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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
- NetApp Certified Data Administrator
- IBM Certified Administrator, Spectrum Protect V8.1.9
- IBM Storage Specialist Cloud Object Storage V3.14
- Hitachi Vantara Qualified Professional, Storage Administration HQT-6740 Exam
- 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
