VMware Ready Hardware Certification Program

This program will enable a larger volume of hardware devices to test against ESX or VDI and upon passing, obtain official VMware certification and support. This creates a broader ecosystem of devices certified to run with VMware, thus more choices for our customers and new sales opportunities for our Partners!

Any vendor that is a member of VMware Technology Alliance Program (TAP) at the Select level or higher. Each vendor must also have run the VMware Compatibility Analysis tool on their specific hardware and received a positive result in the ability to be supported by the current release of the ESX product line and VDI.

Prospective partners need to complete the online application process. Once submitted, VMware will process the application within 10 business days.

The vendor’s responsibilities include the following:

• Enrolment in the Technology Alliance Program (TAP)
• Technical training requirements:
  • Minimum of 2 VCPs per region you sell your products in
  • Each member must be belong to TSANet or have a Customer Support agreement in place with VMware
• Submit a VMware Compatibility Analysis per hardware they wish to be certified
• Upon obtaining a positive result from the analysis, engage with a VMware Approved Testing Lab to conduct certification
• Adherence to the VMware Ready™ Certified logo usage guidelines
• Joint support of ESX with your HW platform

VMware’s approved testing labs are responsible for engaging with VMware’s partners to perform certification on their behalf. They are required to:

• Provide quality service and competitive pricing for the engagement
• Arrange with the partner the shipment of equipment to their facilities
• Conduct testing on partner’s hardware. Submit test results to VMware
• Validate hardware compatibility posting request on behalf of the partner
• Inform the partner once the results and request have been approved and processed by VMware

VMware has trained and authorized two independent firms to serve as the official VMware testing labs, AppLabs and Cognizant Technology Solutions:

1. AppLabs is a global IT services company specializing in quality management, testing, and certification solutions. With over a decade of experience, AppLabs has become a trusted partner to more than 600 companies, providing both quality assurance and third-party validation. Headquartered in Philadelphia, the company maintains advanced testing facilities in the US, India and the UK.
2. Cognizant is a leading provider of IT and business process outsourcing services. With over 40,000 employees, Cognizant uses its own on-site/offshore outsourcing model to provide applications management, development, integration, and reengineering; infrastructure management; business process outsourcing; and numerous related services.

VMware’s responsibilities in this program encompass the responsibilities covered by the Technology Alliance Program, and, in addition:

• VMware audits each testing lab to ensure partners are receiving quality service.
• VMware processes test results submitted by the testing labs.
• VMware creates the posting request to have hardware that has successfully passed certification listed on VMware’s Hardware Compatibility Guides.

This program supports the following types of hardware:

• x86 Servers, including I/O Devices and Their Drivers
• Fibre Channel Storage Arrays
• iSCSI Arrays Storage Arrays
• NAS Devices
• Thin Client

VMware is continuing its efforts to create certification programs to support different types of hardware. If a program is not currently offered for one of your devices, continue checking the VMware Hardware Certification Program site for certification program updates. You can also speak to your VMware Alliance contact to make them aware that a certification program is required for your device.

You will be informed by the testing lab of the failure that happened, and then requested that your engineering team works to correct the cause of the failure. Once the correction is completed, you can then request the testing lab to re-run certification testing on your hardware.

No, you must work with only VMware approved testing labs. These testing labs will be outlined in an email to the vendor once the vendor has submitted a successful Compatibility Analysis for its hardware.

The fees with this program include:

• The fee to join the Technology Alliance Partner program, which is $5,000 annually for the Select level.
• The fees charged by the testing labs to perform certification testing. The fees differ for each device, as efforts to perform testing vary across each type of hardware. Vendors are asked to engage with a testing lab and receive exact quotes for their individual needs in testing.
• Fees for VCP Training (which are discounted 20% through the TAP program).

Contact information for each VMware Approved Testing Labs will be sent via email when you receive a “PASS” result after submitting a VMware Compatibility Analysis for your hardware. If it is for ESX certification, you will also receive a VMware “Cert ID” to present to the testing labs when you engage with them to perform your testing.

This program was launched in May, 2007. You can obtain additional information in the VMware Select Partner Program Guide as well as from your VMware Alliances contact.

VMware has created a logo especially designed for this purpose. Stating “VMware Ready Certified™” it will enable devices to announce their standing with respect to official VMware support.

VMware’s Technology Alliance Program is designed to provide a comprehensive set of benefits that enable partners to achieve technical compatibility with VMware and to engage in joint marketing. Some of the benefits include not-for-resale licenses of VMware products for internal development use, participation in VMware events, and marketing opportunities.

No, however you may apply to become a VMware VIP Reseller.