I've always been intrigued by NSX just like everyone. I Built a Full VMware Lab primarily cos of NSX. Below I'll be detailing steps of you I went from Amateur to understanding this product and getting certified.
Hands ON Experience
I built a Mini Homelab to gain hands on Experience. I had only worked minimally with NSX and wanted a deeper dive.
But you can get a cheap server online Be it refurbished or new from https://www.metservers.com/
Good thing about the above site, You can configure the server to add additional specs or replace parts as you need it.
I got a Dell PowerEdge T420 from a local vendor. Which came with 32GB RAM, 2 Sockets of Intel Xeon 2650 Processors Quad-Cores. Which I upgraded to 64GB RAM.
Minimum Requirements for Installing NSX.
You'll need at least 16GB RAM to install NSX. Note you don't have to deploy NSX in a Cluster of 3 as this is only a test environment.
Also you'll have to factor ESXI Resource requirements and vCenter Requirements also Possibly 2 Nested Hosts for testing NSX Features.
You can follow vmwarensxcloud's guide on step by step guide to deploying NSX 3.1
Typically for a One server setup, Your setup will resemble the below. Also you can use a virtual router such as cisco CSR 1000 for routing. I'll cover this more in an upcoming blogpost.
After setting up your Lab, Get familiar with the UI and CLI. And Play around with the features.
I'll massively recommend the below documents.
NSX-T Installation guide
NSX-T Reference Design Guide: https://nsx.techzone.vmware.com/resource/nsx-t-reference-design-guide-3-0
NSX-T Admin Guide:
I enjoyed the Design Guide. Has numerous use cases. People call it the NSX Bible. It's thorough and you breaks down components for understanding.
Get familiar with the CLI
Getting familiar with the CLI gives more confidence to operate around the product and it's actually not so difficult. And it's actually expected you're comfortable with the CLI before the Exam. You can use link to Simon greaves popular used NSX CLI commands.
Download Exam Blueprint and get familiar with the Exam Expectations.
Schedule the Exam and Good Luck
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