{"id":225,"date":"2011-02-14T15:41:26","date_gmt":"2011-02-14T20:41:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/chriscolotti.us\/?p=225"},"modified":"2011-02-14T15:41:26","modified_gmt":"2011-02-14T20:41:26","slug":"vcdx-defense-tip","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/chriscolotti.us\/vmware\/vcdx-defense-tip\/","title":{"rendered":"VCDX Defense Tips"},"content":{"rendered":"
Well folks, last week at Partner Exchange 2011 marked the final sessions of the VCDX3 version of the defenses. \u00a0We now move onto VCDX4 in 2011 for those of you who are looking into this highest level of VMware certification I wanted to provide a little input. \u00a0First off I was amazed in a vCloud design workshop when asked who was planning on taking the certification how many hands went up. \u00a0What made it surprising is we also conducted two VCDX preparation workshops last Monday and the attendance was not even close to the number of people who “planned” on going through the process. \u00a0This got me thinking that people out there assume the defense is an easy thing to get through, otherwise why would so many people not come to the prep workshops? \u00a0It sounds like a silly question, but really why were more people not in the prep classes then?<\/p>\n
So here is my advise to those that are planning on taking the defense for VCDX4.<\/p>\n
At the end of the day remember that it is about justification as well as tying your requirements, constraints, and assumptions to the design. I cannot count how many times I have seen VCDX applications where the design decision was \u201cTo use DRS or not to use DRS\u201d. \u00a0Although this is a valid question let\u2019s be realistic\u2026..give me a darn good reason why you would not and make that a constraint of the design which would be an interesting talking point. However if it is just because it is a best practice, then that is not very interesting.<\/p>\n
A better example may be a constraint by the customer that their CMDB requires the application\/VM be tied to a Hostname not a cluster therefore DRS needs to be disabled. THAT is a good example of a constraint adding a requirement to the DRS design because it directly affects DRS OR having DRS in fully automated and the type of real considerations an Architect needs to address. That also affects the operational procedures for host downtime and maintenance procedures.<\/p>\n
Nothing I have stated here is a magic formula to pass the defense which I think is what some people are looking for. \u00a0Much of this to me is common sense, and really is stuff every good Architect should know. \u00a0I have not revealed anything hidden or violated the “Magician’s Code” in any way, and there is no “Holy Grail” of how to pass. \u00a0This is really about being yourself and allowing the panel to see what you know about VMware architecture.<\/p>\n
Below is the table that outlines the process from the VMware website which I am sure many people have seen. \u00a0I wanted to add this mainly for those that did pass the previous VCDX3 exams but never made it to a defense. \u00a0You still have to take and pass the VCAP-DCD exam to be considered for defending VCDX4 in front of a panel. \u00a0This was a common question we got last week during the prep workshops.<\/p>\n