Originally posted by: KentPerrier

I have a PowerVM test set system set up that I want to use to get ready for the certification test. Is there a general study guide that I can go through so I can be as prepared as possible?
My production clusters are simple active/passive oracle database servers with nothing fancy, so I don't really feel like this is enough experience to have a chance at passing the test.

I wish there was a RedBook certification guide like there is for AIX....
#PowerHAforAIX
#PowerHA-(Formerly-known-as-HACMP)-Technical-Forum

Originally posted by: bodily

Hi Kent,

Since you stated "clusters" in your other forum topic, I assume you do
indeed mean PowerHA instead of PowerVM.

Casey started the other PowerHA forum you posted to and we were
deliberately holding off on announcing here until we put more content
together in hopes of making it more useful so people wouldn't be turned
off by it lacking. But I guess it's never too early since the
collaboration on that forum is greatly welcome too. My hope is to
eventually get everyone here, to migrate there as there should be more
true blue eyes on it over there.

Many people believe that having a study guide is skirting the intention of
a certification. Which is real world experience and understanding. Not
memorize the sample questions that are extremely similar to the test and
then taking it and passing it(no ill will direct at you specifically, just
generalizing). I'm unaware of any intentions of publishing an updated cert
guide from the one we did four years ago.(yes that means there is an HACMP
cert study guide redbook that is dated) I know we aren't currently doing
one or planning another one for PowerHA.

Also be aware that the PowerHA certification is currently being updated as
the current one is quite dated. (which may actually be relevant to the
current cert guide). Possibly there will be two separate levels of the HA
certification will come out of it. Again, real world experience should be
required to pass this test. As there are things you can only learn from
experience as unfortunate as it is, the pubs aren't always correct. And
yes, we have every intention of putting that kind of stuff on the test as
a more advanced level certification. Since it is in the works, then this
is all unofficial until it happens. Which means, don't say "IBM
said"...8^).

Anyway, despite how this may read in text I hope this helps.
#PowerHAforAIX
#PowerHA-(Formerly-known-as-HACMP)-Technical-Forum

Originally posted by: Casey_B

Hello Kent,

As you have said that you have a test machine, here are some ideas for more complex environments to configure, examine, and learn from:

1) Dependencies. There are location bases dependencies, and parent-child dependencies.
2) NFS cross mounts.
3) Also, try a different type of VG than what you have now. (Enhanced concurrent versus shared)
4) Add application monitors and restart commands
5) Pre events.

I understand that a test machine in a production environment isn't always entirely for the sys admin's
use...But you can make judicious use of cluster snapshots, and separate RG's to learn from, while not changing your
test machine too much.

As Shawn said, the current test is being updated, and the last study guide that I found was from 2006.
It has alot of great information, though.
http://www.redbooks.ibm.com/redbooks/pdfs/sg246375.pdf

It has been two years since I took the certification test, so my memory is a bit hazy on it...
But if you have taken some other certification tests, the general format and style of the questions
were the same.

(Also since it has been two years since I took the test, I don't remember the focus or contents,
so the suggestions above were on how to make a more complex cluster in your test environment to learn from)

Hope this helps,
Casey
#PowerHA-(Formerly-known-as-HACMP)-Technical-Forum
#PowerHAforAIX

Originally posted by: KentPerrier

Yes, I intended to say PowerHA. Silly name changes :p Everything looks the same.....
I am not really interested in a question->answer guide (and I will look at the RedBook linked to above) but some uncommon, at least to me, set ups that I don't use that may be asked about on the test. I have real world experience, 5+ years. But my experience is pretty limited in the configurations that I have built and maintain. Thus the question so I can be confident I can pass the test and not have to pay another $150 for a second try.

Thanks.
#PowerHAforAIX
#PowerHA-(Formerly-known-as-HACMP)-Technical-Forum