A VMware Administrator (Virtual machine) is a professional with computer infrastructure expertise. You will be responsible for setting up and maintaining hardware, servers, and virtual machines using a VMware platform like vSphere. You will also create and manage user accounts, network access, storage, and security in a virtual or cloud environment.
You will collaborate with other skilled virtual or cloud-computing engineers and use your strong technical skills and knowledge of VMware and related technologies. You will need a degree in computer science, IT, electronics with cloud computing, or a similar field.
You will also need a VCA certification and experience in VMware ESX Enterprise administration. Additional certifications in Datacenter and Desktop are desirable. You will deeply understand the virtual world and be proficient in using computers.
Skills required to become a successful VMware administrator
To be a successful VMware administrator, you must have technical and soft skills. Technical skills are the specific abilities and knowledge you need to perform your duties. Soft skills are the personal qualities and attributes that help you work well with others and achieve your goals.
Here are some of the most important skills for VMware administrators, along with the percentage of VMware administrators who have them:
Virtual Machines (5%): Managed the virtual infrastructure environment that supported various virtual machines for Development, Test, and Production purposes.
Windows Server (5%): Performed backups and recovery operations for Windows servers using the built-in backup utility.
VMware ESX (4%): Developed and deployed XenApp6 solution within a VMware ESX Server 4.x environment to serve multiple users from different entities.
SAN (4%): Implemented and administered Network Management solutions for the Data Center and Retirement System Organization of the City of San Diego.
Linux (4%): Automated deploying Linux systems, application containers, and hosted applications using scripting tools.
Cisco UCS (4%): Installed, initialized, and configured Cisco UCS 5108 series chassis with knowledge of the UCS architecture.
Other Soft skills
Analytical skills: You’ll need to keep an eye on the network and systems to make sure everything’s running smoothly and be able to predict what changes might be needed in the future.
Communication skills: Communication is another soft skill essential for fulfilling VMware administrator day-to-day tasks. You’ll need to be able to explain tech stuff to people who aren’t so tech-savvy, so they can understand what’s going on.
Multitasking skills: Multitasking is an important skill for VMware administrators to perform their duties. As a VMware administrator, you’ll have a lot on your plate, so juggling multiple tasks simultaneously is super important.
Problem-solving skills: You’ll need to be a problem-solver. When things go wrong (and they will), you’ll need to be able to think on your feet and come up with solutions quickly.
Roles and responsibilities of a VMware administrator
A VMware administrator oversees and maintains systems that run on VMware products and services. VMware administrators ensure VMware networks are secure and stable by performing technical checks to uphold quality standards.
They improve the network infrastructure, set up the user interface, and develop system designs and codes based on business needs and client specifications. VMware administrators must have excellent communication and technical skills to handle network complexities and identify system failures for quick resolution.
As a VMware administrator, you will have a variety of tasks related to managing and maintaining systems that use VMware products and services. Some examples of these tasks are:
- Managing the Microsoft DHCP server and WSUS for headquarters.
- Managing the Citrix farm access to the SQL database.
- Creating VDI’s from the template, managing and configuring VDI template according to the client requirements.
- Configuring network printers and plotters, installing printer drivers, configuring ports, managing permissions, and troubleshooting issues.
- Integrating VMWARE with EMC backup technologies for image-based backups that use VMWARE's change block tracking feature.
- Using the VPLEX user interface to monitor SAN, create devices and extents, and maintain and manage initiators and their target ports.
- Maintaining and upgrading DNS and DHCP servers.
- Designing and planning NAS infrastructure using SMB/CIFS/NFS protocols with EMC storage, windows, and UNIX machines.
- Performing disk consolidations to multiple VMs that have failed snapshots frees up virtual disk space from data stores.
- Designing the performance monitoring processes and improving disaster recovery to maximize virtualization benefits.
- Implementing company-wide DNS policy.
- Participating in desktop publishing project with AppSense policy.
- Working and resolving AppSense profile issues of users.
- Creating and editing static IP reservations with DHCP services.
- Configuring resource pools and folders to set up mappings on SRM.
Here are the best certifications for VMware Administrators
VMware Certified Professional 6 - Cloud (VCP-Cloud)
If you want to prove your skills in setting up and managing a Cloud environment with VMware technologies, consider getting the VMware Certified Professional - Cloud (VCP-Cloud) certification. This certification will show you how to use vCloud Director and other VMware products to create and manage cloud services, such as vApps, service catalogs, and VDCs.
You will also learn to configure and administer cloud networking and storage solutions. To earn this certification, you need to have a solid background in vSphere installation, deployment, scaling, and management and a basic understanding of cloud infrastructure concepts.
VMware Certified Professional 5 - Data Center Virtualization (VCP5-DCV)
Virtualization is a technology that allows you to create multiple virtual machines (VMs) on a single physical server, each running its own operating system and applications. The VMware VCP5-DCV certification is one of the most respected credentials in data center virtualization. T
he VMware VCP5-DCV certification demonstrates that you have the knowledge and skills to successfully install, deploy, scale, and manage VMware vSphere environments, which are the foundation of cloud computing. VMware vSphere is a suite of products and services that enable you to create and manage VMs, clusters, networks, storage, and other virtualized resources. By earning the VCP5-DCV certification, you will show that you can leverage the power of vSphere to deliver optimal solutions for your organization’s needs.
VMware Certified Associate - Data Center Virtualization (VCA-DCV)
You need to get a VMware certification to learn more about virtualization technologies or become a recognized virtualization expert. The VCA - Data Center Virtualization certification will help you gain more confidence when discussing data center virtualization, how vSphere can solve the business problems related to it, and how vSphere can make the data center more efficient and cost-effective. You will be able to explain what data center virtualization is and how it can benefit your organization by using vSphere and its features.
VMware Certified Professional 6 - Data Center Virtualization (VCP6-DCV)
Becoming VMware Certified Professional 6 - Data Center Virtualization (VCP6-DCV) certified professional will boost your credibility and help you deliver business value to your organization. The VCP6-DCV certification shows you have the skills and knowledge to manage and troubleshoot vSphere V6 infrastructures, using best practices to create a reliable and scalable virtualization platform for your company. VCP6-DCV is the most popular certification among VMware professionals, with over 100,000 certified individuals worldwide.
What is the average salary of a VMware administrator?
The average salary for a VMware Administrator in the United States is $85,764 per year or $41 per hour. However, the salary can range between $68,000 and $106,000 annually. Please keep in mind that the average salary of a VMware Administrator differs based on their education, experience, and the company's size and industry.
What is the career opportunity for a certified VMware administrator?
- Citrix Engineer (Average Salary: $89,531)
- Citrix Administrator (Average Salary: $89,745)
- Vmware Administrator (Average Salary: $85,764)
- Senior Systems Engineer (Average Salary: $108,121):
- Information Technology Manager (Average Salary: $119,589)
How to become a VMware administrator?
Becoming a successful VMware administrator requires a certain type of education, skills, experience, and certification. Here are some tips to help you achieve your goal:
- Get a degree in computer science, IT, electronics with cloud computing, or a similar field.
- Learn and practice skills such as virtual machines, VMware, Windows servers, Active Directory, and Linux.
- Gain experience in VMware administration by working on real or simulated projects.
- Get certified in VMware by passing exams for VCTA, VCP, VCAP, and VCDX.
The final thought
Virtualization technology is a way of using software to create virtual machines like separate computers that run inside a real computer. Virtual machines can have different operating systems, applications, and settings than the real computer.
This way, you can use one computer to do many things simultaneously, such as testing new software, running old programs, or accessing different networks.
VMware administrators know how to use virtualization technology to help businesses run their operations more efficiently and securely. They use VMware products, software tools that let you create and manage virtual machines and other virtual resources.
If you want to become a certified VMware administrator and looking for a reliable online platform to take the VMware certification exam, you’ve come to the right place.
CBT Proxy has been helping IT professionals earn their certification goals for over a decade. To learn more about any of the mentioned certifications, click the chat button, and one of our guides will contact you shortly.
