VMware is about to end its current certification upgrade program whereby current VMware Certified Professionals (VCPs) with VMware Infrastructure 3 (VI3) certifications can simply take the new VCP 4 exam, rather than being forced to sit through yet another training class. But those interested in upgrading in this way need to act quickly, because the promotion is set to expire by year's end. After that, you'll have to endure more classroom training, specifically a two-day "What's New" course that will run you about $1,500.
Those virtualization administrators without an existing certification who want to get certified on VMware vSphere 4 must take a four- or five-day training course prior to being allowed to sit for the exam. And these classes start off around $3,000.
[ VMware releases SRM 4.0, which now supports vSphere 4, NFS, and vCenter Linked Mode | To learn more about vSphere 4.0, see InfoWorld's "The once and future virtualization king." ]
At that investment price, people will have to ask themselves if it is worth it or not. Upgrading before the end of the year or before the upgrade program goes away seems like a no-brainer if you have a VCP3, have the time, and also have the latest vSphere 4 product knowledge. Otherwise, you might question its importance and whether or not you really need it.
When asked about the certification's importance, Jase McCarty, a Sr. Systems Engineer for a Fortune 500 company, a VMware vExpert, and a VMware VCP himself, said, "It is important, provided the individual displays experience that goes along with the certification. Without experience, the certification does not hold the same weight."
VMware ESX Server had been around for years before this certification first popped up on the radar screen, and that didn't happen until the technology itself became more mainstream and less voodoo-like technology with organizations. But along with the addition of the VCP came the age-old argument about certification versus practical experience and the problems associated with a "paper cert" -- where someone takes the training and passes the test but has no real hands-on knowledge or experience with the product.
McCarty says substance of the person far outweighs the certification. Those holding a certification may be knowledgeable, but when push comes to shove and they are in a critical situation, oftentimes they don't have the proper troubleshooting skills needed that come with practical hands-on experience.
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