#VMwareExplore General Session and VCF 9.0: Redefining AI Deployment with Privacy and Performance

Private cloud management— You haven’t achieved it, right? Siloed systems, approval processes no one works on, and the ever-present specter of security issues. But at VMware Explore Barcelona, VMware pulled back the curtain on VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) 9.0, a platform designed to make all those headaches a thing of the past.

One of the coolest things about VCF is the automation. (Hopefully) we can say goodbye to late nights tweaking settings and patching components manually—VCF handles capacity optimization, lifecycle management, and security patching on autopilot.

Security’s a big deal, and VCF has it baked right in. Live patching, automated updates, certificate management.

Keeping systems secure without taking them offline? Yes, please count me in, even though the difficulty of certain areas created some personal benefits for me ;)

VCF also throws some serious well needed cost-saving punches (which might compensate some of the subscription/license increases). Features like global deduplication in vSAN and memory-tiering help businesses get more bang for their buck by optimizing resource use.

For those just dipping their toes into VCF, VMware has your back with the Cloud Maturity Model, custom workshops, and free online training. It’s all about making the transition smooth and helping teams hit the ground running. Besides that, Broadcom has seen the value of the #vCommunity and makes sure that #VMUG members that are certified on #VCF can utilize non-commercial VCF licenses in the future for their homelab or learning Plattform.

VMware Cloud Foundation is more than just tech; it’s desired goal is to take away the complexity out of private cloud management, supercharge your security, and boost efficiency. I really hope they can stick to their vision.

If you’re ready to simplify your cloud strategy and unleash your team’s potential, VCF is where it’s at and no matter what VMware take you are using. Make sure your infrastructure and organization is ready for VCF. Let’s chat about how this game-changing platform can fit into your plans! If you want to know more, check out our #VCF readiness assessment here.

With VMware’s Private AI platform, deploying AI services is no longer a weeks-long ordeal—it’s done in minutes. This kind of rapid deployment is a dream come true for businesses looking to stay competitive in the AI space.

How about performance. VMware’s resource scheduler optimizes everything from GPUs and memory to network capacity and data, ensuring AI workloads run smoothly and efficiently. And here’s the kicker— according to VMware businesses can save up to 3x in costs compared to public AI services, without compromising on performance. Typically I never trust these kind of numbers, but if I cross check the prices for certain GPU backed infrastructure with the hyperscalers, I would go for it.

In fact, VMware’s advanced scheduling tech, honed over two decades, delivers performance on par with or even better than bare-metal infrastructure.

The platform’s flexibility is another highlight. It supports a wide range of hardware, OEMs, and tools, making it easy to integrate into existing systems. Plus, the new Model Store feature streamlines AI model management, from scanning and approval to production deployment, ensuring models are governed and secure.

For years I have become a fan of having your infrastructure running in a proper co-location (you want my recommended datacenter / co-location provider? Ping me for a honest opinion :P). With VCF 9.0 the story will become even better. let me know if you need more guidance.

#VMware Explore – Content Catalog and my top 5 picks

#VMware Explore – Content Catalog and my top 5 picks

Whoop Whoop! The VMware Explore 2024 Content Catalog is now live! You can explore a wide range of sessions, workshops, and expert-led discussions tailored to all things VMware and beyond. Start building your agenda today and find my top picks for this year :)

Mastering Infrastructure As Code With VMware VSphere And Terraform [VCFB1813BCN]

Join us for an in-depth, in-person seminar to learn the essential skills to build and manage your virtual infrastructure using VMware vSphere and Terraform. This hands-on moment is designed for IT professionals and developers who want to better understand infrastructure as code (IaC) and how to leverage these powerful tools to streamline and automate their virtual environments.

Why Do I want to join the session? Infrastructure as a code is such a great concept used quite often in modern clouds. vSphere is still lacking this nowadays in my customer base :) Its time for a change

Supercharge Your Workloads On VCF: Unleashing The Power Of DPUs [VCFB1208BCN]

Offloading central processing unit (CPU) tasks to a network interface card has been around for years, but data processing unit (DPU) cards take this to a completely new level. They free up CPU resources and reduce the number of hosts needed in your data center. DPUs are pivotal in accelerating and offloading computational workloads, but their potential to enhance security, particularly in intrusion prevention and detection, remains unexplored. How can we leverage these cutting-edge advancements to ensure the utmost protection for sensitive data and critical systems? We explore how DPUs strengthen security for VMware VCF Workloads and virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) platforms, e.g., firewalling and testing real-world performance-simulating attacks. Gain valuable insights into best practices for configuring DPUs in your VMware Cloud Foundation environment.

Why Do I want to join the session? CPU Core Count is key due to the new licesining model, all features that increase performance and decrease CPU requirements must be Analyzed and understood as an architect :) Besides that Philipp and Marvin are great guys I want to work more with in the future :)

Unlocking Your Data With VMware And NVIDIA—RAG Deep Dive [VCFB1881BCN]

Organizations today have acquired massive data sets, but getting the right information at the right moment can be a challenge. Enter retrieval augmented generation (RAG), an approach that combines the intelligence of a large language model with current, relevant and accurate data from trusted sources. Join us for a 300-level look into a RAG pipeline-architected using Private AI Foundation with NVIDIA. We review the end-to-end workflow and how it maps to virtual infrastructure. Then we dive deeper into the components, including the LLM, NVIDIA Inference Microservices and Vector DB. We also review best practices—including sizing considerations and when to leverage fractional, full, or multiple graphics processing units (GPUs).

Why Do I want to join the session? Adjusting LLM to organisational needs is something many mid- to large size organisations ask for nowadays. Getting a better understanding how that can be achieved in a private infrastructure is something I want to understand by heart.

VMware Cloud Foundation Networking Performance—Deep Dive [VCFB1646BCN]

What performance should I expect from VMware Cloud Foundation networking stack? What is enhanced data path? How does a data processing unit help? How can I tune to maximize throughput? Is it possible to lower the latency? If these are some of the questions you would like answers to, join this session. We take a close look at application traffic profiles, real-life performance expectations, tuning, design considerations, hardware choice and more, to achieve optimal performance when leveraging VMware NSX.

Why Do I want to join the session? DPU Network performance real-life data :)

Breaking Chains: Transforming Attack Chain Analysis Into Defender Strategy [ESGB1142BCN]

In this session, we delve into the anatomy of recent cyber attacks to uncover the strategic lessons they offer. By analyzing various attack chains, we have identified key tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs) attackers use. We translate these insights into practical defensive strategies, equipping cybersecurity professionals with the knowledge to bolster their defenses. Leave with actionable tips and a deeper understanding of how to protect your organization from attacks based on lessons from real-world data.

Why Do I want to join the session? Security is everywhere nowadays and everyone needs to get a better understanding of attack vectors, tactics, techniques, etc. I am really looking forward to it.

If you haven’t registiered yet -> Do it here :) If you want to join our secret public friends & family dinner in Barcelona on Monday… Drop me a note and I can give you guidance how you might join the proper club :)

#VMware Explore 2024: Join Us in Las Vegas to get confident in the new #Broadcom Chapter

#VMware Explore 2024: Join Us in Las Vegas to get confident in the new #Broadcom Chapter

LAS VEGAS | THE VENETIAN | AUGUST 26 – 29, 2024

VMware Explore returns this year at The Venetian in Las Vegas. This event marks the first VMware Explore since the acquisition by Broadcom, and by now, everyone will understand how things work in the new VMware Broadcom era. The focus will be on VMware Cloud Foundation and utilizing VMware for AI workloads, providing valuable insights and updates for all attendees.

Why Attend VMware Explore? Here Are 10 Compelling Reasons:

  1. Connect and Network Forge meaningful connections with fellow datacenter enthusiasts. Whether you’re meeting new people, sharing a meal, or engaging in business discussions, VMware Explore is the perfect platform to build lasting relationships. Contribute to the community through blogs, tweets, or vBeers, and you’ll find that giving often leads to receiving valuable insights and support.
  2. Explore the Solutions Exchange Dive into the heart of the software-defined datacenter and multi-cloud ecosystem. The Solutions Exchange offers an unparalleled opportunity to engage with the latest innovations. Take the time to have in-depth discussions with booth representatives, and if needed, schedule one-on-one meetings to address your specific needs and ideas.
  3. Attend High-Quality Breakout Sessions Choose from a wide array of breakout sessions tailored to enhance your knowledge and skills. With your VMware Explore ticket, you’ll have access to all sessions, even after the event. Make sure to check out William Lam’s comprehensive collection of direct links to previous sessions for a preview of the valuable content you can expect.
  4. Engage with the Community at VMTN Visit the VMTN booth and participate in discussions at the blogger table. Share your expertise or learn from others in an inclusive, community-focused environment. Submit your own session proposal or simply absorb the wealth of knowledge available. Unfortunalty vBrownbag will not attending this year anymore, but don’t forget to join the VMware #code program at the community booth.
  5. Meet the Experts VMware Explore will host a high concentration of industry experts. Arrange meetings to discuss specific challenges, wishes, or design and product questions. Take advantage of this unique opportunity to gain insights directly from the best in the field.
  6. Pre-Event Networking Connect with attendees in advance on Twitter/X/TikTok/LinkedIn and other social media platforms. Discover what’s happening in Las Vegas, organize or join public meetings and events, and stay updated on vendor and community-sponsored evening activities. Don’t miss the various late-night events—register early to secure your spot.
  7. Participate in the Hackathon Join the hackathon for a collaborative and intellectually stimulating experience. Work alongside brilliant minds to tackle specific problems. Even with limited time and resources, the hackathon is a fantastic way to engage with peers and enjoy a creative challenge.
  8. Meet the Community and Social Media Team One of the highlights every year is the community booth, where you can interact with bloggers and active community members. Engage with VMware’s social media team Eric Nielsen’s team (including Corey Romero) and others who make this community vibrant and welcoming.
  9. Return to Work with New Ideas Gain fresh perspectives and innovative solutions that you can apply in your daily job. Engaging with thousands of smart, forward-thinking individuals will open your mind to new technologies, methodologies, and problem-solving approaches.
  10. Discover Business and Job Opportunities While this may not be the main argument for convincing your boss, the potential to uncover new business and job opportunities within the SDDC and cloud sectors is significant. Understanding the market and environment at VMware Explore will help you identify and seize these opportunities.

Ready to Transform Your Career?

Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to enhance your skills, network with industry leaders, and explore the latest in VMware technology. Convince your boss and register here for VMware Explore 2024 [don’t miss the early bird chance until the 11th June]. See you in Las Vegas!