NetApp University Certification - FAQ

NS0-154 Frequently Asked Questions:

NS0-502 Frequently Asked Questions

NS0-156 Frequently Asked Questions

NS0-510 Frequently Asked Questions

• I'm new to data management and storage networking. Where should I start?
  For a vendor-neutral overview of how to architect, implement, and support storage networking solutions, check out the Storage Networking Industry Association (SNIA) Storage Networking Certification Program. The SNIA specializes in advancing IT technologies, standards, and education programs for all IT professionals. Its certification programs align with NetApp certification programs, and we recommend them to anyone seeking a basic foundation in storage and data management.

• How much does it cost to take a NetApp certification exam?
  All NetApp certification exams are administered through a third-party testing company. Certification exams can vary in price from US$150 to over US$200, depending on the exam and the country in which you take the exam. For specific price information, visit www.prometric.com/NetApp.

• What are the steps to certification?
  
  • Prepare for your exam.
    • Take a practice test to identify your strengths and weaknesses. Practice tests are available for both NCDA exams.
      See Are there practice tests I can take to prepare for my exam? for more information.
    • Take a NetApp University training course. Visit the NetApp University Certification Web site and select your certification program. Select your exam from the program page, and scroll down to find a list of recommended training courses for that exam. To enroll in a NetApp University training course, you will need a NetApp Support Site account. Create a NetApp Support Site account.
    • Visit the NetApp University Community to discuss training and certification preparation with NetApp experts and your peers.
    • Study NetApp product descriptions.
    • Visit the NetApp Library to review technical manuals, white papers, knowledge base articles, and other relevant information about our products.
    • See the NetApp University Learning Map for a complete list of NetApp University training courses.
  • Register for and take your exam. All NetApp certification exams are administered through a third-party testing company. Register now for a NetApp certification exam.
  • Track your certifications and manage your certification account information. From the NetApp University Certification Database you can:
    • Make changes to your address
    • Check on the status of your certificate
    • Check your certification progress
    • Request a certification logo

• How should I prepare for my exam?
  One of the best ways to prepare for a certification exam is to take a training course from an authorized NetApp University Learning Partner. For a list of recommended training courses for your exam, visit the NetApp University Certification Web site and select your certification program. Select your exam from the program page, and scroll down to find a list of recommended training courses for that exam.
  
  Visit the NetApp University Community to discuss training and certification preparation with NetApp experts and your peers.

• Are there practice tests I can take to prepare for my exam?
  Practice tests are available for NCDA certification exams:
  • Practice test:NS0-154, Data ONTAP 8.0 7-MODE Administrator.
  • Practice test:NS0-502, NetApp Certified Implementation Engineer – SAN
  • Practice test: NS0-510, NetApp Certified Implementation Engineer – Backup and Recovery

• Can I retake a certification exam?
  You can attempt each NetApp certification exam up to 4 times in a 12-month period, but you must wait at least 10 calendar days between attempts.

• How can I access or change my NetApp University account information?
  You can manage your certification account information using the NetApp University Certification Database. From the Certification Database, you can do the following:
  
  • Make changes to your address
  • Check on the status of your certificate
  • Check your certification progress
  • Request a certification logo

If you do not have a Certification Database account, you can set up an account by clicking “Never logged in before” on the Database login page. To create an account, you will need to provide your name, your e-mail address, and your exam registration number.

• When will I receive my certificate?
  You will be notified of your exam results immediately after you take your exam, but your certificate may take up to six weeks to process. To check on the status of your certificate, visit the NetApp University Certification Database.
  
  If you do not have a Certification Database account, you can set up an account by clicking “Never logged in before” on the database login page. To create an account, you will need to provide your name, your e-mail address, and your exam registration number.

• How do I request a certification logo?
  You can request and use your certification logo as soon as you receive your certificate. Note that it may take up to six weeks for your certificate to process. You can access your NetApp certification logo(s) from your candidate account in the NetApp University Certification Database. From your candidate account, you will also be able to access guidelines for using your certification logo.
  
  If you do not have a Certification Database account, you can set up an account by clicking “Never logged in before” on the database login page. To create an account, you will need to provide your name, your e-mail address, and your exam registration number.

• Will my certification expire?
  NetApp University certifications are valid for two years from the date of your exam. To renew your certification, you must complete the recertification requirements or progress to the next level of certification before your certification expires. If you let your higher level certification expire, you only have to retake that higher level certification – you do not have to retake the lower level certification exam.
  
  You can check your certification expiration dates and current recertification requirements through the NetApp University Certification Database.

• What is the accreditation process for NetApp partners?
  If you are a NetApp partner interested in accreditation, please log in to the Field Portal for information about NetApp accreditation programs.

• How do I create a NetApp Support Site account?
  To create a NetApp Support Site account, go to: now.netapp.com/eservice/public/now.do. New accounts can take up to one full business day to process. If you are having problems with your NetApp Support Site account, please contact nowadmin@netapp.com.

• What happened to the NCIE- Storage Security Exam NS0-530?
  The NCIE-Storage Security Exam NS0-530 covers DataFort, which is a product that is now EOL. NetApp is no longer actively promoting this exam and is retiring the exam effective the end of March 2010. If you are already certified in NS0-530, your certification is valid until its expiration date, which is two years from the date of achieving the credential.
  
  If you have any additional questions that are not addressed here, ask us a question through the NetApp University Support Center.

NS0-154 Frequently Asked Questions

• How can I register for NS0-154?
  All NetApp certification exams are administered through a third-party testing company. Register now for the NS0-154 NetApp certification exam.
  

• What topics are covered in NS0-154?
  NS0-154 will include Data ONTAP administration, data protection, high availability, and large aggregates.
  

• Does NS0-154 certification require field experience?
  Yes. Candidates should have 6 to 12 months of experience in administering, implementing, and/or troubleshooting the Data ONTAP 7.3 or Data ONTAP 8.0 7-mode features.
  

• What should I do if I have already passed either NS0-153 or NS0-163, but not both?
  You must still pass the remaining exam to earn the NCDA; alternatively, you can choose to be certified in Data ONTAP 8.0 7-Mode by passing just the NS0-154 exam.
  

• Why should I take the two exams (NS0-153 and NS0-163) instead of just the NS0-154 exam?
  If you want to be certified in Data ONTAP 7, you must take both the NS0-153 and NS0-163 exams.
  
  If you want to be certified in Data ONTAP 8.0 7-Mode, you must take the NS0-154 exam.
  

• How long is NS0-154, and what does it cover?
  The NS0-154 exam includes approximately 75 test questions, and requires approximately1-1/2 hours to complete.
  

• Is there a practice exam for NS0-154?
  Yes. You can take the practice exam here.
  

• What courses can I take to help me prepare for NS0-154?
  There are two options in preparation for NS0-154: Regular track OR Boot Camp:

• What are the pre-requisites for Exam NS0-154 or for its two tracks?
  There are no pre-requisites for the exam or the preparation tracks.
  

• Once I’ve completed the preparation track and taken the exam, are there any additional requirements for certification?
  No; a passing score on the exam will enable you to meet requirements.
  

• What topics are included in NS0-154?
  

  NS0-154 covers the following topics:
  Set up and manage LUNs
  Configure and manage iSCSI components
  Manage and troubleshoot SAN performance
  Configure, administer, and troubleshoot CIFS
  Configure, administer, and troubleshoot NFS
  Reallocate aggregates
  Set up and maintain Snapshot copies
  Configure, administer and troubleshoot SnapRestore
  Configure, administer and troubleshoot Asynchronous SnapMirror
  Configure, administer and troubleshoot Synchronous SnapMirror
  Configure, administer, and troubleshoot SnapVault
  Run deduplication on SnapVault
  Configure High Availability
  Configure, administer, and troubleshoot SyncMirror
  Configure, administer, and troubleshoot MetroCluster
  Monitor and manage Protection Manager
  Monitor and manage Performance
  Configure and administer large aggregates
  

• Is there a study guide for Exam 154?
  You can find the study guide for NS0-154 here.
  

NS0-502 Frequently Asked Questions

• How can I register for NS0-502?
  All NetApp certification exams are administered through a third-party testing company. Register now for the NS0-502 NetApp certification exam.
  

• What topics are covered in NS0-502?
  
  NS0-502 covers the following topics related to SAN Implementation:

  • SCSI initiator and targets
  • LUN mapping
  • Virtualization best practices
  • NPIV, ALUA, Multipathing
  • Data Protection for SAN

• Does NS0-502 certification require field experience?
  Yes. Certification requirements include 6 to 12 months of experience in planning, implementing and validating end to end SAN solutions for customers in FC and iSCSI environments. Experience in SAN implementation within virtualized environments is also recommended.
  

• Why should I take the NS0-502 exam?
  Certification in SAN Implementation, including SAN implementation within virtualized environments, requires the NS0-502 exam. If your NCIE-SAN certification has expired or will expire soon, you will have the option to take the NS0-502 exam beginning in April, 2010.
  

• How long is NS0-502 and what does it cover?
  The NS0-502 exam includes 70 test questions, and requires approximately 1-1/2 hours to complete.
  

• Is there a practice exam for NS0-502?
  Yes. You can take the practice exam here.
  

• What courses can I take to help me prepare for NS0-502?
  You can prepare for the NS0-502 exam by taking the following courses:
• Web-based training, which includes four WBT courses (SAN Fundamentals on Data ONTAP, SAN Design, SAN Implementation/Switch Configuration, Unified Connect Technical Overview and Implementation).
• Instructor-led training, which includes SAN Implementation Workshop and SAN Scaling and Architecting.

• What topics are included in NS0-502?
  
  Configuration information collection for:

  • NetApp storage systems
  • Switch
  • Power
  • Host
  • Applications

  Collect deduplication, backup and retention information
  Plan storage controller configuration
  Plan Host configuration - ALUA configuration
  Create snapshot plan
  Plan Ethernet switch configuration
  Plan zoning configuration
  Plan iSCSI configuration
  Configure NetApp Storage Systems
  Host configuration
  FC and Ethernet Switch configuration
  SAN implementation in virtualized environments
  SAN best practices: VM best practices regarding data deduplication, thin provisioning, alignment, storage layout, backup and recovery and NPIV
  FCoE and Unified Connect Enabling Technologies
  FCoE and Unified Connect Hardware
  SAN implementation testing
  

  • Creating an acceptance test plan
  • Test host to storage connectivity
  • Test LUN availability during failover scenarios (multipathing)
  • Test controller failover scenarios (multipath HA)

• Is there a study guide for the NS0-502 exam?
  The NS0-502 study guide provides a detailed outline of every testing objective for the entire exam

• What are the pre-requisites for the NS0-502 exam?
  To achieve the NCIE- SAN credential, you must complete the requirements for the NetApp Certified Data Administrator (NCDA) and you must also pass the NCIE- SAN (NS0-502) exam.
  

The requirements to achieve your NCDA credential include:

• Data ONTAP 8.0 7-Mode Administrator (NS0-154)

OR

• Data ONTAP 8.1 Cluster Mode Administrator (NS0-156)
• If you have any additional questions that are not addressed here, ask us a question through the NetApp University Support Center.

NS0-156 Frequently Asked Questions

• How can I register for NS0-156?
  All NetApp certification exams are administered through a third-party testing company. Register now for the NS0-156 NetApp certification exam.
  
• What topics are covered in NS0-156?
  NS0-156 will include Data ONTAP administration, data protection, and high availability.
  
• Does NS0-156 certification require field experience?
  Yes. Candidates should have 6 to 12 months of experience in administering, implementing, and/or troubleshooting Data ONTAP 8.0 Cluster-Mode features.
  
• How long is NS0-156, and what does it cover?
  The NS0-156 exam includes approximately 60 test questions, and requires approximately 1-1/2 hours to complete.
  
• Is there a practice exam for NS0-156?
  Yes. You can take the practice exam here
  
• What courses can I take to help me prepare for NS0-156?
  
  There are two courses that are recommended in preparation for NS0-156:

  • Data ONTAP Cluster-Mode Fundamentals (WBT)
  • Data ONTAP Cluster-Mode Administration (ILT 5 days)

  NS0-156 also requires 6 – 12 months field experience in C-mode Implementation.
• What topics are included in NS0-156?
  
  • NS0-154 covers the following topics:
  • Set up and manage LUNs
  • Set up and manage clusters/High Availability/Epsilon
  • Manage and troubleshoot SAN performance
  • Configure and manage iSCSI components
  • Configure, administer, and troubleshoot CIFS
  • Configure, administer, and troubleshoot NFS
  • Set up and maintain Snapshot copies
  • Configure, administer and troubleshoot SnapRestore
  • Configure, administer and troubleshoot Asynchronous SnapMirror
  • Configure Remote Support Agent (RSA)
  • Configure and administer aggregates of differing sizes and disk types
  • Understand architecting viable solutions for customers
  • Understand underlying LIF structure and benefits
  • Understand deduplication and compression processes

NS0-510 Frequently Asked Questions

• How can I register for NS0-510?
  All NetApp certification exams are administered through a third-party testing company. Register now for the NS0-510 NetApp certification exam.
  
• What topics are included in NS0-510?
  
  NS0-510 covers the following topics related to Data Protection:

  • Snapshots
  • SnapVault
  • SnapMirror
  • SyncMirror
  • MetroCluster
  • SnapProtect
  • OnCommand System Manager
  • OnCommand Unified Manager
  • SnapManager
  • SnapDrive
• Does NS0-510 certification require field experience?
  Yes. Certification requirements include 6 to 12 months of experience in planning, implementing and validating end to end backup and recovery and data protection solutions for customers.
  
• How long is NS0-510 and what does it cover?
  
  The NS0-510 exam includes 60 test questions, and requires approximately 1-1/2 hours to complete. The exam is organized into five sections:

  • Section 1 – How NetApp replication technology works
  • Section 2 – Planning and implementing data protection solutions
  • Section 3 – Configuring backup and recovery software
  • Section 4 – Operating backup and disaster recovery deployments
  • Section 5 - Best practices in the area of data protection and backup and recovery
• Is there a practice exam for NS0-510?
  Yes. You can take the practice exam here
  
• What courses can I take to help me prepare for NS0-510?
  
  You can prepare for the NS0-510 exam by taking the following courses:

  • Operating and Troubleshooting the SnapProtect Solution (WBT)
  • NetApp Data Protection Software Administration (ILT)
• Is there a study guide for the NS0-510 exam?
  The NS0-510 study guide provides a detailed outline of every testing objective for the entire exam.
  
• What are the pre-requisites for the NS0-510 exam?
  To achieve the NCIE- Backup and Recovery credential, you must complete the requirements for the NetApp Certified Data Administrator (NCDA) and you must also pass the NCIE- Backup and Recovery (NS0-510) exam.
  

The requirements to achieve your NCDA credential include:

• Data ONTAP 8.0 7-Mode Administrator (NS0-154)

OR

• Data ONTAP 8.1 Cluster Mode Administrator (NS0-156)