Virtualization is among the most highly demanded skill in tech industry today. And it is here to stay for sure for more years to come. Being a tech enthusiast and evangelist, I have compiled a list of Major Vendors that offer certifications in “Virtualization”. The wide choice of certifications and technologies demonstrate the fact that this skill/qualification is keenly looked for.

Below is a summary of each major vendors certification track, with its related exams and pre-requisites. I will try to keep it updated as new options emerge. Kindly share your insights with me and help me build this a one-stop resource for “getting started” information in “virtualization”.

Top 7 Major Vendors in Virtualization industry:

VMware
Citrix
CompTIA
Microsoft
Cisco
EMC
Red Hat Linux
1) VMware:


VMware offers 4 Certifications as follows:

I) VMware’s Cloud Application Platform (VCAP).

The VMware Certified Advanced Professional (VCAP) designation, with specialties in Data Center Administration (DCA) and Data Center Design (DCD), was created for VCPs who have enhanced their technical capabilities and want to add advanced, industry-recognized credentials to their list of accomplishments.

VCAP has 1 Exam

VCDA410: VMware Certified Advanced Professional – Datacenter Design Exam
II) VMware Certified Associate (VCA).

The objective of the VCA certification: to reduce the number of accidents. The standard defines clear parameters for the frequency of accidents and focuses on calculating up-to-date accident statistics. Originally developed for the oil industry, VCA has also proven itself in other sectors. As a technical or personnel service provider, holistic management of occupational safety, health safety, and environment protection accelerates your own work processes.

VCA has 4 Exams:

VCAC510: VMware Certified Associate – Cloud Exam
VCAD510: VMware Certified Associate – Data Center Virtualization
VCA410-DT: VMware Certified Associate – Desktop
VCAW510: VMware Certified Associate – Workforce Mobility
III) VMware Certified Professional (VCP).

VCP is VMware’s most-successful and longest-running certificate. This entry-level certification requires the applicant to take an official VMware education course, either online or in-person. The VMware Certified Professional (VCP) exam was once the only certification VMware offered, but now it is part of a larger certification matrix that includes cloud, data center and end user computing. In VMware’s new certification matrix, the original VCP exam is now called the VCP in datacenter virtualization (VCP-DV).

VCP has 10 Exams.

VCAP5-DCD: VMware Certified Advanced Professional 5 – Data Center Design
VCI410: VMware Certified Professional on vSphere 4 for Instructors
VCP410: VMWare Certified Professional on VI4
VCP510: VMware Certified Professional 5 – Desktop
VCP410-DT: VMware Certified Professional 4 – Desktop
VCP5-DCV: VMware Certified Professional 5 – Data Center Virtualization
VCP510-DT: VMware Certified Professional 5 – Desktop
VCP510PSE: VMware Certified Professional 5 – Data Center Virtualization PSE
VCPD510: VMware Certified Professional 5 – Desktop
VCPVCD510: VMware Certified Professional 5 – IaaS Exam
IV) VMware Certified Professional – Cloud (VCP Cloud)

The VMware Certified Professional – Cloud (VCP-Cloud) certification validates your ability to install, configure and administer a Cloud environment using vCloud Director and related components.

VCP-Cloud has 1 Exam:

VCPC510: VMware Certified Professional on vCloud
Another most popular vendor which pay the great roll in Virtualization Certifications.

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2) Citrix:
Citrix has following 4 major Certifications related to virtualization:

Citrix Certified Enterprise Engineer (CCEE).
This certification demonstrates the ability to implement multiple Citrix products into a comprehensive virtualization solution, as well as smoothly plan and integrate Citrix implementations.

6 Exams.

1Y0-A16: Architecting a Citrix Virtualization Solution
1Y0-A19: Citrix XenDesktop 5 Basic Administration
1Y0-A20: Citrix XenApp 6.5 Administration
1Y0-A22: Citrix XenApp 6.5 Advanced Administration
1Y0-A25: Engineering a Citrix Virtualization Solution Exam
1Y0-A26: Citrix XenServer 6.0 Administration
2. Citrix Certified Integration Architect (CCIA).

The Citrix Certified Integration Architect for Virtualization certification focuses on best practices for analysis and design of Citrix virtualization technologies. By testing a range of skills used to design strategic approaches to virtualization, the CCIA certifies the knowledge required for successful deployments, while providing recognition and credibility to IT professionals.

6 Exams.

1Y0-A16: Architecting a Citrix Virtualization Solution
1Y0-A19: Citrix XenDesktop 5 Basic Administration
1Y0-A20: Citrix XenApp 6.5 Administration
1Y0-A22: Citrix XenApp 6.5 Advanced Administration
1Y0-A25: Engineering a Citrix Virtualization Solution Exam
1Y0-A26: Citrix XenServer 6.0 Administration
3. Citrix Certified Administrator (CCA) XenAPP 6.

Citrix Certified Administrator (CCA) for Citrix XenApp 5 for Windows Server 2008 or CCA for Citrix XenApp 6 [CCA for XenServer 6 and CCA for XenDesktop 6 also required for CCEE]

The CCA for Citrix XenApp 6 is designed to certify knowledge of Citrix XenApp 6 desktop solutions. This certification is attained by passing the Basic Administration for XenApp 6 exam, in which exam-takers demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to install, configure, and administer Citrix XenApp 6 on-demand applications.

4 Exams.

1Y0-A15: Engineering a Citrix Virtualization Solution
1Y0-A18: Basic Administration for Citrix XenApp 6
1Y0-A20: Citrix XenApp 6.5 Administration
1Y0-A22: Citrix XenApp 6.5 Advanced Administration
4. Citrix Certified Administrator (CCA)XenDesktop

Citrix Certified Administrator (CCA) for Citrix XenApp 5 for Windows Server 2008 or CCA for Citrix XenApp 6 [CCA for XenServer 6 and CCA for XenDesktop 6 also required for CCEE]

CCA for Citrix XenDesktop certification confirms your breadth of knowledge across Citrix XenDesktop end-to-end solutions.

3 Exams.

1Y0-A14: Implementing Citrix XenDesktop 3
1Y0-A17: Implementing Citrix XenDesktop 4
1Y0-A19: Citrix XenDesktop 5 Basic Administration
The next vendor which has not a big area of Virtualization Certification but it is playing very important in this field.

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3) CompTIA


CompTIA offers 2 Certifications related to virtualization:

I) CompTIA Cloud+.

The CompTIA Cloud+ certification covers standard methodology required to securely implement and maintain cloud technologies.

2 Exams.

CVO-001: CompTIA Cloud+ Certification Exam
CLO-001: CompTIA Cloud Essentials Exam
II) CompTIA A+.

The CompTIA A+ certification is the starting point for a career in IT. The exams cover maintenance of PCs, mobile devices, laptops, operating systems and printers.

2 Exams.

220-801: CompTIA A+ Certification Exam
220-802: CompTIA A+ Certification Exam
In the above two new A+ exams, there are four areas that cover virtualization in some way.

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4) Microsoft:
Microsoft offers 1 virtualization related certification:

Microsoft Virtual Server is a scalable server virtualization program distributed by Microsoft that enables multiple operating systems (OSs) to run on a single physical server. The program operates without third-party device drivers and provides isolation between partitions.

1. Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS)

A Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist certification proves your skills on a particular Microsoft technology, such as the Windows operating system, Microsoft Exchange Server, Microsoft SQL Server, or Microsoft Visual Studio. MCTS certifications are no longer in development. However, your MCTS certification will remain valuable as long as companies are using the technology on which it certifies.

3 Exams.

70-659: Windows Server 2008 R2, Server Virtualization
70-669: Windows Server 2008 R2, Desktop Virtualization
70-693: Windows Server 2008 R2, Virtualization Administrator-Pro
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5) Cisco:
Cisco offers 1 Certification in this respect:

Deliver virtualized desktops and applications with simplicity, scalability, and a superior user experience, built on Cisco Unified Data Center.

Cisco Desktop Virtualization Solutions, built on the Cisco Unified Data Center, deliver:

Simplified desktop operations with fewer servers and cables to manage Scalable, predictable performance with a superior user experience Faster payback and ongoing savings with an optimized infrastructure Clear guidance for desktop virtualization with Cisco Validated Designs The Cisco Data Center Unified Computing Design Specialist validates an engineer’s ability to design scalable, reliable, and intelligent Data Center Virtualization solutions. The following products are covered in learning materials:

Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP)

2 Exams

642-998 DCUCD: Designing Cisco Data Center Unified Computing ()
642-999 DCUCI: Implementing Cisco Data Center Unified Computing ()
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6) EMC:
EMC has 2 Certifications related to this technology:

1. EMC Data Center Architect (EMCDCA)

EMC Cloud Architect (EMCCA) Virtualized Infrastructure certification provides information architects, designers and consultants with the knowledge and skills to effectively converge and manage storage, servers and networking environments that are critical to building virtualized data centers and cloud infrastructures.

2-Exams

E20-016: Storage Networking Design Specialist Exam for Data Center

E20-017: Storage Networking Design Specialist Exam for Data Center Architects

2. Cloud Infrastructure and Services (EMCCIS)

Cloud Infrastructure and Services (CIS) is an ‘open’ course – focused on virtualization and cloud infrastructure technology concepts and principles applicable to any vendor environment

2- Exams.

E20-002: Cloud Infrastructure and Services Exam

E20-018: Virtualized Data Center and Cloud Infrastructure Design Specialist

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7) Red Hat
RedHat offers 2 Certifications in virtualization:

1. Red Hat Enterprise Virtualization
The Red Hat® Enterprise Virtualization teaches experienced system administrators the virtualization features of Red Hat Enterprise Linux® managed through the Red Hat Enterprise Virtualization suite.

1 Exam

RH319: Red Hat Enterprise Virtualization Certification

2. Red Hat Certified Virtualization Administrator (RHCVA)

The performance-based RHCVA Exam (EX318) tests your ability to create, deploy, and manage Linux® and Microsoft Windows virtual machines using Red Hat Enterprise Virtualization Manager.

Exam.

EX318: Red Hat Certified Virtualization Administrator

I have a question, please. How neatly does Cloud tie in with Virtualisation, if it does, for i see a number of certifications i intend to pursue in the future listed amongst the above.

Jeffflo I don't know but I can help you to prepare all above certifications.

I can help you to prepare all above exams. let me know from where you want to start?

If you want to start VMware then got for: http://www.passcertification.com/vmware-certifications.html

For Citrix: http://www.passcertification.com/citrix-certifications.html

For comptia: http://www.passcertification.com/comptia-certifications.html

For Microsoft: http://www.passcertification.com/microsoft-certifications.html

For cisco: http://www.passcertification.com/cisco-certifications.html

For EMC: http://www.passcertification.com/emc-certifications.html

For RedHat: http://www.passcertification.com/redhat-certifications.html

If you need any further help then feel free to ask me.