Getting Started with EMC Storage
Posted: March 28, 2014 Filed under: Storage | Tags: emc newbie, getting started with emc, learn emc, new to emc, new to storage 3 CommentsSo I’ve been asked to get up to speed on EMC. We’re really a Flexpod company, which includes Cisco, NetApp, and VMware, but we’re finding clients in our Dallas / Fort Worth market that are already EMC customers and would like to stay that way. Many times, it makes more sense for these shops to stick with EMC. One reason for this is that we find small to mid-size shops that already have the technical expertise to manage an EMC environment are sometimes reluctant to defenestrate the platform on which they’re most comfortable. Selling them a NetApp would not be setting them up for as much success as we would if we left them with hardware already in their management comfort zone, assuming the sale met their needs in the first place.
And so here I am, ready and raring to learn EMC. I’m already a NetApp dude and have a firm grasp on storage fundamentals, but this will be my first foray into EMC. While I’m already using my google-fu to find training aids, I’d love to hear the recommendations from the vCommunity on how best to learn EMC products.
I’m already tracking on Joe Kelly’s Pluralsight training which I’m sure I’ll lean on heavily. I also know that Nick Weaver has a simulator out there. What other free learning tools would you recommend?
Book Review: Implementing VMware vCenter Server
Posted: March 23, 2014 Filed under: Book Reviews, VMware | Tags: packt, packt publishing, vcenter, vcenter books, vmware books, vsphere books Leave a commentI was recently given the opportunity to review Packt Publishing’s recent release of Implementing VMware vCenter Server: A practical guide for deploying and using VMware vCenter, suitable for IT professionals. At first glance, I wondered how an entire book could be written about vCenter alone. While reading it, though, I was pleasantly surprised time and again when I saw how much good information was shared. This book is an excellent primer for those new to vCenter and really, VMware in general.
Thoughts on VCP Recertification
Posted: March 9, 2014 Filed under: Certifications, VMware | Tags: certification, recert, recertify, VCP, vmware, vmware education Leave a commentThanks to Twitter and Patrick Kremer’s article, I caught the recent news that starting 10 March 2014, VMware will require VCPs to recertify every 2 years to keep their certification current. You can read VMware’s release here. I took the time to read the comment threads on Patricks’ and other’s blogs to get an idea of folks’ reactions. Since you asked, here are my thoughts on the subject.
I shouldn’t have to say that it’s obviously VMware’s prerogative to change or create new policies regarding their certification programs. This shouldn’t be a topic of conversation.