Month August 2022

VMware NSX-T Data Center Security 2022 Exam Preparation and Experience

Brian Owen Leave a comment

I passed the VMware NSX-T Data Center 3.1 Security Skills Exam (5V0-41.21) in April and finally writing an article on it. I honestly cannot find what was my score. I don’t think I scored much over 300. Keep in mind this is a skill badge and not a certification. The only requirement for the badge is passing this exam. It is the only exam I have taken in the security track. This exam really does cover a lot of good day to day skills in NSX, such as DFW rules, IDS/IPS, URL analysis, the Intelligence Appliance, etc. It does not cover the plumbing of NSX. The exam guide is a very fair representation of what is on the exam. There isn’t a lot of distinct topics so that means you need to hyperfocus on what is on the guide. I couldn’t find a lot of study material for this exam. The best I found is Daniël Zuthof’s exam guide article. He did an excellent job of going over the exam objectives. I recommend completing the two Hands on Labs below. I had about 6 months of NSX experience going into the exam so some labs helped.

NSX SecOps – Foundation: Self-guided Workshop
NSX SecOps – Advanced

VMware Explore US Tips and Info

Brian Owen Leave a comment

VMware Explore US is a little over a week away. I am excited to be flying out Sunday the 28th and registration is open on-site from 12p-7p that day. Then the event kicks off the next day. A few more parties have been announced so be sure to check out the party list again. The official event app has been released. Search your phone’s app store for ‘VMware Explore’. The food was not good at previous events and difficult for people with allergies to have a good meal. I found out that this year VMware has worked hard to enhance options for specials meals, which are available at the back of Moscone West, level 1. On top of that, if that isn’t good enough, they have vouchers that can be used at Trader Joe’s, which is a few minutes away from Moscone West. The vouchers can be picked up at the info desk. Last bit of info I have is that the Hands-on Labs Expert-led Workshop is providing computers to use. It’s tiring enough to talk around all day so great that you don’t need to lug around a laptop. See you in San Fran!

Use Your Own Domain with a S3 Static Website

Brian Owen Leave a comment

At first, I couldn’t figure out why I couldn’t create a DNS record in Route 53 to my static website in S3. I saw that I needed to created an S3 bucket with the name of my domain. I thought I should be able to create a new record in Route 53 with an alias. For example, my S3 bucket is named allergeyfreejourney, but there was no S3 endpoint to select.

Then I realized what I did wrong. I read the documentation, but it didn’t hit me at first that the domain name needed to be the exact same. The bucket name needed to include the top level domain. Therefore, I created a new S3 bucket and added the .com this time. For example, my S3 bucket is named allergeyfreejourney.com. Bam! Now I was able to select my S3 endpoint.

Fun and Learning at VMware Explore 2022

Brian Owen Leave a comment

VMware Explore US is this month! I am excited to be at an in person VMware event for the first time in three years. I have been planning out my schedule and it’s jammed packed as always. There are a lot of great sessions to chose from during the day and a lot of entertainment at night (party list).

Content catalog has 814 sessions, at the moment, spread across the four days and a VCDX workshop on Monday. Hard to do it, but I narrowed down what I could squeeze into my schedule. Keep in mind only up to three ‘Meet the Expert’ sessions can be added. I like to focus on sessions that I can apply what I learn as soon as I get back to work. Below is what I have on my schedule.

A First Look at Building Your Own Management Pack without Writing Code
Advanced Troubleshooting of ESXi Server 7.x for vSphere Gurus
Networking and Security Analytics, and the Evolution of the NSX Platform
Advanced Topics in VMware vRealize Operations
Automated VM Rightsizing with Ease
Advanced Topics in VMware vRealize Log Insight
PowerCLI and REST APIs – A New Beginning

The sessions I am most looking forward to are the VMware Code sessions that involve a NUC. The sessions are similar to what they did in 2019 with the Raspberry Pi sessions. You get to work on a NUC focusing on two different topics. There is limited availability for each session so register soon. If you are waitlisted, still show up. Worse case is you sit on the side line and listen to the presentation. If you are a vExpert and answered the program survey on attending, you will be given a NUC to take home.

VMware {code} Intel NUC Home Lab with Smart Sensors
VMware {code} VMware Tanzu on Intel NUC Lab Environment Setup and Application Building

The online events over the past two years were good filler, but it’s hard to match the networking that is done at this event. I am looking forward to learning from and hanging out with the best in the industry. I am sure the expo area will be full with vendors and a great party on Wednesday night hosted by VMware. I wonder what big announcements will be made and what artists will be at the official party.