Virtually Speaking Podcast

Identity is the new security perimeter. In this episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast, Pete Flecha and John Nicholson are joined by Lee Howard, Head of IAM Product Management at Broadcom, to break down Identity Security for VMware Cloud Foundation and why IAM, PAM, and zero trust access are critical for modern private cloud environments. As part of our VCF Advanced Services Series, this episode explores how identity security has evolved from simple Active Directory authentication and sticky-note passwords to: Risk-based, context-aware access Continuous verification and zero trust principles Privileged Access Management (PAM) with credential vaulting and session recording Protection for both human and machine identities Kubernetes-based, cloud-native deployment inside VCF We discuss how modern IAM platforms leverage standards like SAML and OpenID Connect, how PAM enforces least-privilege access and credential rotation, and how behavioral signals help prevent insider threats and compromised accounts. If you’re modernizing to a private cloud with VMware Cloud Foundation, identity can’t be an afterthought, it must be built into the platform. This episode explains how. What You’ll Learn Why identity is foundational to zero trust architecture How risk-based access adapts authentication dynamically The difference between IAM and PAM — and why you need both How privileged session recording protects against insider threats Why Kubernetes enables scalable, zero-downtime identity services in VCF How Identity Security supports DevOps and API-driven application teams 📌 About the VCF Advanced Services Series This series dives deeper into the advanced services available to VMware Cloud Foundation customers helping you understand what’s possible beyond core infrastructure and how these services enhance security, compliance, automation, and operational control. Watch the full Advanced Services playlist here: 👉 https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8_k3uUCO39uFSUmnhzlggmRmEzNQ06GF&si=QNcv8vvkJOM-Gb-V

Security has changed. It is no longer enough to focus on the perimeter and hope attackers never get inside. Modern threats are designed to move laterally through the environment using common protocols and predictable patterns. That is why security today is less about protecting everything and more about stopping attackers where they move. In this episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast, Pete Flecha and John Nicholson are joined by Jad El-Zein and security expert Chris McCain to talk about VMware vDefend and its role as an advanced security service for VMware Cloud Foundation. Chris explains how attackers typically move through environments using protocols like RDP, SMB, DNS, and Active Directory, and why focusing on those areas can dramatically reduce risk. The conversation explores how vDefend has evolved from the original NSX distributed firewall into a broader security platform that includes gateway firewalls, IDS and IPS, network traffic analysis, malware protection, and identity based policies. You will hear how vDefend treats virtual machines, containers, and even AI workloads the same from a security perspective, giving organizations a single management plane across all workload types. The discussion also covers identity based firewalling, developer self service guardrails, and the unique security challenges that come with AI infrastructure. This episode is part of our Advanced Services series for VMware Cloud Foundation, where we take a closer look at the services that extend VCF beyond core infrastructure. If you are looking to improve your security posture, reduce lateral movement risk, or bring identity driven security into your private cloud, this is an episode you will want to check out.

Load balancing has been around for decades, but the way applications are built and delivered today has changed the problem entirely. It is no longer just about speeds and feeds. It is about operational scale, automation, and the ability to support modern apps across private clouds, public clouds, and Kubernetes. In this episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast, Pete Flecha and John Nicholson are joined by Jad El-Zein and load balancing expert Nathan McMahon to talk about VMware Avi Load Balancer and its role as an advanced service in VMware Cloud Foundation. Nathan walks through the fundamentals of load balancing and then explains what really differentiates Avi. Instead of relying on traditional hardware appliances, Avi uses a software defined architecture that separates the control plane from the data plane. This allows the platform to scale automatically, self heal, and dramatically reduce the operational overhead typically associated with load balancing. The conversation covers how Avi monitors every connection in real time, integrates with vDefend for advanced security, and connects directly into core VCF services like vCenter, NSX, DNS, IPAM, and certificate authorities. The result is an automation first approach that supports platform engineering, self service consumption, and consistent operations across clouds and Kubernetes environments. They also discuss common migration challenges, why many customers overestimate SSL capacity needs, and how an API first architecture makes it easier to integrate load balancing into modern DevOps workflows. If you are modernizing your private cloud or looking for a more automated approach to application delivery, this episode is worth a listen.

In this episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast, Pete Flecha and John Nicholson continue the Advanced Services series with a deep dive into Network Observability. Joined by Broadcom’s Alec Pinkham, the conversation explores how traditional, reactive network monitoring falls short in modern hybrid and cloud-connected environments. The team discusses how network observability combines passive monitoring with active, synthetic traffic testing to provide true end-to-end visibility—from the end-user device to applications running across data centers, clouds, and third-party services. They also cover how this approach helps IT teams reduce mean-time-to-innocence, proactively detect issues, and validate large migrations. If you’re modernizing infrastructure or moving to VMware Cloud Foundation, this episode explains why understanding real user network experience is more critical than ever.

In this episode of the Virtually Speaking Advanced Services Series, we take a closer look at Automic Automation and how it helps organizations automate the business processes that run across their private cloud environments. John Nicholson and I are joined by Dave Kellermanns from Broadcom’s Agile Operations division to talk about where Automic fits, the kinds of workflows customers are automating today, and why the biggest automation wins often come from small, repetitive tasks. Rather than focusing only on infrastructure tasks, Automic is designed to orchestrate end-to-end business processes across multiple systems—everything from ERP and databases to legacy platforms and modern cloud services. We also cover real-world examples, including payroll automation, SAP data refreshes, and private AI data pipelines, along with practical advice on where to start with automation for the best ROI.

In this episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast Advanced Services Series, we dive into VMware Data Services Manager (DSM) and how it delivers true Database-as-a-Service (DBaaS) capabilities for the private cloud. Pete Flecha and co-host Jad El-Zein are joined by Michael Gandy, Product Manager for DSM, to explore how organizations can simplify the deployment and lifecycle management of modern open-source databases like PostgreSQL and MySQL. With databases representing up to 30% of enterprise workloads, many IT teams are struggling to keep up with demand—especially as skilled database administrators become harder to find. That’s where DSM comes in. Built as an integrated service within VMware Cloud Foundation, DSM automates database provisioning, patching, backups, and lifecycle operations, while giving developers self-service access within IT-defined guardrails. The conversation also highlights a real-world example from Broadcom IT, where DSM was selected through a competitive evaluation and is now delivering $10 million in annual savings by standardizing database services across 26 divisions. You’ll also see how DSM integrates with modern Kubernetes workflows, enabling developers to provision and manage databases using familiar tools like kubectl and YAML-based automation. If you’re looking to modernize your data platform, reduce operational overhead, and deliver DBaaS in your private cloud, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. What you’ll learn in this episode: Why modern database operations are becoming a major IT bottleneck • How DSM delivers DBaaS within VMware Cloud Foundation The evolving role of the database administrator Broadcom IT’s $10M annual savings with DSM How developers can provision databases through self-service and Kubernetes workflows Learn more about VMware Cloud Foundation Advanced Services: Explore the full Advanced Services series at vspeaking.com or on the VMware Cloud Foundation YouTube channel.

In this episode of Virtually Speaking, hosts Pete Flecha and John Nicholson continue their Advanced Services series with a deep dive into VMware Advanced Cyber Compliance (ACC)—now generally available for VMware Cloud Foundation customers. Joined by Belu De Arbelaiz and Adam Hawley from VMware’s product management team, the conversation explores why cyber compliance and resilience have become mission-critical, and how ACC helps organizations move beyond manual, point-in-time audits to continuous enforcement and recovery. The discussion covers how ACC uses VMware Salt technology to define desired state configurations, detect drift, and automatically remediate issues at scale—monitoring tens of thousands of endpoints from a single control plane. The team also explains how ACC brings together compliance management and cyber disaster recovery, helping organizations meet evolving regulatory requirements such as DORA, GDPR, PCI DSS, and HIPAA while proving real-world recoverability. You’ll also learn how ACC aligns with the NIST Cybersecurity Framework, addresses credential-based and fileless attacks, and enables better collaboration between infrastructure, security, and compliance teams—all within a single VCF-integrated platform. If you’re responsible for compliance, security, or resilience in a private cloud environment, this episode breaks down why Advanced Cyber Compliance is becoming a foundational capability—not an optional add-on. Topics covered include: Why compliance must be continuous, not point-in-time Desired state configuration and automated drift remediation Scaling compliance and visibility with VMware Salt Cyber and ransomware recovery for on-prem VCF environments Meeting global regulatory and audit requirements Aligning security, compliance, and infrastructure teams Like, subscribe, and explore the full VCF Advanced Services series for deeper dives into each capability.

VMware Cloud Foundation Advanced Services are often misunderstood — or overlooked entirely. In this episode of Virtually Speaking, we kick off a new series focused on how VCF Advanced Services extend the platform beyond core infrastructure to address real-world challenges in cyber resilience, security, application delivery, data services, and operations. Rick Walsworth joins the show to provide a high-level overview of how VCF Advanced Services help customers address real-world challenges such as cyber resilience, zero trust security, application delivery, database automation, network visibility, and business operations. In this episode, we cover how VCF Advanced Services help customers: • Strengthen cyber resilience with Advanced Cyber Compliance (ACC) • Implement zero trust security with vDefend • Modernize application delivery with Avi Load Balancer • Simplify database operations with Data Services Manager (DSM) • Gain end-to-end visibility with Network Observability • Optimize cost and operations with ValueOps for VCF • Secure identities and access across the platform The episode also explains why Private AI has moved from an advanced service to a core VCF capability, reflecting its growing importance in modern private cloud environments. This conversation sets the foundation for the series, with future episodes diving deeper into each service alongside subject matter experts. ▶️ Watch the episode to get a clear, practical understanding of VCF Advanced Services and how they fit into real customer environments. This episode sets the foundation for the series, with upcoming deep dives into each service featuring VMware subject matter experts.

In this episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast, hosts Pete Flecha and John Nicholson welcome Vincent Riccio, VMware automation expert, for a deep dive into SaltStack automation and its role inside VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) Advanced Services. Vincent explains how SaltStack, delivered through VMware’s Advanced Cyber Compliance (ACC) service, brings powerful configuration management, state enforcement, and automated remediation to modern private cloud environments. We explore how SaltStack continuously maintains desired system states, detects drift, and automatically corrects issues in seconds — all at scale. You’ll learn: • How SaltStack’s master–minion architecture enables secure inbound-only communication • The difference between configuration management and state management • How the reactor + beacon system enables real-time automated drift remediation • Built-in compliance and vulnerability scanning using CIS benchmarks • Resource requirements for SaltStack appliances in lab and production environments • Multi-language automation support with YAML, Python, and JSON • Robust Windows management with WinRepo • How SaltStack integrates into VMware’s broader automation and VCF advanced services ecosystem Vincent also shares real-world insights into scaling SaltStack, Postgres database sizing, compliance scanning depth (including hundreds of Ubuntu security checks), and how this modular, Python-based platform helps customers automate faster, safer, and smarter. If you’re exploring VCF automation, private cloud operations, or infrastructure-as-code, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.

This episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast features hosts Pete Flecha and John Nicholson joined by returning guest Pete Koehler for a deep dive into vSAN and the evolving conversation around application versus infrastructure high availability. Pete Koehler highlights recent updates to vSAN Ready Nodes that significantly reduce hardware requirements, including up to 67% less RAM and 50% fewer CPU cores for vSAN storage cluster hosts—bringing notable cost and efficiency benefits. From there, the discussion shifts to availability design strategies. The trio explores the differences between application-level availability (features built directly into the app, such as database clustering or microservices patterns) and infrastructure-level availability provided by the virtualization platform. They cover when each approach makes sense, how they complement each other, and why a balanced strategy delivers the best resilience. Whether you’re a VI admin, an architect, or an application owner, this episode breaks down the real-world tradeoffs and helps you understand where the platform should handle availability—and where the application should take the lead.

The Virtually Speaking Podcast heads to VMware Explore 2025, where Pete Flecha and John Nicholson sit down with Dale Hassinger, winner of this year’s VMware Explore Hackathon. Dale shares the story behind his team’s winning project: a Model Contextual Protocol (MCP) server built in PowerShell that connects to VMware products and leverages AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude to automatically generate dashboards and reports. With AI doing most of the coding, their solution can transform VMware environment data into markdown tables, CSV files, or full graphical dashboards—without additional manual coding. The team built the project in just two weeks and completed it during the intense four-hour hackathon event. Dale also gives credit to his teammates Don, Amos, Cosmin, and Willie, highlighting how the VMware community comes together through collaboration and innovation. If you’re curious about how AI is reshaping development and what happens when creativity meets community at VMware Explore, this episode is for you.

At VMware Explore 2025, hosts Pete Flecha and Dave Linthicum sat down with Paul Lembo, CTO for Strategic Americas at Broadcom, to capture the energy and insights from the event. Paul reflects on conversations with customers, partners, and integrators, highlighting how VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) is building trust by delivering on promises made the previous year. One of the biggest crowd-pleasers was the free certification opportunities, where attendees who passed walked away with custom VCF sneakers. Paul shares why this matters for practitioners and how executive sponsorship plays a critical role in successful transformation. He also emphasizes the importance of VMware’s full-stack solutions in helping practitioners succeed, while Dave highlights VMware’s strategy of adding value without forcing customers to rip and replace existing systems. This conversation showcases VMware by Broadcom’s continued focus on meeting customers where they are, building momentum in private cloud adoption, and enabling organizations to evolve with confidence.

At VMware Explore 2025, Pete Flecha and John Nicholson sit down with Chandra Prathuri, Product Management, VMware Cloud Foundation Division at Broadcom, to dive into the automation capabilities of VMware Cloud Foundation 9.0 The conversation kicks off with an analogy of turtles and tunnels, pointing out how slow and fragmented traditional IT operations can feel. Chandra explains how VCF 9 is designed to eliminate those bottlenecks by giving admins AWS-like self-service experiences on-premises—without the risk of surprise bills. Key topics include: Automation at scale: Streamlining workflows that typically span compute, storage, network, and security teams. Fleet management: Lifecycle management with minimal downtime, certificate management, and desired state configuration. Governance and cost control: Balancing agility with oversight and financial predictability. Kubernetes and AI readiness: Native Kubernetes support plus GPU time-slicing to optimize workloads (e.g., inference during the day, training at night). This episode highlights how VCF 9 helps IT teams shift from slow, ticket-based processes to a modern, automated private cloud experience. 👉 Don’t miss future episodes—subscribe to the Virtually Speaking Podcast on YouTube and your favorite podcast platform!

At VMware Explore 2025 (Day Three), hosts Pete Flecha and John Nicholson sit down with Raj Bhat from AMD and Dave Morera from Broadcom to discuss a major announcement: VMware’s support for AMD Instinct MI350 GPUs for Private AI workloads. Raj dives into the specs of the MI350—288GB of memory and nearly 20 petaflops of performance, packaged in a UBB form factor with eight GPUs connected together—making it ideal for running large AI models. Dave explains how this partnership expands customer hardware choices while delivering the same seamless Private AI software experience powered by VMware Cloud Foundation. The conversation also highlights: How AMD’s ROCM (Radeon Open Compute Model) framework enables flexibility with AI models. VMware Cloud Foundation’s automation for deploying these GPUs. AMD’s open-source and free software approach, reducing subscription costs. Hardware availability through OEM partners like Supermicro and Dell, with both air-cooled and water-cooled options. Compatibility with both AMD and Intel CPUs. This session showcases how VMware and AMD are working together to give customers more choice, efficiency, and scalability in Private AI.

The Virtually Speaking Podcast is back from VMware Explore 2025 with an inspiring conversation featuring Nick Kuhn. Hosts Pete Flecha and John Nicholson dive into Nick’s incredible home lab journey—from starting with a single HPZ 440 workstation to building a massive 16-host environment capable of running large language models. Nick shares how his passion for vSAN sparked the growth of his lab, how winning first place at the 2023 Explore Hackathon with an AI project fueled his expansion, and why he focused on NVIDIA RTX 3090s for the best price-performance. Today, his setup includes multiple quad-GPU systems and supports colleagues through Tanzu Platform, enabling shared workloads and demos. The discussion explores: How Nick evolved his lab from hobby to professional resource Lessons learned with vSAN and GPU collections for AI workloads Running local LLMs vs. relying on costly cloud subscriptions The role of Tanzu in delivering a multi-tenant private AI environment Whether you’re into home labs, AI infrastructure, or VMware tech, this episode shows how curiosity and community can scale into something extraordinary. 👉 Subscribe for more conversations from VMware Explore and beyond.

On day three of VMware Explore 2025, Pete Flecha and John Nicholson sit down with Drew Nielsen to explore the economic value of VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF). Drew explains how customer sentiment has shifted since last year—organizations have moved past the “five stages of grief” around perpetual licensing and are now fully embracing VCF. He highlights how VCF 9 with memory tiering delivers measurable savings: ~40% less costly than public cloud ~50% less costly than building a traditional three-tier data center The discussion dives into hardware refresh strategies, emphasizing NVMe drives as essential for memory tiering, and introduces the Private Cloud Maturity and Optimization Tool (PCMO). The PCMO now goes beyond cost modeling with new upgrade readiness features, helping customers identify blockers and prepare for VCF 9 adoption. Whether you’re evaluating cloud costs, planning your next hardware refresh, or considering a VCF upgrade, this conversation offers practical insights on how to maximize value from your private cloud investments. 👉 If you’d like to explore your own customized cost model, VMware’s sales teams and partners can help you get started with just four simple inputs. #VMwareExplore #VCF #PrivateCloud #Broadcom

In this episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast, hosts Pete Flecha and John Nicholson sit down with Nick Kuhn from VMware Tanzu during VMware Explore 2025. Nick—who also hosts Cloud Foundry Weekly—breaks down what Tanzu is today following VMware’s recent organizational changes under Broadcom. He explains how Kubernetes components (now called VMware Kubernetes Service, or VKS) have shifted to the VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) division, while Tanzu now focuses on Platform as a Service (PaaS) technologies originating from Pivotal Software. Nick highlights how Tanzu Platform complements VCF by giving developers a simplified experience: just push code and let the platform handle infrastructure complexity. The conversation also covers: How Tanzu integrates with VCF components like NSX and Avi Load Balancer New announcements including Tanzu Platform 10.3 and VMware Tanzu Data Intelligence (a Snowflake/Databricks-like solution for VCF environments) Nick’s personal Koon Labs setup, which showcases Tanzu in action Whether you’re in IT operations, development, or exploring cloud-native strategies, this episode gives clarity on how Tanzu and VCF work hand-in-hand to deliver modern application platforms. 🔔 Subscribe to Virtually Speaking for more VMware Cloud Foundation insights, expert interviews, and event coverage.

In this episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast, hosts Pete Flecha and John Nicholson sit down with Jad El-Zein, technologist at Broadcom, live from VMware Explore 2025. Jad, who recently returned to the VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) team after his time with the Tanzu Business Unit, shares his perspective on application modernization and how VCF 9.0 delivers a complete private cloud platform for today’s workloads. He explains why “modern apps” shouldn’t be limited to just Kubernetes or containers, but should include any application that drives business value—including VMs. The conversation covers: VMware’s journey in the Kubernetes space since 2015, strengthened by the Heptio acquisition in 2018 The rise of hybrid runtimes, where VMs and containers coexist seamlessly How Tanzu Mission Control integrates into VCF automation for multi-cluster management The role of infrastructure services in delivering application resilience Advice for IT leaders on approaching app modernization, including treating Kubernetes as part of the infrastructure stack If you’re navigating your organization’s modernization journey, this episode offers practical insights on how VMware Cloud Foundation 9.0 supports both traditional and modern workloads—helping IT teams build a future-ready private cloud.

In this episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast from VMware Explore 2025, Pete Flecha and John Nicholson sit down with vSAN expert Pete Koehler to dig into the latest advancements in vSAN technology. The conversation explores how vSAN design and operations have evolved, with networking now taking center stage over disk configurations as the platform moves fully to all-NVMe and ESA architecture. Pete Koehler shares insights on how VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) operations integrate with vSAN, highlighting the benefits of Broadcom’s unified product strategy under Hock Tan’s directive. Key topics include: The surge in vSAN ESA adoption and how it’s meeting expectations Global deduplication at the cluster level for greater storage efficiency A tech preview of native S3 object storage built directly into vSAN Whether you’re a VI admin, architect, or just curious about where VMware’s storage strategy is heading, this episode delivers valuable perspectives straight from the expert.

In this episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast, hosts Pete Flecha and John Nicholson talk with Drew Nielsen from Broadcom about the major changes to VMware’s certification program following the Broadcom acquisition. Drew breaks down how VMware has streamlined certifications from five tracks into three clear, role-specific paths for: 🔹 Implementers & Admins 🔹 Architects 🔹 Support Professionals Key updates include: ✔️ Standardized exam pricing at $250 ✔️ No required training before taking exams ✔️ Alignment of internal and customer training content for consistency John also shares his past frustrations with the certification process—especially the high cost barrier for early-career professionals—and how this new model helps democratize access to VMware certifications. The conversation highlights how the new program keeps content current with product releases, and Drew announces the launch of five new VCP exams at VMware Explore 2025, focused on VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) and VMware vSphere Foundation (VVF). With over 500 registrations at the event—five times higher than last year—the excitement is clear. 👉 Tune in to learn how VMware certifications are evolving to be more accessible, relevant, and impactful. #VMwareExplore #VCF #VMwareCertification #Broadcom #VirtuallySpeakingPodcast

In this VMware Explore 2025 edition of the Virtually Speaking Podcast, hosts Pete Flecha and John Nicholson talk with Raj Reddi from the United States Senate Federal Credit Union (USSFCU) and Alexis Colon, Sr. Solutions Architect at Broadcom. Raj shares how USSFCU—serving a sensitive membership that includes Senate and Supreme Court communities—successfully upgraded from VCF 5.2 to VCF 9 with minimal downtime, despite having a lean IT team of just 22 people. Key highlights include: 🔹 How Private AI is being leveraged for advanced fraud detection and member protection 🔹 The role of careful planning and strong partnerships in executing a smooth upgrade 🔹 Why the unified nature of VCF 9 eliminates siloed infrastructure and accelerates innovation 🔹 Lessons learned from aligning technical design with business initiatives This conversation is proof that with the right approach and trusted partners, even small IT teams can deliver enterprise-grade innovation and resilience. 👉 Watch the full episode to hear how USSFCU modernized with VMware Cloud Foundation 9. #VMwareExplore #VCF #VirtuallySpeakingPodcast #PrivateAI #FraudDetection #Broadcom #FinancialServices

In this episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast, recorded at VMware Explore 2025, hosts Pete Flecha and John Nicholson sit down with Vijay Ramachandran, VP of Products for Core Infrastructure at Broadcom. Vijay shares the latest innovations in VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) that are reshaping core infrastructure: 🔹 Memory Tiering – a technical feature that’s seeing surprisingly high customer engagement 🔹 vSAN Global Deduplication – cluster-wide dedupe for better efficiency and cost savings 🔹 Virtual Private Clouds (VPCs) – simplifying network configuration and bringing cloud-like networking to VCF The discussion also dives into new security and resilience capabilities, including: ✔️ Confidential Compute ✔️ Hypervisor-level EDR integration ✔️ Ransomware recovery for on-prem environments Vijay also announces a tech preview for object storage, addressing a long-standing customer request with a built-in solution. Looking ahead, he shares the future direction of VCF—expanding security, advancing data protection, and extending enterprise-grade VM features into the Kubernetes ecosystem to power modern apps. 👉 Don’t miss this deep dive into the future of VMware Cloud Foundation! #VMwareExplore #VMwareCloudFoundation #VCF #VirtuallySpeakingPodcast #PrivateCloud #Broadcom

At VMware Explore 2025, hosts Pete Flecha and John Nicholson sit down with Himanshu Singh to unpack one of the biggest announcements: Private AI is now natively built into VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF 9.0). With this shift, customers no longer need an add-on service—all Private AI capabilities are included as part of VCF entitlement, making AI more accessible and integrated than ever. Key highlights from the conversation: 🔹 AI-Native VCF – Private AI becomes part of the core platform for every customer. 🔹 GPU Advancements – Support for NVIDIA Blackwell B200 and RTX Pro 6000, plus new AMD Instinct MI350 series GPUs. 🔹 Networking Improvements – Enhanced Direct Path IO for NVIDIA ConnectX-7 and BlueField-3. 🔹 Data Privacy & Sovereignty – Built-in security and virtualization efficiency to run AI with confidence. Himanshu explains how these innovations bring together modern infrastructure, advanced accelerators, and trusted security to help organizations adopt AI while maintaining full control over their data. 👉 Subscribe to the Virtually Speaking Podcast for more VMware Explore 2025 coverage and insights into the future of private cloud and AI.

In this episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast, recorded at VMware Explore 2025, hosts Pete Flecha and John Nicholson sit down with Michael Miller, IT Systems Architect at Mary Washington Healthcare. Mike shares his inspiring career journey from working the midnight help desk shift to leading IT architecture at a healthcare organization where uptime isn’t just about business continuity—it’s about saving lives. He walks through Mary Washington Healthcare’s modernization journey: 🔹 Transitioning from legacy infrastructure to hyperconverged VxRail 🔹 Implementing VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) for automation and consistency 🔹 Leveraging automation for certificate updates and password rotations, reducing human error 🔹 Gaining real-time visibility through metrics to optimize system performance The discussion highlights the critical role of IT in healthcare, the importance of professional implementation, and how automation and modernization with VCF directly improve system reliability—and ultimately, patient care. 👉 Don’t miss this story of IT transformation where technology and healthcare intersect.

At VMware Explore 2025, hosts Pete Flecha and John Nicholson sit down with Himanshu Singh to discuss the expanded partnership between VMware and Canonical—bringing together the world’s #1 private cloud and the #1 cloud OS. Himanshu explains how Ubuntu OS with Canonical’s 10-year enterprise support is now bundled as part of VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) entitlement, simplifying operations for enterprise customers. A key highlight is the introduction of “chisel containers”—lightweight Ubuntu images optimized for specific workloads. These minimal containers reduce image size from ~200MB to ~50MB, improving efficiency and dramatically lowering vulnerabilities (their demo dropped CVEs from 16 to just 1). The conversation also explores how the partnership addresses air-gapped environments by delivering pre-compiled virtualized GPU drivers, enabling faster, more secure AI deployments. Whether you’re running Kubernetes, modern applications, or AI workloads, this partnership delivers a more secure, efficient, and enterprise-ready private cloud platform. 👉 Subscribe to the Virtually Speaking Podcast for more VMware Explore 2025 coverage!

In this episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast recorded at VMware Explore 2025, hosts Pete Flecha and John Nicholson sit down with Jon Rosenson, President & COO at Expedient, to explore how Expedient is delivering VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) as a Service. Expedient, a full-stack cloud services provider with over 25 years of experience and a VMware partner since 2008, helps clients simplify IT by managing VCF on their behalf. Jon explains how Expedient delivers: ☁️ Multi-tenant and dedicated private cloud environments powered by VCF ⚙️ End-to-end infrastructure and expertise so clients only need to subscribe 🏥 Real-world use cases in healthcare and other industries, where organizations rely on Expedient to handle IT infrastructure so they can focus on core business 🔄 Hybrid IT solutions that bridge public cloud and private cloud, including client data center acquisitions converted into multi-tenant facilities The conversation also highlights how the Expedient–VMware by Broadcom partnership is evolving, with program changes opening the door for more customers to benefit from VCF as a Service. 👉 Watch now to learn how Expedient is helping customers rethink their cloud strategies with VMware Cloud Foundation. #VirtuallySpeakingPodcast #VMwareExplore #VCF #CloudServices #HybridCloud #Expedient

In this episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast from VMware Explore 2025, hosts Pete Flecha and John Nicholson sit down with Dilpreet Bindra, Sr. Director of Engineering at VMware by Broadcom, to talk about the evolution of Kubernetes and VMware’s latest innovations. Dilpreet explains how Kubernetes has moved from niche adoption to the mainstream, with 80–90% of new applications now being built on Kubernetes. He highlights how VMware Kubernetes Service (VKS) stands out by empowering application teams to own and manage their own clusters—avoiding the bottlenecks of centralized “pet” clusters. The conversation also explores: ⚡ VMware’s commitment to delivering new Kubernetes versions within eight weeks of upstream releases 🤝 VMware’s ongoing contributions to the Kubernetes ecosystem 📦 Argo CD support for Git-based deployments across both Kubernetes and VMs 📊 New monitoring capabilities in VCF 9 for tenant-specific and admin-level visibility 💬 Customer feedback, with many praising VMware for “delivering the cloud on premise” and enabling them to rethink infrastructure strategies If you’re building modern applications or driving cloud-native transformation, this episode shows how VMware is helping organizations deliver Kubernetes with the agility of public cloud—on-premises. 👉 Watch now and subscribe to the Virtually Speaking Podcast for more insights from VMware Explore! #VirtuallySpeakingPodcast #VMwareExplore #Kubernetes #VMwareCloudFoundation #VKS #ArgoCD

In this episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast recorded at VMware Explore 2025, hosts Pete Flecha and Dave Linthicum sit down with Johan van Amersfoort from ITQ to discuss ITQ’s long-standing partnership with VMware by Broadcom and their latest innovation for AI. Johan introduces ITQ’s new GPU Sizer tool for VMware Private AI Foundation, designed to make GPU infrastructure sizing for AI workloads simple and accurate. By connecting directly to HuggingFace to retrieve model parameters, the tool requires only the model name and expected concurrent sessions — automating what was once a complex process. The discussion also covers: 🤝 ITQ’s 15-year journey as one of VMware’s top five global partners 🧠 How ITQ has been implementing AI solutions since 2018 👥 Parallels between AI adoption and end-user computing experiences 🔧 The potential for GPU Sizer to integrate into automation workflows for more efficient resource management 📢 The announcement that ITQ is now an official partner for VMware Private AI Foundation If you’re exploring how to size, deploy, and manage GPU resources for AI applications, this conversation is packed with practical insights. 👉 Watch now and subscribe to the Virtually Speaking Podcast for more expert discussions from VMware Explore! #VirtuallySpeakingPodcast #VMwareExplore #PrivateAI #GPU #ITQ #VMwareCloudFoundation

In this episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast from VMware Explore 2025, host Pete Flecha is joined by Anupama Mahabhashyam and Odded Solomon to discuss the latest innovations transforming the telecommunications industry. The conversation covers: 📡 The shift from physical network functions to cloud-native, containerized applications ⚙️ The launch of Telco Cloud Platform 5.1 with enhanced GitOps capabilities ☁️ How telcos can position themselves as sovereign cloud providers 🔄 Dynamic infrastructure policies that auto-configure VMs when apps are deployed, reducing cross-team coordination 🛡️ Why critical telco networks require rigorous validation cycles before production 🤝 The convergence roadmap between Telco Cloud Platform (TCP) and VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF), with VCF 9.2 set to integrate telco capabilities (more details coming at VMware Explore London) If you’re in the telecom space, this episode highlights how VMware is helping CSPs modernize operations, increase agility, and prepare for sovereign cloud demands. 👉 Don’t miss this deep dive from VMware Explore. Subscribe to the Virtually Speaking Podcast for more expert insights! #VMwareExplore #VirtuallySpeakingPodcast #Telco #CloudNative #VMwareCloudFoundation #SovereignCloud

In this episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast, hosts Pete Flecha and John Nicholson sit down with Glenn Sizemore from NetApp live at VMware Explore 2025 to discuss NetApp Disaster Recovery, a SaaS service within the BlueXP portfolio designed specifically for VMware workloads. Glenn explains how the service delivers disaster recovery that feels a lot like Site Recovery Manager (SRM) — but built exclusively for NetApp systems. Leveraging SnapMirror for data transport and array-based offloads, the service provides: A guided wizard for building replication plans Easy configuration of mappings between data centers Support for existing or new SnapMirror relationships Non-disruptive test failovers using FlexClone technology Fast failover execution in as little as 5–10 minutes Pricing is capacity-based (about $0.03 per GB/month, or ~$368 per TB/year) — avoiding traditional per-VM licensing. Currently, NetApp Disaster Recovery supports on-prem to on-prem, and on-prem to EVS or VMC on AWS, with Azure and Google Cloud support in development. 👉 Learn how this service simplifies disaster recovery for VMware environments while reducing costs and complexity. 🎧 Subscribe to the Virtually Speaking Podcast for more VMware Explore conversations and insights! #VMwareExplore #VirtuallySpeakingPodcast #VMware #NetApp #DisasterRecovery

At VMware Explore 2025, host Pete Flecha speaks with Prashanth Shenoy, VP of Product Marketing at Broadcom, about the strategic partnerships shaping the future of VMware Cloud Foundation. The conversation dives into key announcements, including: 🤝 Canonical + VMware – Ubuntu OS integration with full enterprise support for VCF customers ⚡ NVIDIA + VMware – Expanded collaboration bringing Private AI Foundation directly into VCF, enabling near-bare-metal GPU performance and improved ROI on expensive GPU investments 🔥 AMD + VMware – Support for AMD accelerators to broaden choice and flexibility for AI and HPC workloads Prashanth explains how these partnerships deliver operational efficiency, stronger security, and AI readiness—positioning VCF as the platform of choice for modern private cloud and GPU-driven workloads. 👉 Don’t miss this strategic deep dive from VMware Explore 2025. Subscribe to the Virtually Speaking Podcast for more exclusive conversations!

At VMware Explore 2025, host Pete Flecha sits down with Dave Linthicum, Rick Walsworth, and James Schorr, Sr. Director of Enterprise Cloud Platforms at GCI—Alaska’s largest telecom provider—to discuss GCI’s journey from vSphere to VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) 9.0. James shares how GCI moved from managing disparate vSphere clusters with complex patching requirements to a standardized and streamlined private cloud platform with VCF. The shift has delivered: Faster and easier cluster upgrades Simplified patching and lifecycle management More time for innovation instead of maintenance The conversation also explores the massive infrastructure changes GCI made during the pandemic, including upgrades to firewalls, network design, compute platforms, storage, and infrastructure-as-code. James highlights the OpEx savings driven by reduced labor requirements, as well as how VCF 9 testing in their labs is shaping decisions on greenfield vs. upgrade paths. For other organizations considering VMware Cloud Foundation, James offers practical advice: design carefully but don’t get stuck in analysis paralysis—start with the resources you have, and lean on your architects and engineers to guide the path forward. 👉 Subscribe to Virtually Speaking Podcast for more customer stories and insights from VMware Explore!

In this VMware Explore 2025 episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast, hosts Pete Flecha and John Nicholson sit down with Krish Prasad, SVP and General Manager of the VMware Cloud Foundation division at Broadcom. Krish shares how VMware, now under Broadcom, has delivered on its long-standing vision of a truly integrated private cloud platform with VCF 9.0. He explains how the new organizational structure has accelerated innovation, resulting in positive feedback from customers across industries from large enterprises to smaller organizations. The conversation covers: Why regulated industries like healthcare and banking are rapidly adopting VCF 9.0 How Private AI is now embedded directly into VCF as a core capability New compliance and security features, including automatic drift detection and remediation Broadcom’s increased R&D investment driving faster innovation and customer excitement Whether you’re an IT leader, architect, or business strategist, this episode gives a behind-the-scenes look at VMware’s direction under Broadcom and what it means for the future of private cloud.

At VMware Explore 2025, the Virtually Speaking Podcast sat down with Chris Wolf, Global Head of AI and Advanced Services at Broadcom, alongside hosts Pete Flecha and guest co-host David Linthicum, to unpack VMware’s latest Private AI announcements. Chris details the expanded partnership with NVIDIA, including support for B200s, RTX Pro 6000s, DirectPath I/O, and pass-through capabilities, plus a new partnership with AMD to virtualize MI350 GPUs. He also breaks down how Private AI Services are now included as part of VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF), delivering: A model runtime supporting GPUs and CPUs A secure model store for governance Data indexing and retrieval services An agent builder service The discussion explores why enterprises are leaning into private AI—from data privacy to economic advantages (up to 3x cost benefits) to sovereign AI requirements. Chris also introduces secure model sharing, allowing multiple tenants to use one model while keeping datasets protected. The episode wraps with real-world customer use cases across industries, with a spotlight on strong adoption in the public sector. Tune in for insights on how VMware is shaping the next chapter of Private AI in the cloud with VCF 9.

Recorded live at VMware Explore 2025, this episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast features hosts Pete Flecha and John Nicholson in conversation with Paul Turner, VP of Products for VMware Cloud Foundation at Broadcom. Paul unpacks the major announcements from the general session, including how VCF 9 is being adopted by leading enterprises such as Barclays and Walmart. He explains how VCF 9 delivers a modern private cloud platform that supports AI, VM-based, and container-based applications. A key highlight is the inclusion of Private AI as a core service in VCF, enabling organizations to securely run AI workloads without additional cost. Paul details how this service provides: A model manager for enterprise AI models An inferencing service supporting AMD, NVIDIA, and Intel hardware Flexible deployment options, including CPU-based inference The conversation also covers Kubernetes innovations, Database-as-a-Service advancements, and new cyber compliance capabilities. Throughout the discussion, Paul highlights three core themes driving VCF innovation: Accelerated path to production Private AI as a service Advanced cyber compliance Tune in for a first-hand look at the announcements shaping the future of VMware Cloud Foundation 9.

Pete Flecha and John Nicholson kick off our VMware Explore Las Vegas coverage in style, setting the stage for a week of big announcements and conversations. Filmed inside an autonomous car, the backdrop itself reflects the kind of innovation, AI, and advanced infrastructure shaping the future of technology — the same themes driving VMware Cloud Foundation 9.0. In this episode, we break down the highlights of VCF 9.0, including Memory Tiering, vSAN Express Storage Architecture (ESA), Virtual Private Clouds (VPCs), and more — plus how these advancements are helping organizations modernize, secure, and prepare for AI.

Get ready for VMware Explore 2025 in Las Vegas! In this episode of Virtually Speaking, hosts Pete Flecha and John Nicholson are joined by Brad Tompkins, Executive Director of VMUG, to preview what attendees can expect at this year’s event. They cover: The latest technical sessions and free certification opportunities for full pass holders VMUG activities, including their booth (#105), member reception at Wakuta, and exclusive VMUG Advantage discount (15% off with code Explore2025) for home lab access to VCF, vDefend, and Avi Load Balancer Pete’s upcoming session on private cloud repatriation and the Virtually Speaking podcast booth, where they’ll be interviewing experts The power of community connections, customer-to-PM feedback, and the all-important “hallway track” Fun highlights like the party at the Palazzo pool deck featuring the Honey Buckets 🎶 Whether you’re coming for the deep technical content, the networking, or the community, VMware Explore 2025 has something for everyone. We hope to see you there!

This week on the Virtually Speaking Podcast, Pete Flecha and John Nicholson sat down with networking experts Varun Santosh and Thomas Vignon to unpack what’s new with NSX in VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) 9.0. The conversation dives into the evolution of networking in VCF, with a spotlight on Virtual Private Clouds (VPCs)—a game-changing feature that brings public cloud-like networking to private cloud environments. Learn how VPCs simplify network deployment, enable self-service, and provide default isolation between workloads—all manageable directly from vCenter, without requiring deep networking expertise. You’ll also hear about: NSX components now pre-installed on vSphere hosts in VCF 9, streamlining deployment and accelerating time to value Built-in workload mobility (formerly HCX), tightly integrated into the platform Container networking updates with Antrea A preview of what to expect from upcoming NSX sessions at VMware Explore Whether you’re a VI admin, a cloud architect, or just curious about where private cloud networking is headed, this episode breaks it all down in practical, approachable terms.

In this episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast, hosts Pete Flecha and John Nicholson are joined by Jatin Purohit and Angel Petrov to explore what’s new with APIs, SDKs, and PowerCLI in VMware Cloud Foundation 9.0. The discussion dives into major innovations designed to simplify automation and integration for VCF users, including: A unified VCF SDK (Python and Java) that consolidates previously separate component SDKs Compatibility fixes that eliminate version mismatches (especially with Java) The introduction of the VI JSON protocol, converting legacy SOAP APIs into a modern, REST-style experience Adoption of OpenAPI 3.0 across ~90% of VCF APIs for greater consistency and ease of use Enhanced PowerCLI modules with auto-generated cmdlets The first-ever API change log included in VCF release notes Better alignment with AI tools like GitHub Copilot for faster development Subscribe for more insights into VMware Cloud Foundation and modern infrastructure automation.

In this episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast, hosts Pete Flecha and John Nicholson sit down with Raakhee Mistry from VMware Cloud Foundation and field CTO Mitesh Pancholy to discuss why many organizations are hitting the reset button on their cloud strategies. Drawing from the new Private Cloud Outlook 2025 study—based on insights from 1,800 global IT leaders—the conversation explores a major trend: private cloud is making a comeback, with 53% of respondents prioritizing private cloud investments alongside public cloud. Key drivers behind this shift include: • Rising security and compliance demands • The need for data sovereignty to support AI initiatives • A push for cost predictability • And a significant wave of cloud repatriation, with 69% moving workloads back on-prem Mitesh shares Broadcom’s private cloud journey, highlighting how platform teams, self-service infrastructure, and upskilling initiatives are transforming IT delivery and enabling faster innovation. The takeaway? The future is hybrid. With 92% of organizations embracing a mix of public and private cloud, this reset isn’t about abandoning public cloud—it’s about building a smarter, more balanced strategy.

In this episode of Virtually Speaking, Pete Flecha and John Nicholson are joined by VMware legend Cormac Hogan to unpack everything you need to know about Data Services Manager (DSM). They explore how DSM delivers on-premises database services for platforms like PostgreSQL and MySQL—while solving a big problem for VI admins: database sprawl. Cormac explains how DSM gives vSphere admins control over database infrastructure, simplifies lifecycle management for DBAs, and empowers developers with self-service access—all through a unified platform. The crew also breaks down what’s new in DSM 9 and VCF 9, including multi-tenancy, vSphere namespace integration, and a technical preview of SQL Server support. They share real-world insight into how Broadcom is using DSM to consolidate database services across their organization, and how DSM’s scaling capabilities help meet the demands of modern, dynamic workloads. If you’re curious about what “Database-as-a-Service” really looks like in a VMware Cloud Foundation environment, this episode is for you.

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.