove virtual machines from a Resource Pool | Create/Add virtual machines ta vApp |
| Determine Resource Pool requirements for a given vSphere implementation | Edit vApp Properties |
| Evaluate appropriate shares, reservations and limits for a Resource Pool based on virtual machine workloads | Export vApps |
| Clone a vApp | Clone a vApp |
| Objective 5.4 – Migrate Virtual Machines | |
| Identify ESXi host and virtual machine requirements for vMotion and Storage vMotion | |
| Identify Enhanced vMotion Compatibility CPU requirements | |
| Identify snapshot requirements for vMotion/Storage vMotion migration | |
| Migrate virtual machines using vMotion/Storage vMotion | |
| Configure virtual machine swap file location | |
| Migrate a powered-off or suspended virtual machine | |
| Utilize Storage vMotion techniques (changing virtual disk type, renaming virtual machines, etc.) | |
| Objective 5.5 – Backup and Restore Virtual Machines | |
| Identify snapshot requirements | |
| Create/Delete/Consolidate virtual machine snapshots | |
| Install and Configure VMware Data Recovery | |
| Create a backup job with VMware Date Recovery | |
| Perform a test and live full/file-level restore with VMware Data Recovery | |
| Determine appropriate backup solution for a given vSphere implementation | |
| Objective 5.6 – Patch and Update ESXi and Virtual Machines | |
| Identify patching requirements for ESXi hosts and virtual machine hardware/tools | |
| Create/Edit/Remove a Host Profile from an ESXi host | |
| Attach/Apply a Host Profile to an ESXi host or cluster | |
| Perform compliance scanning and remediation of an ESXi host using Host Profiles | |
| Install and Configure vCenter Update Manager | |
| Configure patch download options | |
| Create/Edit/Delete an Update Manager baseline | |
| Attach an Update Manager baseline to an ESXi host or cluster | |
| Scan and remediate ESXi hosts and virtual machine hardware/tools using Update Manager | |
| Stage ESXi host updates | |
| Section 6 – Perform Basic Troubleshooting and Alarm Management | Section 6 – Manage Compliance |
| Objective 6.1 – Perform Basic Troubleshooting for ESXi Hosts | Objective 6.1 – Install, Configure and Manage VMware vCenter Update Manager |
| Identify general ESXi host troubleshooting guidelines | Determine installation requirements and database sizing |
| Troubleshoot common installation issues | Install Update Manager Server and Client components |
| Monitor ESXi system health | Configure update manager settings |
| Export diagnostic information | Configure patch download options |
| Create baselines | |
| Attach baselines tvCenter inventory objects | |
| Scan ESX hosts and virtual machines | |
| Remediate ESX hosts and virtual machines | |
| Stage ESX/ESXi Host updates | |
| Analyze compliance information from a scan | |
| Objective 6.2 – Perform Basic vSphere Network Troubleshooting | Objective 6.2 – Establish and Apply ESX Host Profiles |
| Verify network configuration | Create/Delete Host Profiles |
| Verify a given virtual machine is configured with the correct network resources | Import/Export Host Profiles |
| Troubleshoot virtual switch and port group configuration issues | Edit Host Profile Policies |
| Troubleshoot physical network adapter configuration issues | Associate an ESX host with a host profile |
| Identify the root cause of a network issue based on troubleshooting information | Check for Compliance |
| Objective 6.3 – Perform Basic vSphere Storage Troubleshooting | Apply Host Profiles |
| Verify storage configuration | Analyze configuration compliance information from a scan |
| Troubleshoot storage contention issues | |
| Troubleshoot storage over-commitment issues | |
| Troubleshoot iSCSI software initiator configuration issues | |
| Troubleshoot Storage Reports and Storage Maps | |
| Identify the root cause of a storage issue based on troubleshooting information | |
| Objective 6.4 – Perform Basic Troubleshooting for HA/DRS Clusters and vMotion/Storage vMotion | |
| Identify HA/DRS and vMotion requirements | |
| Verify vMotion/Storage vMotion configuration | |
| Verify HA network configuration | |
| Verify HA/DRS cluster configuration | |
| Troubleshoot HA capacity issues | |
| Troubleshoot HA redundancy issues | |
| Interpret the DRS Resource Distribution Graph and Target/Current Host Load Deviation | |
| Troubleshoot DRS load imbalance issues | |
| Troubleshoot vMotion/Storage vMotion migration issues | |
| Interpret vMotion Resource Maps | |
| Identify the root cause of a DRS/HA cluster or migration issue based on troubleshooting information | |
| Section 7 – Monitor a vSphere Implementation | Section 7 – Establish Service Levels |
| Objective 7.1 – Monitor ESXi, vCenter Server and Virtual Machines | Objective 7.1 – Create and Configure VMware Clusters |
| Describe how Tasks and Events are viewed in vCenter Server | Create new cluster |
| Identify critical performance metrics | Add ESX/ESXi hosts ta cluster |
| Explain common memory metrics | Configure High Availability basic/advanced settings |
| Explain common CPU metrics | Enable/Configure VM Monitoring |
| Explain common network metrics | Configure Distributed Resource Scheduler basic/advanced settings |
| Explain common storage metrics | Configure Distributed Power Management |
| Compare and contrast Overview and Advanced Charts | Configure Enhanced VMotion Compatibility |
| Configure SNMP for vCenter Server | Configure swap file location |
| Configure Active Directory and SMTP settings for vCenter Server | Analyze HA host failure capacity requirements |
| Configure vCenter Server logging options | Analyze HA admission control |
| Create a log bundle | Determine use cases for DRS automation levels and migration thresholds |
| Create/Edit/Delete a Scheduled Task | Determine use cases for DPM policies |
| Configure/View/Print/Export resource maps | |
| Start/Stop/Verify vCenter Server service status | |
| Start/Stop/Verify ESXi host agent status | |
| Configure vCenter Server timeout settings | |
| Monitor/Administer vCenter Server connections | |
| Create an Advanced Chart | |
| Determine host performance using resxtop and guest Perfmon | |
| Given performance data, identify the affected vSphere resource | |
| Objective 7.2 – Create and Administer vCenter Server Alarms | Objective 7.2 – Enable a Fault Tolerant Virtual Machine |
| List vCenter default utilization alarms | Identify FT restrictions |
| List vCenter default connectivity alarms | Evaluate FT use cases |
| List possible actions for utilization and connectivity alarms | Set up an FT network |
| Create a vCenter utilization alarm | Verify requirements of operating environment |
| Create a vCenter connectivity alarm | Enable FT for a virtual machine |
| Configure alarm triggers | Test an FT configuration |
| Configure alarm actions | Upgrade ESX hosts containing FT virtual machines |
| For a given alarm, identify the affected resource in a vSphere implementation | Objective 7.3 – Create and Configure Resource Pools |
| Determine Resource Pool requirements for a given situation | |
| Evaluate appropriate shares, reservations, and limits in a given situation | |
| Evaluate virtual machines for a given Resource Pool | |
| Create Resource Pools | |
| Set CPU resource shares/reservations/limits | |
| Set memory resource shares/reservations/limits | |
| Define Expandable Reservation | |
| Add virtual machines tpool | |
| Describe resource pool hierarchy | |
| Objective 7.4 – Migrate Virtual Machines | |
| Identify compatibility requirements | |
| Cite the three methods of virtual machine migration | |
| Determine migration use cases | |
| Compare and contrast migration technologies | |
| Migrate a virtual machine using VMotion | |
| Migrate a virtual machine using Storage VMotion | |
| Cold migrate a virtual machine | |
| Objective 7.5 – Backup and Restore Virtual Machines | |
| Describe different back-up/restore procedures and strategies | |
| Create/Delete/Restore Snapshots | |
| Install Backup and Recovery Appliance | |
| Install vCenter Data Recovery plug-in | |
| Create a backup job with vCenter Data Recovery | |
| Perform test and actual restores using vCenter Data Recovery | |
| Section 8 – Perform Basic Troubleshooting and Alarm Management | |
| Objective 8.1 – Perform Basic Troubleshooting for ESX/ESXi Hosts | |
| Understand general ESX Server troubleshooting guidelines | |
| Troubleshoot common installation issues | |
| Monitor ESX Server system health | |
| Understand how texport diagnostic data | |
| Objective 8.2 – Perform Basic Troubleshooting for VMware FT and Third-Party Clusters | |
| Analyze and evaluate VM population for maintenance mode considerations | |
| Understand manual Third-Party failover/failback processes | |
| Troubleshoot Fault Tolerance partial or unexpected failovers | |
| Objective 8.3 – Perform Basic Troubleshooting for Networking | |
| Verify VM is connected tthe correct port group | |
| Verify port group settings are correct | |
| Verify that the network adaptor is connected within the VM | |
| Verify VM network adaptor settings | |
| Verify physical network adaptor settings | |
| Verify vSphere network management settings | |
| Objective 8.4 – Perform Basic Troubleshooting for Storage | |
| Identify storage contention issues | |
| Identify storage over-commitment issues | |
| Identify storage connectivity issues | |
| Identify iSCSI software initiator configuration issues | |
| Interpret Storage Reports and Storage Maps | |
| Objective 8.5 – Perform Basic Troubleshooting for HA/DRS and VMotion | |
| Explain the requirements of HA/DRS and VMotion | |
| Verify VMotion functionality | |
| Verify DNS settings | |
| Verify the service console network functionality | |
| Interpret the DRS Resource Distribution Graph and Target/Current Host Load Deviation | |
| Troubleshoot VMotion using topology maps | |
| Troubleshoot HA capacity issues | |
| Troubleshoot HA redundancy issues | |
| Objective 8.6 – Create and Respond tvCenter Connectivity Alarms | |
| List vCenter default connectivity alarms | |
| List possible actions for connectivity alarms | |
| For a given alarm, analyze and evaluate the affected virtual infrastructure components | |
| Create a vCenter connectivity alarm | |
| Relate the alarm tthe affected components | |
| Objective 8.7 – Create and Respond tvCenter Utilization Alarms | |
| List vCenter default utilization alarms | |
| List possible actions for utilization alarms | |
| For a given alarm, analyze and evaluate the affected virtual infrastructure resource | |
| Create a vCenter utilization alarm | |
| Relate the alarm tthe affected resource | |
| Objective 8.8 – Monitor vSphere ESX/ESXi and Virtual Machine Performance | |
| Identify critical performance metrics (e.g., CPU ready, queue depth, etc.) | |
| Explain memory metrics (ballooning, shared, etc.) | |
| Explain CPU metrics (ready/wait time, etc.) | |
| Explain network metrics (usage, packet drops, etc.) | |
| Explain storage metrics (latency, queuing, etc.) | |
| Compare and contrast Overview and Advanced Charts | |
| Create an Advanced Chart | |
| Determine host performance using guest Perfmon |
Resources
- VMware Education: VMware Certified Professional
I have been studying for my vcap, but now im not sure if i should concentrate on the vcp to vcp 5 upgrade exam and then go back to the vcap.
From work, i need to get my citrix cca, so i dont have much time.
Not sure how to plan all this studying.
Hi Jitesh, my apologies on the late reply. This kinda goes without saying, but the certification path you choose is up to you 🙂
I do know that the VCP5 exam will not require a prerequisite VMware-approved class if taken before 2/29/2012. Depending on work/personal schedule, you may have time to knock out the VCAP(s) and then the VCP5 before 2/29/2012. That’s my plan, at least. The way I see it, VMware’s product catalog is growing at a good clip, so the VCAP from vSphere 4 will probably cover less material than the VCAP for vSphere 5. Plus, VMware certifications don’t expire per se, they just become less relevant over time. I’d expect that a VCP or a VCAP from vSphere 4 would still be relevant in the workplace for about 1-3 years. With those points in mind, my personal recommendation is to take both VCAPs if you can AND get the VCP5 before the class requirement kicks in.
From the blueprint: the VCP511 beta exam consists of 180 questions and a short pre-exam survey consisting of 8 questions.
From the VCP5 FAQs: the VCP510 exam consists of 85 questions and a short, pre-exam survey consisting of eight questions.
Any idea why the number of questions is different for VCP10 & VCP11?
Hi Ian, thanks for commenting. I’m only speculating, since I don’t have any insider access to the test creation process, but my guess is that VMware is building multiple versions of the VCP exam, or gathering data on easy -> hard questions that will help them balance the final version of the test, or both.