Prepare to succeed at your VCDX panel defense and gain world-class knowledge for designing complex VMware environments   VMware Certified Design Expert (VCDX) is the highest level of VMware certification, achieved by dedicated  professionals who have demonstrated exceptional skill in VMware enterprise deployments. To earn a VCDX, professionals must create a complete enterprise VMware design and undergo an arduous defense at the hands of some of the world’s most sophisticated VMware experts.   Now, for the first time, there’s a comprehensive guide to VCDX defense: VCDX Boot Camp. Based on the legendary standing-room-only boot camps led by VCDX co-creator John Arrasjid, this guide captures the unsurpassed personal experience of three pioneering VCDX certification holders, program developers, and defense panelists.   John Arrasjid, Ben Lin, and Mostafa Khalil cover everything you need to know to prepare for certification. They demystify the entire VCDX defense process, clearly explain its format and prerequisites, and offer indispensable tips for maximizing your likelihood of success. Detailed chapters on both design and troubleshooting offer four complete scenarios explaining exactly what VCDX panelists will expect from  your defense.   Learn how to think like a VCDX, discovering powerful insights and best practices for designing your  own world-class virtualized environment.   Coverage includes      •    Authoritative preparation guidance (including expert insights into scheduling your preparation and defense)      •    Tips for conducting mock defenses, boot camps, and study sessions with your colleagues      •    How to select, create, and document a superior, defensible design      •    How to make design choices and incorporate design patterns that support the VCDX blueprint      •    How to confidently defend your skills in architecture, designing new solutions, and troubleshooting design or implementation flaws      •    Proven tips for responding to tough questions from panelists      •    Detailed example defenses of designs incorporating VCDX-DCV, VCDX-Cloud, and  VCDX-DT   vmwarepress.com vmware.com/go/vcdx  

Table of Contents:
Foreword xiii Introduction xvii About the Authors xxi About the Reviewers xxiii Acknowledgments xxv Chapter 1 Certifi cation Overview 1     VMware Certifi cation Program Framework 3     Certifi cation Tracks 5         VCDX for Datacenter Virtualization (VCDX-DCV) 7         VCDX for Desktop (VCDX-DT) 7         VCDX for Cloud (VCDX-Cloud) 8         The VCDX Process 9         Value Proposition 10     Review 11 Chapter 2 Preparation 13     Experience 14         What Demonstrates Design Expertise? 14         What Demonstrates a Lack of Design Experience? 15     The Application 16         Application Submission Process 17         VCDX Application 18     Creating a VCDX Study Group 21     Practice and Supporting Materials 21     VCDX Panelist Restrictions 21     Running a VCDX Panel Defense Boot Camp 22     Practice 22     Room Layout 23     Running the Defense Within a Set Timeline 24     Mock Defense Checklist 25     Review 25 Chapter 3 The Design 27     Assembling Your Design 28         VCDX Design Defense Blueprint 28         Method 32         Traceability 33         Resolving Confl icts 34         Sizes Matters Not 35         Design Artifacts 36         What Makes for a Good Design? 36         Conceptual Model 36         Logical Design 38         Physical Design 39         Justifi cation 39         Impact 39         Localization 39         Checklist: Design Selection and Content 40     Summary 40 Chapter 4 Defense Overview 43     The Interview Process 43     Before the Defense 44     Time Management 44     Panel Defense Participants 45     Environment 46     Panelists’ Perspective 46         Sitting in the Panelist Seat 46         Panelist Qualifi cations 47         Panelist Preparation 47         Panelist Expectations 47     Notifi cation of Results 47 Chapter 5 Design Defense 49     Design Overview Presentation 50         Example Presentation Slides 51         Reference Material 53     Know Your Design 54     Defense Strategy 54         Practice Leads to Success 55         Preparation Checklists 56     Review 58 Chapter 6 The Design Scenario 59     Showcase Your Skills 59     Panelist’s Perspective 61     Design Scenario Examples 62         Design Scenario 1 62         Design Scenario 2 66         Design Scenario 3 70         The Art of Explanations 73         Design Scenario 4 77     Review 78 Chapter 7 The Troubleshooting Scenario 81     Conducting the Troubleshooting Scenario 81     Thinking Aloud 82     Asking Questions 82     Using a Whiteboard or Paper 82     Troubleshooting Analysis 82         Example: Confl icting Information 83         Requirements Analysis 83         The Panelist Perspective 83     Example Scenarios 83         Example Troubleshooting Scenario #1 84         Example Troubleshooting Scenario #2 89         Example Troubleshooting Scenario #3 93         Example Troubleshooting Scenario #4 98     Review 102 Conclusion 103 References 105         Books and Links 105         Training Courses 106 Glossary 107 TOC, 9780321910592, 4/18/2013