I was privileged to attend the Veeam Backup & Replication V11: Architecture and Design v11 (VMCA 2022) training provided by Veeam on the 7th and 8th of December, 2021. The Certified Architect 2022 course is a must for all Senior Engineers and Architects responsible for creating architectures for Veeam environments. In this article, we will discuss “Veeam Certified Architect: A review of the VMCA Training & Certification”. Please see How to setup Veeam ONE v11.
Before I proceed to discuss the specifics. I would like to seize this opportunity to thank Veeam for allowing me to attend this excellent training using the Veeam Legend program and also my community leader “Kseniya” for making it possible to participate in this course. Basically, this training and certification were offered to Veeam Legends/Vanguard members last year.
This course currently takes two training days to complete. The timing depends on the region you are part of (AMER or the EMEA). Also, it can be completely virtual from the comfort of my desk. Kindly refer to this link for more information about this program: Veeam Certification, and also on Youtube: What is a Veeam Certified Architect, and how do I become certified?
How to Qualify for the VMCA Training & Certification Exam
To qualify to take the VMCA 2022 exam,
- Candidates must either attend the Veeam Backup & Replication v11 Architecture and Design training course through a Veeam Authorized Educational Center (VMAEC), or
- Have attended the Veeam Certified Architect v1 course (previously Veeam Certified Engineer “Advanced”: Design & Optimization) within the last 12 months. Or hold the Veeam Certified Architect v1 certification.
Note: It is only recommended and not mandatory that candidates achieve VMCE certification before attending the Veeam Backup & Replication v11: Architecture and Design course and attempting the VMCA 2022 exam. The Veeam Technical Education Services currently offers two industry certifications to help demonstrate your ability to manage a company’s data. The Veeam Certified Engineer (VMCE) and the Veeam Certified Architect (VMCA). Kindly refer to my cover photo for more differences between these two courses. In order to do excellently well in the exam, you need to have a mastery of Mastering Veeam Backup & Replication. I highly recommend this book on Amazon by Chris Childerhose.
Why should you take the Veeam Certified Architect 2022 Course/Exam?
As discussed in the first paragraph. The Certified Architect 2022 course is a must for all Senior Engineers and Architects responsible for creating architecting Veeam products. Veeam Certified Architect 2022 was a rigorous training comprising lectures and practical exercises from Chris Huss. It was aimed to prepare us for the VMCA certification. This training was offered online via Zoom. In this course, you will learn the following listed below.
- Requirement Gathering
- Security Requirements
- Identification of Constraints
- Assumptions
- Risks Assessment (Analysis) etc
Veeam certification holders have a comprehensive understanding of Veeam Availability Suite™. It will interest you to know that the Veeam certification does not just test your theoretical knowledge only. But how you can apply the knowledge in practice and in your corporate environment?
About Veeam Certified Architect 2022 training
The Veeam Backup & Replication v11: Architecture and Design course introduces candidates to a new conceptual design methodology, the in-depth understanding and application of which are tested in the exam. As such, Veeam strongly recommends attending the course before attempting the exam.
When attending this course. You will learn the Veeam Architecture methodology used by Veeam’s own Solution Architects with team exercises poised to enhance your requirement gathering, design, and decision-making skills when designing a Veeam Architectural environment.
Note: It is absolutely recommended that candidates possess an extensive commercial experience with Veeam and a broad sphere of technical knowledge of servers, storage, networks, virtualization and cloud environments.In this course, you have to learn about how to architect a Veeam Backup & Replication infrastructure in your environment. I can attest to the fact that I learned a lot in this course. With a new mindset on how to design and implement the Veeam Backup & Replication infrastructure. Below are some of the course objectives upon completion of the course.
- design and architect a Veeam solution.
- describe best practices, and review an existing infrastructure you need to protect.
- Perform business and Technical requirement gathering.
- design the solution by involving all the needed Veeam components (identify relevant infrastructure metrics and components).
Veeam Certified Architect Course Outline
The course walks you through the Design Methodology and it is divided into these six (6) subdivisions. They are as follows below.
- Discovery
- Conceptual design
- Logical design .
- Physical/tangible design
- Implementation and Governance
- Validation and Iteration
The following diagram below provides an overview of the Veeam Architecture Methodology. As taught in the Veeam Backup & Replication v11. Architecture and Design course, of which candidates are required to have a comprehensive and thorough understanding after the completion of the course.
You need to know some good mathematical knowledge for some of the designs. Or use some available online tools such as Wolframalpha, and Restore Point Calculator.
When taking the exam, kindly ensure you adhere to the following “While each question directly relates to the case study, the questions do not relate to each other. Questions should be considered independently and only in the context of the case study, not in the context of other questions.“
Please see A review of the VMCE training and certification, how to Set up Veeam Backup for Microsoft Azure, What’s new in Veeam Backup and replication v11?, Why you should attend VeeamOn 2023, and learn about the Features of Home Design in the Modern World.
A review of the VMCA Training & Certification: See what other Legends are saying about the course
I can fully recommend this training, if you’re in the target audience mentioned above. Even if you can only apply 75% of this course, it will be valuable and useful to you. There were many times during the last two days, where I’ve noticed what I could improve in my current process or where I’ve received new ideas.
VMCA2022 training review by Regnor,
The VMCA was one of my long-term goals and with the completion of the course, I’m almost there.
If any of you are thinking about doing the VMCA2022 exam I could not recommend enough taking this course before you do. It is truly amazing the work that has gone in to this one compared to the older VMCA and I know @haslund has done tremendous work too with the course content.
Veeam Certified Architect 2022 Course review by Chris
I can truly say that this has help me better understand how Veeam can and should be architected which I will bring to my role at work. Along with the great document that you get a copy of with all the answers including the links to the calculation sites, recommendations, etc. makes this invaluable.
Veeam have changed their approach to exams a lot over the past few years, and I’m glad to say it’s for the better. Unlike some exams where the focus is on remembering specific cmdlets for an action that takes 2 seconds in the GUI, or remembering obscure details on a particular setting. Veeam focuses on concepts and information that a Veeam architect “should know”. It’s a difficult line to walk, but Veeam ensure the questions and scenarios provided in the exam contain enough information to work out the answer, without requiring you to recite the Helpcenter documentation verbatim! If you’re serious about data protection, the training and exam are well worth the time and effort.
From MicoolPaul (VeeamLegent/Vanguard)
While the VMCA (or even VMCE, for that matter) is not for those who want to get another credential to add to your list, you need to have the skills and hands-on with Veeam to pass these challenging exams. But if you are looking to work with Veeam daily, I highly recommend at least the VMCE 2021, and if you are an Architect doing designs or customer implementations with Veeam, then taking the VMCA 2022 will help you on your journey. I also cannot say enough about taking the course, which should be a MUST for anyone looking to go the route of VMCA
Veeam Certified Architect 2022 – Achieved & Unlocked by Chris
It’s always hard to determine somebody’s experience just by some multiple-choice questions. But Veeam in my opinion did a great job with this exam as it does not too much focus on evil details that you might never have stumbled upon in the manual but merely tries to figure out if you have a good understanding of what is relevant for a certain design. An owner of the VMCA2022 will have a decent knowledge of the product and how to use it in a given scenario. So don’t hesitate…go for it!
VMCA 2022 review by Michael
Before attempting the exam, candidates should ensure they have a thorough and comprehensive understanding of the concepts discussed in the exam guide and reference articles listed below.
- Veeam Backup & Replication V11: Architecture and Design
- Veeam Backup & Replication Best Practices
- VMCA 2022 Exam Guide
The exam time is 90 min and you will be given an additional 30 min if you schedule your exam in a non-English-speaking country. The passing score for the VMCA exam is 70%. Once you pass the exam, you will receive your VMCA certificate, digital badge, and priority access to technical support.
Recertification
Certifications do not expire, but ProPartners may be required to update their certifications to remain compliant in the Veeam ProPartner program. Check your ProPartner program guide or reach out to your Veeam representative for more details on certification requirements in your region.
Completion of this course satisfies the prerequisite for taking the Veeam Certified Architect (VMCA) exam, the highest level of Veeam certification. VMCA certification proves knowledge of architecture and design concepts, highlighting the level of skill required to efficiently architect a Veeam solution in a range of real-world environments.
What are you waiting for?
Hurry up and register for the VMCA training today. I hope you found this blog post helpful on Veeam Certified Architect: A review of the VMCA Training & CertificationVeeam Certified Architect: A review of the VMCA Training & Certification. If you have any questions, please let me know in the comment session.