VCP course + certification in London?

khodos

khodos

khodos

Associate
Joined
4 Mar 2012
Posts
218
Hi guys,

I think there was a sysadmin thread, but I can't find it...

Short version
I want to run the VCP certification. Any recommendation about courses in London? If they course has something like a 1-month practice in a company that would be great (in my hometown, Malaga, this is kind of normal and you might get hired after the practice period)

Long version
I feel like I need to get this certification in order to keep progressing in my career: I'm kind of good troubleshooting, documenting and I have a broad skill set and exposure to a lot of technologies. The problem is that in some roles I worked with proprietary software, and in the others I didn't have really big responsibilities, so I'm not an expert in the main technologies that the market demands (like exchange, sql, citrix or vmware)

To give you an example, I've been working with virtualization since virtualbox 1 at home. I know how it works, I know how to set up a vm, the differences between NAT/Bridge/HostOnly networks, etc. but I don't know the specifics about using SAN in a vDataCenter, vSwitches or vLANs.

I've always skipped deskside roles because I love IT and I try to keep up to date regarding new technologies and solutions, even if I don't know the specifics. Because of this, I usually was the go-to-person in my team. And if you ask me something and I don't know it, it's likely that I will be able to give you an answer quicker than most people (sorry if this sounds arrogant, but after 5 years of working experience that's what always have happened)

So, again, I feel that this cert could help me to step into a 2nd line role with real prospects of progressing to a 3rd line role, or even better, getting an infrastructure role directly.

Thanks guys!
 
I did mine with QA but I got 50% off because i'm friendly with the sales guy.

With out any prior vmware knowledge or current experience you would be better off building your own vmware lab at home and use the course to fill in the more advanced features.

MW
 
ESXi is a far bigger beast than virtualbox but its good that you have a grounding when it comes to virtualisation and understand what is going on.

I did my VCP at QA like Mr-White, paid for by my employer so I don't know what it costs but I know they don't offer "practice placements" and I don't think I have heard of UK training centres that do.
 
So how was the experience in QA? Do you think they are good?

I know that ESXi is more complex than the old vmware server or vmware player (I have experience with them as well) but there is a lot of common ground in the basic stuff. I've also played with ESXi labs at home, creating clusters, etc. so I'm not a virgin in VMWare.

My idea is to sign up for a course in a month or so, and in the meantime, practice with a home lab and start reading vmware books.
 
What you need to work out is, will paying the £3k for the course get you a 2nd line job, you need to look at what the jobs locally are asking for.

MW
 
I attended a ESXi5 course with QA in London. Was excellent and also got a voucher for the exam.

Be warned though, the course is not all inclusive prep for the exam, you need to spend a fair amount of time working on a lab.
 
I did mine through Global Knowledge in Yate, and as others have said the course - even though it is a prerequisite to getting the VCP - is not enough on its own.

You'll need to spend time in a lab getting to know the ins and outs. :)

Cost (from memory) was around £3k for 5 days
 
You need to do the course or they won't let you sit the exam.

VCP is not the certification it once was, you need an advanced certification to stand out like VCAP or a View cert on top.

I've never heard of anywhere offering 'practice' placements, but you'll need experience to get a job. Chicken and egg really.
 
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