VDCA550 Done looking for next step

[scotland81]

I just want to know what do you suggest after VDCA550 passed, Is time to go for VCAP5-DCD, or you suggest any new certification?

My goal is to keep groving at server side (for now I don't want client or network certs).

[npadmani]

personally I would advise,

if you want to be more towards vmware's DCV track, next step is VCAP5-DCD.

that way you will have Administration + Design.

as you mentioned you don't want client (I guess you are talking about VCP-DT, Horizon View etc) or network ( VCP-NV NSX).

How about going towards Cloud? I would also recommend exploring vRealize Automation see if that is of your interest.

[scotland81]

I will take a look to vRealize Automation, thanks for the suggest.

I think I will go for VDCD550, I suppose it is not going to be retired for a long time?

[RyanH84]

Hi,

I think rounding off your data center skill set track would be very good as you have the VCAP-DCA now!

I also have the DCA in 5.5 and am waiting for the release of the VCIX6-DCD exam. Once you take the version 6 design exam, you can combine that with the 5.5 DCA exam to become a full VCIX6-DCV!

Good luck with the vRealize Automation study though, there is a definite movement in the market towards these skills!

[scotland81]

So you think I better wait for VCIX6-DCD exam?? Is there a release date?

I really want to start preparing something I like to be motivated by something!

Thanks for your answer.

[RyanH84 · Accepted solution]

Well, I passed my VCAP5-DCA exam in March and I took the decision to wait for the VCIX6-DCD exam to come out. That will save effort in the long run as if you have 2 VCAP5 qualifications, you still need to pass a DCA or DCD in VCIX6 when it comes out. If you wait, you can pass just the new DCD when it is out and instanlty combine both to be VCIX6-DCV!

I personally, don't think it will be too long. I'm hoping maybe some announcements by the time VMworld comes around this year. It might be worth asking Josh Andrews, although he might not be able to say yeq

The DCD appears to require a lot of Design experience and theoretical knowledge; involving white papers, best practices and recommended architectures. It is a very "reading" intensive exam with multiple choice questions and some design, Visio drawing style questions.6

I think you could start preparing for it now, even based from 5.5 blue print. When the 6 blue print comes out, check what is different and know that material too. There is a lot to cover so starting early is always going to benefit you in the long run.

[scotland81]

I think that is going to be my road map. I will start preparing now and if VCIX6-DCD comes out I can go for it, and if I feel prepared before I can take 550.

Many thanks.

[npadmani]

Well, I passed my VCAP5-DCA exam in March and I took the decision to wait for the VCIX6-DCD exam to come out. That will save effort in the long run as if you have 2 VCAP5 qualifications, you still need to pass a DCA or DCD in VCIX6 when it comes out. If you wait, you can pass just the new DCD when it is out and instanlty combine both to be VCIX6-DCV!

I haven't come across any official vmware post (or may be I didn't put enough efforts to find one) about combining VCAP5-DCA and VCIX6-DCV Design exam to achieve VCIX6-DCV. It would be really helpful if vmware consider that though.

[Dan_Johnson]

There's an offical blog post here by Paul Sorensen where it's mentioned

http://blogs.vmware.com/education/2015/03/migration-paths-v5-certification-v6.html

[npadmani]

that's great.

Thanks for taking time out to find the article and post the link here.