Are you preparing for the VMware Certified Professional – VMware Cloud Foundation Administrator 2024 Exam? Our VMware {code} community-led study group is here to help guide you through the process, step by step.
Every Tuesday morning for the next 6 weeks, we’re hosting a weekly study session aimed at helping you successfully prepare for the VCP-VCF Administrator exam. Sign up and make sure to arrive on-time, as we try to kick these sessions off promptly at 9 AM Eastern / 2 PM GMT. In each session, we break down key concepts from the official Exam Guide. Whether you’re just starting or refining your knowledge, our sessions are designed to help you understand and master VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) topics critical to passing the exam.
*Pro Tip* – Pair these sessions with the VMware {code} Community Exam Guide
We’ve updated the verbiage to match the 2025 Exam Guide
Say hello and connect with the awesome community members leading the classes:
- Stephan McTighe – Technical Adoption Manager, Broadcom
- James Tiffany – Senior Technical Adoption Manager, Broadcom
- Gareth Edwards – Senior Solutions Architect, Broadcom
Session 1: SDDC Manager Overview & Exam Guide
In our first session, the VMware {code} coaches deployed a lab and walked through the SDDC Manager GUI. We also provided a high-level overview of the exam structure. The community engagement during the session was incredible, with active participation in the chat, which added even more value to the discussion.
Some Questions from Session #1
SDDC & Workload Domain Architecture
- Different hosts for SDDC vs. workload domain?
- Isolating management hosts is a best practice for security & stability.
- Some users prefer consolidated domains, but this limits flexibility.
- Different storage types for management vs. workload domain?
- Fully supported, no issues with mixed storage.
VCF Networking & API Deployment
- Edge cluster deployment via API?
- APIs allow for some prerequisite circumvention, but the exam focuses on standard deployment methods.
- Percentage of exam content related to NSX & networking?
- No exact percentage, but NSX and networking are significant topics.
SDDC Manager: Passwords & Third-Party Integration
- Viewing passwords in SDDC Manager?
- Not directly viewable via GUI, only accessible through API or CLI.
- Exporting API code for password management?
- Possible, similar to how the ONYX fling worked for vCenter.
Time Sync & NTP Management
- Updating NTP in SDDC Manager:
- Yes, it updates across ESXi, NSX, and vCenter through a defined workflow.
- VMware account teams can assist with best practices for NTP updates.
Backup & Restore in VCF
- Restoring SDDC Manager vs. vCenter?
- VCF supports file-based restores for SDDC Manager, vCenter, and NSX.
- The process is more structured than a simple download-and-restore.
Session 2: VMware Cloud Foundation Deployment
In this session, we dove deep into the VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) deployment process to help prepare for the VCP-VCF Administrator exam. Topics covered included hands-on labs, VMware Cloud Builder, deployment parameters, and importing JSON for VCF deployment. We also explored day 2 operations, ESXi host commissioning, and networking within VCF. Plus, the community came together to share insights on using APIs and handling initial deployment with LACP and LAGs. To wrap up, we previewed future sessions covering workload domains, networking requirements, and Aria Suite, and shared a handy study tip using different colored sticky notes.
Key Highlights from Session 2
VCF Exam Coverage
- The consensus is that the VCF Administrator Exam assumes greenfield deployments.
Networking & Availability Zone (AZ) Design
- VLAN & Edge Uplinks:
- Using the same VLAN for Edge Uplinks & Management Domain:
- Not recommended but technically possible.
- Security risks and expansion constraints must be considered.
- Using the same VLAN for Edge Uplinks & Management Domain:
Cloud Builder & Workload Domain Deployment
- Cloud Builder deploys only the management domain.
- Workload domains are created via SDDC Manager (not Cloud Builder).
- Topic for Session #3.
- PowerVCF APIs can be used to automate workload domain deployment.
Automation & API Usage
- PowerVCF can automate most tasks in VCF.
- Some API calls require manual validation before execution.
- Feature requests: Some participants suggested AI-driven SDDC automation to validate configurations before deployment.
Study Resources
- VCF Hands-On Labs (HOL) were recommended.
Session 3: VMware Cloud Foundation Workload and Management Domains + Day 2 Objectives
In the 3rd installment, the team discussed Deployments of Workload Domains, vSAN stretched clusters, Single Sign-on architectures, NSX Edge Clusters, BGP, AVN, Certificates, Password Management and more.
Key Highlights from Session 3
The video has a lot of chapters to highlight everything that was talked about. This session, I feel, was split evenly between theory (powerpoint) and demos so that the student was able to see exactly what and where to click through. Although we do have VMware Hands-on-Labs available, we’re not able to perform every action, like configure backups to a location off of the VCF infrastructure. That’s what makes this video worth-watching.
Reminder, that if you are a VMware Cloud Foundation customer, you do have access to the Broadcom Learning platform where you can go more in-depth about what we’re learning here.
Session 4: Upgrades, Patching and the VMware Aria Suite
In this session, we specifically focused on upgrades, patching, and VMware Aria Suite. The session covers life cycle management within a VCF environment, touching on vCenter, NSX, and the Aria Suite.
Key Highlights from Session 4
VCF Life Cycle Management: VCF simplifies compatibility checks, as VMware guarantees that bundles and versions are tested to work together
Bundle Management: The SDDC Manager has a built-in function for bundle management.
VMware Aria Suite: The suite includes Aria Operations (formerly vRealize Operations or vROps), Aria Operations for Logs (formerly vRealize Log Insight), Aria Automation (formerly vRealize Automation), Aria Suite Lifecycle Manager (formerly vRealize Suite Lifecycle Manager), and Workspace One Access (formerly vIDM).
Aria Suite Lifecycle Manager: It allows for certificate and license management, as well as password management. It includes a dashboard that provides a graphical representation of data centers in multiple geographic locations.
Session 5: NSX & VKS (VMware Kubernetes Service)
The session started with an introduction and a preview of the final session scheduled for next week. The focus then shifted to two key areas: NSX and VMware Kubernetes Service (VKS), both important components of the IaaS Control Plane and vSphere with Tanzu.
Key Highlights from Session 5
We start at the NSX Manager GUI and cover various items:
- Alarms: Setting up notifications for system events.
- System Configuration: Basic configuration settings.
- Appliances: Managing NSX appliance settings.
- Fabric: Managing networking components.
- Backups: How to back up and restore NSX settings.
- Network Topology & Overview: Understanding the structure and setup.
- Segments: How to configure and manage network segments and AVNs (Application Virtual Networks).
- VPN, NAT, and Load Balancing: Managing connectivity and traffic routing.
We then jump into the NSX Appliance CLI, Storage Policies and Content Libraries.
Session 6: vSphere Supervisor, ESXi Host Maintenance Mode with vSAN, Recap of the Series
Key Highlights from Session 6
In this session, we covered essential VCP-VCF exam topics, including encryption methods, vSAN services, and ESXi host maintenance. We also explored key concepts like workload management, SDDC Manager configuration, patching, and certificate management. Additionally, we provided insights into VMware Hands-on Labs, API usage, and tips for exam day preparation. The session wrapped up with a look at next steps and resources for continued study.
VMUG Advantage Members
This may be old news, but just in case you haven’t heard…
“VMUG Advantage members will gain exclusive access to 3-year full stack VCF licenses for non-production, personal use through Broadcom’s new program, requiring VCP-VCF certification.”
And that’s not all! Don’t miss VMUG Connect, this April in St. Louis, MO – Hilton at the Ballpark on April 23rd – 25th, 2025
As a VMUG Advantage Member, you’ll get 1 FREE certification attempt while you’re on-site at the event.
Sign up for the study sessions. Take a look at some of the speakers you’ll get to meet at VMUG Connect, besides me, of course ;), and start planning what sessions you’re going to attend at the event, too.
Closing
Please Note: This study group is meant to complement the official training provided by Broadcom. We highly recommend taking the official courses offered by Learning@Broadcom. The instructors are great, and all of the lessons are available 24/7!
