Is this the right learning path to get into virtualisation?

[kopkingkenny]

I've just done my MCITP and wanted to get into virtualsation. I've been told mixed things from different people in regards to learning paths. One person said do exchange next then go onto do EMC san storage, and another said go straight into Vsphere install, manage & configure.

Can some here perhaps advise the best route for me? I don't want to end up paying to go on the vsphere install, manage.... only to find out I should have done some training on SAN storage prior.

Also to what level of networking is required for the VCP? Is it basic networking say up to CCENT level or is higher required?

Thanks

[ChrisDearden]

I wouldn't have said a particularly high level of networking was needed. I don't have a single Network Cert to my name but hold 2 VCP's and both VCAP's

going on some SAN vendor specific training would be a great idea if you were about to do a big deployment on that hardware , otherwise some general work around iSCSI and NFS would possibly be helpfull ( plenty of stuff you can do in a home lab with free software )

I'd go straight into ICM.

[bulletprooffool]

You're spreading yourself quite thinly.

It is handy to have loads of certifications, but unfortunately focusing on too many technologies and not really mastering any is only going to find you 'generalist' roles.

In most cases, you find people that have such large amounts of diverse skillsets working for smaller companies that need someone that can do a bit of everything.

If you're looking at a career path and would like to earn more, I'd pick a particular stream and 'specialise'

I work mainly in large banks - we have an Exchange Team, We have a Wintel team, We have an Active directory Team and we Have a VMware team.

I regularly interview - and am more impressed by CVs that show certifications that specialise in a particular field, rather than hold a handful of low end certs.

e.g.

Someone who is MCSE, VCP, Exchange certified and CCNA would be less likely yo land a 'specialist' role than someone who is

CCNA, CCNP, CCIE (ir whatever your particular direction is)

Good luck with your studies . . and whatever you do . .DO NOT BRAINDUMP - you'll be cheating yourself and it will show when you go to interviews

[kopkingkenny]

Thanks for the response, and one above. Both are very helpful. I want to make VMware my specialist topic so only really done the mcitp to get to grips with configuring a windows server environment. But the problem I have is so many people tell me different things, do exchange, you need to have exchange otherwise it's pointless doing AD, do EMC, you won't understand what LUN's are ect... so it's hard to sift through it all to find out what I actually need to be doing.

However you guys seem to have cleared that up somewhat.

I have downloaded some nuggets from the series 'Mastering VMWare Vsphere 4.0'. I know it's a slightly older version but i'll give these a run through first before get into the IMC.

Thanks again

[AndreTheGiant]

I suggest to also try to start with a small lab to be able to repeat the course exercises.

Andre

[bulletprooffool]

No probkem - and good luck with your studies and career.

Also, register for software downlaod - you'll be able to download trial versions of all th VM tool syou need to set up a lab (even on your laptop /. desktop)

You can install ESX(i) on VMware workstation - so start with a VM workstation, with an ESxi host installed on that . . or 2