Enterprise server virtualization is a rapidly emerging technology that has made its way into the I.T data center of almost every company. Consolidating servers into a single hardware and using virtual server machines can help the enterprise save a lot of money and also improve management and security of the whole I.T server infrastructure.  The leader in virtualization is of course VmWare. The company develops virtualization software for desktops and for enterprise environments. VmWare desktop software requires an underlying operating system, while the VmWare enterprise software can run directly on server hardware without any third party operating system.

The virtualization software technology is such an expanding field that the demand for VmWare professionals is steadily increasing. In 2008, Vmware and Cisco have announced a partnership to offer joint data center solutions to customers. Therefore, even Cisco professionals will have an advantage if they get experience on virtualization technology.

VmWare Vsphere and ESX Server are two of the most popular enterprise level data center products that need to have dedicated and highly trained professionals to install and manage them. Training for Vsphere and ESX Server is not widely available from training companies because it is a highly specialized and focused subject. Basically you have two main options for getting a good training course for these two VmWare products:

1.    Attend an official VmWare Training.

Advantages:  
•    Several delivery options are available, such as classroom training, live online, onsite etc
•    If you want to become VCP certified (Vmware Certified Professional) then the official Vmware training is the best choice.

Disadvantages:
Very expensive and some times can not be offered in all countries.

2.    Get a trusted Video Training Package.
The most popular and best value for money video training for VmWare is offered by Trainsignal.com. I speak from experience here because I have some colleagues who used the Trainsignal training for both Vsphere and ESX Server and they were very satisfied.

Advantages:
•    Best value for money
•    Self-paced training. You just need a computer at your home to get trained at your convenience.
•    You get a training level similar to that of a classroom based training. A real expert instructor teaches you everything you need to know for each technology.
•    No risk to you because of the 90-Day Total experience guarantee. (This guarantee is offered only from Trainsignal by the way).
•    The training material come in various formats, such as video, PDF notes, audio etc.

Disadvantages:
•    If you need to become VCP certified professional, then VmWare requires you to attend one of their education courses, so a video training package will not be accepted for getting a VCP certification.

As we all know by now, the cell phone has become a huge part of the normal person’s everyday life. In the last several years, there has been a subset of the cell phone market that has stood out above the others. This would be the smart phone. More people have seen the advantages of using a smart phone and as a result, they have become more popular than ever. With their abilities, that are similar to a home computer, they allow a person to be connected no matter where they are. The business enterprise is one of the biggest consumers of smart phone technology. Usually their tool of choice is the Blackberry. A Blackberry was especially made for business consumers and even with the emergence of the IPhone, has remained the number one smart phone in the enterprise.

With the wide usage of the Blackberry in the enterprise, syncing network servers to take advantage of this technology can be a huge undertaking. It takes a large amount of specialty knowledge about the Blackberry, to make sure that everything is just right. This is why companies are looking for certified specialists to handle jobs such as these. With a Blackberry Certification, this will tell employers that you are one of these people. Taking and passing the Blackberry Certification test will show that you are able to handle any problems that might arise with administering and supporting the company’s Blackberries and their enterprise servers.

You can become a Blackberry Certified Specialist by taking exams that are administered by Prometric company. They have sites all around the world, so anyone should be able to take the test. You will have to pay $150 fee per exam to be able to take the test. This fee is non refundable and if you fail, you will have to pay it again. After several years, you will have to re certify yourself again. This will allow them to make sure that you are keeping up with the latest in Blackberry technology. If you are going to be able to officially say that you are qualified by the RIM corporation, then you will have to make sure that you make their name look good. They do not want anyone to devalue the certification program.

Smart phones are the hottest technology right now, and with this certification, you can put yourself right in the middle of it. There are plenty of companies that are looking for technicians to support their employees Blackberry use. Become one of the people that are able to do just that.

There has been a quiet revolution in computers over the past couple of years, but only developers and IT professionals are aware of it. This revolution involves the new found popularity of virtual machines. While different types of virtual machines have been around for decades, they are now more popular than ever. People have figured out clever uses for using virtual machines in everyday settings. If you are scared to open a file because you think that it might be a piece of malware, then you can just open it, in a vm image and let the damage happen in there. Also you can use the power of virtual machines, to make your computing sessions portable. You can easily make an image of your hard drive, and use it on any system that has a vm player installed. Also, virtual machines are extensively used in Enterprise I.T infrastructures, with the advantage being that a single hardware machine can host several virtual servers. The leader in this field right now is of course VmWare.

VmWare has been a leader in making the software that creates and manages virtual machines, accessible to the average user. Since there are a lot of companies starting to use vm images as server solutions, there is a new market that has opened up. There is also a drought of people that can fulfill the needs of this market. The market is for people that know how to operate the VM software and set it up for a large amount of customers. This is where becoming a VmWare Certified Professional can come in handy. A VCP Certification will tell your potential employer that you know everything about virtualization and can deploy it on their enterprise machines. To become a VCP3 certified you must take the VCP-310 Exam or the newest VCP-411 Exam in order to get the VCP4 certification. VMware vSphere Training can also be very helpful for learning the exam requirements of VCP Certification and finally passing the exam.

Most people that get a certification in the IT profession will know how to handle servers in an enterprise setting. What they will have a problem with though, is trying to set up an enterprise server in a virtual setting. There are special needs and precautions that one must take when they are deploying servers in this manner. A virtual server set up, can be a delicate eco system, which one must be careful. Becoming a VmWare Certified professional will show that you know how to do this. You will receive all of the proper training that you need to be able to accomplish the task. You will also be able to physically display the VCP logo, on your web site or business cards. This brings an extra level of professionalism while you are stating your case to your employer.

Becoming someone who is a VmWare Certified Professional will help you in the long run with your employment goals. Virtual Machines are popular in the present and they will be even more so in the future. Show your new boss that you are already one step ahead.