Detailed Course Outline
Module 1: Course Introduction
- Describe VMware Cloud Foundation components, architecture, and supported private cloud use cases
- Explain the VMware Cloud Foundation licensing model and available license types
- Outline the course curriculum covering deployment, fleet management, networking, storage, lifecycle, and security
Module 2: VCF Private Cloud: Overview and Architecture
- Define VMware Cloud Foundation key features, use cases, and integrated security capabilities across all layers
- Explain the advanced services and operational capabilities of VMware Cloud Foundation
- Describe the VCF Private Cloud architecture including fleet-level and instance-level components
- Identify the various roles and capabilities within a VCF Private Cloud environment
Module 3: VCF Private Cloud Deployment
- Identify VCF fleet deployment considerations and planning requirements using the Planning and Preparation Workbook
- Outline the sequence for deploying VCF Private Cloud including core component configuration
- Describe the deployment configuration of VCF instance and fleet management components
- Deploy a new VCF fleet using the VCF Installer wizard or a deployment specification JSON file
Module 4: VCF Post-Deployment Tasks
- Explain VCF Operations for Networks, VCF Operations for Logs, and VCF Identity Broker deployment models
- Describe deployment considerations for VCF Operations components including Real-Time Metrics
- Deploy and navigate VCF Operations components and perform post-deployment management tasks
Module 5: VCF Fleet Management
- Describe the VCF licensing model including capacity pooling, primary and add-on licenses, and 9.1 licensing procedures
- Configure VCF Single Sign-On and VCF Identity Broker deployment models for all VCF instance components
- Identify supported directories and identity providers and configure SSO enablement across VCF components
- Manage role-based access control, users, user groups, and credentials in VMware Cloud Foundation
- Outline password management workflows and available API options for automating credential management tasks
Module 6: VCF Workload Domain
- Explain VMware Cloud Foundation workload domains and apply vSphere, network, and storage design considerations
- Describe design prerequisites and create workload domains using VCF Operations
- Configure vCenter linked groups and manage host and cluster additions within workload domains
- Import an existing vCenter as a workload domain using VCF Operations including applicable import limitations
Module 7: VCF Networking
- Identify the core components of the NSX architecture including management, control, and data planes
- Describe NSX overlay networking concepts including Geneve encapsulation, TEP configuration, and Traceflow
- Explain Virtual Private Cloud constructs and configure VPC and VPC subnets in VMware Cloud Foundation
- Configure network connectivity during VCF Fleet deployment including Distributed and Centralized Transit Gateways
Module 8: VCF Storage Management
- Describe VMware Cloud Foundation storage models including principal and supplemental storage options
- Explain vSAN networking and hardware requirements and configure vSAN clusters with appropriate storage policies
- Configure vSAN fault domains and manage vSAN cluster operations in VMware Cloud Foundation
- Analyze vSAN performance and generate storage reports using VCF Operations monitoring tools
Module 9: VCF Certificate Management
- Describe public key infrastructure concepts including certificate signing requests and CA options in SDDC Manager
- Manage certificates in VMware Cloud Foundation using the SDDC Manager certificate management workflow
- Integrate VCF Operations with Microsoft CA and OpenSSL CA for certificate issuance and installation
- Install and manage certificates issued by Microsoft CA, OpenSSL CA, or third-party CAs in VCF Operations
Module 10: VCF Lifecycle Management
- Identify the role of the software depot and configure it in VCF Operations to manage VCF fleet lifecycle
- Manage software depot content, storage, and bundle assignments in VCF Operations
- Upgrade and patch VCF management and fleet management components using lifecycle management workflows
- Configure backup and restore procedures for the VCF fleet using SFTP, SDDC Manager, and fleet management nodes
- Execute backup and restore operations for fleet-level and VCF management components
Module 11: VCF Security
- Define security, compliance, and resilience principles and describe integrated security features across all VCF layers
- Assess compliance and manage security posture using Security Posture Management in VMware Cloud Foundation
- Monitor security health through the Security Operations Dashboard and analyze events using the Audit Trail
- Orchestrate unified Protection and Recovery workflows using VCF advanced networking and security capabilities
Module 12: VCF Upgrade Paths
- Identify supported upgrade paths to VCF 9.1 including key considerations, prerequisites, and compatibility assessments
- Explain the upgrade process from vSphere 8.0 to VCF 9.1 using the existing vSphere deployment path
- Outline upgrade stages from vSphere 8.0 with multiple Aria components to VMware Cloud Foundation 9.1
- Describe prerequisites and upgrade sequence from VCF 5.2 with Aria components to VMware Cloud Foundation 9.1
- Differentiate between the existing vSphere upgrade path and the vCenter import process for transitioning to VCF 9.1