Since starting my VCDX design (on which I haven’t had chance to do much yet!) I’ve been slightly sidetracked by VMware NSX.
I have a background in Networks (briefly) and Firewalls (for a few years), so I do have a reasonable understanding of network protocols. However, I really didn’t “get” what NSX gave you, above and beyond what you got with standard vSphere networking. So I thought I’d better try and understand why everyone thinks it’s such a *big thing*.
What better way to find out more, than to do a certification, so lets start with the VCP-NV!
Blueprint available here
Section 1 – Define VMware NSX Technology and Architecture
Objective 1.1 – Describe the Benefits of a VMware NSX Implementation
Objective 1.2 – Describe VMware NSX Architecture
Objective 1.3 – Differentiate VMware Network and Security Technologies
Objective 1.4 – Contrast Physical and Virtual Network Technologies
Objective 1.5 –Explain VMware NSX Integration with Third-Party Products and Services
Objective 1.6 –Explain VMware NSX Integration with vCloud Automation Center (vCAC)
Section 2 – Plan and Configure vSphere Networking
Objective 2.1 – Define Benefits of Running VMware NSX on Physical Network Fabrics
Objective 2.2 – Describe Physical Infrastructure Requirements for a VMware NSX Implementation
Section 3 – Configure and Manage vSphere Networking
Objective 3.1 – Configure and Manage vSphere Standard Switches (vSS)
Objective 3.2 – Configure and Manage vSphere Distributed Switches (vDS)
Objective 3.3 – Configure and Manage vSS and vDS Policies
Section 4 – Install and Upgrade VMware NSX
Objective 4.1 – Configure Environment for Network Virtualization
Objective 4.2 – Deploy VMware NSX Components
Objective 4.3 – Upgrade Existing vCNS/NSX Implementation
Objective 4.4 – Expand Transport Zone to Include New Cluster(s)
Section 5 – Configure VMware NSX Virtual Networks
Objective 5.1 – Create and Administer Logical Switches
Objective 5.2 – Configure VXLAN
Objective 5.3 – Configure and Manage Layer 2 Bridging
Objective 5.4 – Configure and Manage Logical Routers
Section 6 – Configure and Manage NSX Network Services
Objective 6.1 – Configure and Manage Logical Load Balancing
Objective 6.2 – Configure and Manage Logical Virtual Private Networks (VPN)
Objective 6.3 – Configure and Manage DHCP/DNS/NAT
Objective 6.4 – Configure and Manage Edge Services High Availability
Section 7 – Configure and Administer Network Security
Objective 7.1 – Configure and Administer Logical Firewall Services
Objective 7.2 – Configure Distributed Firewall Services
Objective 7.3 – Configure and Manage Service Composer
Section 8 – Perform Operations Tasks in a VMware NSX Environment
Objective 8.1 – Configure Roles, Permissions, and Scopes
Objective 8.2 – Describe NSX Automation
Objective 8.3 – Monitor a VMware NSX Implementation
Objective 8.4 – Perform Auditing and Compliance
Objective 8.5 – Administer Logging
Objective 8.6 – Backup and Recover Configurations
Section 9 – Troubleshoot a VMware Network Virtualization Implementation
Objective 9.1 – Identify Tools Available for Troubleshooting
Objective 9.2 – Troubleshoot Common NSX Installation/Configuration Issues
Objective 9.3 – Troubleshoot Common NSX Component Issues
Objective 9.4 – Troubleshoot Common Connectivity Issues
Objective 9.5 – Troubleshoot Common vSphere Networking Issues
Other useful links
List of useful numbers, maximums, minimums, that I’ve collected along the way
Study Guide in a single PDF
YAVB - Rich Dowling 
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Great job on the study guide so far!! Keep it up!
Impressive work, Rich. Thank for you doing this.
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hello Rich, appreciate the great work you did pubblishing your notes, do you have any news where I can found the study materials for this course including labs and official guide?
Unsurprisingly, the NSX ICM course materials are copyright, so I’m sorry, but I can’t share them, or point to anywhere where they might be available.
I’ve been lucky enough to be enrolled on the “On Demand” version of the course.
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Hi Rich,
Thanks for all your efforts. I passed VCP-NV on 30th Jan 2015 via self study since my CCIE qualified me for exemption from attending the course (not that I would have complained if someone would have paid for it). I attribute this resource as a very valuable part of my study plan and major contributor to my passing.
You and all the others who unselfishly publish the fruits of your hard work on line and in the public domain are legends and you inspire me to do the same.
All the best to you and good luck with everything. If you are interested I’ll dig out some of my notes that may supplement some sections so you can add them for other viewers? Let me know via response here or Twitter @steveplz
Cheers,
Steve.
Thank you for your very kind words. I’d be delighted to include any additions/clarifications/corrections that you can suggest.
Anywhere to get this all in one pdf so I can print sections?
Hi, I will try and get a PDF up soon.
Thanks Rich. Awesome btw!
Here you go
Please let me know if you see any mistakes in it!
Awesome! Printing now. Thank you.
Thanks for the notes … one suggestion would be adding page numbers on the pdf file …..do you think this study guide would be sufficient to take the test?
Hi, I have added a page number now. Thanks for the suggestion.
Whether this guide is enough to takes the test – difficult to say, I spent a fair amount of time reading up on NSX before and whilst creating the guide, and also took the OnDemand NSX ICM course just before taking the exam. In theory, it covers everything on the blueprint, but I wouldn’t like to say you don’t need to do any other study.
Thanks for the feedback …
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Thank you so much for the valuable notes. I was looking for a starting point to the VC-NV and google landed me here -luckily- and I need your advice. I’m a network admin with +8 years in different areas of networking administration but I’ve a very very huge gap in virtualization knowledge other than setup some vms (linux, win server) for testing purposes. I saw vmware certs. and I decided to start my way through and I just loved this VCP-NV. Now what I’m asking about is, can I just go straight to it or should I start from scratch? because I don’t even know what vsphere, horizon, ..etc stands for or what they do!.
Hi Mohammed, VMware have some free training courses here: http://www.vmware.com/go/topfreecourses which might be useful to cover the basics. Also I would have a look at the Hands On Labs http://labs.hol.vmware.com/HOL/catalogs/ which are great for having a poke around at all the VMware technologies.
Thank you richdowling, very useful links, good start.
Thanks Rich.
I also want to say thanks and repeat everything @steveplz said. I’ll studying for my VCP-NV also and will use this alongside my other study material.
You’re welcome 🙂
Great job! Thanks!
Passed the VCP-NV exam today. Your blog was a great help in pointing me in the right direction for each section of the blueprint. Many thanks!
Fabulous! Congratulations on passing the exam and thanks for the feedback 🙂
I am also very thankful #richdowling and I have cleared my VCPN610 by today.Its exact match of blueprint and very helpful for this exam.
You’re welcome! Congratulations!
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Awesome help, though it appears the study guide link isnt working, could you check the link please? I am planning on sitting the exam at the end of the month.
Hi Josh! I think there was a problem with google drive. Wasn’t working for me earlier, but I’ve not made any changes and it’s working again now.
Good luck with the exam!
R.
Great info and guides. Question for you or anyone–Who would most benefit from this certification and knowledge? In other words, what is the typical job where this info would be helpful? Would someone be a CCNP, for example, and want to enhance their knowledge in this VMware area to complement the network-specific knowledge? Would you be someone working at a hosting facility serving multiple customers? I’m just trying to figure out what VMware products and features are most requested by employers hiring individual admins either as contractors or company employees. Any input would most helpful. Right now, I am interested in the NV side BUT worried it would be a waste of money and time IF I cannot actually utilize the info and get real hands on. I could certainly stick with my DCV and DT work and just update my certs in those areas since I use this knowledge daily. But it would be nice to branch out and add more advanced info IF it was worth it.
Difficult question. I suspect there is limited market penetration compared with vSphere, so opportunities to use the skills learned would be fewer.
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