Top Storage Management Certifications

Storage management certifications offer practical skills for data storage personnel, allowing them to complete courses that deepen their understanding of specialized technologies. 

Multiple storage providers offer certifications related to storage management for deeper experience with their products. Most of the certifications expect familiarity with the specific solution and experience in the market.

The following five vendor-specific certifications add value to a storage professional’s background and hands-on experience with storage management functions:

Top Storage Management Certifications

1. NetApp Certified Data Administrator
2. IBM Certified Administrator, Spectrum Protect V8.1.9
3. IBM Storage Specialist Cloud Object Storage V3.14
4. Hitachi Vantara Qualified Professional, Storage Administration HQT-6740 Exam
5. Pure Storage FlashArray Architect Expert

1. NetApp Certified Data Administrator (NCDA)

Skills Tested

• Support, administration, and performance management for NetApp controllers running ONTAP
• The ability to configure controllers
• Knowledge of data protection technologies 

Requirements

• 6-12 months of experience with NetApp storage solutions in multi-protocol environments
• Ability to configure high-availability controllers, SyncMirror data recovery software, or ONTAP solutions

Location

Third-party testing center 

Duration

90 minutes

Cost 

Not disclosed 

2. IBM Certified Administrator, Spectrum Protect V8.1.9

Skills Tested

• Enables an individual to complete intermediate and advanced storage management, operations, performance, and security tasks as well as configurations and installations in Spectrum Protect, a data resiliency solution. 

Requirements

• Storage hardware knowledge
• Familiarity with backup methodology
• Basic familiarity with operating systems and networks 
• Basic knowledge of cloud architecture
• Basic knowledge of databases
• Basic knowledge of security 

Location

Authorized testing center

Duration

90 minutes 

Cost 

$200

Also read: Top 5 Trends in the Data Storage Job Market

3. IBM Storage Specialist, Cloud Object Storage V3.14

Skills Tested 

• PConceptual understanding of designing and implementing IBM Cloud Object Storage
• Understanding how to integrate the storage solution
• Being able to monitor, administer, and troubleshoot the solution 

Requirements

• Knowledge of REST APIs
• Knowledge of Linux operating systems
• Knowledge of networking concepts
• Familiarity with object storage technology
• Knowledge of encryption technology

Location

Authorized testing center

Duration

• 90-minute examination 
• Two-day workshop available prior to taking the examination

Cost 

$200

Also read: Top 5 Trends for Cloud Storage Jobs

4. Hitachi Vantara Qualified Professional, Storage Administration HQT-6740 Exam

Skills Tested

• Understanding Hitachi Command Suite benefits and framework
• Understanding Hitachi Device Manager architecture and monitoring capabilities
• Managing a storage environment with Device Manager
• Performing advanced storage management operations
• Understanding multi-pathing and load balancing
• Troubleshooting

Requirements

• Designed for current Hitachi storage system users, including customers, partners
• Should be familiar with basic troubleshooting and configuration practices for Hitachi storage systems 

Location

Varies, but  the exam is closed book and with a proctor

Duration

60 minutes

Cost

$100

5. Pure Storage FlashArray Architect Expert 

 

 

Skills Tested

• Confirms experience configuring and designing FlashArray installations
• Able to integrate FlashArray implementations with other third-party applications, storage area networks (SANs), and IP network environments. 

Requirements

• Ideal for a highly experienced storage employee, particularly a Pure Storage partner or a storage administrator who uses FlashArray
• Two years of experience with FlashArray
• Five years of storage market experience

Location

Online examination, using a ProctorU application

Duration

120 minutes

Cost 

$129

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