---
title: "VMware Certified Advanced Professional 6 — Data Center Virtualization Deployment exam experience"
date: "2017-11-14T11:53:33Z"
tags: ["3V0-623", "vCAP", "vCAP6-DCA"]
categories: ["Career & Learning", "VMware"]
---

![vCAP 6 DCA - logo.webp][1]

Today I would like to share my experience with VMware Certified Advanced Professional 6 – Data Center Virtualization Deployment Exam (3V0-623).

It was a while ago when I took it (March 2017) but I think my experience will be valuable to you.<!--more-->
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# Blueprint

Like with any exam, VMware exams have blueprints which are very important to pass it. Before starting learning towards you have to familiarize yourself with its blueprint: <a href="https://mylearn.vmware.com/mgrReg/plan.cfm?plan=88753&ui=www_cert" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Certification VMware Certified Advanced Professional 6 – Data Center Virtualization Deployment Exam (3V0-623)</a>.

* Section 1 - Create and Deploy vSphere 6.x Infrastructure Components
  * Objective 1.1 - Perform Advanced ESXi Host Configuration
  * Objective 1.2 - Deploy and Configure Core Management Infrastructure Components
  * Objective 1.3 - Deploy and Configure Update Manager Components
  * Objective 1.4 - Perform Advanced Virtual Machine Configurations
* Section 2 - Deploy and Manage a vSphere 6.x Storage Infrastructure
  * Objective 2.1 - Implement Complex Storage Solutions
  * Objective 2.2 - Manage Complex Storage Solutions
  * Objective 2.3 - Troubleshoot Complex Storage Solutions
* Section 3 - Deploy and Manage a vSphere 6.x Network Infrastructure
  * Objective 3.1 - Implement and Manage vSphere Standard Switch (vSS) Networks
  * Objective 3.2 - Implement and Manage vSphere 6.x Distributed Switch (vDS) Networks
  * Objective 3.3 - Scale a vSphere 6.x Network Implementation
  * Objective 3.4 - Troubleshoot a vSphere 6.x Network Implementation
* Section 4 - Configure a vSphere Deployment for Availability and Scalability
  * Objective 4.1 - Implement and Maintain Complex vSphere Availability Solutions
  * Objective 4.2 - Implement and Manage Complex DRS solutions
  * Objective 4.3 - Troubleshoot vSphere clusters
* Section 5 - Configure a vSphere Deployment for Manageability
  * Objective 5.1 - Execute VMware Cmdlets and Customize Scripts Using PowerCLI
  * Objective 5.2 - Implement and Maintain Host Profiles
  * Objective 5.3 - Manage and analyze vSphere log files
  * Objective 5.4 - Configure and manage Content Library
* Section 6 - Configure a vSphere Deployment for Performance
  * Objective 6.1 - Utilize Advanced vSphere Performance Monitoring Tools
  * Objective 6.2 - Optimize Virtual Machine resources
* Section 7 - Configure a vSphere 6.x Environment for Recoverability
  * Objective 7.1- Deploy and manage vSphere Replication
  * Objective 7.2 - Deploy and Manage vSphere Data Protection
  * Objective 7.3 - Backup and Recover vSphere Configurations
* Section 8 - Configure a vSphere 6.x Environment for Security
  * Objective 8.1 - Manage authentication and end-user security
  * Objective 8.2 - Manage SSL certificates
  * Objective 8.3 - Harden a vSphere 6.x Deployment

## Technical tips before taking the exam

* Familiarize yourself with <a href="https://mylearn.vmware.com/lcms/web/portals/certification/VMware%20Certification%20Platform%20Interface.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">VMware Certification Platform Interface (Exam UI experience)</a>
* Try at least one Hands-on Lab with low resolution (1200 or smaller) to simulate real-world equipment
* Try to put everything on full screen (browser, UI) and hide scenario

## Studying tips

* Build a lab where you can break stuff and fix it
* If you don't own personal lab try Hands-On Labs:
  * HOL-1804-02-CHG - vSphere 6.5 - Challenge Lab
  * HOL-1808-02-CHG - vSAN v6.6 - Challenge Lab
  * HOL-1808-01-HCI - vSAN v6.6 - Getting Started
  * HOL-1804-01-SDC - vSphere 6.5 - Performance Diagnostics and Benchmarking
  * HOL-1811-03-SDC - vSphere with Operations Management - Advanced Topics
  * HOL-1811-04-SDC - vSphere Security - Getting Started
* Cover each section of blueprint either in your own lab or in HOL

# My experience

Although I failed the exam ( I didn't prepare to it at all) by just a few points I have to say that I enjoyed pretty many aspects of this exam. One pain point was a small monitor (19") with low resolution. All other aspects of the exam were great. The questions were accurate and presented real-world scenarios. Such exam or tasks should be at every VMware related job offer.

I hope my experience will help you better prepare to the exam and nail it 🙂

[1]: /images/uploads/2017/11/vCAP 6 DCA - logo.webp