As IT environments grow more complex, IT certifications -- particularly networking certifications -- have been viewed as a way for tech professionals to set themselves apart in the marketplace.
But do those certifications actually deliver in terms of title, salary or other professional advancements? Skeptics suggest it’s more important to learn on the job, and they hesitate to pursue a networking certification given the time and cost it takes to earn a cert that could soon become obsolete.
Certification, though, has been shown to boost an IT salary up to 13%, with networking certification providing the most ROI. "It would be best to start with a networking certification," Greg Stuart wrote in his "Do your certifications 'stack up'?" blog entry.
Certification cognoscenti often distinguish among types of certification credentials. One common differentiation is between vendor-neutral and vendor-specific networking credentials.
In this installment of our multi-part series on software-defined networking (SDN) and network functions virtualization (NFV), we examine a collection of networking certification courses to gain expertise in these technologies. These credentials take a general perspective on SDN and NFV skills and knowledge, rather than focusing only on vendor products or platforms. There's also an emphasis on open standards and related open source software.
Among vendor-neutral camps that offer SDN and NFV related certification credentials, these two bodies are quite active:
At present, ONF operates an ONF-Certified SDN Professional Program (OCSP), which validates that vendor-neutral SDN and NFV skills and knowledge for engineering professionals are timely and accurate. The ONF currently offers two credentials in this program:
Web-proctored certification exams are available online through the ONF or from any of its approved SDN training and exam providers. OCSP exam testing comes from ITpreneurs, which administers tests through a hosted URL. Those who train through an ONF-approved training company get a URL for the exam at the end of training. Because training is not required, self-study candidates can contact ITPreneurs directly to make exam arrangements.
The OCSA is an entry-level credential for those who are new to SDN and NFV or who work on the business side, in technical marketing and sales positions. The primary focus of the OCSA exam is on networking and SDN concepts, OpenFlow and related architecture and ecosystem topics, plus SDN open source software and platforms. The OCSA exam poses 40 questions, and gives candidates 60 minutes to answer them. It costs $150 and includes two free exam retakes in that pricing. (Those who work for ONF member companies and organizations are eligible for a 10% discount.)
Name |
ONF Certified SDN Associate (OCSA) |
Home Page |
OCSA page includes overview, exam objectives and more |
Exam ID |
|
Exam Questions |
40 |
Exam Duration |
60 minutes |
Exam Cost |
$150 (10% discount for ONF members) |
Exam Blueprint |
See OCSA page |
Requirements |
See OCSA page |
Prerequisites |
None |
Learning Resources |
ONF's SDN Learning Resources page |
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The OCSE is an advanced-level credential primarily for experienced technical professionals with a solid knowledge of SDN and NFV. The ONF describes the OCSE as a "mastery-level" SDN certification for technical professionals and emphasizes the need for hands-on experience before attempting the exam.
The primary focus of the OCSE exam is networking and SDN concepts, OpenFlow and related architecture and ecosystem topics, plus SDN open source software and platforms. The OCSE exam poses 70 questions, and gives candidates 90 minutes to answer them. It costs $240 and includes two free exam retakes. (Individuals who work for ONF member companies and organizations are eligible for a 25% discount.)
Name |
ONF Certified SDN Engineer (OCSE) |
Home Page |
OCSE page includes overview, exam objectives and more |
Exam ID |
|
Exam Questions |
70 |
Exam Duration |
90 minutes |
Exam Cost |
$240 (25% discount for ONF members) |
Exam Blueprint |
See OCSE page |
Requirements |
See OCSE page |
Prerequisites |
None; OCSA or mid-level certs from Cisco, Citrix, CompTIA, Juniper, Metro Ethernet Forum (MEF), Microsoft and others are recommended (see OCSE page for details) |
Learning Resources |
ONF's SDN Learning Resources page |
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The OpenStack Foundation is a somewhat looser and less monolithic organization than the ONF, which has a broader charter. Numerous member organizations offer OpenStack training, but at present only OpenStack.org and Mirantis offer out-and-out OpenStack certification.
While OpenStack includes substantial coverage of SDN and NFV topics and software, its focus is squarely on cloud computing. Candidates for OpenStack certification should understand that SDN and NFV are only part of what's necessary to succeed in their quest for such credentials. The list of OpenStack certifications is:
The COA targets technical professionals with six months' or more experience in working with OpenStack and who possess the knowledge and skills needed to provide day-to-day management of OpenStack-based cloud environments.
The current exam takes the OpenStack Liberty version as its foundation, and covers core compute, storage and networking services (that last item is where SDN and NFV come into play). The performance-based COA exam puts candidates in a simulated OpenStack environment using the command line and the OpenStack Horizon dashboard, then sets tasks for them to complete and problems to solve. This web-based proctored exam costs $300 and lasts for 150 minutes (2.5 hours). One free retake of the exam is included and must be taken within 12 months of the original exam purchase.
Name |
Certified OpenStack Administrator (COA) |
Home Page |
COA Details page includes overview, exam objectives and more |
Exam ID |
N/A (choose either Ubuntu or SUSE as base OS when signing up) |
Exam Questions |
Performance-based test, number of questions vary |
Exam Duration |
150 minutes |
Exam Cost |
$300 |
Exam Blueprint |
See COA Details page |
Requirements |
|
Prerequisites |
None; 6+ months of hands-on experience with OpenStack Liberty is recommended, as is preparatory training, study and practice |
Learning Resources |
OpenStack Foundation COA Candidate Handbook OpenStack Foundation Training Marketplace (look for COA classes/exam preparation, including Mirantis) |
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Mirantis identifies its OpenStack certifications using the exam codes. Thus, the OCM50 labels the exam candidates must take and the credential they earn upon passing. The OCM50 is positioned as an associate or entry-level OpenStack certification, and covers topics related to deploying, configuring and troubleshooting an OpenStack cloud environment. The exam, which costs $300 and lasts for 90 minutes, is open book and available online.
Name |
Mirantis OCM50 Associate-Level OpenStack Certification |
Home Page |
OCM50 page includes overview, exam objectives and more |
Exam ID |
OCM50 |
Exam Questions |
Number not disclosed; multiple-choice questions |
Exam Duration |
90 minutes |
Exam Cost |
$300 |
Exam Blueprint |
|
Requirements |
|
Prerequisites |
None; 6+ months of hands-on experience with OpenStack is recommended, as is preparatory training, study and practice |
Learning Resources |
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Like the OCM50, the Mirantis OCM100 exam and certification use the same name. The OCM100 is positioned as an intermediate-to-advanced-level certification, and covers hands-on topics related to deploying, configuring, operating and troubleshooting an OpenStack cloud environment. Domains covered include OpenStack architecture and best practices, provisioning workflow, component interaction, and runtime operations and optimizations.
The exam is proctored and performance-based. It puts candidates in a simulated OpenStack environment where they must perform specified tasks or solve problems. Candidates often take their exams at the end of a weeklong training class, although they can choose to take the exam independently at an approved testing center. The three-hour OCM100 exam costs $600.
Name |
Mirantis OCM100 Professional-Level OpenStack Certification |
Home Page |
OCM100 page includes overview, exam objectives and more |
Exam ID |
OCM100 (exam dates/times vary, so check the OCM100 page for registration links) |
Exam Questions |
Performance-based exam, number of questions varies |
Exam Duration |
180 minutes |
Exam Cost |
$600 |
Exam Blueprint |
|
Requirements |
|
Prerequisites |
None; Mirantis OS100 bootcamp training is strongly recommended |
Learning Resources |
The Mirantis OCM50 Certification Exam Preparation Resources also apply to the OCM100 exam |
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For those interested in SDN and NFV, all of these credentials are worth investigating. For those with an intense focus on one or both of those subjects, the ONF credentials are probably the best fit.
Check out the entire series on networking certifications:
Ed Tittel is a 30-plus year IT veteran who's worked as a developer, networking consultant, technical trainer, writer and expert witness. Perhaps best known for the Exam Cram series of IT cert prep books, Tittel has contributed to more than 100 titles on computing topics, including information security, Windows OSes and HTML.