Last week Nutanix launched their flagship certification program, the Nutanix Platform Expert. Let me start by pointing out that the NPX program is not ‘just’ another IT certification and that it’s not to be taken lightly by any means. It is set out to become, and I quote, the most rigorous technical qualification in enterprise computing. NPX candidates are expected to have a considerable amount of IT industry (hands-on) experience and to be expert technologists, consultants, and solution architects with portfolios of work reflecting this expertise, with a strong focus on hyper-converged architectures. And no, I’m not trying to scare you. Curious? Learn more about the Nutanix Platform Expert (NPX) program they’ll gladly provide you with everything you want or need to know.
A short intro
The program is build around web-scale technology, the Nutanix portfolio and hyper-converged architectures in general, ticking all boxes. The thing I like best though is that you really require a high level of proficiency in all related software stacks that might run on top of the Nutanix web-scale orientated platform. This is also the first Hypervisor agnostic certification of its kind, making it even more unique. Since Microsoft Hyper-V, KVM and VMware’s vSphere are all supported, potential candidates are expected to have expert-level knowledge of at least two Hypervisor platforms. And although it is not a prerequisite, it is highly recommended that candidates have (secondary) skills equivalent to platform certifications like Microsoft MCSE, Citrix CCIA or VMware’s VCDX-NV to name a few.
The NPX certification program requires extensive architectural capabilities validated through written exams, a web-scale solution design, hands-on lab and design exercises, and a live peer review.
The Nutanix Platform Professional certification is one of the technical requirements, or prerequisites, to be accepted into the NPX program.
A two step process
Once your application gets accepted the real work begins. Below you’ll find what Nutanix has to say about it. On the other hand, if your application gets rejected, don’t worry, detailed feedback will be provided guiding you in the areas that might need attention / improvement. There are some other specific rules that apply, but I don’t want to go and spoil everything on forehand :) Oh and did I mention that it is free of charge? In short:
NPX certification is a two-stage process; the first stage being a review of a candidate’s NPX Program Application. If a candidate’s application is accepted they will be invited to participate in the NPX Design Review (NDR). The NDR is modeled after an academic viva voce defense (live, oral exam) and requires candidates to present their solution to, and answer questions posed to them by NPX-Certified Examiners (NCE). The NDR also includes a series of hands-on exercises (troubleshooting), which must be completed by the candidate. Successful completion of both stages is required to earn the NPX credential.
If you are interested in reading the official announcement you can find it here.
Time will tell…
It will probably take some time before the first NPX certified candidate will be announced since the program has just been introduced and will be pretty demanding on the IT professional trying to achieve it. But don’t let that scare you, it’s worth it in the end. Take VMware’s VCDX program for example, that is probably the only one coming close, it’s a (very) hard one to get as well but eventually it will get you a lot of recognition (and personal satisfaction). If it were easy there would be a lot more than just 190 VCDX certified professionals out there today (according to vmware.com). Well.. the bar has again been raised, but… The harder the fight the sweeter the victory, right?!
The NPX program is our answer to the global shortage of enterprise architects who really understand the business benefits of software defined storage and hyper-convergence. They are the gateway to web-scale technology and that’s the future of IT,” said Mark Brunstad, Manager of Nutanix’s nu.school.
Enough talk… As mentioned earlier the NPX program guide and the accompanying application form can be downloaded from the program’s home page found here… So go on and get it, I dare yah!
Part of the -1000 blog series.
