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VMware Cloud Foundation 9.0 Administrator (2V0-17.25) Certification Preparation Guide

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Target Audience: VMware by Broadcom Community
Last Updated: February 2026

Why Write Certification Exams?

Yes, being certified and earning the badge is one of the drivers. However, what truly matters is what we do between deciding to write the exam and actually attempting it.

Use exams as motivation for your learning journey, not just to pass. The preparation journey should be the focus.

Read more:
Why I write certification exams – LinkedIn post (including AI aligned perspective)

Key Benefits

  • Exam objectives help streamline and direct learning
  • Forces hands-on practice with real scenarios
  • Builds comprehensive understanding of the product
  • Creates a structured learning path with clear goals
  • Certifications count as contributions to vExpert applications, which can potentially get you VMUG Advantage membership

Preparation Timeline

Plan for 8–12 weeks of solid hands-on preparation for best results.
Depending on how much time you dedicate, it can be done in a couple of weeks as well.

Getting Exam Vouchers & Discounts

VMUG Advantage Program

VMUG Advantage membership provides significant benefits:

  • $125 USD off VMware certifications

Learn more:
https://www.vmug.com/membership/membership-benefits/

Cost: $210 USD/year

VMware vExpert Program

If you are a VMware vExpert, you automatically receive:

  • VMUG Advantage membership (complimentary) – includes $125 USD off certifications
  • 50% off certification exams

Learn more:
https://vexpert.vmware.com/

Important: Certifications are considered as contributions to vExpert applications and may help you earn vExpert status.

Note: VMUG and vExpert discounts are subject to current terms and conditions.

Other Opportunities for Free Vouchers

  • Local VMUG events – Some events may provide free VCF certification vouchers
  • VMware Explore – Attendees may receive free certification vouchers
  • Broadcom employees – Internal prep guide available with free voucher process (contact Vikas Shitole)

Scheduling Your Exam

⚠️ Important: Use a personal laptop for scheduling and exam.
Corporate laptops may fail due to firewall restrictions.

Step 1: Login to Certification Portal

Step 2: Schedule Exam

  • From dashboard → Click Schedule Your Exam
  • Click SSO to VUE
  • Redirects to Pearson VUE

Step 3: Select Exam

  • Search for “VMware exams” or click VMware Professional Level Exams
  • Choose your exam
    Example: 2V0-17.25 – VMware Cloud Foundation 9.0 Administrator

Step 4: Choose Exam Format

  • OnVUE Online – Take exam from home (Recommended)
  • In-Person – Pearson VUE testing center

Step 5: Select Date & Time

  • Accept terms and conditions
  • Select language: English
  • Time zone auto-detected
  • Choose date and time slot

Recommendation: Early morning slot (5 AM) — quiet and distraction-free.

Step 6: Payment & Voucher

  • Enter your voucher number at checkout
  • Voucher may waive entire amount or provide discount

Exam Day Checklist

Before Exam Day

  • Test your laptop using the system test link (10–15 min)
  • Use personal laptop
  • Copy exam email links to personal device
  • Prepare distraction-free room
  • Keep government-issued ID ready

On Exam Day

  • Check-in link works only 30 minutes before exam
  • Keep ID ready for verification
  • Take webcam photos (face, sides, ID)
  • Ensure no one else is in the room
  • Close all other applications

Environment Requirements

  • Quiet, private room
  • Clean desk (no papers, books, phones)
  • Good lighting
  • Stable WiFi (exclusive connection preferred)

VCF Administrator Exam (2V0-17.25) core guidelines

Exam Details

DetailInformation
Exam ID2V0-17.25
NameVMware Cloud Foundation 9.0 Administrator
Questions60 multiple choice (many multi-answer, scenario-based)
Time135 minutes
Passing Score300/500 (scaled)
Official Pagehttps://www.broadcom.com/support/education/vmware/certification/vcp-vcf-administrator

Official Courses

VMware courses are NOT mandatory unlike in the past, but helpful for structured learning.

Broadcom provides complimentary access to VCF digital training libraries for eligible customers and partners.

Broadcom Learning Portal:
https://www.broadcom.com/support/education/vmware

Course 1: VMware Cloud Foundation – Build, Manage and Secure [V9.0] ⭐ Recommended

DetailInformation
Course IDVCFBMS9
Duration~24 hours (self-paced)
AccessSearch “VCFBMS9” on Broadcom Learning Portal

Includes:

  • Video lectures
  • Recorded lab demonstrations
  • Course materials

Course 2: VMware Cloud Foundation – Automate and Operate [V9.0]

  • Instructor-led training only
  • Not available as self-paced

Note Course 1 + hands-on is sufficient for exam preparation.

Video Resources I used for my preparation

This exam is based on VCF 9.0 only.

Recommended Playlists

TopicPlaylist Link
VCF Automationhttps://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8_k3uUCO39ukTT0IPWtoI8ksL-19Bkfp
What’s New in VCF 9https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8_k3uUCO39ueFJmiyuNID9UoYIshSsFr
VCF Upgrade & Converge (Supercool!)https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8_k3uUCO39uoKObELZjKzx72lDwjF9ul

VMware Explore 2025 Sessions

ResourceLink
VCF Automation & Networkinghttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEaf8QvnuCQ
VCF Explore Playlisthttps://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8_k3uUCO39uSbMqSq70pHirEPoU3QzXt

All VMware Explore 2025 Sessions:
https://github.com/lamw/vmware-explore-2025-session-urls (For deeper exploration across tracks and years.)

Official VCF YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@VMwareCloudFoundation

Hands-On Labs

Practical experience is crucial.

Option 1: VMware Hands-On Labs (HOL)

https://labs.hol.vmware.com/HOL/catalog

Access: Use your credentials – No dependencies – fully hosted, ready to use – Note: Course content has recorded labs that are the same as HOL

Option 2: Holodeck Deployment

https://vmware.github.io/Holodeck

Use Case: Deploy nested VCF on your own hardware

Option 3: Home Lab Setup

Lab setup video available on YouTube

Lab Setup Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvYGrKlBkNE

AI-Assisted Preparation

Status: Initial version I am experiementing in my spare time, will post once ready. If you are interested, please DM

Study Groups

Preparing in small groups (2–3 engineers) using divide-and-conquer approach can help.

Solo preparation is also perfectly fine.

Questions & Contact

For questions, contact Vikas Shitole via LinkedIn DM:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/vikasshitole

VMware India vExpert Community

  • Curating list of VMware India vExperts who passed this exam
  • Upcoming panel discussion session as part of VMware vExpert Tech Talks in India (early March 2026)
  • Contact Vikas Shitole or local VMUG India leaders for details

Guide for Broadcom Employees

Broadcom employees: Internal prep guide including free voucher process available.
Contact Vikas Shitole for access.

Quick Reference

Key Links Summary

ResourceLink
Certification Portalhttps://www.broadcom.com/support/education/vmware/certification
VCF Administrator Exam (2V0-17.25)https://www.broadcom.com/support/education/vmware/certification/vcp-vcf-administrator
VMUG Advantagehttps://www.vmug.com/membership/membership-benefits/
VMware vExpert Programhttps://vexpert.vmware.com/
VMware Learning Portalhttps://www.broadcom.com/support/education/vmware
VCF Official YouTube Channelhttps://www.youtube.com/@VMwareCloudFoundation
VMware Hands-On Labs (HOL)https://labs.hol.vmware.com/HOL/catalog
Holodeck Deployment Guidehttps://vmware.github.io/Holodeck/
VMware Explore Sessions (Archive)https://github.com/lamw/vmware-explore-2025-session-urls