Prasenjit Sarkar
By Prasenjit SarkarLast verified: 2026-09-07
VMwareVirtualizationPROFESSIONAL

VMware Telco Cloud NFV Skills Certification: Complete Guide 2026

5V0-37.22

The VMware Telco Cloud NFV Skills certification validates knowledge and skills in deploying, configuring, and managing VMware Telco Cloud Infrastructure and Network Functions Virtualization solutions for telecommunications service providers.

Exam Details

Exam Code5V0-37.22
Duration135 min
Questions70
Passing Score300/500
Exam Cost$250
ValidityNo expiration
Avg. Salary$125,000/yr

Exam Content

Exam Domains & Topics

Master these 4 domains to pass your exam

1

VMware Telco Cloud Infrastructure Architecture

25%
2

NFV Deployment and Configuration

30%
3

Telco Cloud Operations and Management

25%
4

Networking and Security in Telco Cloud

20%

Who Should Take This Exam?

  • Telecommunications engineers managing NFV infrastructure
  • Cloud architects designing telco cloud solutions
  • Network engineers transitioning to virtualized network functions
  • IT professionals working with communication service providers
  • Systems administrators supporting telco cloud environments

Study Timeline

10-14 weeks

Recommended duration

01

Foundation · Weeks 1-2

Review exam objectives & core concepts

02

Deep Dive · Weeks 3-6

Study each domain with hands-on labs

03

Practice & Review · Weeks 7-8

Take practice exams & target weak areas

View Full Study Plan

Study Guide

5V0-37.22 Study Plan

The VMware Telco Cloud NFV Skills certification validates your ability to deploy, configure, and manage VMware's Telco Cloud Infrastructure for Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) environments. This professional-level certification demonstrates expertise in building and operating cloud-native telecommunications infrastructure using VMware technologies.

  1. Week 1-2

    Foundation and Architecture

    Build foundational knowledge of NFV concepts and VMware Telco Cloud architecture

    • Understand ETSI NFV MANO architecture thoroughly
    • Learn VMware Telco Cloud Infrastructure components and their roles
    • Study integration with vSphere and vCenter
    • Review NFVI design principles and requirements
  2. Week 3-4

    Deployment Fundamentals

    Learn installation, configuration, and initial deployment procedures

    • Practice TCI installation and initial configuration
    • Understand VNF package structure and descriptors
    • Learn resource pool and availability zone configuration
    • Study infrastructure profiles and flavor mappings
  3. Week 5-6

    NFV Lifecycle Management

    Master VNF deployment, configuration, and lifecycle operations

    • Practice complete VNF onboarding workflows
    • Perform Day 0, Day 1, and Day 2 operations
    • Execute scaling, healing, and termination operations
    • Configure VNFM integration and orchestration
  4. Week 7-8

    Networking and Performance

    Deep dive into telco networking and performance optimization

    • Configure high-performance networking (SR-IOV, DPDK)
    • Implement network segmentation and tenant isolation
    • Set up provider and tenant networks
    • Understand data plane acceleration technologies
  5. Week 9-10

    Operations and Troubleshooting

    Focus on operational management and troubleshooting skills

    • Practice monitoring and logging procedures
    • Learn fault detection and resolution workflows
    • Study backup and disaster recovery procedures
    • Master upgrade and patch management processes
  6. Week 11

    Security and Integration

    Study security implementation and external system integration

    • Implement security policies and access controls
    • Configure certificate management and PKI
    • Understand integration with OSS/BSS systems
    • Review multi-tenancy security practices
  7. Week 12

    Review and Practice Exams

    Comprehensive review and exam preparation

    • Review all exam domains and weak areas
    • Complete practice exams and labs
    • Review troubleshooting scenarios
    • Memorize key commands, procedures, and architectures

Study tips

Hands-on Practice is Critical

  • Build a home lab with nested ESXi if possible - understanding the actual deployment process is crucial
  • Use VMware Hands-on Labs extensively - they're free and provide real environment access
  • Practice the complete VNF lifecycle multiple times: onboarding, instantiation, scaling, healing, and termination
  • Create and modify VNF descriptors (VNFD) and network service descriptors (NSD) to understand their structure
  • Document your lab configurations and troubleshooting steps for review

Master the Architecture

  • Draw the ETSI NFV MANO architecture from memory and map VMware components to each functional block
  • Understand data flows between TCI components during VNF operations
  • Know the difference between VIM, VNFM, NFVO and how VMware implements each
  • Study how TCI integrates with vSphere, vCenter, and NSX at the architecture level
  • Create comparison charts between traditional virtualization and NFV approaches

Focus on Networking

  • Networking represents 20% of the exam and underpins much of the other domains
  • Understand when to use SR-IOV vs virtio vs DPDK interfaces and the performance implications
  • Practice configuring provider networks, tenant networks, and external connectivity
  • Know how to troubleshoot network connectivity issues in multi-tenant environments
  • Study QoS, network segmentation, and service function chaining concepts thoroughly

Understand Operational Workflows

  • Know Day 0 (initial deployment), Day 1 (configuration), and Day 2 (operations) procedures cold
  • Practice interpreting logs from VIM, VNFM, and VNF components
  • Understand backup and disaster recovery procedures specific to Telco Cloud
  • Know how to perform rolling upgrades with minimal service impact
  • Study automated healing scenarios and how to configure self-healing policies

Documentation Deep Dive

  • The official VMware Telco Cloud documentation is comprehensive - read it systematically
  • Create notes on each major configuration procedure with command examples
  • Pay special attention to troubleshooting sections and common error messages
  • Bookmark key documentation pages for quick reference during study
  • Review release notes for the versions covered in the exam to understand feature sets

Security and Multi-tenancy

  • Understand role-based access control (RBAC) in Telco Cloud environments
  • Know how to implement tenant isolation at network, compute, and storage levels
  • Study certificate management workflows and PKI integration
  • Understand security best practices for VNF deployment and management
  • Know how to audit security configurations and access logs

Time Management Strategy

  • With 70 questions in 135 minutes, you have approximately 1.9 minutes per question
  • Flag difficult questions and move on - return to them after completing easier ones
  • Read questions carefully - many involve scenario-based problem solving
  • Practice with timed mock exams to build speed and stamina
  • Don't second-guess yourself excessively on review - first instinct is often correct

Exam day checklist

  • Arrive 15-30 minutes early to complete check-in procedures without stress
  • Bring two forms of valid ID as required by VMware certification policies
  • Read each question completely before looking at answer options
  • Look for keywords like 'best', 'most efficient', 'least', 'first step' that indicate what the question prioritizes
  • For scenario questions, identify the problem clearly before selecting a solution
  • Use the flag feature liberally - mark any question you're unsure about for review
  • Eliminate obviously wrong answers first to improve odds on difficult questions
  • Watch for double negatives in questions that can be confusing
  • Remember that this is a professional-level exam - some questions will be intentionally challenging
  • If you finish early, use all remaining time to review flagged questions
  • Trust your preparation - avoid overthinking or changing answers without good reason
  • Stay calm if you encounter unfamiliar topics - make your best educated guess and move forward

Career

Career Opportunities

Roles and salary potential for VMware Telco Cloud NFV Skills certified professionals

Related Job Titles

Telco Cloud EngineerNFV Infrastructure SpecialistTelecommunications Network ArchitectCloud Infrastructure AdministratorNetwork Functions Virtualization Engineer

$125,000

Average Annual Salary

Prerequisites

Experience with VMware vSphere and virtualization concepts Understanding of telecommunications and network infrastructure Familiarity with NFV architecture and ETSI standards Basic knowledge of Linux operating systems Recommended 6-12 months experience with telco cloud platforms

FAQ

VMware Telco Cloud NFV Skills FAQs

Common questions about the 5V0-37.22 certification exam

The VMware Telco Cloud NFV Skills (5V0-37.22) certification validates your ability to deploy, configure, and manage VMware Telco Cloud Infrastructure and Network Functions Virtualization solutions. It demonstrates expertise in designing and operating NFV environments for telecommunications service providers using VMware technologies.

The exam is considered moderately challenging and requires hands-on experience with VMware Telco Cloud platforms and NFV concepts. Candidates should have practical experience deploying VNFs, understanding ETSI NFV-MANO architecture, and working with telecommunications infrastructure. Thorough preparation through training courses and lab practice is recommended.

Professionals with the VMware Telco Cloud NFV Skills certification typically earn between $110,000 and $145,000 annually, with an average around $125,000. Salaries vary based on experience level, geographic location, employer size, and additional certifications. This specialized certification is particularly valuable in telecommunications and cloud service provider organizations.

No, the VMware Telco Cloud NFV Skills certification does not have an expiration date. However, as VMware releases new versions of Telco Cloud products, it's recommended to pursue updated certifications to maintain current knowledge and demonstrate proficiency with the latest technologies.

VMware recommends completing the VMware Telco Cloud Infrastructure: Install, Configure, Manage course and gaining hands-on experience with Telco Cloud deployments. Familiarity with vSphere, NSX, and NFV concepts through practical lab work is essential for exam success.

About the VMware Telco Cloud NFV Skills Certification

The VMware Telco Cloud NFV Skills (5V0-37.22) is a professional-level certification offered by VMware. This certification validates your expertise in virtualization and is recognized globally by employers seeking qualified professionals. The exam consists of 70 questions to be completed in 135 minutes, with a passing score of 300/500. The exam fee is $250, and the certification is valid for No expiration.

Why Get VMware Telco Cloud NFV Skills Certified?

  • Career Advancement: Certified professionals earn an average of $125,000 per year. VMware-certified professionals are among the most sought-after in the virtualization industry.
  • Industry Recognition: VMware certifications are respected worldwide by employers, demonstrating verified competency in virtualization technologies and practices.
  • Skill Validation: The VMware Telco Cloud NFV Skills exam rigorously tests your knowledge across 4 domains, ensuring you have the practical skills employers demand.

VMware Telco Cloud NFV Skills Exam Format & Details

The 5V0-37.22 exam is designed to test both theoretical knowledge and practical application. Candidates are given 135 minutes to complete the exam, which contains approximately 70 questions. A score of 300/500 is required to pass. As a professional-level exam, it requires significant hands-on experience and deep technical knowledge. Prerequisites include: Experience with VMware vSphere and virtualization concepts Understanding of telecommunications and network infrastructure Familiarity with NFV architecture and ETSI standards Basic knowledge of Linux operating systems Recommended 6-12 months experience with telco cloud platforms.

Exam Domains & Topics

The VMware Telco Cloud NFV Skills exam covers 4 key domains. Understanding the weight of each domain helps you allocate your study time effectively:

  • VMware Telco Cloud Infrastructure Architecture (25% of exam)
  • NFV Deployment and Configuration (30% of exam)
  • Telco Cloud Operations and Management (25% of exam)
  • Networking and Security in Telco Cloud (20% of exam)

Who Should Take the VMware Telco Cloud NFV Skills Exam?

This certification is designed for professionals in the following roles:

  • Telecommunications engineers managing NFV infrastructure
  • Cloud architects designing telco cloud solutions
  • Network engineers transitioning to virtualized network functions
  • IT professionals working with communication service providers
  • Systems administrators supporting telco cloud environments

Career Opportunities & Salary

Earning the VMware Telco Cloud NFV Skills certification opens doors to roles such as Telco Cloud Engineer, NFV Infrastructure Specialist, Telecommunications Network Architect, Cloud Infrastructure Administrator, Network Functions Virtualization Engineer. Certified professionals earn an average salary of $125,000 per year, reflecting the high demand for virtualization skills in today's job market.

Recertification & Renewal

The VMware Telco Cloud NFV Skills certification is valid for No expiration. To maintain your credential, you will need to meet VMware's renewal requirements before your certification expires. This may include earning continuing education credits, passing a recertification exam, or earning a higher-level certification.

Exam Registration & Cost

The 5V0-37.22 exam costs $250. You can register through VMware's official website or an authorized testing center. Most candidates choose between in-person testing at a Pearson VUE or PSI center and online proctored exams taken from home. Be sure to review the exam policies, including identification requirements and prohibited items, before your test date.

How to Prepare for 5V0-37.22

We recommend 10-14 weeks of dedicated study time to prepare for the VMware Telco Cloud NFV Skills exam. Start by reviewing the official exam objectives, then work through each domain systematically. Regular practice with exam-style questions is essential for building confidence and identifying weak areas. Combine reading with hands-on practice to develop both theoretical knowledge and practical skills.

HydraNode publishes free exam dumps with answers and explanations for more than 80 certification exams. Every question is written to the published objectives, so what you practise matches the format and difficulty of the actual 5V0-37.22 exam.