VMware Certified Specialist - VMware Cloud Foundation Deployment Study Guide 2025: Updated Prep Materials
Get ready for the VMware Certified Specialist - VMware Cloud Foundation Deployment certification with our comprehensive 2025 study guide. Updated with the latest exam objectives, study strategies, and expert tips to help you pass on your first attempt.
Exam Quick Facts
Why This 2025 Guide?
Prepared with the latest exam objectives and proven study strategies
2025 Updated
Reflects the latest exam objectives and content updates for 2025
Exam Aligned
Covers all current exam domains with accurate weightings
Proven Strategies
Time-tested study techniques from successful candidates
Fast Track Path
Efficient study plan to pass on your first attempt
Complete Study Materials
Comprehensive 2025 study guide for VMware Certified Specialist - VMware Cloud Foundation Deployment
Complete Study Guide for VMware Certified Specialist - VMware Cloud Foundation Deployment
The VMware Certified Specialist - VMware Cloud Foundation Deployment (5V0-31.23) certification validates your expertise in deploying and configuring VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF), VMware's unified SDDC platform. This certification demonstrates your ability to implement VCF solutions, configure management and workload domains, and understand the architecture that powers modern hybrid cloud infrastructures.
Who Should Take This Exam
- VMware administrators seeking to specialize in Cloud Foundation
- Data center architects implementing SDDC solutions
- Infrastructure engineers deploying hybrid cloud platforms
- System administrators managing VMware environments
- IT professionals transitioning to cloud infrastructure roles
Prerequisites
- Strong understanding of VMware vSphere administration
- Experience with VMware vSAN and NSX fundamentals
- Knowledge of data center networking concepts
- Familiarity with storage technologies and protocols
- Basic understanding of automation and JSON/API concepts
- 6-12 months hands-on experience with VMware products recommended
Official Resources
VMware Cloud Foundation Documentation
Official comprehensive documentation covering all aspects of VCF architecture, deployment, configuration, and operations
View ResourceVMware Certification Exam Blueprint
Official exam objectives and detailed breakdown of exam topics and weighting
View ResourceVMware Cloud Foundation Product Page
Overview of VCF capabilities, features, and use cases
View ResourceVMware Cloud Foundation Release Notes
Latest updates, features, and known issues for VCF versions
View ResourceVMware Cloud Foundation Design Guide
Architectural design patterns and best practices for VCF implementations
View ResourceVMware Cloud Foundation Operations Guide
Day 2 operations, management tasks, and operational best practices
View ResourceVMware Hands-on Labs
Free hands-on labs providing practical experience with VCF without hardware requirements
View ResourceVMware Tech Zone
Technical resources, deployment guides, and reference architectures
View ResourceRecommended Courses
VMware Cloud Foundation: Deploy, Configure, Manage
VMware Education • 40 hours
View CourseRecommended Books
VMware Cloud Foundation Essentials: A Practical Guide
by Various VMware Authors
Comprehensive guide covering VCF architecture, deployment, and operations. Note: Search Amazon for latest VMware Cloud Foundation books as specific titles vary by release version.
View on AmazonMastering VMware vSphere 8
by Nick Marshall, Mike Brown
Essential foundation for understanding vSphere components that underpin VCF deployments
View on AmazonVMware NSX Cookbook
by Bayu Wibowo, Tony Sangha
Helpful for understanding NSX integration within VCF environments
View on AmazonOfficial VMware Cloud Foundation Documentation (Digital)
by VMware
The most current and authoritative source - downloadable as PDFs for offline study
View on AmazonPractice & Hands-On Resources
VMware Hands-on Labs - Cloud Foundation
Free, browser-based labs providing full VCF environments for practice without hardware requirements. Includes deployment, configuration, and operational scenarios.
View ResourceVMware Cloud Foundation Simulator
Practice navigation and operations within SDDC Manager interface
View ResourceVMware Learning Zone Practice Tests
Official practice exams that simulate the actual certification exam experience
View ResourceVMware Cloud Foundation Deployment Workbook
Excel-based planning tool for practicing deployment parameter configuration
View ResourceGitHub - VCF Automation Examples
Code samples and automation scripts for VCF operations and API usage
View ResourceVMware Tech Zone
Deployment guides, tutorials, and step-by-step walkthroughs for various VCF scenarios
View ResourceCommunity & Forums
VMware Technology Network (VMTN) - Cloud Foundation Forum
Official VMware community with dedicated VCF discussions, expert responses, and troubleshooting help
Join Communityr/vmware
Active Reddit community discussing VMware products including VCF deployment experiences, study tips, and exam feedback
Join CommunityVMware Cloud Foundation Blog
Official blog with product updates, best practices, and technical deep dives
Join CommunityvExpert Community
Network of VMware experts sharing knowledge through blogs, presentations, and community events
Join CommunityVMware Certification Study Group (LinkedIn)
Search for VMware certification groups where candidates share study resources and exam experiences
Join CommunityVirtual Geek Blog
Technical insights and deep dives into VMware technologies including VCF
Join CommunityVMware Learning Discord Communities
Search for VMware or VCF-specific Discord servers for real-time study group discussions
Join CommunityStudy Tips
Hands-On Practice is Critical
- Complete at least 3-5 full VCF deployments in VMware HOL before the exam
- Practice both management domain and workload domain creation multiple times
- Deliberately break things in labs to understand troubleshooting and error messages
- Document your lab deployments with screenshots and notes for review
- Practice certificate operations extensively as these appear frequently on the exam
Master the Deployment Workflow
- Memorize the exact sequence: Cloud Builder → Management Domain → Commission Hosts → Workload Domain
- Understand what happens at each validation stage during deployment
- Know the difference between automated and manual deployment workflows
- Study the JSON deployment file structure and common parameters
- Practice filling out the deployment workbook/Excel with all required parameters
Focus on SDDC Manager
- Spend significant time navigating every section of the SDDC Manager UI
- Understand how SDDC Manager orchestrates all lifecycle operations
- Know where to find logs, health status, and configuration details
- Practice backup and restore procedures for SDDC Manager
- Learn the API endpoints for common automation tasks
Understand Component Integration
- Study how vSphere, vSAN, NSX, and Aria Suite integrate within VCF
- Understand version compatibility and upgrade dependencies
- Know which components are deployed during management domain bring-up
- Learn how networking spans across all components (overlay and underlay)
- Understand the role of each product in the VCF stack
Network and Storage Design
- Memorize minimum VLAN requirements for VCF deployment
- Understand network pools and their purpose for workload domains
- Know vSAN configuration requirements including disk groups and caching
- Study IP addressing schemes and DNS requirements thoroughly
- Practice creating network diagrams showing all VCF network segments
Study Official Documentation Thoroughly
- Read the Planning and Preparation Guide cover to cover
- Review the Release Notes for your exam version to understand new features
- Study the Architecture and Design Guide for conceptual understanding
- Keep the Operations Guide handy for Day 2 operations procedures
- Bookmark key documentation pages for quick reference during study
Exam-Specific Preparation
- The exam is scenario-based - practice applying knowledge to real-world situations
- Know exact minimum requirements (hosts, memory, storage) for deployments
- Understand troubleshooting methodologies and where to find logs
- Study common deployment failures and their resolutions
- Review the exam blueprint multiple times and check off mastered topics
- Take practice exams under timed conditions to build stamina for 135 minutes
Time Management
- With 70 questions in 135 minutes, you have about 1.9 minutes per question
- Flag difficult questions for review and move on quickly
- Don't spend more than 3 minutes on any single question initially
- Budget 20-30 minutes at the end to review flagged questions
- Read scenario questions carefully - answers are often in the details
Exam Day Tips
- 1Arrive 15 minutes early or log in early for online proctoring to handle technical checks
- 2Have two forms of ID ready if testing at a center
- 3Read each question completely before looking at answers - VMware questions can be tricky with wording
- 4Watch for negative phrasing like 'Which is NOT required' or 'What should you avoid'
- 5For scenario questions, identify the actual requirement or problem before evaluating answers
- 6Use the process of elimination for difficult questions - often you can rule out 2-3 answers quickly
- 7Trust your hands-on experience - if you've practiced deployments, rely on that knowledge
- 8Don't second-guess yourself excessively; first instinct is often correct if you've studied well
- 9Mark questions you're unsure about and review them if time permits
- 10Remember the passing score is 300/500 (60%) - you don't need perfection
- 11Stay calm during long scenario questions; break them into components
- 12For deployment order questions, visualize the workflow you practiced in labs
- 13Pay attention to version-specific features mentioned in questions
- 14If completely stuck on a question, make your best guess and move on - unanswered questions are always wrong
Study guide generated on January 7, 2026
VMware Certified Specialist - VMware Cloud Foundation Deployment 2025 Study Guide FAQs
VMware Certified Specialist - VMware Cloud Foundation Deployment is a professional certification from VMware that validates expertise in vmware certified specialist - vmware cloud foundation deployment technologies and concepts. The official exam code is 5V0-31.23.
The VMware Certified Specialist - VMware Cloud Foundation Deployment Study Guide 2025 includes updated content reflecting the latest exam changes, new technologies, and best practices. It covers all current exam objectives and domains.
Yes, the 2025 VMware Certified Specialist - VMware Cloud Foundation Deployment study guide has been updated with new content, revised exam objectives, and the latest industry trends. It reflects all changes made to the 5V0-31.23 exam.
Start by reviewing the exam objectives in the 2025 guide, then work through each section systematically. Combine your study with practice exams to reinforce your learning.
More 2025 Resources
Complete your exam preparation with these resources