NetApp.Inc is an American company which is specialized in hybrid cloud data services and management. The cloud data services for management of apps and data are offered both online and physically. Originally, the company was known as Network Appliance, Inc. and was founded in 1992 by D. Hitz, M. Malcolm, and J. Lau. Since that time it grew, went public in 1995 and raised capital. In 2008 it was given its current name NetApp, Inc.
NetApp is your assistant number one if you are moving to cloud, developing in the cloud, or need to create a cloud experience on your premises. Thus, it is engaged in cloud services, data storage, and data management.
Products and solutions
NetApp offers solutions and products in the following areas:
- Cloud services: solutions: Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure, AWS, IBM Cloud; products: AzureNetApp Files, Cloud Volumes ONTAP, SaaS Backup, Cloud Sync, MySQL.
- Hybrid Cloud: solutions: VMware, Red Hat, Virtualization, IT Automation, Private Clouds.
- Data Storage: solutions: Scale-Out NAS, SAN; products: FAS, FlexPod, E-Series, AFF A-Series, EF-Series.
- Data Protection: solutions: ONTAP Data Security, Data Backup and Recovery, Data Privacy; products: SnapCenter, Cloud Backup.
- Data Management: solutions: Simplicity365; products: OnCommand Insight, ONTAP Data Management, Virtual Infrastructure Management, Active IQ.
- Enterprise Applications: solutions: Oracle, SAP, MS SQL.
- DevOps: solutions: Containers, Google Cloud Anthos, Configuration Management.
- AI: solution: big data analytics, high performance computing; products: ONTAP AI.
- VDI: products: Virtual Desktop Service, Spot PC
- Services: Professional Services, Support Services.
Certification Program
NetApp offers a wide certification program that helps candidates validate their knowledge and skills as a NetApp technical professional. This program contains three tracks that you can follow, these are data track, hybrid cloud track, and converged infrastructure track. Each track falls into four levels: associate, professional, specialist, and expert, though not each certification can be gained at all 4 levels.
The NetApp Certified Technology Associate certification is the first one you need to obtain to start any of the mentioned three tacks. For that, you have to pass the NS0-003 exam. It testifies your foundational knowledge of NetApp data storage systems, technologies, and products offered to operate data in the hybrid cloud market.
Then, following the data track you can move further.
Professional level designations validate the candidates’ practical skills. This level offers three certifications: NetApp Certified Data Administrator, ONTAP (NS0-162) checks how the test-taker is experienced in dealing with the App's proprietary operating system, ONTAP in Windows and NFS multiprotocol environments. About 6 months of experience is required in dealing with NetApp data storage solutions in multiprotocol environments.
NetApp Certified Storage Installation Engineer, ONTAP (NS0-184) accreditation proves that the candidate can demonstrate ONTAP installation services and apply NetApp best practices. Candidates should have at least 6 months of experience with NetApp ONTAP solutions.
The NetApp Certified Support Engineer (NS0-194) certification testifies that the certified professional is able to support NetApp storage solutions, to be more precise, to fulfill troubleshooting, carry out hardware replacement, root cause analysis, software & firmware upgrades for NetApp storage solutions. Candidates should have at least 6 months of experience with NetApp ONTAP solutions and technology.
Specialist level comprises the following 4 accreditations:
NetApp Certified Implementation Engineer SAN Specialist, ONTAP designation (NS0-519 exam should be taken after NS0-162) is intended for professionals with a solid understanding of NetApp-specific configuration and checks their troubleshooting skills.
NetApp Certified Implementation Engineer Data Protection Specialist (NS0-527 is taken after the NS0-162) certificate is intended for IT professional that are skilled in performing NetApp-specific data protection and implementation sills.
NetApp Certified Implementation Engineer SAN Specialist, E-Series (NS0-516) accreditation proves that candidates are skilled in advanced networking and NetApp-specific topics.
NetApp Certified Support Engineer ONTAP Specialist (NS0-592 is taken after the NS0-194). This designation testifies how the candidate is proficient in implementing the NetApp Data ONTAP storage solutions.
The Hybrid Data track along with the associate-level certification also includes designations of the professional level, specialist- level, and expert level accreditations. So, they are the following ones:
NetApp Certified Hybrid Cloud Administrator (NS0-303) designation refers to the professional level certification. It verifies candidates’ skills to deal with NetApp cloud data storage and cloud data services as well as testifies their knowledge of NetApp products used in supported cloud providers, including Google Cloud, AWS, and Microsoft Azure.
NetApp Certified Hybrid Cloud Implementation Engineer (NS0-403 exam) certification is of the specialist level and validates one’s skills to utilize and automate NetApp Hybrid Cloud solutions from public and private cloud to monitoring and troubleshooting.
NetApp Certified Hybrid Cloud Architect certification is of the expert level. It implies that you are the owner of one of the three cloud provider designations such as the Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals, Google Cloud Certified Professional Cloud Architect, or AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate, and you need to pass the NS0-603 exam. The accreditation validates your knowledge and skills to analyze customer business requirements, and architect NetApp data fabric solutions in hybrid cloud environments together with supported public cloud providers.
Converged Infrastructure track includes the certifications of the associate and specialist levels. Since the associate level designation is the same for all three tracks, the specialist level accreditations include the following two:
Cisco and NetApp FlexPod Design Specialist (NS0-175) and Cisco and NetApp FlexPod Implementation and Administration Specialist (NS0-176) certifications. They verify your proficiency in working with NetApp FlexPod and its associated hardware.
