Trends in IT Certification: Virtualization
Date: Feb 23, 2011
The number of virtual technology implementations have skyrocketed in recent years. VMware virtual machines and Microsoft Hyper-V servers are cropping up all over, as are Citrix XenServers and XenDesktops. These solutions are a mainstay for many enterprises, and are gaining traction in small environments as each new virtual platform becomes less expensive and easier to use. Big or small, companies are quick to realize the many benefits of virtualization—such as green IT, cost savings, and the competitive advantages inherent in a scalable infrastructure.
What began as a great environment for development and testing has become a complement or replacement for physical servers and desktops. Virtualization is here to stay, and is quickly pushing traditional client/server/workstation setups aside.
Let’s take a look at trends in the virtualization certification space, such as salary potential, training opportunities, job searching tips, and, finally, a look at the most popular programs and certifications.
Salary
According to job and salary sites like Indeed.com and Dice.com, salaries for careers in virtualization continue to grow. The average salary for virtualization experts in 2009 was just under $85,000. Today, a virtualization certification should put you near or firmly into a low six-figure salary, making it one of the highest wages in IT. An operations administrator makes $86,000 to $106,000, depending on location; virtual storage engineers often command over $125,000. (A quick search of Indeed.com showed the highest paying virtual storage engineer position starting at $161,000.) It’s clear that specializing in virtualization can be a good career choice, salary-wise.
Training
Many more vendor-specific training options are available now than even a year ago, but vendor-neutral opportunities remain meager. Although “virtualization” is a general topic conceptually (like security), virtualization is still very much tied to particular operating systems and environments.
For training on a specific platform, visit the vendor’s website first. Then look at other training companies such as Train Signal and Global Knowledge to compare offerings. Regardless of which source offers such training, expect to pay $1,000 or more per day in the classroom (or for per-day equivalents online).
Job Search
Looking for a new job in virtualization or cloud computing? You’ll want to choose your search terms carefully. Job titles in virtualization include virtualization specialist or administrator, SAN/virtualization architect, and data center virtualization systems analyst. However, counter to logic, using “virtualization” or even “virtual” as a keyword on job sites won’t necessarily turn up all jobs related to virtualization technology. Some job postings don’t even list “virtual” in their titles or descriptions, focusing instead on a company or product name. That makes sense when an employer is looking for a specific skill set. Having to determine and use several keywords makes it bit harder on you, the job seeker, but not impossible. Be sure to work your way around the subject during your search process.
The Programs
The heavy hitter in the virtualization arena is VMware, with Microsoft and Citrix competing for market share. However, all three vendors have highly developed and focused cert programs.
VMware offers three certifications, based on the company’s vSphere and vCenter Server products: the VMware Certified Professional (VCP), the VMware Certified Advanced Professional (VCAP), and the VMware Certified Design Expert (VCDX). The VCP requires one exam, which costs $175. Many people consider the VCP exam to be more difficult than other entry-level virtualization cert exams because of the large number of technologies and concepts tested. The VCAP requires VCP certification plus one exam. The VCDX requires a VCAP and a detailed application, plus documented work experience.
Citrix virtualization certifications focus on Citrix XenServer, XenDesktop, and XenApp solutions. Candidates can earn the Citrix Certifed Enterprise Engineer (CCEE) for Virtualization, or the Citrix Certified Integration Architect (CCIA) for Virtualization. The CCEE is actually more of an administration cert, while the CCIA recognizes individuals who design high-end implementations and analyze operations. Both certs require high skill levels and serious experience, and require candidates to pass a single exam that costs $300.
The Microsoft certifications that include virtualization topics are the Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) and Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP). Three MCTS certs focus on server and/or desktop virtualization and configuration, and require you to pass one exam each. (Microsoft exams cost $125 each.) MCTS certs build toward the MCITP, which also requires two to three years of experience. The MCITP Windows Server 2008, R2, Virtualization Administrator credential requires you to pass three exams: two virtualization-related MCTS exams and a virtualization administration exam.
Because virtualization is now embedded in so many IT infrastructures around the world, many certs that formerly focused on specific hardware or operating systems now include virtualization topics as well. For example, the latest Oracle Solaris 10 System Administrator Certified Professional exam includes a virtualization component. Red Hat currently offers one virtualization-related cert: the Red Hat Certified Virtualization Administrator (RHCVA). In addition, Cisco upgraded some of its certs in 2009 to include virtualization topics, mainly to coincide with the rollout of its Unified Computing System— Cisco’s “data center in a box” virtualization solution. Related certs include the Cisco Data Center Unified Computing Support Specialist and the Cisco Data Center Unified Computing Design Specialist. Look for Cisco to greatly expand its certification offerings once it rolls out its own servers specifically for virtualization.
In 2011 and later, we won’t be at all surprised to see more virtualization credentials make the scene, including the various vendors we’ve already mentioned who have existing programs. But we’re also sure that other certification sponsors will climb on this bandwagon, possibly even including some vendor-neutral offerings as well. One thing’s absolutely certain: as use of virtualization technology grows, so does the impetus to certify IT professionals to work with that technology.