What is cheapest way to get qualification for VCP exam ?

[tamuxu]

I googled for cheap VCP required training and I found only below link.

Re: Cheapest VMWare VCA or VCP VSphere 5.x training?

What is cheapest way to get qualification for VCP exam ?

[scott28tt]

My response in that thread is still valid - here's a list of the current VMware IT Academy participants: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0At5YcMvz2XzJdHFCSVJWcUEzaGpPZ2pxd0taVXVJcnc#gid=0

What they offer will meet the training requirement for the VCP.

You can learn a lot more here: (VCP5-DCV) VCP-Data Center Virtualization

[JoshuaAndrewsVM]

Acheive CCNA, pass VCP-NV, pass VCP5-DCV.

No class requirement for that path until March '15

[tamuxu]

Thank you.

Where is the document written about below ?

>Acheive CCNA, pass VCP-NV, pass VCP5-DCV.

>No class requirement for that path until March '15

[TomHowarth]

follow the link below: it is option 3 and it is only valid until the 28th February 2015.

VCP-NV

[tamuxu]

Thank you.

Do you mean after passing VCP-NV, follow "Path 2: If you have any valid VCP certification" of  VCP5-DCV for VCP5-DCV ?

[TomHowarth]

once you have your CCNA and your VCP-NV you are a certified VCP and as such you will no longer have any requirement to sit a course. and can sit any subsequent VCP exam, VCP-DCA, VCP-DT or VCP-Cloud/IaaS by paying PearsonVue your money and sitting the exam.

[scott28tt]

Ah yes, the CCNA back door option - I forgot about that.

So the full journey will be:

1. Achieve your CCNA - CCNA Routing and Switching - IT Certifications and Career Paths - Cisco Systems

2. Path 3 of this page VCP-NV

3. Path 2 of this page (VCP5-DCV) VCP-Data Center Virtualization

I would look into the VMware IT Academy path too, some of their courses are very cost effective. But, they often have policies related to their students doing self-funding (rather than their employer paying the fees).

[steveplz]

I don't know if conditions have changed but getting the VCP-NV without attending training does not get you a VCP that you can use to avoid the pre-requisite training for VCP-DV. Take a look at Path 2 at the VCP-DV link and note the * at the end of the line.

(VCP5-DCV) VCP-Data Center Virtualization

Path 2: If you have any valid VCP certification.*

Scroll to the bottom of the page and you'll find a nasty surprise.

*VCP-NV is not eligible as a prerequisite for any additional VCP or VCAP certifications unless the VMware course requirement had been successfully completed.

As a CCIE in R&S since 1999 I sat the VCP-NV as a starting point to get into VMware and avoid the annoying training requirement. I'm normally in Australia but currently taking a break from work to spend time with the family in Czech Republic so wanted to put the time to good use and knock over a couple of certs. I came heavy laden with my Retina Macbook Pro 16Gb ram and a Mac Mini with 16Gb ram to set up my portable study lab.

Looks like VMware have put the kibosh on my plan to move onto VCP-DCV next as I don't fancy forking out thousands of $ from my pocket to sit a course I have no need to attend. Not that I wouldn't learn anything on the course but there's nothing there that I can't find resources for to teach myself. Besides I never just study the course content when there are so many interesting side tracks you find while searching for useful reading material. This is part of the journey I enjoy.

Sorry to VMware but I have to say the course attendance is nothing more to me than a VMware Club joining fee. Not sure if I'm willing to pay the steep price at this point.

[JoshuaAndrewsVM]

Classes that meet the training requirement for VCP certifications:

VCP5-DCV:

vSphere: Install, Configure, Manage [V5.5]

vSphere: Fast Track [V5.5]

vSphere: Optimize & Scale [V5.5]

vSphere: Troubleshooting Workshop [V5.1]

vSphere with Operations Management: Fast Track [V5.1]

Assuming you know all of this material you might consider spending the $4k+ on a class in an area you are not as familiar with. Pass the exam for that cert, then jump to the VCAP5s. You'll inherit VCP5-DCV after passing either.

VCP-Cloud

vCloud Automation Center: Install, Configure, Manage [V6.0] or [5.2]

vCloud Director: Install, Configure, Manage [V5.5]

VCP5-DT/VCP6-DT

VMware Horizon (with View): Install, Configure, Manage [V6.0]

VMware Mirage [V5.0] and Horizon with View [V6.0]: Fast Track

VMware Horizon View: Install, Configure, Manage [V5.2]

VMware View: Desktop Fast Track [V5.1]

VCP-NV

VMware NSX: Install, Configure Manage

VMware NSX Fast Track for Implementation Experts

Any of the classes can be used to meet the training requirement for their VCP certification. Once you achieve one VCP cert you can then take any other VCP or VCAP/VCIX exam to add that certification.

[garf]

@steveplz - yep, I have to agree.  The course requirement is a "cost of entry" and adds nothing to the certification.  After retaining VCP through vSphere 4 and 5, my VCP5 just expired and I'm unlikely to spend 000's on a course just to get it back.  Nothing on the course that I need, just as you say.  Shame on you VMware.

[scott28tt]

You have the option of taking the shorter/cheaper "What's New" class for vSphere 6.0 or 6.5, rather than a full class.

Passing an exam and not letting your VCP expire would have been more simple and the cheapest option, but at least there is still a better path available than if you had never been certified before.

Or, of course, you have the choice of not renewing.

[l0r3zz]

VMware is loosing big on this. I worked for VMware for over 4 years, had a VCP-3,4,5 and a VCP-NV. Worked for two years as a NSX Solutions Architect. Waited too long, took the VCP-6 exam and didn't pass. Then everything expired. I'm not going to pay $2000+ for a stupid course where the value of the content is only worth a fraction of that price, plus I have to pay more to sit for this exam. For half the price spent,  I Got GCP Professional Certification and AWS Professional Certifications, which are much more useful to me now in my daily function as a Professional Services/Solutions Architect.

VMware, are you listening?

To bad. I have a fondness and an allegiance to VMW as a company, worked there when Diane was at the helm... Well I guess I'm kinda working for Diane once again

[TheJohnBailey]

Certifications of ANY kind are only worth what they return.

Some folks are hired, get raises/bonuses, or avoid layoffs by having appropriate certs.  It's not a given.  And for every company that values a given cert, there are probably two that want a different one.

Blaming VMware for your life choices is not the best path.  And while you chose to differentiate yourself with GCP and AWS certs, those are not as valuable everywhere.

All certs are expensive.  Some cost many thousands of dollars to achieve and maintain.  Do your own homework on what best matches your own career and your employer's goals.

BTW, the VMware IT Academy offers training classes at a greatly-reduced rate (roughly $750 for vSphere 6.0 ICM class and fees at my local school instead of as much as $6,500 for the regular corporate training).  I've read that Stanly College offers distance-learning classes for around $200. 

YMMV.