As you look into the certification layout, it’s easy to notice that VMware offers 2 similar certifications: VMware Certified Associate 6 – Cloud Management and Automation (VCA6-CMA) and VMware Certified Associate 6 – Hybrid Cloud (VCA6-HC). They are similar in a way that neither of them has any formal prerequisites, and candidates can get started with some very brief preparation.

So which one is the better option? The CMA (Cloud Management and Automation) seems broad enough to provide you with knowledge to be used in various environments, with different employers. The hybrid cloud, however, is the ultimate trend in cloud computing for 2015. This is essentially the cross between the public and private clouds, taking the best from both worlds. With what many describe as the failure of the private cloud, more and more companies turn to hybrid cloud as their long-term solution for cloud computing. So, from the point of applicability, either of the two credentials makes an excellent choice.

VMware Certified Associate 6 – Cloud Management and Automation (VCA6-CMA)

This certification, VMware Certified Associate 6 – Cloud Management and Automation (VCA6-CMA), allows candidates to gain credibility as cloud computing professionals. After passing this certification, VCA6-CMA credential holders will be confident discussing cloud computing, the business challenges the vCloud Suite is designed to address, and how deploying VMware Cloud solutions can solve these challenges. Furthermore, these certification holders will be capable of defining cloud computing and applying Cloud Computing and VMware product features and components to help solve the Elasticity, Efficiency, Availability, and Management challenges of an on-premise cloud infrastructure.

To be eligible for the VMware Certified Associate 6 – Cloud Management and Automation (VCA6-CMA) certification, candidates are recommended to take the VMware Cloud Fundamentals online course. This is a self-paced course which takes 3 hours. Interested candidates can register for it here.

Furthermore, candidates need to pass the exam associated with VCA6-CMA credential:

VMware Certified Associate 6 – Cloud Management and Automation Fundamentals Exam: 1V0-603.

The 1V0-603 exam consists of 50 questions and is 75 minutes long. The questions are single and multiple choice, non-proctored. The passing score for this exam is 300, and the price is $120.

VMware Certified Associate 6 – Hybrid Cloud (VCA6-HC)

The second VMware Associate level certification for Cloud computing within the new VMware certification roadmap. The VMware Certified Associate 6 – Hybrid Cloud (VCA6-HC) helps candidates gain credibility when discussing cloud services, the business challenges that vCloud Air and related technologies are designed to address, and how leveraging a secure, dedicated hybrid cloud platform can address those challenges.

Successful certification holders can easily define technical requirements for public, private and hybrid cloud platforms, describe and differentiate vCloud Air and related services and technologies and identify common use cases and how they can be addressed.

VMware Certified Associate 6 – Hybrid Cloud Fundamentals Exam has the code 1V0-602. Just like with the previous credential, the exam also contains 50 questions (single and multiple choice, non-proctored) which candidates have 75 minutes to complete. The passing score is 300, and the price is the same USD 120.

Overall, both certifications VMware Certified Associate 6 – Cloud Management and Automation (VCA6-CMA) and VMware Certified Associate 6 – Hybrid Cloud (VCA6-HC) are great Associate level credentials for IT professionals interested in starting their path in cloud computing with reputable certifications and excellent upgrade options. Both credentials allow for excellent professional growth and career potential, so candidates have a luxury of making their choice based on their professional interest and passion.

This is no secret that Cisco has significantly revamped its certification program, especially CCENT and CCNA, earlier this year. Originally announced in late March, the changes and new CCNA tracks were fully implemented this fall.

So, these are the Cisco certification levels we’re looking at now:

Entry Certifications

• CCENT
• CCT (CCT Data Center; CCT Routing & Switching; CCT TelePresence)

Associate Certifications

• CCNA Routing and Switching
• CCDA
• CCNA Data Center
• CCNA Security
• CCNA Service Provider
• CCNA Service Provider Operations
• CCNA Video
• CCNA Voice
• CCNA Wireless

Professional Certifications

• CCDP
• CCNP
• CCNP Data Center
• CCNP Security
• CCNP Service Provider
• CCNP Service Provider Operations
• CCNP Voice
• CCNP Wireless

Expert Certifications

• CCDE
• CCIE Collaboration
• CCIE Data Center
• CCIE Routing & Switching
• CCIE Security
• CCIE Service Provider
• CCIE Service Provider Operations
• CCIE Voice (Retiring February 13, 2014)
• CCIE Wireless

Architect Certification –  CCAr

What has changed in 2013?

If you are collecting information about CCENT and CCNA from message boards and brain dumps, be sure you’re looking at the updated 2013 data. This is important as CCENT and CNAA appear to have been changed the most.

What we hear may be sad news to many out there: CCENT (ICND1; exam 100-101, which can also be part of your CCNA R&S) has gotten harder – significantly. Subjects added, especially the labs, go more in depth and cover a lot more aspects (including lots of IPv6 stuff) compared to the old CCNA. CCENT Certification hasn’t been a joke before and it has gotten much further from being one now! This certification is also now a prerequisite for most CCNA certifications (except CCNA R&S, CCNA Data Center and CCNA Service Provider).

The Associate level programs, according to Cisco, have been redesigned to better fit the industry needs and the roles networking professionals need to fill. Yes, it means even more practical hands on stuff. To achieve advanced technology certification in an accelerated manner, you now need to pass only two required exams.

As upper certification levels haven’t been affected by the changes to such a degree (we’ll go over them in separate articles), another change to the Cisco certification structure would be the new recertification timeframes.

Renewal and Recertification Timeframes

If you decide to settle on your already achieved certification and do not intend to go up another level any time soon, keep in mind that Cisco Entry, Associate and Professional level certifications last for 3 years. When this time is up, you will have to renew it. Meanwhile, all CCIE and Specialist certifications last for 2 years. And in you’ve made it all the way up the Cisco scale and are now Cisco Certified Architect (no words are enough to express the respect you deserve for that!), your awe-inspiring certification will need to be renewed after 5 years.

A gentle reminder that if you do not register and pass your Cisco recertification exam before your certification expires, you will have to repeat the entire certification process. Now, you do don’t want to challenge yourself this much, do you?

And for those of you planning to recertify, here’s your Recertification Roadmap:

Specialist Recertification Roadmap

Collaboration  

• Cisco Unified Presence Specialist
• Cisco Unity Design Specialist
• Cisco Unity Support Specialist

Data Center      

• Cisco Data Center Application Services Design Specialist
• Cisco Data Center Application Services Support Specialist
• Cisco Data Center Storage Networking Design Specialist
• Cisco Data Center Storage Networking Support Specialist
• Cisco Data Center Unified Computing Design Specialist
• Cisco Data Center Unified Computing Support Specialist

Operating System Software     

• Cisco IOS XR Specialist

Security              

• Cisco ASA Specialist
• Cisco Firewall Security Specialist
• Cisco IOS Security Specialist
• Cisco IPS Specialist
• Cisco Network Admission Control Specialist
• Cisco VPN Security Specialist

Video  

• Cisco Video Network Specialist
• Cisco Rich Media Communications Specialist
• Cisco TelePresence Solutions Specialist

Retired Certifications

This year, Cisco has retired 6 certifications:

• CCIE Storage Networking
• Cisco Data Center Networking Infrastructure Design Specialist
• Cisco Data Center Networking Infrastructure Support Specialist
• Cisco Data Center Storage Networking Design Specialist
• Cisco Data Center Storage Networking Support Specialist
• Cisco TelePresence Installations Specialist

All of these retired certifications have relevant replacement available, so you can easily find a new destination for your Cisco journey.

Which Cisco certification do you have your eyes on now? Feel free to tell us in the comments. And – although the road can get bumpy sometimes, remember to keep your eyes on the prize.