The VMware 5V0-21.21 or the VMware HCI Master Specialist exam is all about deploying and managing a software-configured storage solution using VMware vSAN.

It is also worth noting that it is the new exam to be taken in place of the VMware 5V0-21.20 which is retiring on August 31, 2021, and one that’s directly associated with the VMware Certified Master Specialist - HCI 2021 certification.

About the Associated VMware Qualification

As already mentioned, this specialist designation focuses on the administration of a software-defined storage solution through VMware vSAN. By completing this VMware accreditation track, successful candidates will prove that they understand the essentials of vSAN architecture, interoperability using VMware vSphere, alongside key features and use cases.

However, applicants must already have an active VCP-DCV 2020 or VCP-DCV 2021 certificate and qualify as a vSAN2020 Specialist or vSAN2021 Specialist.

The VMware 5V0-21.21 Exam Facts

Covering the exam details, VMware 5V0-21.21 is a proctored exam with 50 single/multiple-choice tasks that candidates need to complete in 100 minutes. To qualify for the subsequent designation, they must score 300 points and above. However, this accreditation journey starts with the payment of the full exam fee through the Pearson VUE website.

The VMware 5V0-21.21 Exam Domains

The 5V0-21.21 exam has a total of 7 knowledge areas. But, two of these domains do not feature any testable subtopics. But this is not to say you won’t have questions on these topics. The vendor can add some questions on any of these topics, but it’s not for sure, thus, you should not completely ignore them when preparing for this exam. It is possible that sooner or later you will encounter the following topics:

• Topic 1: Architecture and Core Technologies
• Topic 4: Installation, Setup, and Configuration Processes

In the meantime, during the final exam, you will have to answer questions about the next topics:

Topic 2: Solutions and Products

This exam domain focuses on your solid understanding of the key VMware solutions and products and their interaction with vSAN. As well, you will demonstrate your ability to define the VMware solutions and products that support the consumption of a vSAN solution.

Topic 3: Designing and Planning

This section covers 5 major tasks aimed at checking that you can define a suitable vSAN cluster and services design according to a given scenario. In addition, you should be able to use various vSAN sizing and design tools, as well as plan a vSAN implementation.

Topic 5: Performance tuning, Optimization, and Upgrades

This domain will involve your knowledge of the right methodology for upgrading vSAN, general steps involved in applying the most suitable maintenance mode options, alongside the right method used to manage disk groups and disks.

Topic 6: Troubleshooting and Repairing

As you understand, the topic of repairing focuses on the knowledge of the right action for recovering from an infrastructure or a vSAN failure, diagnostic procedures and solving operational problems within a vSAN deployment, as well as troubleshooting process for a vSAN cluster.

Topic 7: Administrative and Operational Challenges

Finally, the VMware 5V0-21.21 exam will evaluate your skills related to identifying changes to vSAN data placement, the operational tasks for an encrypted vSAN management, the impact assessment of changes to the storage policy, and the tasks associated with extended vSAN cluster management.

Career Opportunities

Are you afraid of fierce competition in the IT field? The passed VMware 5V0-21.21 exam could easily be your secret weapon for success at the interview. Moreover, you can apply for the following positions:

• Virtualization Engineer

  Virtualization engineering is an enviable role that involves managing server resources, data storage, and a ton of computing platforms virtually. To fill this job role, you will be required to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of a range of tasks including migrating data, setting up virtual machines, designing storage and virtualization tools, and troubleshooting the resultant end-user issues.

  Usually, the minimum qualification for serving as a virtualization engineer is educational training, skills, and proven work experience. But with the VMware Certified Master Specialist-HCI 2021 certificate, you are better placed to challenge yourself among the industry’s top dogs by demonstrating keen attention to detail, excellent analytical skills, and above all, a possession of the relevant hard skills. What’s more, ZipRecruiter.com agrees that the average wage for these professionals is $114k annually.

• Solutions Architect

  Perhaps the first name that comes to mind when someone talks about the role of developers is a solutions architect, a term that’s become synonymous with application design for a ton of organizations and corporations throughout the globe. A solutions architect possesses an excellent mix of business and technical skills to enable them to stand out from a solutions development team. These individuals are always at the forefront of emerging trends, trying to streamline business processes by explaining the most complex business terms in the simplest language. They will be involved in building and integrating information into computer systems to satisfy specific business needs, examining the existing systems, and working diligently to design solutions that create a highly effective modern workspace. With that in mind, these specialists can be certain to get average pay of $119k per year according to most of the reliable sources such as PayScale.com.

• Senior IT Consultant

  A senior consultant in the modern IT industry is wholly involved in creating solutions and formulating top-notch ideas to optimize the functionality of the existing systems. They may be engaged in such key areas as security or data management, working tirelessly to ensure the proper functioning of every department. Naturally, a senior consultant should understand the significance of maintaining proper communication channels with users, vendors, and subordinate staff, stay on par with emerging IT trends, demonstrate their adeptness at performing a backup or managing security, and assigning work to the general IT staff as part of their everyday operations.

As a result, according to PayScale.com, a senior consultant in the current employment market is sure to earn an average salary of $103k per year.

Further Certification Path

It’s important to note that VMware provides a ton of products and solutions that you may want to specialize in after completing this certification program. These include Tanzu Kubernetes, vSphere, vCenter Server, and NSX Data Center among others. But if you choose to follow the accreditation path related to vSAN technology, you can register for the VMware Specialist - vSAN 2021 designation.