Monday 6 April 2009

Is it worth doing the VI3 VCP when vSphere will be here soon?

Good question eh? The answer is yes, if you've either already attended a VI3 course, or will be attending a VI3 course soon.

The reason why? In my earlier post on the VCP on vSphere, I hinted that there would be a number of upgrade paths. Whilst nothing has been announced officially by VMware (yet), I can say that the path for an existing VCP on VI3 will be simpler than the path for those that have been trained on an official VI3 course but never took the VCP on VI3 exam.

Keep checking back here, or on the main Global Knowledge site, and all will be revealed as soon as we're allowed to say....

Scott.

8 comments:

  1. I am in this boat, and I think if I sit and pass VCP3 now, it saves me having to pay for the next VCP4 course rather than a refresher course. I dont think you can do the VCP3 course and sit VCP4 without getting VCP3 first. Confused?

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  2. When we moved from ESX 2 to VI3, the upgrade paths for the VCP were:

    1. If you were already a VCP on ESX 2, you could get the VCP on VI3 just by taking the VI3 exam. It was up to you to decide how to update your skills/knowledge to VI3.
    2. If you had been trained on ESX 2 but were not a VCP, you had to attend either a "What's New" course or a full course on VI3, and pass the VI3 exam.

    I hope that helps you make your decision.

    Scott.

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  3. This is applicable for me too - I'd prefer to take the course/exam on vSphere. I am looking at the VCP Install and Configure VI3 and two potential dates of the end of April or the beginning of June. Would it be worth holding out until June to see if the vSphere course has arrived?

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  4. If you want to be trained on vSphere too, the start of June might be too soon, just. You could do your VI3 course, then attend a "What's New" course (see older blog post) to upgrade your skills to vSphere.

    Or just wait for the full vSphere course and exam to be released.

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  5. The leap from VI3 to vSphere is the largest one yet. With enhanced vStorage, Fault Tolerance, greatly increased resource pool availability, Thin Provisioning, etc., the new features *and* enhancements to pre-existing features, make vSphere a totally different animal.

    I'd wait to take the complete vSphere Install/Configure course. Once this is out there will be a *huge* push to upgrade VMware users (and VI3 will no longer be sold).

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  6. I would certainly agree that vSphere 4 is a big step from VI3, and in the next few weeks both the What's New upgrade course (2 days) and the Install Configure Manager course (4 days) will become available. The Fast Track course will be about 4-6 weeks behind.

    From a certification perspective, getting the VCP on VI3 is still very worthwhile as it will take some time for vSphere 4 to be rolled out across most organisations, and the upgrade process (as discussed in another of my blog entries) for VCP from VI3 to vSphere 4 is simple until the end of 2009.

    I try to post information and opinion here that relates to what I am asked when I come into contact with VMware customers and partners.

    Scott.

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  7. Hi , I have a small question , I am new to vmware and want to pursue VCP4...here i am in a small dilemma .. is it good to sit for VCP3 first and then ake an upgrade or directly go for VCP4. please suggest. i am pretty good in vmware workstation.

    Arun N

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  8. Hi Arun,

    As you are new to the VMware products, I would definitely suggest going straight for VCP on vSphere 4. If you had been trained on VI3, or wanted to be trained on VI3, then my advice might be different.

    Best of luck,
    Scott.

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