Study Advice VMware.

[steo2007]

I'm very interested in VMware and looking to teach myself prior to going on the course.(which I feel is quite expensive) So if I save the money to go on the course, I want to be sure I've prepared myself to really get the most I can out of it , prior to taking the exam. (currently going through a train signal video course on VMware Server and Workstation config etc and discusses a basic model of the implementation of virtualization in a small company)

I was wondering if there were any labs I could do to really get a feel for VMware and learn by installing, configuring, networking VMware hosts on my workstation at home? (also have small AD domain network, with 2 DC's, exchange server, workstation, laptop and Linux Firewall)

I have an AMD 64 dual core processor with 4GB of ram, 250GB sata disk. (currently running linux, VMware Server with 4 vmware hosts.)

I know that I will need to find a job that allows me to get a hands on experience with SAN\NAS\Datacentre storage to really get the experience I need... (some time in the near future, fingers crossed)

Is this the wrong approach? Should I try getting a junior position which can give me the hands on experience first?

Your expert advice will be appreciated!

[JDLangdon · Accepted solution]

The VI3 certification exam covers very little, if any, VMware Server or Workstation topics.

If you want to study you'll need a couple of Esx servers and a shared storage device.

Personally, I think you should look for a junior position. From my experience, having vendor certifications are useless without solid hands on experience.

Jason

[esiebert7625]

Hands on is definitely the way to go, you can only get so much out of reading things. I would recommend getting a junior position where you can play with as much hardware as you can and get real life experience. At the same time read as much as you can and use these forums to help you out. Here are some resources you can check out...

Training and Career advice for VMware - http://www.vmware.com/community/thread.jspa?messageID=703466

RapidApp's Quick Start guide to ESX 3.0 - http://www.lulu.com/content/712361

VMware ESX Server 2.5 Advanced Technical Guide - http://rapidapp.com/publications/VMware%20ESX%20Server%20Book.pdf

Vmware VI3 documentation - http://www.vmware.com/support/pubs/vi_pubs.html

Vmware TSX 2007 presentations - http://www.vmware-tsx.com/index.php?page_id=10

Vmworld 2006 presentations - http://www.vmware.com/communities/content/vmtn/vmworld/index.html

VMware Webinars (upcoming and older recorded ones) - http://www.vmware.com/events/webinars/

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Thanks, Eric

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[steo2007]

Thanks for the advice Jason.

I need to keep an eye out for the right position that can take me where I want to be.

Steve

[steo2007]

Eric

Your links and advice are much appreciated.

Many Thanks

Steve

[JDLangdon]

Sometimes Steve, in order to get where you want, you have to take a detour.

Jason

[Andrew_Judge]

Look for a job in a consulting company that turns green people brown and is obviously VIP or VAC. Get the certs and that will eventually get you the job. Get a crappy 1750 PE and start running host licenses. After the course - or before, put together a datacore SAN for dirt and read the manuals and understand iSCSI. Worry about FC and zoning later. I ran ESX for years and didn't know crap until I went to the training.

Tell me all you want about paper certs, but they translate to best practices with experience. There isn't crap about anything but ESX, so don't waste time on free server. You'd be better off looking at other products that do similar things unless you hell bent on VMware VIC.

I peel through hirings all the time. No certs and little experience = shredder. Some certs without much experience who is a whacko thinking he's gonna make 80k+ = shredder and blacklist.

Best regards,

Andrew Judge

MCSE: Security, RHCE, ACHDS, ACTC, CSSA, CCA, NCIE, A, Security, 3Com VoIP, VCP, VSP

CEO, Grove Networks Inc.

Microsoft Gold Certified Partner

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VMware VIP

Phone: 305.448.6126

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