VMware Certified Professional - VMware Cloud Foundation Administrator Study Guide: Everything You Need to Know 2025
Your complete roadmap to passing the 2V0-17.25 certification exam. This comprehensive study guide covers all 4 exam domains with detailed explanations, study tips, and practice resources.
Quick Start
Essential steps to begin your preparation
Review Exam Objectives
View all domains →Take Assessment Quiz
Free practice test →Follow Study Plan
8-week roadmap →Full Practice Exams
Start practicing →Exam Domains & Objectives
Master these 4 domains to pass the 2V0-17.25 exam
VMware Cloud Foundation Architecture and Components
VCF Deployment and Configuration
Resource Management and Operations
Monitoring, Troubleshooting, and Maintenance
8-Week Study Plan
Follow this structured plan to prepare for your VMware Certified Professional - VMware Cloud Foundation Administrator exam
Foundation
Understand core concepts and exam objectives
Focus Areas:
- VMware Cloud Foundation Architecture and Components
- VCF Deployment and Configuration
Deep Dive
Master advanced topics and practical applications
Focus Areas:
- Resource Management and Operations
- Monitoring, Troubleshooting, and Maintenance
Practice & Review
Take practice exams and review weak areas
Focus Areas:
Final Prep
Full practice exams and last-minute review
Focus Areas:
- Full-length practice tests
- Review all domains
Curated Study Resources
AI-curated resources with real links to help you prepare for the VMware Certified Professional - VMware Cloud Foundation Administrator exam
Complete Study Guide for VMware Certified Professional - VMware Cloud Foundation Administrator (2V0-17.25)
The VMware Certified Professional - VMware Cloud Foundation Administrator certification validates your skills in deploying, configuring, managing, and troubleshooting VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) environments. This professional-level certification demonstrates expertise in managing unified SDDC platforms that integrate compute, storage, networking, and management capabilities.
Who Should Take This Exam
- VMware administrators managing VCF environments
- Cloud infrastructure architects implementing hybrid cloud solutions
- Data center administrators transitioning to software-defined infrastructure
- IT professionals responsible for private cloud operations
- System engineers working with VMware SDDC stack
Prerequisites
- Strong understanding of VMware vSphere administration
- Experience with vCenter Server and ESXi host management
- Knowledge of networking concepts and vSAN storage
- Familiarity with NSX-T Data Center fundamentals
- Basic understanding of SDDC architecture and automation
- 6-12 months hands-on experience with VMware Cloud Foundation recommended
Official Resources
VMware Certification Portal - VCP-VCF 2025
Official certification overview, exam registration, and requirements
View ResourceVMware Cloud Foundation Documentation
Complete technical documentation for VCF including architecture, deployment, and operations guides
View ResourceVMware Cloud Foundation Planning and Preparation Guide
Official guide for planning VCF deployments including prerequisites and design considerations
View ResourceVMware Cloud Foundation Operations and Administration Guide
Comprehensive operational procedures for managing VCF environments
View ResourceVMware Learning Zone
Official VMware learning platform with courses, digital badges, and certification paths
View ResourceVMware Cloud Foundation Release Notes
Latest features, enhancements, and known issues for current VCF versions
View ResourceVMware SDDC Manager Documentation
SDDC Manager operations including lifecycle management and automation
View ResourceVMware Hands-on Labs - Cloud Foundation
Free browser-based labs for hands-on VCF practice without infrastructure setup
View ResourceRecommended Courses
VMware Cloud Foundation: Deploy, Configure, Manage [V5.0]
VMware Education • 40 hours
View CourseRecommended Books
Mastering VMware vSphere 8
by Nick Marshall, Mike Brown
Comprehensive guide to vSphere 8 which forms the foundation of VCF environments
View on AmazonVMware Software-Defined Storage: A Guide to vSAN
by Cormac Hogan, Duncan Epping
Essential reading for understanding vSAN architecture which is core to VCF storage
View on AmazonVMware NSX-T Data Center Administration Guide
by Ajay Menon
Guide to NSX-T which provides networking capabilities in VCF
View on AmazonVMware Certified Professional Data Center Virtualization Study Guide
by Brian Atkinson
Foundation study guide for VMware certifications covering core concepts
View on AmazonPractice & Hands-On Resources
VMware Hands-on Labs - Cloud Foundation
Free browser-based labs with pre-configured VCF environments for hands-on practice
View ResourceVMware Cloud Foundation Trial
Evaluation version of VCF for building your own lab environment
View ResourceVMware Customer Connect Practice Tests
Official practice questions available through VMware Customer Connect portal
View ResourceVMware Cloud Foundation Simulator
Interactive simulations of VCF deployment and management tasks
View ResourceVMware Learning Zone Practice Tests
Practice exams and assessments available through VMware's learning platform
View ResourceGitHub VCF Automation Scripts
Community-contributed automation scripts and deployment examples
View ResourceCommunity & Forums
VMware Technology Network (VMTN) - Cloud Foundation Forum
Official VMware community forums with discussions on VCF deployment, operations, and troubleshooting
Join CommunityReddit - r/vmware
Active community discussing VMware certifications, VCF implementations, and study tips
Join CommunityVMware Cloud Foundation Community Blog
Official VMware blogs with deep-dive technical articles, best practices, and announcements
Join CommunityvExpert Community
VMware vExpert community blogs, discussions, and resources from VMware experts
Join CommunityVMware {code} Slack
Slack workspace for VMware developers and administrators with VCF channels
Join CommunityReddit - r/vmwarecerts
Dedicated subreddit for VMware certification discussions, study materials, and exam experiences
Join CommunityWilliam Lam's Blog - virtuallyGhetto
Popular technical blog with VCF automation scripts, tips, and detailed technical guides
Join CommunityCormac Hogan's Blog
In-depth technical articles on VCF, vSAN, and VMware storage topics
Join CommunityStudy Tips
Hands-on Practice Priority
- VCF is highly operational - hands-on experience is critical. Use VMware Hands-on Labs extensively even if you don't have your own lab
- Practice at least 3-5 complete deployments using Cloud Builder to understand the workflow and common failure points
- Focus on day-2 operations: add/remove hosts, expand clusters, create workload domains - these are heavily tested
- Document your own procedures for common tasks to reinforce learning and create quick reference guides
Master SDDC Manager
- SDDC Manager is the heart of VCF - know every section of the UI and what operations are performed where
- Understand which tasks must be done in SDDC Manager vs vCenter Server - this is a common exam question type
- Practice using the SDDC Manager API for common operations - automation questions appear on the exam
- Know the password management and rotation procedures thoroughly - this is frequently tested
Documentation Deep Dive
- The VMware Cloud Foundation Operations Guide is your bible - read it cover to cover at least once
- Create a searchable bookmark collection of key documentation pages for quick reference during study
- Pay special attention to prerequisite sections, planning worksheets, and troubleshooting appendices
- Review release notes for the latest VCF version to understand new features and known issues
Focus on Lifecycle Management
- Understand the complete lifecycle from initial deployment through upgrades and decommissioning
- Know the bundle management system and how patches/updates are applied across the stack
- Study upgrade procedures for all components (vCenter, ESXi, NSX-T, vSAN) through SDDC Manager
- Learn the rollback procedures and what scenarios require manual intervention
Troubleshooting Methodology
- Master the SoS utility - know how to collect logs and what logs are relevant for different issues
- Study common deployment failures: DNS issues, NTP problems, insufficient resources, network misconfiguration
- Understand health monitoring in SDDC Manager and how to interpret different alert types
- Review VMware KB articles for common VCF issues and their resolutions
Architecture Understanding
- Be able to draw and explain VCF architecture including management domain, workload domains, and component interactions
- Understand the differences between consolidated and standard architecture deployments
- Know the minimum and maximum configuration requirements for clusters and domains
- Study network architecture including management networks, vMotion, vSAN, and NSX overlay networks
Exam Question Strategies
- With 70 questions in 130 minutes, you have less than 2 minutes per question - practice time management
- Scenario-based questions are common - read carefully to identify what the question is really asking
- Eliminate obviously wrong answers first, then choose from remaining options
- Watch for questions about SDDC Manager vs vCenter operations - this distinction is frequently tested
- Screenshot questions may show SDDC Manager UI - familiarize yourself with every menu and option
Integration Knowledge
- Understand how VCF integrates with vRealize Suite components for cloud management
- Know certificate management across all VCF components and replacement procedures
- Study identity source integration with Active Directory and LDAP
- Learn backup and restore procedures for SDDC Manager and other critical components
Exam Day Tips
- 1Arrive 15 minutes early for online exams to complete check-in procedures without stress
- 2Have your government-issued ID ready and ensure your workspace meets Pearson VUE requirements (clean desk, no second monitors)
- 3Read each question completely before looking at answers - many questions have subtle details that change the correct answer
- 4Use the flag feature to mark questions you're unsure about and review them if time permits
- 5Don't spend more than 2 minutes on any single question initially - move on and come back if needed
- 6Watch for absolute terms like 'always' or 'never' in answers - these are often incorrect in VCF scenarios
- 7For scenario questions, identify the key problem first, then determine which solution addresses that specific issue
- 8Remember that some operations require specific sequences - if answers list steps, verify the order is correct
- 9Trust your hands-on experience - if an answer doesn't match what you've seen in practice, it's likely wrong
- 10Stay calm and pace yourself - with proper preparation, you have enough time to complete all questions
- 11If you're stuck between two answers, choose the one that aligns with VMware best practices documented in official guides
Study guide generated on January 7, 2026
Pro Study Tips
Expert advice to maximize your study effectiveness
Active Learning Strategies
- Hands-on practice: Apply concepts in real scenarios
- Teach others: Explain concepts to reinforce learning
- Take notes: Write summaries in your own words
Exam Day Preparation
- Get enough sleep: Rest well the night before
- Review key points: Go through your notes and cheat sheets
- Time management: Practice pacing with timed exams
Continue Your Preparation
More resources to help you succeed
Complete VMware Certified Professional - VMware Cloud Foundation Administrator Study Guide
This comprehensive study guide will help you prepare for the 2V0-17.25 certification exam offered by VMware. Whether you are a beginner or experienced professional, this guide covers everything you need to know to pass on your first attempt.
What You Will Learn
Our study guide covers all 4 exam domains in detail:
- VMware Cloud Foundation Architecture and Components (20%)
- VCF Deployment and Configuration (25%)
- Resource Management and Operations (30%)
- Monitoring, Troubleshooting, and Maintenance (25%)
Recommended Timeline
Most candidates need 6-8 weeks of dedicated study to pass the VMware Certified Professional - VMware Cloud Foundation Administrator exam. We recommend studying 1-2 hours daily and taking practice exams weekly to track your progress.
Next Step: Start with our free practice test to assess your current knowledge level.