If you’re serious about Data Centers and want to make it your career, you should start studying for professional Data Center certifications. These certifications will not only help you learn about the different aspects of the field, but they can also help you become a valuable asset to any company that employs you.
Data Center is a combination of many different fields. This is why it makes sense to choose Data Center as your career. An average data center will include a variety of expertise. Although they might overlap in some cases, the design team will have different knowledge than the operations team.
- Data Center Operations Manager : This person would have extensive knowledge of data center design principles, technologies and components. They would be able to tell you everything, from the size of the perforated tile in cold aisles to how to install Network Backbones.
- IT Specialists An IT department in a large data center usually has a dedicated IT department. They are responsible for procuring, organizing, and installing the core assets of the data center.
- Network/Computer System Engineers : These engineers would work with the IT specialists in order to design, build and maintain complex networks and assets. Network security is one of their most important jobs.
- Electrical/Mechanical Engineers: Data Centers will either have specific and separate electrical and mechanical engineering positions, or they would have a single MEP (Mechanical Electrical Plumbing) position. They are responsible for maintaining the integrity of the infrastructure, which includes the maintenance of UPS and Stand-by Generators as well as HVAC and Fire Suppression Systems.
You can see that there is a lot of expertise needed in the field Data Centers. There is no single certification that can cover all.
These are the most common, depending on your interests and background.
Related post – Top 10 Certifications for Cybersecurity
#1. Cisco CCNA Data Center
Proficiency: Networking
Level Basics
Cisco’s Certified Network Associate Data Center certification is a specialized Data Center Networking certificate. Cisco offers CCNA certifications in many fields, including CCNA Routing and Switching and CCNA Cloud and CCNA Security. If you are looking to improve your Data Center certifications, however, I recommend taking CCNA Data Center.
This entry-level certificate is similar to the DCCA. It consists of two modules: “Introducing Cisco Data Center Networking” (DCICN), and “Introducing Cisco Data Center Technology (DCICT). The former covers the foundations of Data Center networking, and the latter covers basic technologies such as virtualization.
#2. Schneider’s Data Center Certified Associates (DCCA)
Proficiency Physical Infrastructure
Level Basics
Schneider’s DCCA course is a great way to jumpstart your career in Data Centers. This course covers all aspects of Data Center operations. This course covers various elements, such as Data Center Tier Levels and cabling, cooling, security fire suppression system, electrical supply, and other aspects.
This course is a basic course but will get you up to speed on all aspects of running a Data Center. This course is worth it for everyone, no matter if you’re an IT Specialist or an Electrical Engineer.
#3. Cisco CCNP and CCIE Data Center
Proficiency: Networking
Level: Intermediate/Advanced
The Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP), and Cisco Certified Internetwork Experts (CCIE) are specialized certifications for Data Center Network. They are incrementally harder than CCNA.
After completing CCNA, CCNP or CCIE is recommended if you’re serious about pursuing a specialized career in Data Center networking.
CCNA teaches you the basics of networking and technologies. CCNP teaches design principles and methods for implementing technologies such as virtualization and automation.
CCNA, CCNP and CCNA are easy to complete. The CCIE Data Center certification is the real deal. This advanced course in networking requires that you sit for an 8-hour Lab Examination. After years of experience, experts usually take this certification.
#4. Epi’s Certified Data Center Professional (CDCP)
Proficiency – Physical Infrastructure
Level Intermediate
CDCP is an online course that will teach you how to design and build Data Centers. This course is for contractors and infrastructure consultants who need to know how to design and build Data Centers.
It also includes the best operational practices, such as improving the Energy Efficiency of the Data Center or taking the best steps to increase the security of valuable assets.
Although this certification doesn’t require any prerequisites, it does require some Data Center experience over the past few years to be able to understand it.
#5. BICSI’s Data Center Design Consultant (DCDC)
Proficiency Physical Infrastructure
Level: Intermediate
BICSI’s DCDC, like the EPI’s CDCP is also a certification based on Data Center Design and Physical Infrastructure. DCDC, on the other hand, is focused solely on design. It is therefore essential that experts and firms are primarily focused on designing data centers.
This course requires two years of experience in data center design or construction.
#6. Epi’s Certified Data Center Specialist (CDCS)
Proficiency – Physical Infrastructure
Level Advanced
This course is an upgrade to the EPI’s CDCP. CDCS, like the CDCP is mainly focused on data center infrastructure. It also covers topics such as dealing with vendors to make the Data Center earthquake-proof.
You must have obtained CDCP certification from EPI in order to take this course.
You can take the EPI’s Certified Data Center Expert course (CDCE) after you have completed CDCS.
#7. VMware Certified Professional 2019
Proficiency: Virtualization
Level Intermediate
Virtualization is a critical technology used in Data Centers. Virtualization is a way to convert hardware assets into software resources. Virtual machines can be used to improve the efficiency of the entire data centre by applying the principle of consolidation.
This certification will be a badge of honor for your achievements in virtualization design and implementation.