I took the new 2v0-642 NSX certification on Tuesday and lo and behold, I passed!
I am going to very careful so I do not violate any NDA, but I wanted to provide an updated perspective on the 2v0-642 test. As many of you know, 2v0-641 test has been around for several years and has been recently retired.
Moreover, many of the study guides available are on 641 – my understanding is 642 was quite different.
642 focuses on NSX 6.2x feature-set – one of the biggest changes is the addition of cross-vCenter vMotion.
So what did I do to prepare for this?
Preparation Steps:
- I took the VMware NSX for Internetworking Experts Fast Track [V6.1] Class. Yes, that’s right – I took the older class. Why? Well, I wanted to take a remote class and this was the closest thing available. I also don’t believe the Fast Track class is updated to 6.2, but I could be wrong.
- However, this was a VERY good class that laid out many of the fundamentals I needed.
- My instructor was good and even went over cross-vCenter vMotion and some of the changes for 6.2, which was not in the curriculum but very valuable.
- Moreover, when I take any kind of class, I screenshot EVERY slide and write notes the instructor states. I reviewed ALL of this material for my exam preparation.
- Labs, labs, labs. I can’t stress this enough – PLUS IT’S FREE!!!
- A few labs I did over and over again – mostly focused on the 1725 labs:
- HOL-1725-SDC-1 – VMware NSX Advanced Consumption
- HOL-1725-USE-2 – VMware NSX Multi-Site DR with SRM
- HOL-1703-SDC-1 – VMware NSX: Introduction and Feature Tour (while I did this in my class, it was a good refresher)
- HOL-1703-USE-2 – VMware NSX: Distributed Firewall with Micro-Segmentation
- VMware Hands on Lab Link: http://labs.hol.vmware.com/HOL/catalogs/catalog/681
- Since I deal with vCloud Director, I had a prebuilt vCD/NSX environment so I tested several scenarios also. However, the HOL give great guidance
- A few labs I did over and over again – mostly focused on the 1725 labs:
- I used Gregg Robertson’s blog as an addition to my overview – I went through the podcasts but did not read the book he referenced. Many thanks to Gregg for this insight.
- READ THE DANG PRODUCT DOCUMENTATION!
- This can’t be stressed enough. Even though it is long, some parts boring, there was some VERY VALUABLE insight, especially on the cross-vCenter vMotion setup and considerations.
- Docs I really focused on:
- Furthermore, with the admin guides – I took the labs and went through the basic administrative functions so I’m aware of steps.
- VMware VCP6-NV (2v0-642) 6.2 Practice Exam
- This was good – but obviously take it with a grain of salt. You can’t just take this expect to pass the test.
- Link to VMware myLearn VCP6-NV 6.2 Practice Exam
- I’m someone that needs to write/type things out and make a mental map of the technology and components. Therefore, I created this note sheet that I typed up a few days before the test: 2v0-642-UNOFFICIAL-StudyNotes
- PLEASE take these notes as they are – it’s my (weird) way of studying for a test and how I interpret NSX.
The Test:
- I went through the test and flagged questions I was not entirely sure.
- First pass took me maybe 35 minutes to complete – then I went to the beginning and went through the test again, focusing on the flagged questions I wasn’t too sure of.
- Read each question CAREFULLY and eliminate the ones you know aren’t true.
- Overall, I think I finished up with 45 to 50 minutes to spare.
Overall, I thought the test was challenging and asked very fair questions. It also made me kick myself on things I should have reviewed further – but that’s what a test is!
Next Steps:
I’ll be working on my VCAP next – TBD if I’ll switch over to DCV or stay on NV. But I truly enjoyed the experience and look forward to the next test preparation.
-DCP
Thanks Daniel for sharing your experience. I’m thankful I came across you blog by searching something else :).
I was looking for the 0642 exam experience. I have hardly seen any blogpost on it. Unsure but it looks to me guys are not serious on VCP-Network Virtualization Path.
I’ll surely go through your study notes. I also have a weird habit about study notes which I blogged about. I also tried to ask what is difference between 0641 and 0642. But your blog gave me the direction.
You are welcome, Lucas! I’m glad it helped someone else out.