The recent release of vSAN 8.0 Update 3 has three areas of focus: flexible topologies, agile data protection, and enhanced management. With the many options available for vSAN, customers can choose to deploy the best suited solution for their specific needs, especially when used with VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF). On this episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast pete and John welcome Pete Koehler to discuss the details of this latest release. 
Links Mentioned
What’s New in vSAN 8 Update 3
Watch the What’s New in vSAN 8 Update 3 video
Visit the What’s New with vSAN webpage
Take a technical deep dive on Tech Zone
The Virtually Speaking Podcast
The Virtually Speaking Podcast is a technical podcast dedicated to discussing VMware topics related to private and hybrid cloud. Each week Pete Flecha and John Nicholson bring in various subject matter experts from within the industry to discuss their respective areas of expertise. If you’re new to the Virtually Speaking Podcast check out all episodes on vspeakingpodcast.com and follow on Twitter\X @VirtSpeaking

Continuing our 10-part series on the Virtually Speaking Podcast "Exploring VMware Cloud Foundation." In this series, hosts Pete Flecha and John Nicholson interview various subject matter experts to break down the components that make up VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) and provide insights into its powerful capabilities for private cloud environments.
In Episode 9, titled 'Data Services Manager,' we explore the transformative capabilities of VMware Data Services Manager within VMware Cloud Foundation. Joining us is Michael Gandy, Product Marketing Engineer, who provides invaluable insights into the features and benefits of this powerful tool.
VMware Data Services Manager, now an integral part of VMware Cloud Foundation, empowers IT organizations with native data services that are not only enterprise-hardened but also easily manageable at scale. Michael highlights how Data Services Manager supports the pgvector extension, enhancing the quality of enterprise Large Language Model (LLM) outputs with RAG workflows. By deploying vector databases using pgvector on PostgreSQL, customers gain better context and diversity of responses for their GenAI applications.
Throughout the episode, Michael elaborates on how VMware Data Services Manager benefits customers across various domains:
Increasing control for VI Admins: By providing a purpose-built solution for VMware Cloud Foundation with high availability, performance, backup, and monitoring capabilities.
Reducing cost and complexity for Data Teams: Through pre-built automation to deploy and manage data services at scale, streamlining operations and minimizing overhead.
Accelerating velocity for Developers: By offering self-service capabilities, rich APIs, and a range of certified DB offerings, enabling developers to innovate rapidly and efficiently.
Join us in Episode 9 as we delve into the transformative potential of VMware Data Services Manager, exploring how it revolutionizes data management within VMware Cloud Foundation and empowers organizations to thrive in the digital era.
Links Mentioned:
VCF Landing Page
Announcing General Availability of VMware Cloud Foundation 5.1.1
Data Modernization with Data Services Manager 
VCF Webinars
VCF YouTube Page
Virtually Speaking YouTube Page
Virtually Speaking Podcast
Watch the Entire Series
Ep 01: Inside the Private Cloud
Ep 02: What’s Inside
Ep 03: The Cloud Admin Journey
Ep 04: VCF Compute
Ep 05: VCF Storage
Ep 06: VCF Networking
Ep 07: A Cloud Management Experience
Ep 08: VMware Private AI
Ep 09: Data Services Manager 
Ep 10: VMware vDefend 
Data Services manager at VMware Explore Las Vegas
For those attending Explore this year, be sure to attend Christos Karamanolis DSM session: Accelerate App Innovation With VMware Cloud Foundation Data Services [VCFB1202LV] HERE
Take the Expert Led HOL: VMware Data Services Manager [ELW2445LV]
Come to the VMware booth to talk to the DSM team
The Virtually Speaking Podcast
The Virtually Speaking Podcast is a technical podcast dedicated to discussing VMware topics related to private and hybrid cloud. Each week Pete Flecha and John Nicholson bring in various subject matter experts from within the industry to discuss their respective areas of expertise. If you’re new to the Virtually Speaking Podcast check out all episodes on vspeakingpodcast.com and follow on Twitter\X @VirtSpeaking.

Continuing our special 10-part series on the Virtually Speaking Podcast: "Exploring VMware Cloud Foundation", hosts Pete Flecha and John Nicholson interview various subject matter experts to break down the components that make up VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) and provide insights into its powerful capabilities for private cloud environments.
In Episode 8, 'VMware Private AI Foundation with NVIDIA,' we embark on a journey into the cutting-edge realm of artificial intelligence (AI) and its integration within VMware Cloud Foundation. At the forefront of this discussion is the latest wave of AI innovation, driven by large language models (LLMs) that process massive datasets. While the potential of LLMs is virtually limitless, their open design presents inherent privacy risks, making privacy the biggest challenge in AI implementation. Joining us are Himanshu Singh, Director of Product Marketing, and Justin Murray, Product Marketing Engineer, who expertly guide us through the intricacies of VMware Private AI Foundation with NVIDIA (VPAIF-N).
Enterprise data and intellectual property (IP) are paramount in this context, as they are crucial for training LLMs to serve organizations' specific needs. However, protecting this data from leakage outside the organizational boundary is imperative. Infrastructure and data access must be tightly controlled to ensure security and compliance.
Join us as we delve into the complexities of AI implementation and explore how VMware Private AI Foundation with NVIDIA addresses these challenges head-on, enabling organizations to harness the power of AI securely within VMware Cloud Foundation.
Links Mentioned:
VCF Landing Page
Announcing General Availability of VMware Cloud Foundation 5.1.1
Introducing Private AI Ready Infrastructure for VMware Cloud Foundation VMware Validated Solution
VCF Webinars
VCF YouTube Page
Virtually Speaking YouTube Page
Virtually Speaking Podcast
Watch the Entire Series
Ep 01: Inside the Private Cloud
Ep 02: What’s Inside
Ep 03: The Cloud Admin Journey
Ep 04: VCF Compute
Ep 05: VCF Storage
Ep 06: VCF Networking
Ep 07: A Cloud Management Experience
Ep 08: VMware Private AI
Ep 09: Data Services Manager 
Ep 10: VMware vDefend 
The Virtually Speaking Podcast
The Virtually Speaking Podcast is a technical podcast dedicated to discussing VMware topics related to private and hybrid cloud. Each week Pete Flecha and John Nicholson bring in various subject matter experts from VMware and from within the industry to discuss their respective areas of expertise. If you’re new to the Virtually Speaking Podcast check out all episodes on vspeakingpodcast.com and follow on Twitter\X @VirtSpeaking

In the Virtually Speaking Podcast series "Exploring VMware Cloud Foundation" hosts Pete Flecha and John Nicholson interview various subject matter experts to break down the components that make up VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) and provide insights into its powerful capabilities for private cloud environments.
In Episode 7, 'Cloud Management Experience,' we sit down with Chandra Prathuri, Senior Director of Product Management, to delve into the practical aspects of adopting VMware Aria within VMware Cloud Foundation.
The conversation revolves around the actionable steps needed to onboard internal customers onto the cloud seamlessly. Chandra emphasizes the importance of automated operations in the process, illustrating how Aria simplifies the build, management, and operation of cloud resources.
Aria's ability to organize resources into tenants is highlighted as a key feature, catering to both service providers and enterprise customers alike. Chandra also sheds light on the new Kubernetes interface for modern applications, providing a single consumption surface for enhanced user experience.
Throughout the interview, Chandra showcases the capabilities of Aria Operations, focusing on troubleshooting methodologies encompassing metrics, logs, and VMware's Log Insight platform. He emphasizes Aria's role in simplifying subscription management, offering a streamlined approach with only one entitlement key for all services.
Join us in Episode 7 as we uncover the practicalities of cloud management with VMware Aria, and learn how it empowers organizations to efficiently build, manage, and operate their cloud environments with ease.
Links Mentioned:
VCF Landing Page
Announcing General Availability of VMware Cloud Foundation 5.1.1
VCF Webinars
​​Announcing General Availability of VMware Aria Automation 8.17.0
VCF YouTube Page
Virtually Speaking YouTube Page
Virtually Speaking Podcast
Watch the Entire Series
Ep 01: Inside the Private Cloud
Ep 02: What’s Inside
Ep 03: The Cloud Admin Journey
Ep 04: VCF Compute
Ep 05: VCF Storage
Ep 06: VCF Networking
Ep 07: A Cloud Management Experience
Ep 08: VMware Private AI
Ep 09: Data Services Manager 
Ep 10: VMware vDefend 
The Virtually Speaking Podcast
The Virtually Speaking Podcast is a technical podcast dedicated to discussing VMware topics related to private and hybrid cloud. Each week Pete Flecha and John Nicholson bring in various subject matter experts from VMware and from within the industry to discuss their respective areas of expertise. If you’re new to the Virtually Speaking Podcast check out all episodes on vspeakingpodcast.com and follow on Twitter\X @VirtSpeaking.

Continuing our special 10-part series "Exploring VMware Cloud Foundation." Virtually Speaking hosts Pete Flecha and John Nicholson interview various subject matter experts to break down the components that make up VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) and provide insights into its powerful capabilities for private cloud environments.
In Episode 6, 'VCF Networking' we delve into the intricate world of networking within VMware Cloud Foundation, with a focus on the powerful capabilities of NSX. Joining us are Heath Johnson and Kyle Gleed from VCF Technical Marketing, who guide us through the integration of NSX within VCF and its transformative impact on networking architecture.
Our discussion encompasses various facets of networking within VCF, all revolving around the versatile functionalities of NSX. From discussing the essential role of software-defined networking (SDN) for private cloud environments to exploring real-world use cases such as mobility, disaster recovery, and automated networking for Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) deployments, Heath and Kyle provide valuable insights into NSX's applicability in diverse scenarios.
A highlight of the conversation is the introduction of the VPC Simplified UI, seamlessly integrated within vCenter to streamline networking operations within VCF. Heath and Kyle walk us through the simplicity of deployment, catering to both greenfield and brownfield environments, while also offering strategic guidance on migration strategies to maximize efficiency.
Furthermore, the discussion delves into the revolutionary concept of Data Processing Units (DPUs) and their integration with NSX within VCF. By harnessing DPUs, VCF unlocks unprecedented network offloading capabilities, optimizing performance and scalability for modern cloud infrastructures.
Join us in Episode 6 as we unravel the complexities of VCF Networking with NSX, exploring how VMware Cloud Foundation redefines networking paradigms through seamless integration and cutting-edge technologies.

Recently Broadcom announced the latest updates to vSphere 8. This new release includes updates that will help enhance operational efficiency for IT admins, supercharge the performance of demanding workloads, and accelerate the pace of innovation for DevOps engineers, developers, and anyone else that can benefit from self-service access to infrastructure services, in a secure and compliant manner. 
On this episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast we welcome Féidhlim O'Leary to walk us through the details of this latest release. 
Links Mentioned:
VCF Landing Page
​​What's New in vSphere 8 Update 3?
​​Announcing VMware vSphere Foundation 5.2
VMware vCenter Server 8.0 Update 3 Release Notes
Embracing Change with VMware vSphere Foundation
​​VMware vSphere Foundation (VVF) Licensing
Virtually Speaking YouTube Page
Virtually Speaking Podcast
vSAN on TechZone
The Virtually Speaking Podcast
The Virtually Speaking Podcast is a technical podcast dedicated to discussing VMware topics related to private and hybrid cloud. Each week Pete Flecha and John Nicholson bring in various subject matter experts from within the industry to discuss their respective areas of expertise. If you’re new to the Virtually Speaking Podcast check out all episodes on vspeakingpodcast.com and follow on Twitter\X @VirtSpeaking

In Episode 5 of the series "Exploring VMware Cloud Foundation" titled 'VCF Storage,' we dive into the dynamic world of storage solutions within VMware Cloud Foundation. Our guest, Rakesh Radhakrishnan, Senior Director of Product Management, expertly navigates through the latest storage offerings and their benefits within the new Go-to-Market strategy for VCF.
Rakesh begins by dissecting the array of storage offerings integrated into the revamped VCF platform, shedding light on their diverse functionalities and advantages. He elaborates on how these innovations elevate storage capabilities within VCF, enhancing performance, scalability, and agility for users.
Throughout the episode, Rakesh guides us through a compelling customer journey, illustrating the seamless transition from vSphere to VCF from a storage perspective. By highlighting real-world scenarios and best practices, he illuminates the path for customers looking to leverage VCF's storage capabilities to their fullest potential.
Furthermore, Rakesh unveils exciting new innovations in storage within VCF, offering a glimpse into the future of data management and storage infrastructure. He shares insights into the strategic direction for storage within VCF, outlining VMware's vision for evolving storage solutions to meet the ever-expanding needs of modern cloud environments.
Join us on this Virtually Speaking Podcast series as we unravel the intricacies of VCF Storage with Rakesh Radhakrishnan, exploring the transformative potential of storage innovations within VMware Cloud Foundation.
Links Mentioned:
VCF Landing Page
Announcing General Availability of VMware Cloud Foundation 5.1.1
VCF Webinars
VCF YouTube Page
Virtually Speaking YouTube Page
Virtually Speaking Podcast
vSAN on TechZone
Watch the Entire Series
Ep 01: Inside the Private Cloud
Ep 02: What’s Inside
Ep 03: The Cloud Admin Journey
Ep 04: VCF Compute
Ep 05: VCF Storage
Ep 06: VCF Networking
Ep 07: A Cloud Management Experience
Ep 08: VMware Private AI
Ep 09: Data Services Manager 
Ep 10: VMware vDefend 
The Virtually Speaking Podcast
The Virtually Speaking Podcast is a technical podcast dedicated to discussing VMware topics related to private and hybrid cloud. Each week Pete Flecha and John Nicholson bring in various subject matter experts from VMware and from within the industry to discuss their respective areas of expertise. If you’re new to the Virtually Speaking Podcast check out all episodes on vspeakingpodcast.com and follow on Twitter\X @VirtSpeaking

Continuing our special 10-part series on the Virtually Speaking Podcast: "Exploring VMware Cloud Foundation" in Episode 4,titled “VCF Compute”, Himanshu Singh, Director of vSphere Product Marketing, navigates us through the spectrum of vSphere editions, highlighting their adaptability for diverse customer needs. He then showcases the enhanced value proposition of vSphere within VMware Cloud Foundation, harnessing the synergy with NSX and Aria Automation to elevate private cloud infrastructures.
Drawing from the essence of VMware vSphere, Himanshu emphasizes its role as the enterprise workload engine, integrating cutting-edge cloud infrastructure technology with DPU and GPU-based acceleration to amplify workload performance. vSphere optimizes IT environments, bolstering availability, simplifying lifecycle management, and streamlining maintenance for heightened operational efficiency. Moreover, it establishes an intrinsically secure infrastructure engine, fortified out-of-the-box and complemented by straightforward hardening guidance for compliance adherence.
Links Mentioned:
VCF Landing Page
Announcing General Availability of VMware Cloud Foundation 5.1.1
VCF Webinars
VCF YouTube Page
Virtually Speaking YouTube Page
Virtually Speaking Podcast
Watch the Entire Series
Ep 01: Inside the Private Cloud
Ep 02: What’s Inside
Ep 03: The Cloud Admin Journey
Ep 04: VCF Compute
Ep 05: VCF Storage
Ep 06: VCF Networking
Ep 07: A Cloud Management Experience
Ep 08: VMware Private AI
Ep 09: Data Services Manager 
Ep 10: VMware vDefend 
The Virtually Speaking Podcast
The Virtually Speaking Podcast is a technical podcast dedicated to discussing VMware topics related to private and hybrid cloud. Each week Pete Flecha and John Nicholson bring in various subject matter experts from VMware and from within the industry to discuss their respective areas of expertise. If you’re new to the Virtually Speaking Podcast check out all episodes on vspeakingpodcast.com and follow on Twitter\X @VirtSpeaking