How to get a VMware (VCP) Certification: Complete Guide

VMware Certified Professional (VCP) certifications are designed for IT professionals to support VMware infrastructure and related products.

What is VMware?

A virtual representation of a real computer, hardware platforms, storage devices, and network resources is created through the technological process called virtualization.

Virtualization is becoming more widespread across businesses as it improves efficiency, eases administration, and reduces costs.

The most popular virtualization platform worldwide is VMWare. VMware has a market share of 12.08%, according to Statista. Organizations may manage their virtual infrastructure and accelerate digital transformation with VMware’s assistance.

The demand for certified virtualization professionals has been increasing yearly as businesses implement virtualization technology faster.

This article will discuss VMware’s numerous certifications, values, prerequisites, and other requirements for obtaining VCP certification.

What is a VCP Certification?

Do you want to distinguish out from the competition and attract employers with a stronger resume? If so, a certification could assist you in doing so.

VCP stands for VMware Certified Professional. In the virtualization industry, it’s one of the most prestigious and sought-after credentials. Professionals with the VMware Certified Professional (VCP) designation can demonstrate VMware products and have a working knowledge of how to use them and solve issues.

The objectives of the VMware Certified Professional are to provide the best services by adhering to the best practices to implement VMware platforms across companies.

VCP’s primary responsibilities are as follows:

• Support, configures, organize, and maintain data center virtualization
• Automating complex daily tasks to improve the vSphere environment of VMware
• Setup, administration, and management of NSX virtual networking
• Utilizing VMware Horizon for designing, setting up, and administering Digital Workspace solutions.
• Putting security measures into practice in VMware cloud application modernization to gain from contemporary computing platforms and infrastructure

No other certification will provide you more value for your money if you want to demonstrate your expertise in VMware products or pursue accreditation as a VCP expert.

In light of this, obtaining your VCP certification is an excellent method to boost your career and resume. Being VCP certified can provide you a competitive advantage when searching for jobs because many employers value this credential.

What are the VMware certifications that precede and come after VCP?

VMware has widened its horizon to reach every aspect of cloud and virtualization and to support its various components and technologies following specialized certifications designed: 

VMware Certified Advanced Professional (VCAP)-Design: Architects, administrators, and engineers should earn the VMware Certified Advanced Professional (VCAP) certification to manage, implement, and optimize VMware vSphere infrastructures.

VMware Certified Advanced Professional (VCAP)-Deploy: The certification attests to your proficiency in setting up and enhancing VMware vSphere environments.

VMware Certified Design Expert (VCDX): VCDX certified professional offers the best possible performance and availability from VMware infrastructure and applications. It is a top-tier certification created for architects installing business-level solutions.

Besides this, there are various other specializations that VCP professionals can opt for: few of them are listed below:

• VMware Certified Specialist (vSAN)
• VMware Certified Specialist Cloud Provider
• VMware Certified Specialist AWS
• VMware Specialist vRealize Operations
• VMware Certified Cloud Foundation
• VMware Certified Master Specialist
• VMware Certified Data Center Implementation Expert
• VMware Certified Specialist with Tanzu

What are the different types of VCP Certification?

VMware Certified Professionals validate the critical skills required to integrate and manage different technological aspects to deliver optimum performance.

VMware has various VCP Certifications to support multiple technology areas, such as:

#1. Data Centre Virtualization (VCP-DCV)

The Data Center specialty of the VMware Certified Professional provides a reliable and secure VMware architecture. The certification verifies a candidate’s proficiency in using best practices to manage and support vSphere infrastructure.

#2. Network Virtualization (VCP-NV)

This certification verifies a person’s proficiency with installing, configuring, and managing NSX virtual networking. The VCP-NV certified professional supports the virtual networking and security components.

#3. Cloud Management and Automation (VCP-CMA)

This certification attests to the holder’s expertise with VMware’s vRealize Suite cloud management software. Lifecycle Manager, vRealize Operations, automation, and log analytics are all-suite components.

#4. End-User Computing (VCP-DTM)

This certification holder ensures the ability to offer end-user computing solutions such as the professional support of VMware Horizon environments, including support for virtual desktops, applications, and online services.

#5. Security (VCP – Security)

The certified specialist has the knowledge and expertise to support VMware’s security solutions. It verifies the candidate’s management skills for VMware Carbon Black Cloud, Workspace ONE, and the NSX-T Data Center.

#6. Application Modernization (VCP-AM)

It confirms the applicant’s proficiency in basic cloud-native capabilities like containerization, Kubernetes, and application modernization. Additionally, it showcases management abilities for VMware Tanzu and related systems like Kubernetes Grid and Mission Control.

#7. Digital Workspace (VCP-DW 2022)

This accreditation relates to VMware’s digital workspace platform. It verifies that the holder can support end-to-end tasks, such as maintaining and improving the infrastructure to ensure that the digital workspace runs smoothly.

VCP Coursework and Examination Fee

Every VCP certification must meet a set of criteria per VMware certification policy.

Candidates must complete below stated training if they are planning to achieve Data Center Virtualization (VCP-DCV) certification.

• VMware vSphere: Install, Configure, Manage [V7] OR
• VMware vSphere: Optimize and Scale [V7] And
• Professional VMware vSphere 7. x (2V0-21.20)

We’ll examine the courseware details for VMware vSphere: Install, Configure, Manage [V7] from the above two and Professional VMware vSphere 7. x (2V0-21.20).

VMware vSphere: Install, Configure, Manage [V7]: The main topics of this course are extensive hands-on training about installation, configuration, and management of VMware vSphere 7, including VMware ESXi 7 and VMware vCenter Server 7. In this course, you will learn how to manage a vSphere infrastructure for any size firm.

At a broad level, this course comprises of following contents:

• vCenter Server and virtual machines
• Setting Up and Managing Virtual Networks and Virtual Storage
• Virtual Machine Administration
• Resource Monitoring and Management
• Clusters in vSphere
• cLifecycle Management for vSphere

The course’s detailed materials are available on VMware vSphere.

Professional VMware vSphere 7. x (2V0-21.20): A professional’s proficiency in managing, implementing, and troubleshooting a VMware vSphere 7 infrastructure, which includes VMware ESXi 7 and VMware vCenter Server 7, is validated by passing the exam.

VCP Examination Fee

Depending on your location and currency, the examination fee could change. In the US, the Data Center Virtualization (VCP-DCV) certification costs $250.

VMware charges $4250 to take the prerequisite course, “VMware vSphere: Install, Configure, Manage [V7]”. But there is a good chance that another supplier will offer this training for less money.

The Professional VMware vSphere 7. x (2V0-21.20) exam costs $250.

Overview of the VCP Exam

VMware aims to ensure that professionals have the necessary experience and skills before enrolling in VCP certifications since VCP certifications are highly acknowledged and trustworthy.

To attend VCP certifications, VMware has established a set of requirements.

Candidates must follow the following certification path to take the Data Center Virtualization (VCP-DCV) exam:

Prerequisites

• Recommended to have 6 to 12 months of working experience with vSphere 7. x
• Required to attend one training course from VMware vSphere: Install, Configure, Manage [V7] (contents explained in above para) OR VMware vSphere: Optimize and Scale [V7].
• Pass the qualifying exam: Professional VMware vSphere 7. x (2V0-21.20)  (contents explained in above para)

Like Data Center Virtualization (VCP-DCV) certification, VMware has specified prerequisites for all VCP certifications to become VCP certified. VMware won’t give the certificate until all conditions are fulfilled.

Exam Duration

Data Center Virtualization (VCP-DCV) certification: Candidates must answer a total of 70 questions and the time allotted is 130 minutes. The passing score is 300.  

How to Schedule an Exam?

VMware examinations need to attempt either online or at VMware authorized testing center. As VMware’s authorized testing partner, Pearson VUE conducts and manages all VMware Certification examination appointments.

To register for the exam online, go to VMware Mylearn. After logging into its portal, you can search among the numerous exam testing centers.

What is the VCP certification validity, and What is the salary range for a VCP certified?

System administrator, Senior System administrator, System Engineer, and Enterprise Architect are just a few of the professions that VCP-certified individuals might have.

Depending on expertise, region, and employer, VCP professionals earn a wide range of salaries. According to Payscale, the income range for workers with a VCP certification is between $71k and $140k. A base salary of $101k is typical.

VCP Certification Validity

VMware first implemented a two-year recertification policy to guarantee that certification holders keep their abilities and have up-to-date information. In April 2019, VMware announced modifications to the VCP recertification procedure eliminating the two-year mandatory renewal requirement.

As a result, if you opt against upgrading to a more recent certification, your VCP certification will not lose its validity.

Due to the frequent updates to VMware products and solutions, upgrading certifications and recertifying are still crucial to maintaining current knowledge and abilities. VMware’s recertification policy will give you further information if you want to upgrade or recertify.

Resources to help with the exam or the required course

Professional VMware vSphere 7. x Exam VCP-DCV 2022

Udemy practice exam sessions will be helpful to you if you have already studied for the VCP-DCV certification and want to check your readiness.

The passing score on this practice test, which comprises six simulators and 356 total questions, is set at 90% and has a 150-minute time limit.

The questions have all been updated for April 2022 and are all extremely comparable to those on the VCP-DCV VMware test.

The practice test would be sufficient if you planned to take the VMware vSphere 7. x or VCP-DCV 2022 exam.

Complete Beginners VCTA-NV 2022

Beginners who wish to learn VMware NSX-T should enroll in this Udemy course.

The course material is fundamental to comprehending VMware NSX’s architecture and advantages.

The course also covers how NSX makes a data center more secure and makes Disaster Recovery possible.

This course will be helpful if you want to learn more about NSX and prepare for the VMware Network Virtualization (VCP-NV) certification.

The course covers a portion of the VMware test VCP-NV, including, among other things, essential components, NSX deployment, security policy, and distributed firewall.

VCP in Application Modernization (VCP-AM)

This Udemy course for the VCP in Application Modernization (VCP-AM) includes practice questions. Tanzu, VSphere, Kubernetes Grid, Mission Control, cluster lifecycle management, Role-Based Access Controls, security policies, and cluster inspections, among other things, are related to Application Modernization.

This course includes four practice sessions with 104 questions covering the seven basic Application Modernization fundamentals.

The VCP-AM (2V0-71.21) exam consists of 55 questions and should be answered within 130 minutes for a passing score of 300.

VCP-DCV for vSphere 7. x (Exam 2V0-21.20)

This revised VMware official handbook covers every aspect of the VCP-DCV certification. The goal of the book’s contents is to provide assessment, review, and practice so you can make sure you are completely ready for your certification exam.

The book includes quizzes, questions after each chapter to help readers understand essential topics, practice test software with exam-like questions, and a concluding chapter on preparation. The book offers templates and suggestions for scheduling and organizing study time.

The book covers the following relevant VCP-DCV exam topics:

• vSphere architecture and its features,
• Configuring and managing vSphere storage,
• Networking in a vSphere environment
• Monitoring and optimizing resources in a vSphere environment, Provisioning, migrating and supporting virtual machines in a vSphere environment, etc.

VMware NSX – Networking and Security Architecture

The basics of VMware NSX are covered in this online Coursera course. VMware NSX is a network virtualization and security platform.

This eight-week online course includes topics such as VMware vRealize Automation, Disaster Recovery, and Business Continuity, as well as the NSX architecture components, business value, and use cases.

In addition, the course provides practical experience with network virtualization.

Conclusion

The VMware technology impacts all facets of virtualization. Virtualization and cloud computing adoption is expected to increase as every organization strives to use the cloud to boost productivity and cut costs.

VMware-certified professionals are recognized as experts in reliably delivering VMware products and services across sectors. The VMware certification mentioned above will assist you in establishing and reaching new career heights.

Next, you can check out free resources to learn cloud computing.