Eddie Selfie

2019, What A Year!

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Happy New Year!

2019 was an awesome year! I became a dad after my incredible partner gave birth to our son. Eddie your mum has just been amazing, without her we would both be stuffed.

This has really changed my perspective on life, I want to succeed even more and obtain a good work-life balance to be able to provide and enjoy time with my family. It has also made me appreciate even more everything my mum sacrificed in bringing me up. Mum if you are reading this I love you lots and thank you for everything you did.

Here is the little diva taking a selfie on new years eve:

Eddie Selfie

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So what was achieved in 2019?

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Cisco CCNA Data Center

Introducing Cisco Data Center Technologies (DCICT – 200-155) | Exam Experience

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Cisco CCNA Data Center 

This was a tough exam! I failed on the first attempt but was pretty close to the passing score. Luckily at the end of the exam, you get a print out reporting on each area of the exam (review the exam objectives below) so it was a case of going back to the books and reading the weak areas whilst also ensuring I did enough touch upon the areas I was strong on. The second attempt was a pass.

It is also worth noting I have been working with some of the equipment (Nexus, UCS) for a couple of years now in my current role, I use the UCSM manager on a daily basis so have ‘hands-on’ experience. 

Below you will find the resources I used during my studies in pressuring the DCICT exam to obtain the Cisco CCNA Data Centre. I felt there was not too much material out there compared to the CCNA Routing & Switching, I guess this is because the Routing & Switching path is the preferred path for network engineers. Nevertheless, I found studying for the CCNA Data Centre very helpful in giving me more exposure to the Nexus line of switches and the Cisco Unified Computing System. 

Before studying for any type of certification I always head on over to Exam objectives to get a feel for what I need to learn in order to pass the exam. The DCICT 200-155 exam objectives can be found here. In addition to this Cisco has a study material page breaking down the material required to pass the exam with some useful video links also, this can be found here.

A quick dirty mind map I created can be found here

Book

I did not come across many books on Amazon… therefore I went with the official cert guide by Navaid Shamsee et al. I normally find the official guides very dry so was hesitate to buy this but giving there was very little choice… To be fair the book is good and includes the material you need to pass the exam. Though as a visual learner I needed to supplement this with videos.

CCNA Data Center DCICT 200-155 Official Cert Guide, 1/e (Certification Guide)

The approach I took was to read a chapter and if there was something I was not quite sure on, I would to try and emulate this in a LAB environment along with sourcing further material to help me better understand i.e. Cisco docs, Pluralsight or YouTube (I love videos!).

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AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate

AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate (2019) | Exam Experience

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AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate

I wanted to share the resources I used throughout my studies in pursuit of the AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate exam. I hope this may be useful to you.

When it comes to studying try and find what works for you, I typically drop my notes into Evernote. Though this time I tried an online mind mapping service called Coggle and it helped massively with mapping out the different services AWS offers. I’m not one to write things on paper because my handwriting is shocking and I cannot even read it back. Though for some that works and that’s cool.

You can find my Coggle mind map here its a mess and literally a dump of what was going on in my head, but it worked for me. It may provide some use or at least point you in the direction of how to create a mind map. I’m sure the next map I do will look more presentable! A good book I would highly recommend for further reading on Mind Maps is ‘Buzan’s Study Skills: Mind Maps, Memory Techniques, Speed Reading and More! (Mind Set)‘ big shout out to Faye Ellis at A Cloud Guru for this recommendation.

Book

AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate All-in-One Exam Guide (Exam SAA-C01) – This is the only book I used when studying supplemented with the training courses below. I quite like the All-in-one Exam guides as I find them easier to read.

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2V0-622D – VMware Certified Professional 6.5 – Data Center Virtualization Delta Exam | Exam Experience

Chris Stark 1 Comment

Wow, it has been a while since I last blogged! What better way to get back into the swing of things than with a pass on the VMware 2V0-622D exam.

My VCP6-DCV was coming round for renewal and as usual, a mad rush to recertify. Days just before the exam was scheduled, this happened: ‘VMware Certification: Recertification Is Changing and What It Means to You’ Essentially, allowing you to recertify when is convenient for you. With most of the hard work already put in, it made sense to press ahead with taking the exam. The question now remains, do I renew in the future… watch this space!

For those that are not aware, the 2V0-622D is the delta exam, this delta exam focuses more on the upgraded content between VCP6 and VCP6.5. 

Here are my tips for passing the 2V0-622D exam:

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2018 Goals

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Goals A Happy New Year to you all!

2017 was a crazy busy year and one quite quiet on the blogging front. The biggest achievement for myself was completing my BSc in Computing and IT & Business with the Open University, it’s been an incredible 7-year journey where I have learnt so much from my studies and also about my self.

I was also promoted to Technical Executive at IPsoft, looking after the technical aspect of the clients I manage and then put in charge of leading a small team.

Review of goals set for 2017:

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VCP6-DCV

VCP6-DCV – Data Center Virtualization | Exam Experience

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My VCP5-DCV certification was due to expire at the beginning of March 2017. In order to retain the VCP status, VMware requires that you recertify every two years. The reasoning for me to take the VCP6-DCV was due to work commitments and to keep on top of my current skill set.

The resources I used, have been similar to what I have used before.

I took the vSphere 6 course with 360GSP – Dai, their trainer is excellent and knows the subject inside out, I would highly recommend, especially if a weekend course is more suitable!. Read my review here of the vSphere 6 course with 360GSP.

First place as always, is to review the exam objectivies to get an understanding on what the exam covers.  I used the following additional resources to have all bases covered:

Blogs:

Virtual Langer VCP 6 study guide

VCP6-DCV by TheSaffaGeek

Book:

Mastering vSphere 6 by Nick Marshall

Videos:

Pluralsight –  VMware vSphere 6 Data Center Virtualization by Don Jones

Exam tips:

  • Review the exam objectivies
  • You can book the exam via perarsonvue.com, make sure your name on your PerarsonVue account matches the ID you’re bringing
  • Make sure you have two forms of ID as per PearsonVue requirements
  • Get a good nights sleep
  • Arrive at least 15 minutes early
  • The exam is ~120 minutes and consists of around 85 questions

I took the exam at Nexgenn Consulting Limited, as it was close to where I work. What I was really intrigued by is how thorough they were in ensuring you are not carrying any materials, they asked for all pockets to be pulled out, sleeves rolled up, asked me to pat my trousers down! I’m surprised by what lengths people will go to! The exam centre also provide lockers to store your personal belongs. More than happy to use this test centre again, being close to work is a big convenience.

I decided to go for the full exam (2V0-621) rather than the delta, main reasoning being is that I had a voucher to use, otherwise I would have taken the delta path.

I’m glad to report I passed the VCP6-DCV exam, further renewing my VCP status for another two years. What’s next? At the moment my focus is completing my degree with the Open University, which finishes around September and then I shall decide on what path next!