Seeing as I’m looking to attempt to obtain the VCDX5-DCV for vSphere 5 I thought it would only make sense to create a page of all the tips and resources I find in preparing,creating and submitting my design and what to expect and do prior to my defence. Very much like my VCAP resources pages I’m hoping to get as many resources and helpful tips and tricks to not only help me be fully prepared for it all but also hopefully help loads of the other people out there looking to obtain this illustrious accreditation.

• Jon Hall from VMware has posted some great articles all about the differences between Conceptual, Logical and Physical, Functional versus Non-functional Requirements, Developing a Strategy and Deployment Plan, Optimizing your VMware Environment and Four Keys to Managing a VMware Environment. Each of these are brilliant in preparing for and understanding the best practices/methods in creating your VCDX design especially the Conceptual, Logical and Physical document.
• Josh Odgers has done an unbelievable three part series around the VCDX Defence. He covers the defence of your design , the design scenario and the troubleshooting scenario.
• The VCDX boot-camp book is out available for purchase here
• There are a number of blogs out there from people who have successfully achieved the VCDX and have given amazing tips for your preparation for each of the pre-requisite exams and your design and defence. Below is a list of the best ones out there and hopefully as more VCDX’s blog about their experience and journey it can grow:
  • Hugo Phan:My VCDX Journey – 5 simple steps to VCDX
  • Josh Odgers : My VCDX Journey
  • Scott Lowe: On the VCDX Defense
  • Jason Boche:My VCDX Defense Experience
  • Jason Nash: My VCDX Defense….Or How I Flew to San Francisco to Choke…. And his passing posting is here. Make sure you read both as he gives some top tips in both of them
  • Fellow LonVMUG attendee Chris Kranz:VCDX Journey
  • Andrea Mauro posted about his VCDX journey on the VMware communities
  • Fabio Rapposelli: My own VCDX Defense experience
  • Duncan Epping:  VCDX Defense, the blog article!
  • Frank Denneman: VCDX number 029
  • Kenneth van Ditmarsch: My VCDX Defend Experience
  • Rick Scherer: My VMware VCDX defense experience
  • Harley Stagner: The end of the journey VCDX number 46
  • Martijn Baecke: My road to becoming a VCDX
  • Tom Fojta – My journey to VCDX-Cloud
  • Brian Suhr – Swing and a miss my first VCDX defense panel
  • Brian Suhr – Twas the night before my VCDX defense
  • Brian Suhr – vBrownBag path to becoming VCDX and my tips
  • Chris Wahl – Go Go Gadget VCDX
  • Joep Piscaer – I’m VCDX 101
  • Matt Cowger – VCDX Process and Experience
• Michael Webster has done a great posting titled “My Recommendations for VCDX Candidates“. He gives some really helpful tips and advice in your preparations and for what to expect before ,during and after the defence.
• Duncan Epping has done a great break down of all the tips from VCDX 001 John Arrasjid. Some top tips for anyone just doing a VI design never mind the VCDX.
• Brian Rice has posted two threads on the VMware communities VCDX forum around the most common errors in VCDX Applications and defenses. There are some really good tips in here.
• A number of videos have gone up around the VCDX defences and what you should and shouldn’t do during your defence here
• Brian Suhr has created an index of VCDX Preparation material on his blog here.
• A number of the VCDX Spotlights have now gone out and there are some real gems of advice and knowledge from the current VCDX’s. So far the below have been posted and if I can remember I will try keep the list up to date:
  • Nathan (Nate) Raper
  • Duncan Epping
  • Jason Boche
  • Frank Denneman
  • Andrea Mauro
  • Harley Stagner
  • Josh Odgers
  • Kenneth van Ditmarsch
  • Hugo Phan
  • Jonathan Kohler
  • Tim Antonowicz
  • Brian Suhr
  • Randy Stanley
  • Travis Wood
  • Kenny Garreau
  • Jonathan Kemp
  • Mike Brown
  • James Charter
  • Matt Vandenbeld
  • Chris Wahl
  • Simon Long
  • Tom Ralph

Gregg