Virtually Speaking Podcast: Recent Episodes

Virtually Speaking Podcast

The Virtually Speaking Podcast is a weekly technical podcast dedicated to discussing VMware topics related to storage and availability. Each week Pete Flecha and John Nicholson bring in various subject matter experts from VMware and within the industry to discuss their respective areas of expertise.

VMware Explore 2026 is almost here, and the Virtually Speaking crew is getting ready for Las Vegas.

In this episode, Pete Flecha is joined by John Nicholson, Jad El-Zein, and special guest Duncan Epping to preview the week ahead. They talk about the return to deeply technical content, the sessions they’re most excited about, the evolution of Hands-on Labs, Odyssey competitions, and why the community and networking remain such a big part of Explore.

Virtually Speaking will also be recording live from the VMware booth Monday through Wednesday, talking with customers, partners, engineers, and anyone with a great technical story. We’ll also be doing a daily live recap at 5:00 PM.

If you’re attending Explore, come by the booth and say hello.

VCF 9.1 goes beyond the foundational infrastructure to help organizations deliver a true private cloud experience through automation, self-service, and policy-based governance.

In this episode, Pete Flecha and Jad El-Zein welcome Maher AlAsfar, Product Marketing Engineer at Broadcom, to explore what is new in VCF Automation 9.1. The conversation covers declarative infrastructure, Kubernetes-native APIs, Containers as a Service, centralized service management, namespace capture, app stack formation, and project-level content libraries.

Maher also explains when a lightweight container service makes more sense than deploying a full Kubernetes cluster, how infrastructure services such as networking, storage, and load balancing support these workloads, and why automation is the natural next step after deploying VMware Cloud Foundation.

Can a lean IT team successfully adopt VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF)? Jeremy Wright joins Pete Flecha and John Nicholson to share how Grinnell Mutual transformed its infrastructure strategy after initially assuming VCF was only for large enterprises.

Jeremy discusses how uncertainty during the VMware acquisition led his team to VMware Explore looking for answers—and how one conversation changed their entire approach. From identifying a potential $1 million storage savings with vSAN to embracing automation, Kubernetes, AI, and private cloud services, Jeremy explains why VCF became the foundation for their future despite having an infrastructure team of just 16 people.

The conversation also explores how to gain executive buy-in, align developers around cloud-like capabilities, introduce Private AI, and successfully modernize without adding operational complexity.

Whether you’re leading a small IT organization or simply wondering if VCF is the right fit for your environment, this episode offers practical lessons from someone who’s been through the journey.

At VMUG Connect 2026 in Minneapolis, Pete Flecha and John Nicholson sit down with Ryan Lance from the VMUG leadership team to talk about the evolution of the VMUG community and what’s changing with the new VMUG Connect format.

Ryan shares his journey through the VMUG community, from early user group involvement and speaking at events to leading the Sacramento VMUG. The conversation explores how VMUG is getting back to its roots as a source of VMware education, hands-on learning, technical community, and practitioner-led knowledge sharing.

The discussion also covers the shift from traditional one-day UserCons to larger regional VMUG Connect events, the continued importance of local communities, the role of home labs, certification, VMUG Advantage, and how VMUG can help practitioners stay informed as VMware Cloud Foundation continues to evolve.

Whether you’re a long-time VMUG member, a home lab builder, a VMware administrator, or someone looking to get more connected with the community, this episode highlights why VMUG remains such an important resource for learning, networking, and sharing real-world experience.

In this episode, Pete Flecha and John Nicholson welcome back Bob Plankers for a deeper conversation on why AI changes the security game. Bob explains how AI is accelerating vulnerability discovery, exploit creation, malware customization, and even end-to-end attack execution.

The discussion covers why “patch the critical stuff only” is becoming riskier, how AI can chain moderate vulnerabilities into serious attacks, and why identity, zero trust, microsegmentation, recovery planning, and defense in depth matter more than ever.

Bob also walks through practical ways VMware Cloud Foundation can help, including vDefend, Avi Load Balancer, vSAN Data Protection, cyber recovery, isolated recovery environments, hardening guides, and security configuration resources.

At KubeCon Europe 2026 in Amsterdam, Johan van Amersfoort from ITQ joins Virtually Speaking to introduce one of the most talked-about demos on the show floor: Q9, an AI-powered robotic dog built using VMware Private AI Foundation.

But Q9 is more than a fun demo. It showcases how organizations can use VMware Cloud Foundation, Private AI Services, GPUs, large language models, computer vision, and secure networking to train and deploy AI applications while keeping data private and sovereign.

Johan explains how Q9 uses gesture recognition, conversational AI, image analytics, local inference, and remote model access to create an interactive AI experience. The conversation also explores practical enterprise AI use cases, including HR assistants, legal knowledge systems, sovereign AI, and why private infrastructure remains critical for AI success.

Whether you’re exploring Private AI, AI infrastructure, model training, or simply want to meet the coolest dog at KubeCon, this episode delivers both technical insights and real-world examples.

What happens when AI becomes a first-class consumer of your platform?

In this episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast, Pete Flecha is joined by Jad El-Zien and Pankaj Gupta, co-author of the new Platform Engineering 2.0 whitepaper, to explore how platform engineering is evolving to meet the demands of the AI era.

The conversation traces the journey from DevOps to Platform Engineering 1.0 and explains why the next evolution is already underway. With AI-generated code accelerating software delivery, agentic AI emerging as a new platform consumer, and FinOps becoming critical to controlling AI costs, organizations must rethink how platforms are built and operated.

The discussion covers the five pillars of Platform Engineering 2.0, the growing importance of embedded FinOps, security-by-design, multi-persona experiences, AI-native platforms, and why VMware administrators and infrastructure teams have a major opportunity to shape the future of platform engineering.

📄 Download the Platform Engineering 2.0 whitepaper:

https://brcm.tech/PE2WhitePaper

PlatformEngineering #AI #DevOps #FinOps #Kubernetes #CloudNative #PlatformEngineering20 #AgenticAI #VirtuallySpeakingPodcast #VMware #PrivateCloud

What happens when WebAssembly and Kubernetes come together?

Recorded live at KubeCon 2026 in Amsterdam, Pete Flecha and Jad El-Zein sit down with Liam Randall, CEO of Cosmonic, to explore how WebAssembly is changing the way developers build, deploy, and operate cloud-native applications.

Liam explains why WebAssembly is generating so much excitement beyond the browser, how it complements Kubernetes, and why organizations are looking at wasmCloud to simplify application portability across cloud, edge, and data center environments.

Whether you’re a Kubernetes operator, platform engineer, or application developer, this conversation provides a practical look at where WebAssembly fits into the modern cloud-native stack.

Private cloud is no longer just about cost savings or control—it has become the foundation for enterprise AI.

In this episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast, Pete Flecha and John Nicholson sit down with Prashanth Shenoy, VP of Product Marketing for VMware Cloud Foundation, to discuss the findings from the Private Cloud Outlook 2026 report.

Based on a global survey of 1,800 IT leaders, the report reveals a dramatic shift in how organizations are approaching AI infrastructure. As AI workloads move from experimentation to production, enterprises are increasingly choosing private cloud environments to address the growing challenges of cost, complexity, governance, security, and data sovereignty.

Prashanth shares key insights from the research, including why private cloud has become the preferred destination for production AI inference, what’s driving the acceleration of workload repatriation, and how VMware Cloud Foundation 9.1 is helping organizations build a secure, cost-effective platform for the AI era.

Download the Private Cloud Outlook 2026 report:

https://www.vmware.com/docs/private-cloud-outlook-2026

VMware #VCF #PrivateCloud #AI #GenerativeAI #CloudRepatriation #EnterpriseAI #VMwareCloudFoundation #Broadcom #VirtuallySpeakingPodcast

At VMUG Connect 2026 in Minneapolis, Pete Flecha and John Nicholson sit down with security expert Bob Plankers to discuss how AI is changing cybersecurity—on both sides of the battle.

The conversation explores how threat actors are increasingly using AI-powered techniques, from sophisticated social engineering attacks to campaigns like UNC5221 and “Brickstorm.” Bob explains why identity remains the primary attack surface, why many organizations still misunderstand Zero Trust, and how privileged accounts have become some of the most valuable targets in modern IT environments.

The discussion also covers AI-generated voice and video impersonation, the importance of strong identity controls, conditional access, privileged access management, and why organizations need to think differently about trust in an era where convincing fakes can be generated in seconds.

Finally, the team explores how AI can be used defensively, including emerging efforts by frontier model providers to identify vulnerabilities, improve software security, and help organizations stay ahead in the cybersecurity arms race.

At KubeCon 2026 in Amsterdam, Jad El-Zein and John Nicholson sit down with Philippe Klapp from F5 to discuss the evolution of Kubernetes networking, ingress, Gateway API, and web application security in modern cloud-native environments.

The conversation explores how F5 has evolved from traditional hardware load balancers to cloud-native solutions running inside Kubernetes clusters, including NGINX, Container Ingress Services (CIS), and Distributed Cloud. They also discuss VMware vSphere Kubernetes Service (VKS), Gateway API momentum, WAF deployment models, AI-era protocols like MCP, and what platform engineering means for both VMware and F5 customers.

If you’re running Kubernetes at scale or trying to simplify networking and security across private cloud and platform engineering workflows this episode is packed with practical insights.

Guests: Philippe Klapp, F5
Hosts: Jad El-Zein & John Nicholson
Event: KubeCon 2026 – Amsterdam

At KubeCon 2026 in Amsterdam, Jad El-Zein and John Nicholson sit down with Duffie Cooley, Field CTO at Isovalent, to talk about eBPF, Cilium, Kubernetes networking, and the growing partnership between Isovalent and VMware vSphere Kubernetes Service (VKS).

The conversation dives into how Cilium integrates with VKS as a day-zero add-on, how eBPF changes networking and observability inside Kubernetes, and why technologies like BGP, ECMP, and kube-proxy replacement matter for scalable modern platforms.

Duffie also explains how Isovalent and VMware networking strategies complement each other, how enterprise capabilities extend beyond open source Cilium, and why add-on ecosystems are becoming critical for platform engineering teams operating Kubernetes at scale.

If you’re building modern Kubernetes platforms, exploring VKS, or trying to simplify networking and security operations, this episode is packed with practical insights from one of the pioneers behind the technology.

Guest: Duffie Cooley, Field CTO – Isovalent

Hosts: Jad El-Zein & John Nicholson

Event: KubeCon 2026 – Amsterdam

etworking has traditionally been one of the biggest barriers to private cloud agility. In this episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast, Pete Flecha and John Nicholson sit down with Dimitri Desmidt from the VMware Cloud Foundation Networking team to explore how VCF Networking simplifies network operations in VMware Cloud Foundation 9.1.

The discussion covers how VPCs, connectivity policies, IP Address Management (IPAM) integration, and network automation allow infrastructure teams to provision networking services directly from vCenter without requiring deep networking expertise or constant coordination with network administrators.

Dimitri walks through real-world examples showing how VCF Networking delivers self-service networking, multi-tenancy, simplified application isolation, and integrated network services while preserving the flexibility and scale required by modern private cloud environments.

If you’ve ever wanted networking to be as easy to consume as compute and storage, this episode is for you.

Troubleshooting complex IT environments isn’t just about technology, it’s about people, process, and collaboration.

Recorded at VMware Connect 2026, Pete Flecha and John Nicholson sit down with Kim Delgado and Mandy Bosco-Wilson (better known as Team Kandy) to discuss collaborative troubleshooting methodologies that help organizations solve problems faster and more effectively.

The conversation explores common troubleshooting anti-patterns, the importance of psychological safety, blameless inquiry, scientific troubleshooting methods, and real-world examples of complex issues spanning vSAN, Kubernetes, Cloud Native Storage, networking, and infrastructure operations.

Kim and Mandy share stories from the field, including how a seemingly simple issue bounced between multiple support teams before collaborative troubleshooting uncovered the true root cause. They also discuss strategies for handling multi-vendor incidents, avoiding siloed thinking, and creating environments where everyone can contribute to finding solutions.

Whether you’re a VMware administrator, platform engineer, SRE, architect, or IT operations leader, this episode offers practical techniques you can apply to your own troubleshooting processes.

VMware Cloud Foundation 9 (and 9.1) is generating a lot of excitement, but many organizations are still operating with assumptions based on older VCF releases.

In this episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast, Pete Flecha and John Nicholson sit down with Bill Oyler from Presidio to separate fact from fiction and discuss what customers are actually experiencing as they adopt VMware Cloud Foundation 9.

Bill shares lessons learned from customer migrations, including brownfield convergences, external storage support, infrastructure readiness assessments, and some of the most common upgrade pitfalls organizations encounter. The conversation covers everything from Enhanced Linked Mode and distributed switches to certificates, firewall rules, hardware compatibility, and practical planning considerations for successful VCF 9 adoption.

Whether you’re evaluating VMware Cloud Foundation, preparing for a migration, or already planning your upgrade, this episode provides valuable insights from real-world customer engagements and deployments.

VirtuallySpeakingPodcast #VMware #VMwareCloudFoundation #VCF9 #VMUG #PrivateCloud #vSphere #vSAN #Broadcom

In this episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast, we’re live from VMUG Connect in Minneapolis with Brock Peterson and Dale Hassinger from Broadcom for a conversation about community, blogging, automation, AI, and career growth.

Brock and Dale share how community involvement, technical blogging, VMUG participation, hackathons, and simply putting your work out into the world can create real career opportunities. Dale talks about his journey from customer and community contributor to Broadcom employee, while Broc explains why blogs still matter as practical, reusable technical content for customers and practitioners.

The conversation also explores how AI is changing the way infrastructure teams work, from troubleshooting YAML and building automation to creating apps, dashboards, and AI-driven home lab workflows. Whether you’re looking to grow your career, start blogging, present at a VMUG, or experiment with AI and automation, this episode is packed with practical encouragement from two long-time community contributors.give me some alternate titles.

Links Mentioned* Brock's Blog: https://www.brockpeterson.com/ * Dale's Blog: https://www.vcrocs.info/

At KubeCon 2026, Pete Flecha and John Nicholson sit down with VMware by Broadcom’s Frank Denneman to explore one of the biggest infrastructure conversations happening in AI today: should Kubernetes workloads run on bare metal or virtualized infrastructure?

The discussion dives deep into how AI workloads are changing infrastructure design, why Kubernetes and virtualization are becoming increasingly connected, and how technologies like DRS and Dynamic Resource Allocation (DRA) are evolving to support modern GPU-intensive environments.

Frank explains the operational, security, and resource management challenges organizations face as AI adoption accelerates — especially when dealing with expensive GPU clusters, multi-tenant AI workloads, and the rise of AI agents.

Topics include:

Why virtualization still matters for Kubernetes and AI
GPU scheduling, topology awareness, and resource isolation
DRA (Dynamic Resource Allocation) in Kubernetes
AI infrastructure efficiency and GPU utilization
Security and isolation for AI agents and workloads
Token governance and AI operational guardrails
Lessons learned from decades of virtualization applied to AI infrastructure

If you’re trying to understand where Kubernetes, virtualization, and AI infrastructure are headed next, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

At KubeCon 2026, Pete and John sit down with Myles Gray, Product Marketing Engineer at Broadcom, to talk about what enterprises often underestimate when adopting Kubernetes. Myles shares lessons learned from years of working directly with Kubernetes platforms, platform engineering teams, and enterprise customers trying to move from experimentation into real production environments. The conversation dives into the operational realities of Kubernetes — including long-term maintenance, upgrades, GitOps workflows, CI/CD pipelines, open source integrations, security scanning, and why the ecosystem around Kubernetes matters just as much as Kubernetes itself.

They also explore concepts like “golden paths to production,” Argo CD, Harbor, OpenTelemetry, container image security, Cloud Native Buildpacks, and how organizations can standardize application delivery without creating hundreds of fragmented deployment pipelines.

If you’re trying to understand how enterprises are operationalizing Kubernetes at scale — and why platform engineering is becoming so important — this conversation is packed with practical insights.

VMware Cloud Foundation 9.1 brings major updates to vSphere, and in this episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast, Pete Flecha and John Nicholson sit down with Feidhlim O’Leary for a deeper technical look at what’s new.

The conversation explores how vSphere 9.1 improves lifecycle management, streamlines firmware and driver updates, enhances VM management, and expands memory tiering capabilities introduced in earlier releases. Feidhlim also shares insights into observability improvements, operational simplification, and the types of day-to-day enhancements that practitioners will immediately appreciate.

From certificate management and lifecycle automation to performance optimization and hardware enablement, this episode focuses on the practical operational improvements that make vSphere 9.1 one of the most substantial platform releases in recent years.

If you’re running VMware Cloud Foundation or vSphere environments at scale, this is a great technical overview of the updates infrastructure teams should know about. #VMware #vSphere #VCF #VMwareCloudFoundation #virtuallyspeakingpodcast

Links MentionedWhat’s New with vSphere in VMware Cloud Foundation 9.1?

https://blogs.vmware.com/cloud-foundation/2026/05/12/whats-new-with-vsphere-9-1/

VMware vCenter Virtual Hardware Gets an Upgrade in vSphere with VCF 9.1

https://blogs.vmware.com/cloud-foundation/2026/05/12/vcenter-virtual-hardware-upgrade/

Non-Disruptive VMware vCenter Patching in VMware Cloud Foundation 9.1

https://blogs.vmware.com/cloud-foundation/2026/05/12/vcenter-quick-patch/

Tigera is the creator of Calico, one of the most widely deployed Kubernetes networking and security platforms in the world, powering millions of Kubernetes nodes globally. In this conversation, Ratan explains why enterprise customers are demanding more advanced networking, observability, and microsegmentation capabilities for modern Kubernetes environments — especially as AI workloads continue to grow.

The discussion covers Calico integration with VMware Kubernetes Service, platform engineering, service mesh, encryption, multi-cluster networking, and how organizations can simplify Kubernetes operations while improving security and performance. They also dive into one of the hottest topics at KubeCon: AI agents. Ratan shares how Tigera is thinking about agent governance, observability, authorization, and securing autonomous AI workloads across hybrid environments.

If you’re building modern Kubernetes platforms, securing AI infrastructure, or operating cloud native applications at scale, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

At KubeCon 2026, Jad El-Zein and Frank Denneman sit down with Jeff Chapman from Vectara to discuss how enterprise RAG, vector databases, and AI agents are evolving inside modern private AI environments.

The conversation explores how Vectara integrates with VMware Private AI Foundation and VMware Cloud Foundation to help organizations scale AI applications securely across millions of documents while maintaining role-based access control, multimodal ingestion, and sovereign data protections. They also dive into enterprise search, hallucination prevention, citations, agent orchestration, long-running AI agents, GPU efficiency, and why on-prem AI infrastructure is becoming increasingly important for enterprises building production AI systems.

Topics include:

Enterprise RAG vs traditional search
Vector databases and multimodal AI
Role-based access control for AI
AI agents and orchestration
Sovereign AI and air-gapped environments
GPU utilization and scaling AI workloads
VMware Private AI Foundation integration
On-prem AI economics and token costs

KubeCon #AI #PrivateAI #VMware #VCF #RAG #Agents #Kubernetes #VectorDatabase #EnterpriseAI

VMware Cloud Foundation 9.1 introduces some of the biggest changes to vSAN in years, and in this episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast, Pete and John sit down with Pete Koehler, Product Marketing Engineer for vSAN, to break it all down.

The conversation dives into how vSAN is becoming simpler to operate, more efficient at scale, and better aligned with modern application and cyber recovery requirements. Pete explains the new Auto RAID capability, the redesigned effective capacity model, enhancements to global deduplication and compression, and how vSAN is reducing operational complexity through more automated, system-managed behavior.

The team also explores native S3-compatible object storage for AI and modern applications, support for QLC drives in cyber recovery environments, improvements for migrations between OSA and ESA clusters, and expanded encryption support across storage clusters.

Topics include:

• Auto RAID and simplified storage policy management

• Effective capacity and easier capacity planning

• Global deduplication and new compression improvements

• Zstandard (ZSTD) compression for structured data workloads

• Native S3-compatible object storage in vSAN

• QLC storage support for cyber recovery use cases

• OSA to ESA migration flexibility

• Remote datastore enhancements and encryption support

• Cyber recovery and disaggregated storage clusters

• vSAN security improvements in VCF 9.1

Links MentionedMore Capacity with VMware vSAN Compression and Global Deduplication in VCF 9.1
https://blogs.vmware.com/cloud-foundation/2026/05/07/vsan-compression-and-global-deduplication-in-vcf-9-1/

Cost-Efficient VMware vSAN ReadyNodes Certified for Cyber Recovery Deployments
https://blogs.vmware.com/cloud-foundation/2026/05/07/vsan-readynodes-cyber-recovery/

Auto-RAID in VMware vSAN for VCF 9.1 - Comprehensive System-Managed Data Resilience
https://blogs.vmware.com/cloud-foundation/2026/05/08/auto-raid-in-vsan-for-vcf-9-1/

Simplifying Storage with the New Effective Capacity View in VMware vSAN for VCF 9.1
https://blogs.vmware.com/cloud-foundation/2026/05/11/effective-capacity-view-in-vsan-for-vcf-9-1/

Greater Flexibility and Security with VMware vSAN Storage Clusters in VCF 9.1
https://blogs.vmware.com/cloud-foundation/2026/05/12/vsan-storage-clusters-in-vcf-9-1/

Behind every feature in VMware Cloud Foundation 9.1 is the work that makes it actually run at scale. In this episode, Pete and John sit down with Emad Younis to unpack the details practitioners care about most.

From fleet architecture and latency planning to sizing at massive scale, Emad breaks down how to think about designing VCF environments in the real world. They also cover the shift from SDDC Manager to VCF Operations, how to approach upgrades without going all-in on day one, and what it really means to operate across thousands of hosts.

If you’re planning, designing, or scaling VCF, this is the episode that connects the dots.

Cyber threats are evolving fast, and traditional defenses are no longer enough. In this episode, Pete and John sit down with Belu De Arbelaiz and Jacob Garrison from CrowdStrike to explore how VMware Cloud Foundation 9.1 is redefining cyber resilience.

They break down the rise of AI-driven attacks, the shift toward malware-free breaches, and why identity compromise is now one of the biggest risks. The conversation dives into Advanced Cyber Compliance (OCC), the new isolated clean room for recovery, and how integration with CrowdStrike Falcon brings behavioral analysis into the recovery workflow.

From detection to validation to recovery, this episode shows how organizations can confidently recover from attacks and get back to business faster.

Edge environments are growing fast, but managing them at scale is anything but simple. In this episode, Pete and John sit down with Rick Walsworth to explore how VMware Cloud Foundation 9.1 is transforming edge deployments.

From zero-touch provisioning and built-in security to lifecycle management and massive scale, Rick breaks down how organizations can deploy and manage thousands of remote sites with consistency and control. The conversation also covers emerging use cases like AI at the edge and real-world examples like software-defined manufacturing.

If you’re looking to simplify edge operations while maintaining security and scalability, this episode is a must-watch.

AI is easy to demo but hard to run in production. In this episode, Pete and John sit down with Chris Wolf, Global Head of AI at Broadcom, to break down what it actually takes to operationalize AI.

They explore how customers are moving from experimentation to real-world Private AI on VMware Cloud Foundation 9.1, where it fits alongside public cloud models, and how to identify use cases that deliver measurable business value. The conversation also dives into intelligent model routing, MCP governance, GPU and CPU flexibility, and why production inference requires a full platform approach.

If you’re trying to separate AI hype from reality, this episode connects the dots.

Storage is at the center of rising infrastructure costs, and in this episode, Pete and John sit down with Rakesh to explore how VCF 9.1 is tackling that challenge head-on.

From cutting hardware requirements in half to introducing global deduplication and native S3 object storage, this conversation dives into how vSAN is evolving to support modern workloads while driving down costs. They also explore new cyber recovery capabilities that bring compute, storage, and networking together for a more complete resilience strategy.

If you’re looking to understand how storage is changing in the AI and cloud-native era, and what it means for your environment, this episode is packed with insights.

VMware Cloud Foundation 9.1 introduces a wide range of improvements across the platform, and in this episode, Pete and John sit down with William Lam to walk through the updates that matter most to practitioners.

From zero-touch provisioning and faster patching to fleet management, real-time metrics, and the evolution of the VCF management platform, William shares a hands-on perspective shaped by real-world testing and customer feedback.

VMware Cloud Foundation 9.1 is all about making the platform easier to consume and operate at scale. In this episode, Pete and John sit down with Dilpreet, Head of Engineering for VCF, to explore how that vision comes to life.

From the introduction of VCF Automation and Kubernetes-based APIs to multi-cluster management and faster deployment models, this conversation focuses on simplifying how infrastructure is delivered and managed. They also dive into VKS 3.6 updates, including faster cluster deployment, expanded ecosystem support, and contributions to the CNCF community.

If you’re looking to understand how VCF 9.1 improves developer experience, automation, and platform operations, this episode is a must-watch.

VMware Cloud Foundation 9.1 brings major updates across compute, storage, and networking, and in this episode, Pete and John sit down with Vijay, product lead for core infrastructure, to break it all down.

From smarter memory utilization to native object storage and improved cyber resilience, this conversation focuses on the features that directly impact how customers run and scale their environments. Vijay also shares how VCF 9.1 simplifies networking integration and helps bridge the gap between virtual and physical infrastructure.

If you’re looking to understand the core infrastructure innovations in VCF 9.1 and what they mean for real-world deployments, this episode delivers the highlights.

VMware Cloud Foundation 9.1 is here, and in this kickoff episode, Pete and John sit down with Paul Turner, VP of Products for VMware Cloud Foundation, to set the stage for what this release really means.

From rising hardware costs to the explosion of AI-driven applications, the data center is changing fast. Paul shares how VCF 9.1 is designed to address these shifts, helping organizations build an AI-ready platform that delivers efficiency, security, and operational simplicity.

The conversation covers the real challenges customers are facing today, including cost pressures, the need for automation, evolving security models, and the growing importance of Private AI. If you want the big-picture view of where infrastructure is headed and how VCF 9.1 fits in, this is the place to start.

What does it really take to migrate to VMware Cloud Foundation 9?

In this episode of Virtually Speaking, we sit down with a real customer to unpack their journey from a global vSphere environment to VMware Cloud Foundation 9. From early planning and architecture decisions to unexpected challenges and lessons learned along the way, this is a candid look at what a large-scale migration actually looks like in the real world.

We cover everything from consolidating global data centers and deploying VCF 5.2 to making the leap to VCF 9.0, including why features like simplified lifecycle management and Private AI played a key role in the decision.

If you’re planning a migration or just want to hear how others are approaching modernization with VCF, this episode is packed with practical insights you can apply right away.

What you’ll learn

Why planning is the most critical step in any VCF migration
How one financial institution approached global data center consolidation
The decision to upgrade to VCF 9.0 before workload migration
Lessons learned from automation, scope creep, and real-world execution
How Private AI and new platform capabilities are shaping infrastructure strategy

Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and follow Virtually Speaking for more conversations with customers, experts, and practitioners building modern private cloud environments with VMware Cloud Foundation.

We’re back with a recap episode from VMUG Connect Minneapolis, and this one is all about what actually matters on the ground.

Joined by Brad Tompkins, we break down key takeaways from the event, from rising hardware and memory costs to the real conversations happening between practitioners navigating security challenges and evolving infrastructure decisions.

What stood out most? The connection. Unlike massive conferences, VMUG Connect brings together a smaller, highly engaged community where real conversations happen. Whether it’s NSX rollouts, security strategies, or simply sharing lessons learned, this is where practitioners come to learn from each other.

We also dive into:

Flexibility in moving from vSphere 8 to 9 and into VCF at your own pace
Expanded hardware compatibility and what that means for upgrades
Practical security approaches that raise the bar without overcomplicating operations
Why smaller events like VMUG Connect create more meaningful engagement

Plus, we look ahead at upcoming VMUG Connect events in Toronto, Dallas, and Orlando, and what attendees can expect, including certifications, deeper technical sessions, and more time to actually connect.

If you’re thinking about your next move with VCF, or just want to hear what your peers are really saying, this is the episode for you.

In this episode, Pete Flecha and John Nicholson sat down with Dilpreet Bindra to break down some of the key announcements from KubeCon and what they mean for platform teams, Kubernetes operators, and the broader cloud native community. The conversation covered Broadcom’s continued investment in upstream Kubernetes, including the contribution of Velero to the CNCF as a sandbox project, and why that matters for disaster recovery and migration strategies. They also explored how projects like Cluster API and etcd are helping improve lifecycle management, reliability, scale, and operational consistency.

They dug into how VMware Kubernetes Service is benefiting from upstream alignment, faster adoption of new Kubernetes releases, improved pod density, deeper integration with virtualization, and the growing importance of intelligent placement as modern infrastructure evolves to include specialized hardware like GPUs. The episode also touched on how automation, multi cluster management, and Kubernetes based consumption APIs are helping platform engineers simplify operations across VMs, Kubernetes, data services, and AI services.

If you’re looking for a grounded conversation on where Kubernetes operations are headed and how enterprise platforms are evolving to make Kubernetes easier to run at scale, this is a great way to kick off our KubeCon 2026 recap series.

KubeCon 2026 is underway, and in this episode of Virtually Speaking, Pete Fletcher and Jad Elzein sit down with Himanshu Singh to break down some of the biggest announcements coming out of the show.

We cover Broadcom’s contribution of Project Valero to the CNCF Sandbox and why that matters for the future of Kubernetes backup, disaster recovery, and migration. The conversation also explores what it means to deepen VMware’s long standing commitment to the Kubernetes and CNCF community, and why community driven innovation matters for customers and partners alike.

We also discuss new VKS ecosystem partnerships with F5, Kong, and Tigera, along with the broader strategy of keeping VKS close to upstream Kubernetes while making it easier for platform teams to adopt the tools and architectures they already use.

If you are at KubeCon, stop by Booth 715 to connect with the team and see the latest demos and announcements in action.

KubeCon #Kubernetes #CNCF #Valero #VKS #PlatformEngineering #CloudNative #VirtuallySpeaking #VMwareCloudFoundation

KubeCon 2026 is officially underway, and we’re kicking things off in one of the most unique ways we’ve ever done - recording from a boat in the canals of Amsterdam 🇳🇱

In this kickoff episode of our Virtually Speaking KubeCon series, Pete, John, and Jad set the stage for the week ahead. From Platform Engineering Day to AI, GPUs, and Kubernetes at scale, there’s no shortage of innovation, learning, and community to dive into.

We talk about what we’re most excited for, the energy around the event, and what you can expect from our coverage throughout the week.

If you’re at KubeCon, come find us at booth 715. If you’re following along remotely, we’ve got you covered with interviews, insights, and conversations all week long.

Let’s get after it.

Artificial Intelligence is dominating every conversation in tech right now, but how much of it is real progress and how much is hype?

In this episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast, we sit down with industry analyst and cloud expert Dave Linthicum to take an honest look at the current state of AI adoption in the enterprise. From failed AI pilots and unrealistic expectations to the infrastructure, cost, and governance challenges that many organizations underestimate, Dave shares why so many AI initiatives struggle to deliver real business value.

Rather than focusing on the hype cycle, this conversation explores what it actually takes for enterprises to move from experimentation to production with AI. Dave also discusses the role of infrastructure teams, the risks organizations overlook when rushing into AI projects, and how companies can make smarter investments that deliver measurable outcomes.

If your organization is evaluating AI or already experimenting with it, this episode offers a practical reality check on what it takes to succeed.

Listen to more episodes of Virtually Speaking

Full playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8_k3uUCO39tAfMY__4iE8bIZg7wfO7SN&si=361xVOiuMF7EYzR6

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Website: https://vspeakingpodcast.com

Get ready for KubeCon + CloudNativeCon Europe 2026 in Amsterdam with this special preview episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast.

Pete Flecha, John Nicholson, Jad El-Zein, and Himanshu Singh break down what to expect from the event, why Broadcom’s presence at KubeCon matters, and how Kubernetes, platform engineering, open source, and AI are continuing to shape the future of infrastructure.

In this episode, we discuss:

What to expect from KubeCon 2026 in Amsterdam
Broadcom’s presence at booth 715
Platform Engineering Day and why it matters
Open source contributions across projects like etcd, Cluster API, Harbor, and Velero
The convergence of AI workloads and Kubernetes
Why Kubernetes is becoming increasingly important across modern infrastructure
How VMware by Broadcom is showing up in the cloud native ecosystem
What the Virtually Speaking team will be doing on-site during the event

We’ll also be recording interviews live from Amsterdam and connecting with engineers, partners, customers, and community members throughout the week.

If you’ll be at KubeCon, reach out. We’d love to connect.

KubeCon #CloudNativeCon #Kubernetes #PlatformEngineering #Broadcom #VMware #VCF #VirtuallySpeakingPodcast

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.

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.

Welcome to the first episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast's VMware Cloud Foundation 9 series! In this inaugural installment, hosts Pete Flecha and John Nicholson sit down with Paul Turner, Broadcom’s leader of VCF product management, to kick off an in-depth exploration of VMware Cloud Foundation 9. This series will dive deep into the platform's latest innovations, capabilities, and transformative potential for private cloud computing.

Key Highlights:

The rise of private cloud and its cost-efficiency compared to public cloud services
Sovereign cloud capabilities and regulatory compliance
Innovations in GPU as a service
Native support for VMs and Kubernetes in a single platform
Advances in storage (vSAN) with enhanced performance and resilience
Networking improvements with native VPC setup in vCenter
VMware's partnerships with hyperscalers and 500+ cloud service providers

Join us as we unpack the exciting developments in VCF 9 across multiple episodes.

VMware Cloud Foundation 9.0 is now Generally Available! For the next several days we will be releasing several episodes in our series titled Exploring VMware Cloud Foundation 9. This series takes you behind the scenes with the product experts, engineers, and visionaries driving the VCF 9 transformation. Whether you’re an infrastructure architect, IT leader, or just cloud-curious, these conversations offer real-world insights into how VMware Cloud Foundation 9 is modernizing private cloud infrastructure to support AI, automation, security, and much more. Enjoy!

In this episode of Virtually Speaking, we’re gearing up for Mobile World Congress 2025 with Paul Turner, VP of Products, and Anupama, Telco Lead for Product Marketing at Broadcom. We dive into Broadcom’s bold vision for the Telco Data Center, focusing on how simplification, unification, and automation are transforming network operations. With the theme “Your Telco Data Center. Simplified. Unified. Automated.”, Broadcom is set to showcase innovations that help Telcos accelerate service delivery, reduce costs, and stay ahead in a rapidly evolving market. Tune in to get a sneak peek at what’s coming at MWC 2025!

Private clouds are often misunderstood—seen as expensive, inflexible, and unable to scale like public cloud solutions. But are these perceptions accurate? In this episode of Virtually Speaking, cloud strategist David Linthicum joins us to challenge these misconceptions and explore how private cloud infrastructure has evolved.

David breaks down why businesses are taking a fresh look at private clouds, from improved scalability and cost efficiency to enhanced security and control. With rising public cloud costs, increasing regulatory demands, and the need for AI-ready infrastructure, private clouds are proving to be a powerful option for modern enterprises.

Join us as we uncover the true value of private clouds and how they are shaping the future of IT.

In this episode of Virtually Speaking, Pete and John are joined by Puneet Chawla and Michael McLaughlin from the VMware Cloud Foundation Division at Broadcom to explore the various workload migration paths to VMware Cloud Foundation. They dive into powerful migration tools like HCX, VMware Live Recovery, and the VCF Import Tool, breaking down their capabilities and ideal use cases. Whether you’re looking to streamline migrations, minimize downtime, or optimize your cloud strategy, this discussion provides valuable insights to help you determine the best approach for your environment. Tune in to learn how to make your move to VCF as seamless as possible!

In this episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast, we explore the fascinating origins of IT best practices with Cody Hosterman, Sr. Director of Product Management at Pure Storage. Cody shares insights on how many best practices were born out of real-world challenges—often solving for bugs and limitations that shaped today’s IT norms.

We’ll also highlight how VMware Cloud Foundation exemplifies the incorporation of best practices into a comprehensive, full-stack private cloud solution, offering a stable, scalable foundation for modern workloads.

Additionally, Cody discusses how Pure Storage is evolving these practices, embedding them into their fully managed service for Azure VMware Solution: Pure Storage Cloud for AVS. Learn how Pure delivers simplicity, performance, and scalability while redefining the best practices for hybrid cloud environments.

Tune in to hear the stories behind the standards and how VMware and Pure Storage are shaping the future of IT innovation!

In this episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast, Pete and John sit down with Kyle Gleed and Broc Yanda from Broadcom to discuss how to prepare your network for VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF). From understanding the essential network prerequisites to best practices for leveraging vDS, LAG, and NSX, they dive into the key steps to ensure a smooth VCF deployment. Whether you’re planning your first VCF deployment or looking to optimize an existing setup, this episode is packed with insights to help you succeed.

In this episode, Alex Mathews and David Cairns from Broadcom’s Value Added OEM Sales team join us to discuss the new agreements with Dell, HPE, and Lenovo under the Broadcom Advantage Program. Learn how these co-engineered partnerships are delivering VMware Cloud Foundation as the premier subscription-based private cloud solution, combining the agility of public cloud with the security and performance of private cloud. Discover how VAO partners create differentiated, turnkey solutions that accelerate digital transformation, streamline management, and provide a seamless, resilient private cloud experience for modern enterprises.

In this episode, we chat with Christian Mohn, Chief Technologist, and Stine Elise Larsen, Senior Datacenter Consultant at Proact IT Norge, about the evolving role of blogging in tech. Is blogging becoming a lost art in the age of video and social media? We explore why blogs are less common today, how new platforms have shifted content creation, and the enduring value of blogging for both readers and authors. Tune in to discover why this classic medium still holds a vital place in the tech community.

Managing storage costs can often feel like navigating in the dark. In this episode, we sit down with Tom Nagelmeyer, vSAN Product Marketing Engineer at Broadcom, to explore how VMware Cloud Foundation, VMware vSAN, and VMware vSAN Max bring transparency and control to storage expenses. Discover the latest tools and strategies to identify, measure, predict, and optimize storage costs, enabling organizations to lower expenses while maximizing efficiency. Don’t miss this deep dive into the future of cost-effective storage management!

In this episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast, we sit down with Christian Ferber, Solution Architect for Cloud Management at Broadcom, to explore how FinOps principles can transform financial management in VMware Cloud Foundation environments.

Christian shares how organizations can gain deeper visibility into their cloud spending using VMware Cloud Foundation features like cost drivers, reclaim, rate cards, showback, and chargebacks. We discuss practical strategies for visualizing, analyzing, and optimizing cloud costs to ensure efficient resource utilization and financial accountability.

Tune in to learn how FinOps in VMware Cloud Foundation can help you take control of your cloud finances and drive greater business value.

In this episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast, Yoomi Hong and Belu de Arbelaiz from VMware Cloud Foundation Product Marketing at Broadcom join us to explore VMware Live Recovery and the latest announcements from VMware Explore.

We delve into game-changing features like vSAN Local Recovery, which accelerates failback from VMware Cloud on AWS by up to 16x, and vSAN Remote Snapshot Replication, which enhances resilience with up to 200 immutable snapshots per VM. Additionally, we discuss the new On-Premises Isolated Recovery Environment (IRE), giving organizations the flexibility to safeguard critical workloads on-premises or in the cloud while ensuring data sovereignty and compliance.

Listen in to learn how VMware Live Recovery and these new innovations are redefining resilience for today’s IT environments.

In this episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast, we sit down with Dave Morera, Technical Marketing Architect, and Arvind Jagannath, Product Management Lead from Broadcom, to explore how VMware by Broadcom is addressing customer challenges like rising costs, underutilized CPUs, and unbalanced memory-CPU ratios.

We dive into the exciting tech preview of NVMe-based memory tiering, uncovering its potential to transform performance for workloads like databases and virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI). Drawing on VMware’s rich history of memory management expertise, including technologies like vSphere vMotion, Dave and Arvind share insights into the customer value proposition, real-world performance data, and how memory tiering can alleviate critical pain points for IT environments.

Don’t miss this in-depth look at a groundbreaking approach to optimizing memory and CPU utilization!

In this episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast, we’re joined by Marc van de Logt, Technical Architect at PQR, to explore the latest advancements in VMware NSX Security. We dive into VMware vDefend, including its integration with NSX Firewalling, NAPP deployment using Avi Loadbalancer, and cutting-edge tools like Security Intelligence, NTA, IDS/IPS, and NDR. Marc also introduces VMware’s Project Cypress and shares insights on how VMware vDefend supports organizations in implementing a robust zero trust architecture. Tune in to learn how these technologies can elevate your security strategy.

In this episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast, we chat with Johan van Amersfoort, Chief Evangelist at ITQ, about their groundbreaking proof-of-concept (POC) service for Private AI. This new offering is designed to help organizations quickly assess the potential of Private AI in their environments, leveraging VMware technology and NVIDIA AI frameworks. Johan shares how the POC service simplifies the journey from exploration to implementation, providing hands-on experience with AI workloads in a secure and scalable way. Discover how ITQ is helping businesses unlock the power of Private AI and accelerate their innovation.

In this episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast, we delve into the world of AI with Justin Murray, Product Marketing Engineer, and Frank Denneman, Chief Technologist for AI at Broadcom. We discuss retrieval augmented generation (RAG), a powerful approach that combines large language models with real-time, trusted data. Learn how RAG pipelines can be architected using Private AI Foundation with NVIDIA, including insights into key components like LLMs, NVIDIA Inference Microservices, and Vector DB. We also explore best practices for GPU sizing and when to use fractional or multiple GPUs for optimal performance. Join us for this fascinating conversation!

In this episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast, we sit down with Mark Chuang, Head of VCF Product Marketing at Broadcom, to unpack the groundbreaking announcements from VMware Explore Barcelona. Mark delves into updates on VMware Cloud Foundation, including expanded integrations with DPUs, enhancements for AI/ML workloads, and advancements in multi-cloud management. We also explore the latest in vSAN Max, cost-optimization features, and security innovations like lateral protection with vDefend. This episode is packed with insights into how VMware continues to drive innovation for modern IT infrastructures. Don’t miss it!

VMUG is an independent, global, customer-led organization, created to maximize members’ use of VMware and partner solutions through knowledge sharing, training, collaboration, and events.

In a new exclusive benefit to VMware User Group (VMUG) members, Broadcom will provide VMUG Advantage subscribers a 50% discount on VMware Certified Professional (VCP) and VMware Certified Advanced Professional (VCAP) certification exams. Upon successful completion of a VMware Cloud Foundation certification exam (VCP or VCAP), VMUG Advantage members will have access to a free personal use VMware Cloud Foundation license for up to three years.

On this episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast, VMUG Executive Director Brad Tompkins walks us through these exciting changes for the VMware Community.

In this episode, we talk with Darin Zook, TNZ Product Marketing Engineer, and Keith Lee, TNZ Technical Marketing Architect at Broadcom, about the growing trend of application repatriation from the public cloud. Discover how VMware Cloud Foundation and VMware Tanzu Platform work together to create a powerful private cloud solution that balances cost, security, and governance for both containerized and traditional VM workloads. We also explore how this approach meets the speed and simplicity demands of modern app developers, helping businesses redefine their cloud strategy for success. Tune in for actionable insights into building a future-proof private cloud!

In this episode, we sit down with Guy Bartram, Senior Manager of Product Marketing at Broadcom, to discuss the critical importance of adopting a sovereign cloud strategy in today’s data-driven world. With increasing regulations and heightened concerns around data protection, Guy explains how VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) empowers businesses to meet stringent data sovereignty requirements. Discover how VCF’s locally built, jurisdictionally controlled, and locally operated approach provides unparalleled security, compliance, and flexibility—all while driving innovation. Tune in to learn why a VMware-powered sovereign cloud is the key to a future-proof cloud strategy!

In this episode, we’re joined by Dave Morera from VCF Technical Marketing at Broadcom and Motti Beck from NVIDIA Corporation to explore how data processing units (DPUs) are transforming private cloud infrastructure. Inspired by hyperscaler advancements, DPUs are enabling greater scale and enhanced security for VMware Cloud Foundation environments—without increasing operational complexity. We also take a closer look at the United States Senate Federal Credit Union’s journey, showcasing how they leveraged DPUs and VMware NSX to achieve scalability and strengthen their security posture. Don’t miss this deep dive into the future of private cloud architecture!

In this episode, we spotlight Groupe BPCE, one of France’s largest banking groups, and their transformative journey with VMware Aria Operations. Discover how BPCE-IT modernized their monitoring strategy, reducing incident volume and backlog while enhancing precision. We dive into the creation of their resilient, multi-site VMware Aria Operations environment, built to withstand disaster recovery scenarios. Hear directly from the experts about the challenges they faced and the solutions that led to success. If you’re looking to elevate your infrastructure monitoring, this episode is packed with actionable insights and inspiration!

In this episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast, we sit down with Keith Tudge from Chelsea and Westminster NHS Foundation Trust and Director of VCF Product Marketing, Rick Walsworth to discuss how healthcare organizations across Europe are navigating the challenges and opportunities of private cloud modernization. We dive into the technologies and market trends shaping this transformation, and discuss how VMware Cloud Foundation and VMware Private AI Foundation with NVIDIA are driving innovation while meeting critical privacy and security goals. If you’re interested in the future of healthcare IT, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss!

In this episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast, hosts Pete Flecha and John Nicholson dive into a special preview of VMware Explore Barcelona. Joined by an expert panel of guests, they discuss exciting sessions, major announcements, and must-see attractions at this year’s event. Whether you’re attending in person or tuning in virtually, this episode is packed with insights to help you make the most of VMware Explore Barcelona. Don’t miss it!

In this episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast, we catch up with William Lam from VMware by Broadcom to recap VMware Explore 2024 in Las Vegas. William breaks down exciting announcements, including advancements in VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF), the introduction of the Private Cloud Modernization Program, and new AI/ML integrations. He explains how VCF 9 simplifies cloud operations through automation, resource optimization, and enhanced support for advanced workloads like AI. We also discuss how businesses can leverage VCF Import to modernize their private cloud environments without the need for a complete overhaul.

Links Mentioned* Watch the VCF Keynote * Session: Adventures in VMware Home Labs * Playlist: VMware Explore Las Vegas 2024

The Virtually Speaking PodcastThe 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 this episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast, we are joined by Belu De Arbelaiz and Jatin Jindal from VMware by Broadcom to discuss strategies for building a cyber resilient private cloud. They dive into the growing threat of ransomware and explain how VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) offers a robust defense through built-in security features. Additionally, they highlight VMware Live Recovery, an add-on to VCF that enables rapid recovery from ransomware attacks, helping organizations bounce back quickly with minimal disruption. Don’t miss this insightful conversation on how to safeguard your private cloud against modern cyber threats.

Links Mentioned* Session: 5 New and Exciting Things About VMware Live Recovery * Session: New Innovations in Ransomware Detection for VMware Cloud Foundation * Session: 3 Cornerstones to Enable a Cyber-Resilient Private Cloud * Playlist: VMware Explore Las Vegas 2024

The Virtually Speaking PodcastThe 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.

n this episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast, we speak with Saadat Malik, VP and General Manager of VMware by Broadcom, about the rapidly evolving world of Edge Computing. Saadat dives into how the shift towards the edge is transforming industries, the challenges and opportunities it presents, and VMware’s role in enabling secure, scalable, and efficient edge solutions. Whether you're an edge computing veteran or just starting to explore its potential, this conversation highlights the key trends shaping the future of distributed computing.

Links Mentioned* Session: Gain an Edge with VMware Edge Compute Stack: What's New? What's Next? * Playlist: VMware Explore Las Vegas 2024

The Virtually Speaking PodcastThe 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 this episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast, we sit down with Bhanu Vemula, Director of Product Marketing at VMware by Broadcom's ANS Division, to explore the latest advancements in lateral security with VMware vDefend. Available as an add-on to VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF), vDefend enhances the security of VCF environments by preventing east-west threats, securing internal traffic, and strengthening overall data center protection. Bhanu explains how this solution integrates with VCF to provide an additional layer of defense, ensuring workloads remain secure in today’s dynamic IT environments.

Links Mentioned* Introducing VMware Cloud Foundation 9 * Session: The Conman of the Digital Era — Ransomware * Session: 3 Cornerstones to Enable a Cyber-Resilient Private Cloud * Playlist: VMware Explore Las Vegas 2024

The Virtually Speaking PodcastThe 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 this episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast, we’re joined by Brad Tompkins, Executive Director of VMUG, to explore the power of the VMware community and the benefits of the VMUG Advantage program. Brad shares how VMUG serves as a valuable resource for IT professionals, offering networking opportunities, technical education, and career development tools. We also dive into the importance of community in the tech world—how engaging with like-minded peers helps IT professionals grow their skills, stay updated on industry trends, and advance their careers.

Links Mentioned * VMware User Group VMUG * Session: How to Succeed in Business with Communities and Advocacy * Playlist: VMware Explore Las Vegas 2024

The Virtually Speaking PodcastThe 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 this episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast, we speak with Vijay Ramachandran, Head of Products for VCF Core Storage at VMware by Broadcom, about the future of VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) and its evolving role in supporting AI workloads. Vijay breaks down how VCF aggregates core infrastructure components—storage, compute, networking, and management—into a single, cohesive platform. This integration is crucial for efficiently managing and scaling the data-hungry demands of AI applications, empowering organizations to run advanced workloads with ease and flexibility as they navigate the future of IT infrastructure.

Links Mentioned* Introducing VMware Cloud Foundation 9 * Session: Charting the Future of Core VMware Cloud Foundation Infrastructure * Playlist: VMware Explore Las Vegas 2024

The Virtually Speaking PodcastThe 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 this episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast, we’re joined by Joe Weiner and Cary Tompkins from SS&C to explore how they’ve automated VMware Site Recovery Manager (SRM) to deliver Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) to their internal customers. By automating SRM workflows, SS&C has been able to offer a self-service model that allows teams to manage disaster recovery without constant support intervention. This approach not only improves operational efficiency but also ensures faster, more reliable recovery processes, reducing downtime and simplifying the overall disaster recovery experience.

Links Mentioned* Introducing VMware Cloud Foundation 9 * Session: Designing and Implementing Disaster Recovery and Ransomware Recovery for VMware Cloud Foundation * Playlist: VMware Explore Las Vegas 2024

The Virtually Speaking PodcastThe 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 this episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast, we’re joined by Paul Lembo, CTO at VMware by Broadcom, to discuss how bringing all internal product teams under one organization has strengthened VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF). By aligning the teams on common goals, VCF has evolved into a more cohesive platform, enhancing integration, streamlining updates, and improving overall stability. Paul also shares insights from his daily conversations with customers, who often ask how changes since the acquisition will impact VMware’s product offerings. Tune in to hear how this new approach is driving innovation and delivering a more reliable cloud platform.

Links Mentioned* Introducing VMware Cloud Foundation 9 * Session: 3 Transformations for the Smarter Way to Cloud * Playlist: VMware Explore Las Vegas 2024

The Virtually Speaking PodcastThe 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 this episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast, we chat with Glenn Sizemore from VMware by Broadcom about the VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) Import feature. VCF Import simplifies the process of bringing existing infrastructure under VCF management, enabling faster adoption and reducing the complexity of migrating to a cloud-first model. We explore how it streamlines deployment, improves operational efficiency, and provides seamless integration with existing tools and resources, ultimately allowing organizations to accelerate their digital transformation with minimal disruption.

Links Mentioned* Introducing VMware Cloud Foundation 9 * Session: Deep Dive: Methods and Best Practices for Migrating to VCF * Playlist: VMware Explore Las Vegas 2024

The Virtually Speaking PodcastThe 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 this episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast, we talk with Prashanth Gandhi, Head of Products for the ANS division at VMware by Broadcom, about the AVI Load Balancer. Prashanth shares how AVI simplifies application delivery by offering advanced load balancing, automation, and analytics. With its software-defined architecture, AVI provides real-time insights, elastic scaling, and simplified management, enabling organizations to optimize performance and ensure high availability for their applications across hybrid and multi-cloud environments. Tune in to discover how AVI is revolutionizing load balancing with its modern, flexible approach.

Links Mentioned* Introducing VMware Cloud Foundation 9 * Session: Deploying Avi Load Balancer * Playlist: VMware Explore Las Vegas 2024

The Virtually Speaking PodcastThe 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 this episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast, we’re joined by Victoria Gimma, Principal Cloud Architect at VMware by Broadcom, to explore the evolution from the Software-Defined Data Center (SDDC) to VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF). Victoria highlights how VCF provides customers with everything they need to run their own fully integrated cloud environment—complete with automation, lifecycle management, and intrinsic security. By consolidating compute, storage, networking, and security into a unified platform, VCF simplifies cloud operations, allowing organizations to seamlessly deploy, maintain, and scale their infrastructure with ease.

Links Mentioned* Introducing VMware Cloud Foundation 9 * Session: Demystifying DPUs and GPUs on VCF * Playlist: VMware Explore Las Vegas 2024

The Virtually Speaking PodcastThe 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 this episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast, we’re joined by Christos Karamanolis, Fellow at VMware by Broadcom, to discuss how VMware Cloud Foundation is accelerating data-driven innovation. Christos dives into the powerful capabilities of VMware’s Data Services Manager (DSM), a tool designed to simplify database lifecycle management. DSM automates tasks such as provisioning, scaling, patching, and backup across a wide range of databases, making it easier for organizations to manage complex data environments. Tune in to learn how DSM is helping enterprises streamline their operations, reduce complexity, and fuel innovation with data-driven insights.

Links Mentioned* Introducing VMware Cloud Foundation 9 * Session: Accelerating App Innovation with VMware Cloud Foundation Data Services * Playlist: VMware Explore Las Vegas 2024

The Virtually Speaking PodcastThe 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 this episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast, we’re joined by Mark Huppert, Principal Consultant at Computacenter, affectionately known as the 'HomeLab King' due to his impressive and extensive VMware home lab setup. We discuss the evolution of home labs, how they’ve become essential for hands-on learning and testing, and how Mark’s home lab has played a pivotal role in his career progression. Tune in to hear insights on how home labs can sharpen technical skills, accelerate learning, and open doors to new career opportunities in the tech industry.

Links Mentioned* Introducing VMware Cloud Foundation 9 * Session: Adventures in VMware HomeLabs * Playlist: VMware Explore Las Vegas 2024

The Virtually Speaking PodcastThe 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 this episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast, we’re joined by Dave Morera from VMware by Broadcom to explore the transformative role of accelerators like DPUs and GPUs in VMware Cloud Foundation. We discuss how DPUs offload critical tasks such as networking, security, and storage processing, freeing up the CPU to handle more essential workloads. Additionally, GPUs are increasingly vital for accelerating AI, machine learning, and graphical workloads. These technologies not only boost host performance but also improve workload isolation, enhance security, and optimize resource efficiency, making VCF deployments more scalable and future-proof.

Links Mentioned* Introducing VMware Cloud Foundation 9 * Session: Demystifying DPUs and GPUs on VCF * Playlist: VMware Explore Las Vegas 2024

The Virtually Speaking PodcastThe 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 this episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast, we sit down with Rodney Barnhart, a seasoned system administrator from Charlotte Pipe and Foundry, to discuss his recent experience upgrading VMware Cloud Foundation. Rodney shares insights into the challenges and successes of the upgrade process, along with best practices that can help other organizations looking to make the leap. Whether you're planning a similar upgrade or just curious about the latest in VMware Cloud Foundation, this conversation is packed with valuable takeaways.

Links Mentioned* Introducing VMware Cloud Foundation 9 * Playlist: VMware Explore Las Vegas 2024

The Virtually Speaking PodcastThe 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

VMware by Broadcom is looking closely at customer pain points such as higher costs, underutilized CPUs, and unbalanced memory-CPU ratios. Memory tiering is used to mitigate these pain points while using expertise in memory management with prior technologies like VMware vSphere vMotion. On this episode of The Virtually Speaking Podcast we welcome Virtualization A&E Manager at SS&C Technologies Inc, Brandon Frost to discuss the introduction of Memory Tiering as a tech preview for VMware Cloud Foundation 9.

Links Mentioned* Memory Tiering: Power Your Server Infrastructure with Memory Innovations * Playlist: VMware Explore Las Vegas 2024

The Virtually Speaking PodcastThe 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

On this episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast Product Marketing Engineer and vSAN expert Pete Koehler joins us to share the common questions he receives on VMware vSAN and storage for VMware Cloud Foundation.

Links Mentioned* VMware vSAN ESA Deep Dive: Your Storage Platform for VMware Cloud Foundation * Playlist: VMware Explore Las Vegas 2024

The Virtually Speaking PodcastThe 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

On this episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast, we’re joined by Dilpreet Bindra, Senior Director of Engineering at Broadcom. As a leader of the VCF Workload Organization, Dilpreet drives the delivery of runtime platforms and automation essential for workloads and clouds. In this episode, Dilpreet discusses his extensive experience with key VMware technologies like ESXi, the kernel, vMotion, Storage vMotion, vCenter, and more. He also explains how VMware by Broadcom enhances the cloud-like experience, enabling customers to deliver greater value for their businesses. Additionally, Dilpreet shares insights into how Private AI empowers VMware by Broadcom to offer a new class of workloads, maintaining the simplicity and resource management principles that VMware was built upon.

Links Mentioned* Private AI and Advanced Services on VCF: What's Next? * Playlist: VMware Explore Las Vegas 2024

The Virtually Speaking PodcastThe 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

It has only been a couple of months since the launch of the new Broadcom Value-Added OEM (VAO) program with key partners. Since then, Broadcom has made a tremendous amount of progress. The full line-up of Authorized VAO partners in the Broadcom Advantage Program include Dell Technologies, Hewlett-Packard Enterprise (HPE), Lenovo, Hitachi Vantara LLC, Hitachi, Ltd., Fujitsu/Fsas Technologies Inc. and NEC Corporation.

Last week at Explore Las Vegas 2024, VMware By broadcom announced the following VMware co-engineered solutions from Broadcom’s Value-Added OEM partners are available:

VMware Cloud Foundation on Dell VxRail
HPE GreenLake for VMware Cloud Foundation
Lenovo ThinkAgileVX Series with VMware Cloud Foundation
Hitachi Unified Compute Platform RS, powered by VMware Cloud Foundation

On this episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast we welcome GM of Global OEM Sales, Ricky Cooper, and OEM Technology Solutions Sales lead, Dave McGraw to discuss VAO program and these new co-engineered solutions.

Links Mentioned* VMware Co-Engineered Solutions Accelerate Customers’ Path to Private Cloud * VMware Cloud Foundation on Dell VxRail (read more here) * HPE GreenLake for VMware Cloud Foundation (read more here) * Lenovo ThinkAgileVX Series with VMware Cloud Foundation (see announcement here) * Hitachi Unified Compute Platform RS, powered by VMware Cloud Foundation (see announcement here)

The Virtually Speaking PodcastThe 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

At VMware Explore 2024 in Las Vegas, VMware Cloud Foundation 9 was introduced – a significant leap forward that will streamline the transition from siloed IT environments to a unified, integrated private cloud platform. On this episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast Head of VCF Platform Engineering, Anu Kirpekar shares how VMware Cloud Foundation 9 will make the deployment, consumption, and management of a secure and cost-effective private cloud faster and easier than ever before.

Links Mentioned* Introducing VMware Cloud Foundation 9 * VCF Keynote: 3 transformation for the Smarter Way to Cloud * Video Playlist: VCF Interviews at Explore Las Vegas

The Virtually Speaking PodcastThe 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

On this episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast we welcome Chris Wolf, Global Head of AI and Advanced Services, VMware Cloud Foundation Division, Broadcom to discuss Private AI and what has changed since the announcement last year.

The Virtually Speaking PodcastThe 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

On this episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast we talk to Vice President of Products for the VMware Cloud Foundation Division, Paul Turner. Paul shares how “VCF is more than just a technology upgrade. VCF is a strategic choice for you to deliver a cloud experience to your business an agile cloud experience, but with the privacy controls, the security and the resilience that you need from a platform for your applications. We have overcome our silos so that you can overcome yours.”

The Virtually Speaking PodcastThe 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

On this episode of the Virtually Speaking podcast we welcome Senior Vice President and General Manager of the VMware Cloud Foundation Division Krish Prasad to share how VMware Cloud Foundation 9 will deliver a unified platform that simplifies the Deployment, Consumption and Operations of a Secure, Cost-effective Private Cloud.

Links Mentioned* Three Transformations for the Smarter Way to Cloud * Release Notes VMware Cloud Foundation * Launch Blog * Datasheet

The Virtually Speaking PodcastThe 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

VMware Cloud Foundation 5.2 and VMware vSphere Foundation 5.2 have become generally available and are ready for deployment. This release marks the first major simultaneous release of all key components of the VMware stack. On this episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast Pete and John welcome Director of VCF Product Marketing, Rick Walsworth to discuss the details of this release.

Links Mentioned* Release Notes * Launch Blog * Datasheet

The Virtually Speaking PodcastThe 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

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 PodcastThe 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 PodcastThe 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 PodcastThe 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 PodcastThe 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 PodcastThe 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 PodcastThe 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 PodcastThe 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

VMware vSphere Foundation is the enterprise workload engine with intelligent operations for optimizing IT infrastructure in organizations of all sizes. It boosts operational efficiency, supercharges workload performance, elevates security, and accelerates innovation for your business. This week VMware by Broadcom announced VMware vSphere Foundation 5.2. This week on the Virtually Speaking Podcast we welcome Himanshu Singh and Harshad Kolte to discuss the details of this latest release.

Links Mentioned:* VCF Landing Page * Announcing VMware vSphere Foundation 5.2 * VCF Webinars * VCF YouTube Page * Virtually Speaking YouTube Page * Virtually Speaking Podcast

The Virtually Speaking PodcastThe 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

Welcome to a special 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 3, titled "The Cloud Admin Journey," Pete and John are again joined by Kyle Gleed and Heath Johnson from VCF Technical Marketing. This episode is dedicated to explaining the operations involved for day 0, day 1, and day 2. Kyle and Heath detail everything a cloud administrator needs to consider, from initial deployment and lifecycle management to ongoing daily operations. They provide insights and best practices to help streamline and optimize the management of VCF environments. Whether you're just getting started with VCF or looking to enhance your existing operations, this episode offers valuable guidance for cloud administrators at every stage. Tune in to learn how to effectively manage your VCF infrastructure and ensure smooth, efficient operations.

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 PodcastThe 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

Welcome to a special 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 2, aptly titled "What’s Inside?", Pete and John are joined by Kyle Gleed and Heath Johnson from VCF Technical Marketing. This episode delves into a comprehensive exploration of the myriad components and add-ons encompassed within VMware Cloud Foundation. Heath and Kyle expertly navigate us through the realms of compute, storage, networking, automation, and lifecycle management, offering administrators invaluable insights and a roadmap to embark on their VCF journey.

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 Serries* 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 PodcastThe 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.

Welcome to a special 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 this kickoff episode titled "Inside the Private Cloud," Pete and John sit down with VP of Product Management, Paul Turner, and Director of Product Marketing, Rick Walsworth. Paul discusses the vision for VMware Cloud Foundation following VMware's acquisition by Broadcom, emphasizing how VCF is a key focus of the acquisition. Rick provides a comprehensive overview of VCF's features, highlighting how they streamline the deployment and management of cloud infrastructure. This episode serves as an essential introduction to the series, offering a clear understanding of what VCF is and the value it brings to modern cloud strategies. Don't miss this foundational discussion as we embark on our journey through 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

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 PodcastThe 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 this episode of Virtually Speaking, Pete and John dive deep into the transformative impact of Data Processing Units (DPUs) on virtual infrastructure with special guest Dave Morera from vSphere Technical Marketing. They explore how vSphere Distributed Services Engine leverages DPUs to modernize infrastructure by offloading critical functions from the CPU. This advancement enables significant resource savings, accelerated networking, and enhanced workload security. Dave explains how the integration of DPU lifecycle management into vSphere simplifies operations, reduces the need for third-party tools, and strengthens security with agentless controls. Tune in to learn how DPUs are enhancing performance, improving workload consolidation, and reducing total cost of ownership while simplifying infrastructure management and boosting security.

In the latest episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast, Pete and John dive deep into the world of desktop hypervisors with special guest Michael Roy. The discussion takes us on a journey through the history of desktop hypervisors, exploring their various use cases and shedding light on recent changes in licensing following Broadcom's acquisition of VMware.Desktop hypervisors, notably VMware Fusion and Workstation, have revolutionized the way we approach virtualization on personal computers. These powerful tools enable users to run multiple operating systems simultaneously on a single machine, opening up a world of possibilities for developers, IT professionals, and enthusiasts alike.During this episode Michael Roy delves into the myriad use cases for desktop hypervisors, highlighting their importance in software development, testing, and education. We explore how these tools have become indispensable for developers seeking to test their applications across different environments, as well as for IT professionals managing complex systems.

In this episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast, Pete and John sat down with Chen Wei, the creator of HCIBench, from VMware by Broadcom. HCIBench streamlines HCI benchmarking, simplifying a once-complex process.

Chen Wei shared HCIBench's journey, emphasizing its user-friendly interface, which caters to both novices and experts. We explored its technical architecture and discussed key metrics like throughput and latency crucial for assessing HCI performance accurately.

Our conversation also touched on HCIBench's collaborative development model, driven by user feedback and community contributions. Looking ahead, Chen discussed upcoming features and the tool's evolving role in the HCI industry.

Tune in to gain insights into HCI benchmarking and discover how HCIBench is shaping the future of infrastructure optimization.

Links Mentioned:* Download HCIBench - https://via.vmware.com/hcibench * Blog: How do I Identify if I have bad performance * Reference Architectures - https://core.vmware.com/reference-architectures

The Virtually Speaking PodcastThe Virtually Speaking Podcast is a technical podcast dedicated to discussing VMware topics related to storage and availability. In each episode, Pete Flecha and John Nicholson bring in various subject matter experts from VMware and 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 @VirtSpeaking

Last week VMware by Broadcom announced the general availability of VMware Live Recovery, an innovative solution that delivers unmatched cyber and data resiliency for VMware Cloud Foundation environments. VMware Live Recovery is the industry’s first solution that combines enterprise-grade disaster recovery with purpose-built cyber recovery in a single management experience across clouds. On this episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast Pete and John welcome Mike McLaughlin and Cato Grace to discuss the details of this new solution.

There are two new tools to help understand and calculate the required subscription capacity for the new VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) and VMware vSphere Foundation (VVF) offerings, which are licensed based on physical CPU Cores for compute and total raw physical storage (TiBs) for vSAN. On this episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast Pete and John welcome William Lam to discuss the details of these new scripts and how demonstrates with a live demo.

Links Mentioned * WilliamLam.com * VMware KB 95927 - Counting Cores for VMware Cloud Foundation and vSphere Foundation and TiBs for vSAN * VMware KB 96426 - License Calculator for VMware Cloud Foundation, VMware vSphere Foundation and VMware vSAN

The Virtually Speaking Podcast is venturing into the world of live streaming. On this mini episode, Pete and John discuss the new Apple Vision Pro and promote our upcoming Live Stream with William Lam this Friday at 1:00 EST. Enjoy!

On this episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast Pete and John welcome Glenn Sizemore to share the details of VMC on AWS SDDC Version 1.24.

This week VMware announced the latest release of VMware Data Services Manager (DSM), version 2.0. DSM enables the provisioning of data services (e.g., databases, object stores) on vSphere infrastructure. This release builds on earlier versions of VMware Data Services Manager 1.x, but also extends the product.

On this episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast Cormac Hogan shares the details of this new release.

VMware Explore Barcelona was filled with innovation, tech previews, and releases from the VMware Cloud team. The announcements included new partnerships for VMware Private AI, proactive detection capabilities in Ransomware Recovery, and advanced data service capabilities and new partnerships with Data Services Manager. The common denominator of all of these is VMware Cloud Foundation.

On this episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast Pete and John welcome VP of Product Marketing Prashanth Shenoy to discuss how VMware Cloud Foundation enables customers to simply operations and deliver consistent experiences across clouds.

This week at VMware Explore Barcelona, VMware unveiled several new and expanded partnerships that further demonstrate VMware’s Private AI momentum. Private AI is an architectural approach that aims to balance the business gains from AI with the practical privacy and compliance needs of the organization.

On this episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast Pete and John speak with Chief Research and Innovation Officer Chris Wolfe about VMware’s Private AI momentum.

If you're familiar with VMware technology, chances are you'ver heard of the VMware User Group (VMUG). VMUG is where the VMware community goes to connect, collaborate, and network with fellow VMware users through education opportunities, trainings, and events.

On this episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast Pete and John speak to VMUG Technologist and Community Connector, Brad Tompkins about the latest updates for VMUG and VMUG Advantage. Read more

Building upon the successful rollout of VMware Cloud Foundation 5.0, VMware is pleased to announce availability of VMware Cloud Foundation 5.1* delivering key enhancements across storage, networking, compute and lifecycle management to enable customers to scale their private cloud environments and improve resiliency.

On this episode of The Virtually Speaking Podcast Pete and John talk to Director of Product Marketing, Rick Walsworth about the details of this new release.

On this episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast Pete and John speak with VMware CTO, Kit Colbert about how generative AI can help create a culture of engineering efficiency within organizations.

VMware unveils a technology preview of Cybersecure Storage, which will shorten recovery times by integrating VMware Ransomware Recovery’s workflow with native vSAN snapshots to deliver delta-based transfer optimizations. Customers can also benefit from simplified operations with auto-replication to cloud and the capability to auto-identify best baseline snapshots to recover from.

On this episode of The Virtually Speaking Podcast Pete and John speak with VP of Product Management Vijay Ramachandran and Sr Director of Product Management Rakesh Radhakrishnan about this tech preview of Cybersecure Storage, built on top of vSAN Express Storage Architecture.

This week at Explore Barcelona, VMware announced new innovations and technology partnerships that will help accelerate sovereign digital innovation and enhance security for customers around the world.

On this episode of The Virtually Speaking Podcast, VP of Engineering Anu Kirpekar discusses a few of the key announcements including VMware Cloud Foundation 5.1 and Data Services Manager.

Generative AI is one of the biggest trends that will transform enterprises in the next decade. The applications are diverse, including content creation, code generation, IT operations automation, and sophisticated chatbots for data generation.

On this episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast Pete and John talk to Senior VP of the Cloud Infrastructure Business Group Krish Prasad how VMware is democratizing generative AI and igniting innovation for all enterprises.

This week at Explore Barcelona, VMware introduced groundbreaking enhancements to VMware Cloud DR and VMware Ransomware Recovery including Intelligent Threat Detection and VMware Live Recovery.

On this episode of The Virtually Speaking Podcast Pete and John welcome Sr Director of Product Marketing Mark Chaung and Sr Director of Product Management Amit Sinha to discuss the details of these new features.

vSphere 8 Update 2 introduces several significant announcements to vVols such as new VASA specs, better performance and resilience, enhanced certificate management, and support for NVMeoF. On this episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast Pete and John welcome Jason Massae and Sudhir Balasubramanian to discuss the details of this release.

Pete Koehler is a Staff Technical Marketing Architect at VMware with a primary focus on vSAN. In addition to being our resident expert on Virtually Speaking, Pete spends his time creating technical vSAN content such as design and sizing, operations, performance, troubleshooting and integration with other products and platforms.

On this episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast Pete (Flecha) and John welcome Pete (Koehler) to share the top 5 vSAN questions he's heard from customers about vSAN this week at VMware Explore Barcelona.

The vSAN Express Storage Architecture (ESA) is an optional, alternative architecture in VMware vSAN 8 that’s designed to achieve all-new levels of efficiency, scalability and performance. It features a single-tier architecture optimized for high-performance NVMe-based TLC flash devices for both on-premises environments and hyperscale public clouds. Johannes Weidacher, an IT Specialist for Storage and Datacenter Virtualization is one of the many vSAN customers who recently discovered the performance, capacity and security improvements of vSAN ESA.

On this episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast, Pete and John speak to Johannes about his recent experience moving from vSAN OSA to ESA.

On this kick off episode of our VMware Explore Barcelona coverage, Pete and John discuss the event, sessions and activities planned for the week.

VMware Explore is VMware's flagship event for all things multi-cloud and the most anticipated event in the virtualization and cloud computing industry. This week on the Virtually Speaking Podcast Pete and John preview Explore Barcelona and give a sneak peek into some of the content you can expect to see in the coming days. Read more

On this episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast Pete and John welcome Matt Mancini to discuss a Homelab project he orchestrated, putting dozens of Intel Optane drives in the hands of the VMware vExpert Community to use in their home labs.

Watch the video of this episodeWatch all VMware Explore Recap episodes

Last month at VMware Explore Las Vegas, VMware announced the latest updates to vSphere 8. This includes not only Version 8 Update 2 of VMware's enterprise workload platform, but also includes a new cloud service to which users of vSphere+ will soon have access. These updates will help enhance the operational efficiencies of 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.

On this episode of The Virtually Speaking Podcast Pete and John welcome vSphere Senior Technical Marketing Architect, Féidhlim O'Leary to walk through the details of this release. Read more

For more than a decade, Pure Storage has been a VMware Technology Alliance Partner, collaborating with VMware to help customers realize the greatest value from their virtual infrastructure and underlying hardware.

This year at VMware Explore Las Vegas, Pure Storage is introducing Azure VMware Solution Powered by Pure Cloud Block Store. Cloud Block Store is a software-only block storage offering in the public cloud. It combines enterprise-grade data services from Purity Operating Environment with Azure storage. On this episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast Pete and John speak to Pure Storage Sr. Director of Product Management, Cody Hosterman about this new announcement, vVols, and much more.

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Technology is a crucial component of operations at New Belgium Brewing, the 4th largest craft brewer in the US. On this episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast, Pete and John welcome New Belgium Brewing Head of Enterprise Security, Adam Little to discuss how they use VMware vSAN in their operations.

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Veeam and VMware are long-time strategic partners, bringing the power of 24/7/365 availability to virtualized environments. On this episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast, Pete and John catch up with Veeam Regional CTO APJ, Anthony Spiteri and get a sneak peek into Veeam Data Platform v12a.

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At VMware Explore Las Vegas, VMware announced the tech preview of new generative-AI assisted capabilities that can reduce the complexity associated with managing multi-cloud environments. VMware Tanzu Hub with Intelligent Assist is a large language model capability that enables you to complete management tasks (such as those mentioned above) in less time with reduced friction that is often associated with these tasks. These capabilities will enable searching and exploring all of the resources across your environment and will later expand to more complex use cases such as generating and executing infrastructure as code based on your requirements.

On this episode of The Virtually Speaking Podcast, Pete and John speak with Technology Director, Jad El-Zein about VMware Tanzu Hub with Intelligent Assist and AI in the cloud.

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What if you could go beyond just extending your VMware environment to AWS? What if you could integrate VMware Cloud on AWS with AWS native services to improve your cloud performance, reduce costs, and unlock even more value?

On this episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast Pete and John welcome Osama Masfary and Hitendar Sethi to share the latest announcements for VMware Cloud on AWS and discuss this how customers are leveraging the service to achieve their business objectives.

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With VMware Cloud, customers can choose the best cloud environment for their ever-evolving business and application needs because VMware’s multi-cloud architecture is extensible to a broad range of cloud endpoints. Case in point, Equinix Metal in prime metro locations around the world!

This year at Explore Las Vegas 2023, VMware announced that VMware Cloud on Equinix Metal (VMCE) is available as an Early Access Release.

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This week at VMware Explore Las Vegas, there was no shortage of exciting announcements, including VMware Private AI, vSAN Max, and NSX+ just to name a few. Interestingly, VMware Cloud Foundation is literally at the foundation of them all.

On this episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast, Pete and John welcome Vice President of Engineering, Anu Kirpekar to share how VCF 5.0 provides reduced upgrade times, increased speed of operations, and greater scale.

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Most ransomware attacks now employ fileless techniques that cannot be detected by scanning idle backups, posing a major threat to organizations. VMware Ransomware Recovery is an award-winning VMware Cloud service available today designed to recover from fileless attacks using behavioral analysis of powered-on VMs in cloud-based isolated recovery environments (IREs).

On this episode of The Virtually Speaking Podcast Pete and John speak with Belu De Arbelaiz and Yoomi Hong of VMware Product Marketing, to get all the updates for VCDR and VMware Ransomeware Recovery.

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At VMware Explore 2023 VMware announced the launch of VMware Private AI. This architectural approach for AI services enables privacy and control of corporate data, choice of open source and commercial AI solutions, quick time-to-value, and integrated security and management.

On this episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast Pete and John Speak to Himashu Singh and Shobhit Bhutani about this announcement of VMware Private AI and VMware Private AI Foundation with NVIDIA.

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On this episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast Pete and John speak to VP of Product Marketing, Prashanth Shenoy about evolution of VMware Cloud and uses cases like Ransomware Recovery.

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Project Keswick is the easy button for Edge, taking care of infrastructure deployment, security, and scale issues – so that developers can concentrate on innovating and quickly deploy to hundreds or even thousands of edge locations.

On this episode of The Virtually Speaking Podcast, Pete and John welcome VMware Sr Product Line Manager, Alan Renouf to share the details of this xLabs project.

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VMware Data Services Manager is a software solution that provides the same convenience as a public cloud-based DBaaS platform, but it is installed and managed on-premises eliminating the challenges of building a custom on-premises DBaaS platform. It helps enterprise IT team stays in control, automate day 2 operations to free up valuable DBA time and provide App developers with the agility they need.

On this episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast. Michael Gandy and Christos Karamanolis share the details on how VMware is helping customers to implement a DBaaS on vSphere and how it fits into the “Cloud Smart” strategy.

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vSphere 8 Update 2 introduces significant announcements, and the storage side is no exception. For example, there are now new vVols VASA specs, better performance and resilience, enhanced certificate management, and support for NVMeoF to name a few.

On this episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast, Pete and John welcome Jason Massae and Naveen Krishnamurthy to discuss the details of the vSphere 8 Update 2 Core Storage announcements.

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You've no doubt heard about VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF), VMware's full-stack SDDC solution for implementing a modern private cloud. With the VCF Holodeck Toolkit toolkit, customers can quickly get fully functional nested VCF lab up and running and start getting hands-on with all aspects of the VMware Software-Defined Data Center (SDDC).

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This week at VMware Explore Pete and John spoke with Chief Information Officer, Mark Fournier about US Senate Federal Credit Union's experience using vSAN ESA.

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This week VMware announced the next evolution of VMware Cloud, empowering customers with new editions and capabilities that will help them modernize, optimize, and better protect their organizations. With VMware Cloud, customers innovate faster, operate more efficiently, improve threat defenses, and more quickly recover from ransomware attacks.

On this episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast Pete and Rick Walsworth speak with VMware SVP Product Management and Marketing, who shares the latest announcements on VMware Cloud.

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This week at VMware Explore, VMware announced vSAN Max, which is petabyte-scale disaggregated storage. On this episode of Virtually Speaking, Pete and John welcome Rakesh Radhakrishnan and Mark Chuang to discuss the details of this new release.

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On this episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast, Pete and John speak with VMware CEO Raghu Raghuram about the announcements at VMware Explore 2023.

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After a week full of interviews, sessions and networking, the Virtually Speaking Podcast crew is back home. On this episode, Pete, John, and Tony Reeves recap the week's announcements, and look toward Explore Barcelona! Read more

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On this episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast, Staff Solution Engineer Waldemar Pera shares his take on building a resilient IT Architecture in a multi-cloud world. Read more

VMware is announcing the upcoming release of vSAN 8 Update 2 as well as an exciting new offering, VMware vSAN MaxTM This week on The Virtually Speaking Podcast we welcome Pete Keohler to discuss all the details of this release. Read more

This week on the Virtually Speaking Podcast we welcome Ken Werneburg and Duncan Epping to share pro tips on attending the event, choosing sessions and much more.

As the market for infrastructure automation platforms continues to evolve, organizations are increasingly in search of solutions that extend beyond traditional configuration management and automation orchestration functions. They are now keenly interested in features such as modeling, compliance, and vulnerability management, which provide comprehensive and advanced capabilities.

This week on The Virtually Speaking Podcast Pete and John sit down with special guests Stephen Hudak and Matthew Hays, to hear how Honeywell's IT Team is extending their private cloud to edge locations, standardizing and optimizing datacenter operations.

The capabilities found in the vSAN Express Storage Architecture (ESA) has really resonated with VMware customers. Better performance, improved efficiency, simplified operations, lower total cost of ownership and its unique features makes the future clear for customers and partners. Since its debut in vSAN 8, and enhancements introduced in vSAN 8 U1, many new and existing customers have been enthusiastically moving through the process of introducing the ESA into their own environment. Read more

Oracle Cloud VMware Solution (OCVS) was made generally available in August 2020, and since then, it has seen rapid growth in overall customer adoption. The OCVS plays a pivotal role in VMware’s Multi-Cloud vision. This week on Virtually Speaking we welcome Jatin Purohit to discuss the details of this solution.

This week on the Virtually Speaking Podcast we welcome Emad Younis and Joe Sarabia to discuss the details of Azure VMware Solution.

This week on the Virtually Speaking Podcast Pete and John welcome back Google Principle Developer Kelsey Hightower to share his thoughts on Artificial Intelligence and Generative AI. Throughout the episode, Kelsey delves into the technical aspects of generative AI, discussing topics such as machine learning algorithms, neural networks, and deep learning. He also talks about the challenges that come with developing and implementing generative AI models, including ethical concerns and data privacy. Read more

On this episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast Pete and John welcome Pete Keohler to walk through the details of this latest release. Read more

Today VMware announces the vSphere 8 Update 1 release. With this release, customers benefit from enhanced operational efficiency for admins, supercharged performance for higher-end AI/ML workloads, and elevated security across the environment. Read more

This week on the Virtually Speaking Podcast we welcome Mike McLaughlin and Belu De Arbelaiz to discuss VMware Ransomware Recovery for VMware Cloud DR.

This week on the Virtually Speaking Podcast we welcome VMware Director of Product Marketing, Himanshu Singh to discuss the details of vSphere+ and vSphere+ Standard Edition. Read more

This year at VMware Explore the Virtually Speaking Podcast caught up with Google Distinguished Engineer Kelsey Hightower. Kelsey discusses the secure software supply chain, service oriented networking, and the role of the virtual machine in the context of containers and serverless. Read more

Last week at VMware Explore Europe the Virtually Speaking Podcast caught up with Statistics Netherland (CBS)'s Sander Janssen who explains how they automated a statistical analytics pipeline with Greenplum and Containers. Read more

Last week at VMware Explore Europe, the Virtually Speaking Podcast caught up with IDC Research Director Phillip Silitschanu who shares his take on the rising adoption of Blockchain. Read more

It's been a great week at VMware Explore Europe filled with announcements, jam packed sessions, technical discussions and reuniting with the Vmware community. On this episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast Pete and John recap the week with Pete Koeher and VMware CTO Kit Colbert. Read more

VMware Explore Europe is upon us. On this episode of The Virtually Speaking Podcast Pete caught up with Duncan Epping and Frank Denneman at Explore US to discuss the latest VMware announcements and their latest venture into the world of podcasting.

This year at VMware Explore The Virtually Speaking Podcast had a chance to speak to Engineer IV Chrys Bundy about how PODS (a company that moves containers) is moving to containers.

On this episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast Pete and John welcome VMware Sr Staff Solution Architect and prolific blogger William Lam to discuss homelab recommendations for vSphere 8. Read more

On this episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast, VMware Technology Director Jad El-Zein explains how VMware Aria helps power your cloud operating model and unify your multi-cloud management. Read more

This week on the Virtually Speaking Podcast, Lead Data Scientist, Ian Pytlarz shares how Purdue University developed a system to help contain the spread of COVID-19, allowing them to continue operations in person from fall 2020 onward. This data-driven decision making system was built on VMware Greenplum. Read more

On this episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast Pete and John talk to ASX CIO Dan Chesterman about their DLT-as-a-service offering built on the VMware Blockchain platform, to help organizations accelerate development of new DLT apps across many industry use cases while reducing cost and complexity of deploying their own blockchain environment. Read more

VMware vSphere 8, the enterprise workload platform, brings the benefits of cloud to on-premises workloads, supercharges performance through DPUs and GPUs, and accelerates innovation with an enterprise-ready integrated Kubernetes runtime. This week on the Virtually Speaking Podcast Pete and John welcome Féidhlim O'Leary to discuss the details of this release. Read more

On this episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast Pete and John sit down with VMware CEO Raghu Raghuram to discuss the Multi-Cloud journey, VMware's transition to a SAAS model and much more. Read more

VMware Explore 2022 is in the books and what a week it was. Pete and John captured dozens of interviews with VMware SMEs, execs, partners and customers and will be releasing them throughout the coming weeks.This week on The Virtually Speaking Podcast we welcome VMware CTO Kit Kolbert to discuss VMware's Multi-Cloud story, the latest innovations, much more. Read more

Since its debut in March of 2014, VMware has a long and consistent history of turning innovative ideas into product features in vSAN. But nothing may be bigger than what is introduced with vSAN 8. The announcement of the VMware vSAN Express Storage Architecture™ or ESA for short, represents a massive step forward in the capabilities of the solution, and the benefits to VMware customers. This week on the Virtually Speaking Podcast Pete and John welcome Staff Technical Marketing Architect Pete Koehler to discuss the new ESA and other new features in vSAN 8. Read more

VMware’s new vSphere offering is an industry-leading workload platform, that allows current and new on-premises infrastructures to be cloud connected while shifting to an OpEx-based consumption model with pay-as-you-grow subscription. This week on the Virtually Speaking Podcast Pete and John welcome Ken Werneburg and Dave Morera to discuss the details of this new offering. Read more

This week on the Virtually Speaking Podcast Pete and John welcome Joshua Lory to discuss the details of VMware Blockchain. Read more

More organizations are embracing the cloud as a cost-effective business solution that provides many competitive advantages such as revenue growth and faster data recovery. While these advantages are compelling, it's important to asses all aspects of the migration. Companies like House of Brick focus on helping clients find cost effective ways to handle both the technical and licensing challenges of migrating application stacks backed by commercial database engines, such as Oracle or MS SQL Server, into AWS. This week on the Virtually Speaking Podcast we welcome House of Brick's Nick Walter to discuss some of the details of his many migrations to VMware Cloud. Read more

This week on the Virtually Speaking Podcast we welcome VMware Data Cloud CTO Sazzala Redding to discuss cloud storage, file systems, and much more. Read more

VMware is a company that thrives on profound reinvention. With a hyper-focus on customer innovation, they are defining a new market category—with apps and multi-cloud at the center of everything. This transformation communicates that VMware is a strategic leader in multi-cloud, shaping its future, from public to private to edge. To help effectively express that, the VMworld experience needs to be revolutionized as the center of the multi-cloud universe—VMware Explore. Read more

This week on the Virtually Speaking Podcast Pete and John welcome Google's Kelsey Hightower to discuss Kubernetes, Cloud, and so much more. This is part 2 in a 2-part series. Read more

This week on the Virtually Speaking Podcast Pete and John welcome Google's Kelsey Hightower to discuss Kubernetes, Cloud, and so much more. This is part 1 in a 2-part series. Read more

While there are no specific or credible cyber threats to the U.S. at this time, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which has involved cyber-attacks on Ukrainian government and critical infrastructure organizations, could impact organizations both within and beyond the region. Every organization - large and small - must be prepared to respond to disruptive cyber activity. This week on the Virtually Speaking Podcast we welcome VMware's head of Security Strategy to discuss the latest security threats and threat actors. Read More

This week on the Virtually Speaking Podcast we welcome Deji Akomolafe and Charles Lee to discuss a new way of automating the deployment of Clustered MS SQL Server on Linux. Read more

This week on the Virtually Speaking Podcast Pete and John welcome VMware's Mike Foley to discuss the process for deploying vSphere with Tanzu. Read more

This week on the Virtually Speaking Podcast, Pete and John welcome William Lam to discuss Application Transformer for VMware Tanzu, a new tool that aids organizations in discovering application types, visualizing application topology, choosing a modernization approach based on scores, and containerizing and migrating suitable legacy applications to enhance business outcomes. Read more

This week on the Virtually Speaking Podcast we welcome Glenn Sizemore to look at the enterprise software business model and the benefits of SaaS. Read more

On this episode of Virtually Speaking, Pete and John welcome security expert Bob Plankers to discuss Log4j, and everything VMware customers need to know. Read more

VMware Cloud on Dell EMC is a Local Cloud solution that combines the simplicity and agility of the public cloud with the security and control of on-premises infrastructure, delivered as-a-service and fully managed by VMware. Customers are freed from the burden of managing infrastructure, can accelerate application delivery, and maintain the appropriate control to satisfy stringent data sovereignty, security, cost, and performance requirements. Read more

This week on the Virtually Speaking Podcast Pete and John welcome the Tech Breakfast crew (Aaron Buley, Tyler Gates, and Russ Cantwell) to look back on the 1st 200 episodes and what's in store for the next 200. Read more

This week on the Virtually Speaking Podcast we welcome Jatin Purohit to give us an ESXi System Storage overview and discuss the changes between versions. Enjoy!

Links Mentioned

ESXi System Storage Changes
ESXi System Storage While Upgrading
ESXi System Storage FAQs
ESXi 7 Storage Requirements
ESXi 7 System Storage warnings – VMware KB Article 85615
VMFS-L locker partition corruption
Bootbank cannot be found at path ‘/bootbank’ errors being seen after upgrading to ESXi 7.0 U2
Creating a persistent scratch location for ESXi 7.x/6.x/5.x/4.x
Configure ESXi Dump Collector with ESXCLI
Removal of SD card/USB as a standalone boot device option (KB Article 85685)
https://blogs.vmware.com/vsphere/2021/09/esxi-7-boot-media-consideration-vmware-technical-guidance.html
https://thenicholson.com/is-my-sd-card-is-resilient-enough-for-production-esxi-usage/

The Virtually Speaking Podcast The Virtually Speaking Podcast is a technical podcast dedicated to discussing VMware topics related to storage and availability. In each episode, Pete Flecha and John Nicholson bring in various subject matter experts from VMware and 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 @VirtSpeaking.

This week on the Virtually Speaking Podcast Kit discusses his VMware journey from intern to CTO and gives us insight into some of the projects piquing his interest. Read more

This week on the Virtually Speaking Podcast Pete and John welcome VMware Cloud Product Manager Glenn Sizemore to discuss the evolution of VMware Cloud all the way up to today's highly anticipated announcements. Read more

On this episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast, Pete and John welcome Niran Even-Chen for an introduction to Tanzu Service Mesh, as well as an update to this week's announcements at VMworld. Read more

Last year at VMworld, VMware announced it was embarking on a hardware architecture rethinking to support modern apps running on VMware Cloud Foundation and called it Project Monterey. This year at VMworld there are several key updates to Project Monterey. On this episode of the Virtually Speaking Podcast, Pete and John welcome Niels Hagoort to share the details of this exciting project and unpack the updates announced this week at VMworld. Read more

Day 2 of VMworld 2021 was filled with more announcements and lots of interaction on the VMworld slack channel. On this Virtually Speaking Podcast vChat episode, Pete and John welcome Frank Denneman to discuss NUMA, Machine Learning, Project Monterey and share some session recommendations you'll want to look out for. Read more

On this episode of Virtually Speaking, Pete and John welcome VMware's Mark Chuang to discuss this week's announcements concerning VMware Cloud DR. Read more

This week at VMworld 2021 VMware announced Project Arctic and Project Cascade. Together these projects will address the needs of two distinct groups in a multi-cloud world: Project Arctic will address the needs of IT operators who need to deliver enterprise IT resources, and Project Cascade will address the needs of developers and DevOps professionals who need to rapidly develop and deploy modern applications. Read more

Day 1 of VMworld was filled with announcements and lots of interaction on the VMworld slack channel. On this vChat episode, Pete and John welcome Duncan Epping to share his thoughts on the announcements, share some session recommendations as well as information on a new project he is working on that you won't want to miss. Read more

Today VMware announced Skyline Advisor Pro: The next level of proactive intelligence. Skyline Advisor Pro builds on the familiarity of its predecessor, Skyline Advisor, and extends it with deeper insights and accelerated data analysis. Read more

This week at VMworld 2021 John and Pete had a chat with Srinath Alapati and Benjamin Gordy from Dell Technologies about Apex Cloud Services with VMware Cloud. Read more

VMworld 2021 is upon us. If you haven't already, it's now time to build your schedule. Be sure to make time for the General Sessions, keynotes, hands-on labs, meet the experts, and of course the 1000+ on-demand sessions. This week we welcome Ken Werneburg to share his take on VMworld 2021. Read more

This week on the Virtually Speaking Podcast Pete and John welcome Pete Keohler to unpack the new features and enhancements in vSAN 7 Update 3. Read more

HCI Mesh is a unique, software-based approach for disaggregation of compute and storage resources. HCI Mesh brings together multiple independent vSAN clusters for a native, cross-cluster architecture that disaggregates resources and enables the utilization of stranded capacity. Simply, vSAN allows one or more vSAN clusters to remotely mount datastores from other vSAN clusters (servers) within vCenter inventory. This week on the Virtually Speaking Podcast we welcome David Boone to help unpack this vSAN feature. Read more

Last month, VMware's board of directors named Raghu Raghuram as its new CEO. Raghu has been with VMware since 2003 overseeing ESX and vSphere and has extensive knowledge about VMware products, innovation, and culture. This week on the Virtually Speaking Podcast we welcome the new VMware CEO to discuss his plans to make VMware the leader in multi-cloud computing. Read more

VMware admins use a number of tools to help monitor, manage, and optimize their virtual environments. Recently we surveyed the VMware community to find the 10 most popular VMware admin tools. This week on the Virtually Speaking Podcast Pete and John welcome Duncan Epping and William Lam to walk through the results. Read more.

This week on the Virtually Speaking Podcast we welcome Myles Gray to discuss Virtual Machine provisioning inside Kubernetes with VM Service.

A discussion with outgoing CEO Pat Gelsinger as he heads over to Intel Corporation.

Rearchitecting vSphere with Kubernetes

Recorded live at VMworld 2019

Know before you go

Real stories from real datacenter admins

Disaster Recovery with SRM 8.2

Partner Panel