Not satisfied with just being a VMware VCP? Have you been implementing virtualization for a while? Perhaps you need to dig deeper and take up the challenge of becoming VCDX certified. For VMware Certified Professionals who want to gain a deeper level of VMware technology and advance their level of virtualization certification status, VMware is offering its partners, end-users, resellers, and consultants the chance to demonstrate their expertise within the virtual infrastructure.VMware is offering the VMware Infrastructure Design course, a four day session that gives hands-on training and explores how to design VMware Infrastructure 3 architectures offering a focus on manageability, availability, and scalability.[ Visit the InfoWorld Virtualization Topic Center for news, blogs, essentials, and information about InfoWorld virtualization events ] At the end of the course, students should understand the principles involved in designing VMware Infrastructure 3 architectures:Implementing best practices and evaluating design considerations to meet business needs Distributing resources across ESX clusters automatically and ensuring high availability Architecting remote and branch offices Designing to support Microsoft Active Directory, SQL Server, and Exchange ServerThis test isn’t new. Many candidates have taken the course and the exam when it focused on VMware ESX 3.0 and VirtualCenter 2.0. If you have already passed that exam, you do not need to retest. However, effective Sept. 8, 2008, the course and the VMware Certified Design Expert (VCDX) Enterprise Administration Exam is now based on VMware Infrastructure 3.5.If you have passed the Enterprise Administration Exam, it looks like the Design Exam for the VMware Certified Design Expert will be available on Oct. 1. The VMware Design Exam Blueprint is now available for viewing. The VCDX designation is no simple task. There are four core validation components needed to achieve VCDX status:(1) You must be certified as a VMware Certified Professional (VCP) on VMware Infrastructure 3.(2) You need to pass the VMware Enterprise Administration Exam. This includes live labs and it tests a higher level of skill set than the exam for VCP on VMware Infrastructure 3. (3) You must pass the VMware Design Exam. This exam focuses on actual design scenarios and contains simulations and situational questions.(4) You then need to submit, present, and defend a successful VMware Infrastructure design and implementation plan.Up for the challenge? You can find out more information about the VMware certification program and register for VMware courses online at VMware’s Web site. Software Development