Virtually Speaking Podcast

In this episode of Virtually Speaking, hosts Pete Flecha and John Nicholson are joined by Harshad Colte and Feidhlim O’Leary to break down the latest vSphere enhancements in VMware Cloud Foundation 9.

 

They explore how vSphere is evolving to support both traditional VM workloads and modern container-based applications—all while improving operational efficiency, scalability, and security.

 

Highlights include:

• NVMe memory tiering for higher VM density

• Dramatically reduced vMotion stun times for GPU-enabled VMs

• A new vCenter registration model through VCF Operations (replacing Enhanced Linked Mode)

• Flexible Kubernetes lifecycle management decoupled from vCenter patching

• Live patching for faster, disruption-free security updates

• VLCM support for mixed hardware clusters

• Native VPC integration, TLS 1.3 by default, and smarter certificate handling

 

If you’re looking to understand how vSphere fits into the future of cloud-smart infrastructure, this episode is a must-listen.

In this episode, Pete Flecha and John Nicholson are joined by Pete Koehler to dive into the latest vSAN innovations in VMware Cloud Foundation 9. They explore key updates like global deduplication, improved network traffic separation, vSAN-to-vSAN replication with VMware Live Recovery, and stretch cluster enhancements.

 

From boosting performance and efficiency to simplifying disaster recovery and fleet-wide observability, this conversation highlights how vSAN is evolving to support modern private cloud operations at scale.

 

In this final episode of the VMware Cloud Foundation 9 series, Paul Lembo, CTO for Americas Strategic at Broadcom, discusses "The Sum is Greater than the Parts", emphasizing how VCF 9's integrated capabilities create more value than individual technological components.

 

Key Highlights:

• Holistic Cloud Strategy:

  - Integrated improvements in compute, storage, and networking

  - Operational agility with built-in governance and cost controls

  - Flexible approach accommodating different organizational needs

 

• AI and Private Cloud Insights:

  - Critique of hyperscaler AI approaches

  - Advantages of virtualized GPU environments

  - VMware's three-tier AI strategy: infrastructure, product capabilities, application framework

 

• Customer Success Recommendations:

  - Leverage VMware's intellectual property

  - Utilize free enablement resources

  - Learn from successful customer case studies (e.g., Loomis, Audi)

 

• Core Message:

  The true value of VCF 9 lies not in individual features, but in how these features work together to provide comprehensive, adaptable cloud solutions for enterprises.

 

The episode underscores VMware's commitment to providing flexible, integrated cloud infrastructure that meets diverse organizational needs.

Welcome to the eighth episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast's VCF 9 series! In this installment, hosts Pete Flecha and John Nicholson explore "VMware Cloud Foundation for ALL" with James LeFort, Director of Americas Solutions Architects at Broadcom. In this episode, James dismantles the perception that VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) is only for large enterprises. He emphasizes that VCF 9 is a versatile platform designed for businesses of all sizes, offering flexible deployment options, simplified management, and the ability for organizations to become their own cloud providers. The key message is "VCF for All" - whether you're a small IT team, a mid-sized business, or a large corporation, there's a VCF solution tailored to your specific needs and infrastructure requirements.

 

Key Highlights:

• VCF Democratization Strategy:

  - Breaking the myth that VCF is only for Fortune 50 companies

  - Platform approach suitable for businesses of all sizes

  - Flexible deployment options for small to large enterprises

 

• Key Use Cases:

  - Cloud Smart approach vs. traditional Cloud First strategy

  - Workload repatriation from public to private cloud

  - Simplified infrastructure management for small IT teams

 

• Deployment Flexibility:

  - Bring Your Own License (BYOL) options

  - Cloud Service Provider integrations

  - Managed service capabilities

  - Support for edge, on-premises, and hybrid deployments

 

• Developer and Infrastructure Alignment:

  - Containers as first-class citizens

  - Bridging communication between DevOps and infrastructure teams

  - Standardized platform approach

 

• Cost and Operational Benefits:

  - Reduced patch management complexity

  - Automated compatibility checks

  - Operational budget optimization

  - Free educational resources for VCF expertise

 

Join us as we explore how VMware Cloud Foundation 9 is designed to be accessible and valuable for organizations of all sizes.

Welcome to the seventh episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast's VCF 9 series! In this installment, hosts Pete Flecha and John Nicholson unpack VMware Cloud Foundation 9 with William Lam, Distinguished Platform Engineer at Broadcom.

 

Key Highlights:

• Complete re-architecture of the software stack
• Core Platform Innovations:

  - Compute: Support for VMs up to 1000 vCPUs and 16TB memory

  - Memory Tiering: Transparent NVMe memory expansion

  - vSAN Global Deduplication (30-40% storage efficiency)

  - First-class Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) constructs in vCenter

 

• Unified Management Capabilities:

  - Global control plane with VCF Operations

  - Simplified single sign-on across identity providers

  - Unified patch and upgrade management

  - Non-disruptive certificate management

  - Centralized fleet-level operations

 

• Automation and Multi-tenancy:

  - Native multi-tenancy across compute, storage, and networking

  - Self-service resource allocation

  - Support for Kubernetes namespaces

  - Declarative API and automation support

 

• Deployment Flexibility:

  - New VCF Installer supporting Greenfield and Brownfield deployments

  - Ability to import and convert existing infrastructure

 

Join us as we dive deep into the technical innovations of VMware Cloud Foundation 9 in this comprehensive podcast episode.

Welcome to the sixth episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast's VCF 9 series! In this installment, hosts Pete Flecha and John Nicholson explore "Momentum Shift: Private AI in the Enterprise" with Chris Wolf, Global Head of AI and Advanced Services.

 

Key Highlights:

• VMware's explosive momentum in Private AI services
• Key AI use cases for enterprises:

  - GPU as a Service with intelligent resource provisioning

  - Back-office contact center efficiency (10-35% productivity gains)

  - Enterprise document search (50-60% productivity improvements)

  - AI-assisted software development and test case automation

 

• VCF 9 AI-specific innovations:

  - Full support for VLLM open-source inference engine

  - OpenAI compatible API gateway

  - Token rate limiting to prevent resource overload

  - Data indexing and retrieval service

  - AI agent builder

  - vGPU reservations and intelligent GPU load balancing

  - Automated AI workload deployment (setup in under an hour)

 

• Strategic Partnerships:

  - Expanded collaboration with Microsoft Azure

  - Hybrid AI approach (build in cloud, deploy at edge)

  - Significant cost savings (3-5x cheaper than public cloud alternatives)

 

Join us as we dive into the transformative Private AI capabilities of VMware Cloud Foundation 9 in this exciting podcast series.

 

Welcome to the fifth episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast's VCF 9 series! In this installment, hosts Pete Flecha and John Nicholson explore "VCF Automation and Fleet Management" with Chandra Prathuri, Senior Director of Product Management.

 

Key Highlights:

• Fleet management capabilities inspired by hyperscaler operations
• Seamless integration with existing vSphere, vSAN, and NSX deployments
• Automated lifecycle management for software upgrades
• Simplified identity, password, and certificate management
• Multi-tenant infrastructure with Kubernetes-native interfaces
• Self-service capabilities for developers and business units
• Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) constructs built into the platform
• Efficient capacity and workload optimization
• Simplified application deployment using Kubernetes and Terraform
• Operational visibility and cost management for cloud resources

 

Join us as we unpack the transformative automation and fleet management features of VMware Cloud Foundation 9 in this ongoing podcast series.

 

Welcome to the fourth episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast's VCF 9 series! In this installment, hosts Pete Flecha and John Nicholson explore "Building a Cyber Resilient Private Cloud" with Rakesh Radhakrishnan, Senior Director of Product Management for Cloud Storage & Data.

 

Key Highlights:

• vSAN's evolution as the #1 storage platform for VMware workloads
• Secondary storage strategies for backup, DR, and cyber recovery
• Introduction of automated "clean room" recovery for malware attacks
• VM-centric snapshot and data protection approaches
• Advanced cyber resilience workflows integrated into VCF
• Leveraging QLC flash storage for cost-effective secondary storage
• Native object and file interfaces for modern application needs
• One-click disaster recovery testing and runbook automation
• Comprehensive private cloud protection beyond traditional storage solutions

 

Join us as we dive into the cutting-edge cyber resilience capabilities of VMware Cloud Foundation 9 in this exciting podcast series.

 

Welcome to the third episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast's VCF 9 series! In this installment, hosts Pete Flecha and John Nicholson dive deep into the core infrastructure innovations of VMware Cloud Foundation 9 with Core Infrastructure Product Lead Vijay Ramachandran.

 

Key Highlights:

• Advanced memory tiering technology reducing infrastructure costs by 35-40%
• Confidential Compute with end-to-end data encryption
• vSAN ESA global deduplication across entire clusters
• Native snapshot management and replication capabilities
• Per-VM snapshot retention and disaster recovery options
• Introduction of Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) in vCenter
• New NSX networking data path with 3x throughput improvements
• Enhanced CPU support for next-generation processors
• Simplified networking isolation and provisioning

 

Join us as we unpack the groundbreaking technical advancements in VCF 9's core infrastructure in this ongoing podcast series.

 

Welcome to the second episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast's VMware Cloud Foundation 9 series! In this installment, hosts Pete Flecha and John Nicholson continue their deep dive into VMware Cloud Foundation 9 with Director of VCF Product Marketing Rick Walsworth.

 

Key Highlights:

• Simplified deployment as a single, unified platform
• Enhanced user experience for cloud infrastructure admins and developers
• Three key business outcomes: modernizing infrastructure, operating like a cloud, and ensuring security
• Improved configuration drift detection and proactive management
• Advanced security services, including network detection and response
• Self-service capabilities for developers
• Insights into workload repatriation and private cloud advantages
• Potential for handling sensitive AI and intellectual property workloads

 

Join us as we continue to explore the transformative features and capabilities of VCF 9 in this ongoing podcast series.