NetApp certifications are among the most well-respected for storage professionals. NetApp is a data storage and management company that is famous for its storage systems known as NetApp filers. This name shares a close connection with their storage system which is in the form of files.
NetApp systems support file-level storage using NFS, CIFS and SMB, and iSCI and Fibre Channel (including Fibre Channel over Ethernet, aka FCoE) for block-level storage. The firm has a proprietary ONTAP OS which ropes in its storage capabilities, while its OnCommand software manages, runs and automates network data storage.
NetApp Certification Program Overview
For careers that need NetApp expertise, there are various certification levels that you can master.
Associate: Entry-level NetApp storage administration roles for junior to mid-level IT specialists who work with NetApp storage systems and devices. Only one NetApp Associate credential offered here: the NetApp Certified Storage Associate.
Specialist: This is aimed at mid- to senior-level IT specialists who are focused on one or more NetApp topical or platform areas. These comprise several different SAN Specialist credentials, a Data Protection Specialist credential, the Cisco NetApp FlexPod Design Specialist and the Cisco and NetApp FlexPod Implementation and Administration Specialist.
Professional: This is for mid- to senior-level IT specialists who manage or install entire NetApp-based storage environments. These consist of NetApp Certified Data Administrator credentials in both Clustered Data ONTAP and Data ONTAP 7-Mode, and NetApp Certified Storage Installation Engineer, Clustered Data ONTAP.
NetApp Job Opportunities
Implementation Engineer: A mid- to senior-level IT specialist who designs and configures NetApp solutions.
Storage Administrator: A wide-spanning role from entry to senior levels for one who controls and maintains NetApp storage environments.
Support Engineer: A mid-level IT specialist who provides support, troubleshoots issues and carries out root cause isolation, hardware replacement, documentation, node configuration, and software and firmware upgrades for NetApp storage systems.
Installation Engineer: This is a mid- to senior-level IT expert who installs clustered NetApp environments.
Converged Infrastructure: This is a mid-career to senior IT expert who designs and manages hybrid hyperconverged infrastructure Cisco and NetApp environments.
