Certification Profile: VMware Certified Design Expert for Datacenter Virtualization (VCDX-DCV)
Date: May 21, 2013
The VMware VCDX-DCV defense is required for certification as a VMware Certified Design Expert for Datacenter Virtualization. This in-person defense session will evaluate your knowledge on complex designs that use vSphere as the underlying technology platform. The in-person defense is approximately 3 hours in length and includes a 75 minute defense of your design, a 30 minute design scenario, and a 15 minute troubleshooting scenario. These sections evaluate your design skills, your knowledge and presentation of design considerations, design patterns, design skills, and troubleshooting skills as an architect.
Exam Details
- Exam Number: There is no exam number as this is a defense session.
- Types of questions: Dependent upon the design submitted and the scenarios used.
- Number of questions: n/a
- Time limit: 3 hours (75 minutes for defense of the submitted design, 30 minutes for the design scenario, and 15 minutes for the troubleshooting scenario)
- Passing Score: Pass/fail based upon scoring rubric
- How to register: Submit application and your design. The instructions, blueprints, and application forms can be found here. You will need to first register in MyLearn to get two links add to your “My Enrollments” page. There will be a link to the VCDX5-DCV Design Defense Blueprint [151283] and the VCDX5-DCV Handbook & Application [151286].
- Prerequisites: VCP-DCV, VCAP-DCA, VCAP-DCD, completed design
Upon acceptance, a fee of $300 is submitted with the application and design, and a first level review is done on your design to determine if scheduling can happen. Once review is complete and design is accepted, a second fee of $900 is submitted to schedule the defense. The latest information on the fees can be found at the VMWare website.
Trouble spots
Time management is likely the biggest challenge for a prepared candidate, because there are three fixed-time components to the defense. Each area has specific challenges.
The application must be complete and include specific details related to the creation of the design. If this is incomplete, the application will not be accepted and returned with a request to fill in the missing information. Be sure to include others that worked on the design with you as multiple individuals may submit the same design that they worked on collaboratively.
The design must include components listed in the corresponding VCDX blueprint. Candidates who do not add in missing areas cannot get scoring opportunities in those areas. This may require addition of fiction pieces with the corresponding requirements, constraints, assumptions, and risk. The design also must include conceptual, logical, and physical design areas.
The design defense is the first part of the VCDX defense. You should create a presentation that represents highlights of your design that can be covered in less than 15 minutes. Panelists typically wait until completion, but if you cover an area that a panelist has questions on, they will ask them at that point. Be clear in articulating your answer, but also be brief to ensure the panelists can get the other questions they have on your design answered.
The design scenario is the second part of the VCDX defense. Typical challenges for candidates include the following:
- Time pressure
- Challenges in developing a starting design in front of a customer
- Mistakes in understanding the requirements, constraints, and supporting information
- Not utilizing the information presented in the slides, or provided by the panelists in response to your questions
- Spending too much time in one design area when there are other critical areas that need to be addressed
- Unable to articulate what they are thinking
- Unable to articulate aspects of the design or technology used
- Not utilizing the white board which can be used for topology diagrams, notes, calculations, and design areas to focus on
The troubleshooting scenario is the third part of the VCDX defense. Some of the same challenges for candidates under the design scenario apply here. The following are in addition to those listed above:
- Unable to ask questions on technologies they need more information on
- Unable to identify multiple problem areas and focusing instead on only one specific area
- Unable to demonstrate a methodical approach in analyzing the provided information and working towards a solution
- Unable to identify whether a problem is rooted in the design or the implementation
There are also challenges waiting for the unprepared candidate in these areas:
- Scenario Technologies: Scenarios may include technology that a candidate is unfamiliar with. This may require the candidate to quickly learn through questioning the panelists.
- Operational Considerations: Understanding the operational considerations is essential for all three parts of the VCDX defense.
- Interoperability and Compatibility: Candidates must understand how multiple technologies work together, and understand both the strengths and weaknesses.
My Personal Experience as VCDX-001
As the first VCDX certified, there were several challenges that I faced. The biggest was the time required to prepare the materials and then prepare for the actual defense. Identifying what to include and how to integrate the different pieces for a full design submission was something that I felt comfortable with, but I needed to ensure the blueprint components were represented in the design. This required the addition of fictional pieces that had realistic requirements, constraints, and risks that demonstrated the same skills required for a real design project.
Another big challenge faced by the initial starting VCDX candidates was that we were breaking new ground in how the certification was being developed. Although there are similar architect-level certifications in other computing areas, we chose a new approach similar to a university graduate level defense of a thesis or dissertation. The development of the process and going through this as one of the first VCDX was a both interesting and challenging. In many ways, the original bar for the first candidates was set extremely high. At the time there were no boot camps. Our mock defense was one and the same as our real defense. I chose a design from one of my customers, expanded on the material to meet the blueprints, and worked to understand every aspect of my choices in detail. This included the integration points and the pros and cons of each design choice. I kept careful notes, along with the others defending, to provide guidance in the handbook and to also create the VCDX tips that eventually led to the VCDX Boot Camp book.
Preparation hints
In preparing for the defense there are several areas to focus on. Understand the VCDX blueprint and how they apply to design, implementation, and operation. If you are weak in any areas, it is in your best interest to learn those skills. It is also important to prepare for the defense of your submitted design by reviewing it with others. Doing this in a study group or a VCDX mock defense has led to success by many candidates.
Running a VCDX mock defense is a very effective way for groups of candidates to work together, learn the skills needed, and support each other as they step through the process. The VCDX Boot Camp book includes example scenarios for both design and troubleshooting with details on the approach a VCDX would take to develop a solution. Each candidate can learn from each other especially when each has different strengths and weaknesses.
Ensure that you include all aspects of the VCDX blueprint in the design you submit. This ensures maximum scoring opportunities.
Recommended Study Resources
There are many classes in support of VMware classes. Focus on the training that is related to the VCDX track that you are testing for.
Books that cover design using the technologies for the VCDX track can be used to help make specific design decisions.
The VMware communities are a resource that many VCDX utilize as they continue to learn and work on new designs.
One of the best opportunities for preparing is to participate in one of the many VCDX boot camps that are offered by VMware. When I created the VCDX boot camp material I drew from the VCDX Tips series that I had been leading on Twitter. These are archived on Duncan Epping’s blog. The boot camp simulates a real defense minus the defense of your submitted design. It focuses on covering what you need to do for the defense, tips on design selection, and the scenarios. Once you have gone through a boot camp you can run your own mock defense with others. At that time you can add in the mock defense of your submitted design.
Where to go from here
Complete your design and include all areas of the VCDX blueprint. Review with others and ensure that every component of your design is validated. Complete the application and your design, then submit these for processing. Once accepted, schedule your defense session.
Once you have completed the VCDX of your choice, consider expanding by submitting an application and design for one of the other VCDX pathways. Completion of two or more VCDX certifications earns the distinction of a master VCDX.
Thank you for reading and may you be successful in achieving your goals.