Virtualization is an area of IT poised for continued growth, even in the recession. It naturally follows, then, that virtualization certification programs are also growing. And that is definitely the case.
What is Virtualization?
First, a little background. Virtualization is a way of abstracting software from the underlying hardware. Normally, one operating system (OS), like Windows XP or Linux, is matched with a computer, normally a desktop, laptop or server. No other OSes can run on it. In the server world, the traditional method was to have an OS and single application, like an email or Web server, installed.Virtualization breaks those bonds, allowing multiple OSes, say Windows Vista and Ubuntu Linux, on a desktop computer. On the server side, it allows multiple server OSes and applications to reside on a single hardware server. The benefits to consumers and businesses are significant cost savings and a “greener” computing environment, since fewer computers means fewer resources consumed to power those computers.
That’s why virtualization is taking off, and also the reason virtualization certification is getting popular. As new virtualization vendors appear and others start producing virtualization products, they are adding virtualization certification to their lineups, and employers are beginning to require virtualization expertise in a number of job roles.
The Main Players
The leading virtualization vendors are VMware, which is the largest and most well-known virtualization company in the industry, Citrix and Microsoft. Other companies, like Red Hat, Sun, Oracle and IBM are also developing or have instituted certifications built around virtualization. Here are the main things you need to know about the “Big Three.”- VMware offers two certifications: The VMware Certified Professional (VCP) and VMware Certified Design Expert (VCDX). The VCP is the longest-running and most well-known virtualization certification in the industry. VMware recently added the VCDX, to recognize those whose expertise goes beyond administering a virtualized environment to architecting virtualization solutions.
- Citrix has two upcoming credentials aimed at virtualization experts: The Citrix Certified Enterprise Engineer (CCEE) for Virtualization, and the Citrix Certified Integration Architect (CCIA) for Virtualization. The certifications will be available in the Fall/Winter timeframe, according to Citrix. Like the VMware certs, the Citrix certs are aimed at the administrator (CCEE) and architect (CCIA) groups.
- Microsoft does things a bit differently. Rather than certifications that are distinctly built around virtualization, it builds virtualization expertise into other certifications. So, for example, if you hold an MCSE on Windows Server 2008, you have already validated your competency with Microsoft virtualization, since it’s required knowledge to pass the MCSE exams.