The VMware 3V0-21.21 exam evaluates your knowledge in incorporating key design principles when developing a vSphere 7.x conceptual design. This particular test leads you towards the VMware Certified Advanced Professional - Data Center Virtualization Design 2021 or VCAP-DCV Design 2021 certification, which corresponds to your expertise in end-user computing components and environments. So, if you plan to add this validation to your must-have list, here’s everything you need to know about its related exam.

Going through Key Exam Details

Serving as the qualification test for the VCAP-DCV Design 2021 qualification, the 3V0-21.21 unlocks your advanced knowledge in designing VMware solutions in accordance with the requirements set by the customer. It also demonstrates that you can capably regulate both functional and non-functional features to build a logical & physical design using relevant VMware elements. Overall, the actual exam primarily courses around 7 relevant sections, starting with the architecture and technologies of a design (1) and then products and solutions (2). It continues with the planning and designing stage (3) and carries on with the installation, configuration, and setting up (4) phases. The subsequent sections take on areas such as performance-tuning, optimization, and upgrades (5), along with troubleshooting and repairing (6). Finally, the last subject is all about the administrative and operational functions (7). All these major areas are incorporated into the 150-minute proctored exam, consisting of 60 questions formatted into single- and multiple-choice types. Besides, you need to get at least 300 to pass the official evaluation.

Preparing for 3V0-21.21 with Right Resources

Ace your upcoming test by studying efficiently and smartly. So, to support your learning path, below are the most credible materials that you can use while preparing for an exam like this.

1. Exam blueprint

Before anything else, take a closer look into the exam prep guide, which acts as the blueprint of the VMware 3V0-21.21. The material explains the relevant things you need to know about the final evaluation, including the delivery format, qualified candidates, and key references. For the target audience, the certification vendor especially sets out the Minimally Qualified Candidates (MQC). As a rule, these are applicants with at least 12 months of background in vSphere environment design and deployment. Also, the best candidates for the actual test are solution architects who already have knowledge in physical designs, along with compute, networking, security, storage, disaster recovery, and such. Additionally, the file also comes with some sample questions that you can use to assess your topic comprehension.

2. Official training course

After familiarizing yourself with the test specifications, it’s highly recommended to enroll in the official training course for the VMware 3V0-21.21, which is the VMware vSphere: Design [V7]. This is a blow-by-blow training that supplies you with germane information about VMware vSphere 7 virtual infrastructure. Besides, it follows a strategic approach in designing virtualization solutions while guaranteeing manageability, availability, and security within the platform. The VMware best practices are also highlighted, together with the core benefits and risks related to design alternatives. More so, you’ll be provided with a case study that you can use to apply your knowledge and practice your skills in a design project. In addition, the key products given emphasis in the lectures are VMware ESXi 7 and VMware vCenter Server 7. At the end of such a course, you can expertly distinguish business objectives, requirements, and risks associated with the vSphere environment. The lectures will also cultivate your capabilities in applying frameworks to a design, analyzing design choices, and creating core management infrastructure, compute infrastructure, virtual data center, storage & networking, and security features for enterprises. The entire training lasts up to 3 days, with various delivery formats, including live online, onsite, vFlex-ILT, and classroom setup. So, you just choose the one according to your own preferences.

3. Recommended references

Continue with your learning path and read the official recommendations from the vendor’s experts. The writers of the 3V0-21.21 exam provided a list of resources that were used when preparing the content for the official test. Therefore, capitalizing on these references is very helpful in your study. In all, the materials are categorized based on the products and versions so you can easily navigate around. So, under the VMware vSphere section, try to read documents related to vSphere Resource Management, vSphere Security, vSphere Networking, vSphere Availability, vSphere Storage, vSphere Authentication, and more. Other relevant areas that require your attention include VMware vSAN, VMware ESXi, VMware vCenter Server, and VMware vSphere Bitfusion.

4. VMware vSphere Design by Forbes Guthrie, Scott Lowe, and Kendrick Coleman

If you want to revisit the fundamentals of VMware vSphere Design, grab a copy of this book from Amazon and look into the pertinent insights provided by the virtualization specialists. The content of this material, in particular, concentrates on the core processes of planning, deploying, maintaining, and optimizing vSphere virtualization solutions. This way, you will understand every step in the process so you can effectively make sound and practical choices. Such a resource also brings into light the importance of network layout, hardware selections, and security considerations, together with other topics such as ESXi hypervisors deployment, NFS storage, FCoE, and iSCSI. Last of all, a comparison between vSwitches and dvSwitches is explained as well to develop your knowledge in network connectivity and virtual machines.

5. Performance Best Practices for VMware vSphere 7.0 by VMware

Through the VMware Support Offerings and Services, you are presented with a comprehensive assistance program to help you out with your professional needs. One of their support resources is tech papers that you can use to stretch your knowledge and practice your skills. A very notable file, in particular, that you can maximize for your upcoming exam is the “Performance Best Practices for VMware vSphere 7.0”, which records all the significant areas of VMware vSphere 7.0. All in all, the book features four chapters ― Hardware for Use with VMware vSphere (1), ESXi and Virtual Machines (2), Guest Operating Systems (3), and Virtual Infrastructure Management (4). The content also provides noteworthy tips that you can utilize when studying for the final exam.

Conclusion

Generally, VMware certifications are industry-recognized, hence they have the acknowledgment among many companies around the world. And if you successfully accomplish the VMware 3V0-21.21 exam, then you’ve clinched the coveted VCAP-DCV Design 2021 endorsement. Displaying this on your profile proves that you are highly credible and efficient in dealing with data center virtualization design, particularly, its key principles and methodologies.