VMworld 2015 Roundup: Day 4

Wednesday is typically a very breakout session heavy day for VMworld. There are no General Sessions and it’s the last day for things like the Hand-On Labs and Solutions Exchange. Because the conference party happens on this night, there also aren’t a lot of extracurricular activities available either.

#SDDC5027 – VCDX Unwrapped

This was a panel session to ask current VCDX’s questions about the program, what to expect at a defense, etc. Let’s hit a few of the points and questions I managed to capture.

• Multi-contributor designs are acceptable to submit for defense, but you have to make sure that you know all of the design. Even the pieces you didn’t contribute to as much.
• What do you do if a customer asks for specific features in an infrastructure design but those features may not meet business requirements?
  • If this is being done in a customer-VAR relationship, the VAR typically creates a set of templates for each of the different design scenarios they’re likely to encounter.
  • If you’ve already signed off on the business requirements with the customer and they’re insisting on adding features after-the-fact, you may find yourself in a position to either defer to the agreed requirements (typically based on terms of your contract) or you may be able to have additional discussions about it (for example, by having a PCR created).
• How much longer will the VCDX-DCV 5 be available to submit for defense?
  • Typically two sets of defenses are available for the N-1 version after the N version is released.
  • VCDX-DCV 5 defenses will likely be available at least until 2016Q2.
• You can use cloud or VDI designs to defend for a VCDX-DCV.
  • It’s highly recommended not to remove components not directly related to DCV (i.e. View) as you might end up with a design that loses some of the requirements and constraints that contributed to remaining decisions.
• Remember that the VCDX defense panel is there to help you.
  • They want to to succeed but you have to succeed (they won’t “help” you pass, they grade you).
  • The panel asks probing question to assess your capabilities, they’re not trying to tear down your design maliciously.
• How often do VCDX panel members research and read detailed technical material?
  • Typically only as needed.
  • Duncan Epping pointed out that when he first started working at VMware he felt he needed to get up to the same technical level as other VMware employees, so he read for at least 2-3 hours a day and answered questions on VMTN in order to both challenge himself and help others.
• You don’t have to use the VMware design template for your design as long as you cover everything.
  • If you’re a VMware partner, it’s important to note that the set templates are not complete.
  • It was recommended to consider using the VMware template as it’s familiar and that would make it easier for the panel to read.
• If multiple design methodologies are used and blended together in a submitted design, should this be called out and explained with the design, or will that add confusion?
  • Definitely add it, just don’t create an unwieldy volume (ex. 800+ pages). After all the panel still has to read everything you submit.