Multiple Achievements Unlocked!



VMware VMware Cloud on AWS VMware EMpower vRealize Operations Cloud Management

Published on 24 July 2019 by Christopher Lewis. Words: 724. Reading Time: 4 mins.

TL:DR - Achievements/Goals are like buses it seems

There have been a few Achievements / Goals Unlocked in the last few months. So rather than multiple individual posts I thought I would capture them here:

  1. Learn more about vRealize Operations Manager.
  2. Speak at a Tech Conference.
  3. Obtain vExpert Cloud Management designation.
  4. Retain vExpert NSX designation.
  5. Pass the VMware Cloud on AWS SDDC Management 2019 Exam.
  6. Pass the vRealize Operations 7.5 Specialist exam.

Let us dive a little deeper into each one!

Learn more about vRealize Operations Manager

Within my new role at VMware as a Senior SE Specialist - Cloud Management, talking about the products within the vRealize Suite is now my day to day job (How #awesome is that?!?). This has meant learning a lot more about the products that I only had periphery knowledge about, such as vRealize Operations Manager. At my previous employer, my goto person for anything vROps related was the #awesome Simon Eady Now, in addition to knowing Simon, I have better access to the internal #RockStars such as John Dias , Sunny Dua and Iwan Rahabok . Plus I get to work with #awesome colleagues like BENGT GRØNÅS in the EMEA SE space!

Speak at a Tech Conference

All of the above meant I was lucky enough to be asked to present at VMware’s Partner event VMware EMPOWER 2019. This was my first Speaking slot outside of the regional UK VMUGs. What an experience! I hope to repeat it next year and at #VMworld at some point in the future.

I’m also soo grateful for the #vCommunity support during this conference as I bumped into a greta deal of familiar faces!

Obtain the vExpert Cloud Management Sub-designation

The vExpert Cloud Management Sub designation is a new one this year for existing vExperts to apply for. It currently does not cover all of the VMware Cloud Management products, initially concentrating on VMware vRealize Operations, VMware vRealize Log Insight/Log Intelligence and VMware vRealize Network Insight/Network Insight.

Luckily a lot of the work I have been doing internally and speaking at VMware EMpower meant I was lucky to be invited into this awesome group of VMware Cloud Management #vCommunity members.

I cannot wait to see what happens with this sub-designation!

Retain vExpert NSX

I’m truly humbled to once again be included in the vExpert NSX designation (thats 3 years in a row!). There has definitely been some improved traction over the last 12 months (if we forget about the fact meeting invites don’t always make it out). I need to make more of an effort to blog more about VMware NSX over the next 12 months as I go on my own personal journey of discovery with VMware NSX-T.

Pass the VMware Cloud on AWS SDDC Management 2019 Exam

Taking the VMware Cloud on AWS Management Exam 2019 (5V0-31.19) has been on my personal radar for at least the last 6 months I just haven’t had the headspace to look at the content and sit the exam. I mainly used the following resources to help pass this exam:

Pass the vRealize Operations 7.5 Specialist exam

As I have said above, I have got a lot more familiar with VMware vRealize Operations Manager over the last 6 months. So I decided to give the exam ago this week, and luckily it seems I know enough to be considered dangerous! I managed to get a passing mark (400+) in the exam!

I used the following resources to help fill in any gaps I had:

Summary

As you can see it has been a very productive few months. I’m loving my new job and, apart from the odd chest infection, loving life and spending time with the family. Whilst I do need to do a little more exercise (who doesn’t?) and shift my work/life balance a little more (my fault not the company), I’m actually happy for the first time in a long time. #blessed.

Published on 24 July 2019 by Christopher Lewis. Words: 724. Reading Time: 4 mins.