What’s The Story With Brocade Networking?

Brocade is really pushing its virtual routing products – both software and routers. This is definitely worth looking into since Brocade Vyatta vRouters and VCS Fabric technology enable NFV in data centers and support efficient and elastic network architectures that can scale up or down to match current application needs in dynamic workload situations. Obviously, this results in significant reduction in hardware costs for network infrastructure – according to Brocade, these savings can go up as high as 90%. It also allows for better usage of the data center and networking resources. More info about Brocade technology is available here.

So, for now, becoming Brocade Certified vRouter Engineer (BCVRE) is free. This offer also includes a 60-day free trial of the Brocade Vyatta vRouter software plus free online training. Then you take the exam and end up with a Brocade Certified vRouter Engineer (BCVRE) credential.

Once you register for the exam, you will get access to the online course materials and study guides for your exam preparation.

BCVRE Exam Objectives:

Brocade Vyatta vRouter System Operations

• Describe show command system usage
• Identify key CLI operations
• Describe the commit and save processes

Ethernet Concepts

• Identify Ethernet operations
• Identify VLAN operations and settings
• Identify bonded interface operations
• Demonstrate knowledge of configuration and operation using show commands

TCP/IP

• Demonstrate knowledge of the relationship between Layer 2, IP and TCP/IP
• Identify TCP and UDP differences
• Identify address subnets

DHCP and DNS Troubleshooting

• Describe troubleshooting of DHCP operations
• Describe troubleshooting of DNS forwarding

Routing

• Identify uses for routing
• Identify show commands for use with routing
• Identify configuration of different types of static routes

Firewalls

• Describe firewall operations and troubleshooting using show commands
• Describe firewall rulebase operations

NAT

• Describe NAT concepts

Upgrades

• Describe the Brocade Vyatta upgrade process

Logging and Packet Captures

• Identify logging options for firewall and NAT operations
• Identify methods to verify operations and troubleshooting

OSPF Single-Area

• Describe OSPF show command output
• Describe how to configure OSPF

From what we can see this is a good NFV certification – even if the exam hadn’t been free. There is a lot of potential to this latest Brocade technology, so if you are interested in software defined networking, just go and register for the exam now!

Background info:

Brocade is a San Jose, CA based technology company that specializes in data and storage networking products. Founded in 1995 and gone public in 1999, Brocade’s product portfolio includes network-attached storage, storage area network (SAN) directors and switches, data center switches, Virtual Cluster Switching, software-defined networking, network virtualization, and more. Brocade’s certification program validate the knowledge and skills in the company’s products, as well as overall understanding of the networking landscape, data and storage concepts and other related fields.

VCDX is VMware’s highest certification level. There are currently three solution tracks for VCDX: Data center virtualization, cloud and end-user computing. The holders of these credentials join the IT elite, secure prestigious consulting opportunities and international speaking engagements.

So how hard is reaching the VCDX?

Besides complicated written exams (and, obviously, the whole bunch of prerequisite credentials), VCDX certification process required candidates to prepare a solution design, that can take hundreds of pages, and the solution needs to be presented and defended in front of the panel of VCDX holders. This may sound a bit like a masters programme if not Ph.D defence, but with the VCDX salaries starting at $99,000 in the United States, and being a member of a very tighly knit elite community of IT and virtualization experts, this process cannot be easy. Let’s take a closer look at the VCDX process, ‘cause who knows, you may come to face it some day ;).

VCDX emphasizes vSphere and datacenter virtualization skills and focuses on the software-defined-data center and delivering Infrastructure-as-a-Service with comprehensive management and security. The approach absolutely makes sense as no infrastructure professional can do much of anything these days without having to manage virtualized assets. With the growth of cloud computing and software-defined data center technologies, virtualization’s footprint continues to expand, and many organizations are using VMware’s technology.

As mentioned above, VCDX5-DCV certification is achieved through the unique design defense process, where all candidates must submit and successfully defend a production-ready VMware Solution before a panel of veteran VCDX-DCV holders. This process ensures that those who achieve VCDX status are peer-vetted and ready to join an elite group of world-class consulting architects.

The candidate needs to pass exams in enterprise administration and design. After passing the exams, the candidate submits a design plan for a large virtualized infrastructure environment. If the plan is accepted, the candidate presents and defends the plan before a panel of VCDX holders. During the defense portion, the applicant explains why certain decisions were made, answers questions from panel members and attempts to troubleshoot a theoretical problem posed by the board.

Prerequisites:

VCDX certification candidates must hold the VMware Certified Professional (VCP), and advanced professional (VCAP) administration and design certifications.

 Upgrading from VCDX4-DCV

Those who already hold the VCDX4-DCV certification can upgrade to VCDX5-DCV certification without redoing the Design Defense process. Here’s what these candidates need to do:

1. Be a current VCDX4-DCV holder in good standing
2. Pass the VMware Certified Advanced Professional 5 – Data Center Design (VCAP5-DCD) exam

Becoming a VCDX5-DCV

1. Hold VMware Certified Advanced Professional 5 – Data Center Administration (VCAP5-DCA) and VMware Certified Advanced Professional 5 – Data Center Design (VCAP5-DCD) Certification
2. Submit a VCDX5-DCV Application that is accepted
3. Successfully present and defend a VMware vSphere based virtual infrastructure design and implementation plan.

VMware illustrates the logic with this chart:

This is just a brief overview of industry’s elite certification. What’s your ultimate professional goal? Feel free to tell us.

Formerly known as WinFrame Server, Citrix MetaFrame Server and Citrix Presentation Server, XenApp is an application virtualization solution that enables users to connect to their corporate applications from a wide range of computer systems and mobile devices. XenApp hosts applications on central servers and allows users to interact with them remotely or stream and deliver them to user devices for local execution. Citrix Xen App extends Microsoft Remote Desktop Session Host desktop sessions and applications to users through the Citrix HDX protocol. XenApp was originally built on top of the Windows Terminal Server platform (which was developed by Citrix in mid 90s).

Citrix XenApp and Remote Desktop Services enable organizations to centrally manage their Windows applications and computing resources in a secure data center, which is especially important for organizations whose operations involve the flow of sensitive data.

As a cross-platform solution, Citrix XenApp enables users to access these applications from anywhere, including non-Windows clients. Here’s how it works: XenApp sessions and applications can be accessed by client devices using a software client Citrix Receiver which is available for a variety of client form factors and operating systems.

HDX protocol provides smooth remote display capabilities, multimedia redirection, USB redirection, and a variety of other capabilities, depending on the client device.

Citrix XenApp direct competitors are Microsoft Terminal Services for Windows Server 2008, Quest Software vWorkspace, Systancia AppliDis Fusion, Spoon Server and Ericom Software WebConnect. Win4Lin Virtual Desktop Server provided similar functionality for serving Windows desktop sessions from Linux servers, while Sun’s application virtualization offering, the Oracle Secure Global Desktop, serves to provide a complete solution allowing for the delivery of both Windows and Unix applications on all major platforms.

Citrix XenApp Certification

Citrix has recently revamped its certification program making its credentials more solution-based and tailored to the current and ever-changing needs of IT professionals and organizations. There are three standard levels proving candidates’ skills and experience required to deliver successful Citrix solutions:

• Citrix Certified Associate
• Citrix Certified Professional
• Citrix Certified Expert

The company offers the credential of CCA for Citrix XenApp for those willing to certify knowledge of Citrix XenApp 6.5 solutions. To attain this certification, candidates need to pass the Basic Administration for XenApp 6.5 exam. IT tests the knowledge and skills required to install, configure, and administer Citrix XenApp 6.5 on-demand applications.

The Citrix XenApp 6.5 Administration exam is divided into the following sections which can serve as a preparation guide:

• Understanding the Citrix Architecture
• Licensing and Installing XenApp
• Configuring XenApp Sessions
• Configuring XenApp Policies
• Publishing Applications and Content
• Additional Management
• Managing Performance and Load
• Configuring Printing
• Enabling and Securing Web Access to Published Applications and Content
• Troubleshooting

So, getting XenApp certified seems like a smart career move for many IT professionals trying to find their high-potential role in medium-and big companies and corporations, since the demand for remote access solutions backed up by the latest functionality and security advances will definitely keep growing.

Citrix offers XenApp official training available on the company’s website. You can also check out the Citrix section at ExamCollection.

This fall, CompTIA focuses on the hottest trends of today’s technology: mobile app security and cloud solutions with its two latest certifications: CompTIA Mobile App Security+ for Android & iOS and CompTIA Cloud+ . Today, we’re making an overview of these 2 certifications, and take a closer look soon.

Staying true to itself and its philosophy, CompTIA keeps its certifications vendor neutral yet very relevant.

CompTIA Mobile App Security+ Certification has been designed to raise security awareness and preparedness among mobile developers. The certification was launched with two editions of the exam – for Android and iOS mobile apps (exams ADR-001 and IOS-001 respectively). The exams include 100 multiple choice queries.

Areas covered in the exams include:

• Principles of secure application development
• Security models of Android and iOS devices
• Common threats to mobile app security
• Web services security models and vulnerabilities
• Secure coding techniques
• Common implementations of cryptography
• Encryption for storage and communications

 “Mobile apps numbering in the millions are downloaded daily on smart phones, tablets and other mobile devices,” said Terry Erdle, executive vice president, skills certification, CompTIA. “But too often, in the dizzying race to bring new apps to market quickly, security considerations are an afterthought. With these new certifications we aim to bring the security focus back to where it belongs – in the starting blocks of mobile app development.”

CompTIA developed this certification with a variety of jobs and roles in mind, including app and software developers, applications development managers, as well as network security professionals – all with at least two years of application development experience.

CompTIA’s  Cloud+ Certification targets cloud computing professionals. It validates the skills required to deliver cloud-based solutions.

“Cloud computing is an integral part of the IT landscape for a growing number of organizations,” said Terry Erdle, executive vice president, skills certification, CompTIA. “As cloud-based applications proliferate and network architectures become more diverse, networking and technical sales professionals must become proficient in new skills.”

According to CompTIA, 90 percent of companies claim to be using some form of cloud computing, while the number of cloud-computing job opening grew by 30% over the last few years, with the demand for cloud computing professionals now being higher than ever before. And this is exactly the nice CompTIA is striving to fill with its new certification (Before that, reputable cloud computing certifications were only available from Microsoft, with the opportunities it brings, along with some restrictions that come with any vendor-specific certification).

“CompTIA Cloud+ was developed by the industry to address this shortage, providing IT professionals with a credential that validates their ability to efficiently and securely implement and maintain cloud technologies,” Erdle said.

Topics covered in the exam include:

• Cloud concepts and models
• Virtualization
• Infrastructure
• Resource management
• Security
• Systems management
• Business continuity in the cloud

CompTIA Cloud+ certification is an ideal career step for experienced network, storage, system and data center administrators and other technology professionals whose job roles increasingly require development and use of cloud computing and virtualization solutions.

CompTIA’s Cloud+ certification requires taking one exam, which covers everything from standard cloud terminologies and methodologies to implementing and maintaining cloud technologies and infrastructures (server, network storage and virtualization technologies), to cloud security and virtualization.

Although not required, it is recommended that CompTIA Cloud+ candidates have at least 2-3 years of hands-on experience working in IT networking, storage or data center administration. The candidates should hold CompTIA’s Network+ and/or Storage+ Powered by SNIA certification, and be comfortable working with major hypervisor technologies for server virtualization.

So, as all main industry certification providers have updated their certifications this year (think Cisco’s big announcement in March and final changes in September, as well as Microsoft certification updates), CompTIA has also joined the trend by offering new certifications which look like they’ll be in high demand. Now, who’s up for the challenge?

The news could cause some confusion with another Microsoft’s certification of the same acronym: Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer. In fact, it had been one of Microsoft’s most popular certifications for quite a while, and has been recently retired.

So, is the new one its exact replacement? Not really, as the old and new MCSEs aren’t to be confused. Let’s take a closer look at what exactly has changed.

The new Microsoft Certified Solution Expert (MCSE) certification focuses on the ability to design and build technology solutions, which may include integrating multiple technology products and span multiple versions of a single technology, whether on-premises or in the cloud. The 8 certifications available in its framework have all been designed with this goal in mind. The previous Microsoft Certified System Engineer certifications focused on a much more specific job role.

Created as the flagship of the new certification framework, Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert offers a set of interdisciplinary certifications, united by the company’s focus on cloud computing, business intelligence and advanced database administration.

There are 8 certifications available now, all of them consist of 5 steps, and therefore, require 5 exams. For all programs, recertification is required every 3 years (and we get the feeling that these MCSEs will be around for quite a while, so you may want to keep this information in mind).

With many candidates now asking ‘Which MCSE should I get??’ you certainly know that you are the only one who can answer this question for yourself, depending on the interests, skills and career goals you have. Yet, let’s take a look at the new MCSEs to get a better picture. Here they are.

MCSE: Server Infrastructure

Your next career step: computer support specialist and information security analyst.

This certification validates that you have the skills needed to run a highly efficient and modern data center, with expertise in identity management, systems management, virtualization, storage, and networking.

MCSE: Desktop Infrastructure

Your next career step: desktop and device support, and data and applications manager.

This MCSE will prove your skills in deploying and managing desktops and devices that provide access from anywhere, while maintaining security and compliance. It also validates your skills in desktop virtualization, remote desktop services, and application virtualization.

MCSE: Private Cloud

Your next career step: server administrator, systems programmer, network manager.

This certification validates your expertise in managing and implementing Microsoft private cloud computing technologies. With Windows Server and System Center, you will build your Microsoft private cloud solution to optimize IT service delivery and gain the automation and flexibility you need for your IT infrastructure, now and in the future.

MCSE: Data Platform

Your next career step: database analyst, database designer.

MCSE Data Platform certification puts you in a position to demonstrate your broad skill sets in building and administrating enterprise-scale data solutions both on-premises and in cloud environments.

MCSE: Business Intelligence

Your next career step: BI & reporting engineer.

With this one, you will prove your skills and the knowledge of techniques needed to design, build, and deploy solutions that deliver more data to more people across the organization.

MCSE: Messaging

Your next career step: network and computer systems administration.

Your MCSE: Messaging will demonstrate that you can move your company to the cloud, increase user productivity and flexibility, reduce data loss, and improve data security for your organization.

MCSE: Communication

Your next career step: network and computer systems administration.

This MCSE validates expertise in creating a consistent communications experience for your organization and connecting your colleagues to people around the world.

MCSE: SharePoint

Your next career step: systems or network analyst.

MCSE SharePoint ensures you get recognition for your expertise in helping a company organize, sync, collaborate, and share information across the organization.

Even if you are undecided as to which MCSE is right for you, you can still start working on your exams. As you have probably heard, they are tough and do take time for preparation. Yet, the good news is that 6 out of 8 MCSEs share the same 3 exams. So, unless you are considering MCSE: Data Platform or Business Intelligence, you can start studying for exams 70-410, 70-411 and 70-412. These 3 focus on the server infrastructure and Windows Server 2012, the knowledge of which is a must for a number of jobs.

Explore the MCSE section of the Microsoft website to make up your mind. Last but not least, Microsoft has a sweet offer for those of us who aren’t that lucky with the Certification exam the first time around. Until the end of May 2014, you get a free second chance to succeed on your exams. Looks like there’s no better time than now to become a Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert. Visit this page for details.