Each year, VMware Explore feels like a homecoming for the VMware community, bringing together like-minded individuals across the industry to learn, share, and innovate. The event is always an opportunity to dive deep into VMware’s evolving technology landscape, and for me, as a longtime VMware vExpert and NetApp A-Team member, it’s also a place to connect with friends, partners, and colleagues.
The Significance of VMware Explore
Over the years, VMware Explore (formerly VMworld) has become a landmark event for cloud, AI, and data center tech professionals, delivering insights on the latest product roadmaps and innovations from VMware. This year’s event carries additional weight due to Broadcom’s acquisition of VMware, a change that brings a mix of excitement and uncertainty. As ITQ’s Chief vExpert Officer and a vExpert PRO, staying attuned to how this acquisition affects the VMware community is crucial for supporting our team and understanding the community’s sentiment.
Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to attend VMware Explore Barcelona in person this year. Missing out on the in-person exchanges, the chance to reconnect with familiar faces, and the opportunity to experience the energy around key announcements is difficult. While it’s disappointing, I’m grateful to the tech media and industry colleagues who have been covering the event and sharing real-time updates. Their insights have allowed those of us who couldn’t attend to stay informed on the most impactful announcements and trends.
Key Announcements from VMware Explore Barcelona 2024 – Day 2 (November 5)
Even though I’m following remotely, VMware’s announcements on the second day have already made waves. Here’s a quick summary of the most notable highlights:
1. VMware’s Private AI Strategy
Broadcom remains committed to VMware’s Private AI approach, enabling organizations to securely manage sensitive AI workloads. This includes new integrations with Microsoft’s Azure AI Video Indexer and VMware Private AI on VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF), designed to support the secure, multi-cloud processing of AI applications across data centers and edge locations .
2. Enhancements to VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF)
VMware is also bolstering VCF with Tanzu Data Services to enable simplified deployment and management of open-source databases like PostgreSQL and MySQL. Additionally, the disaster recovery functionality through Google Cloud VMware Engine (GCVE) offers a more robust solution for private cloud environments that need high availability and resilience .
3. Security Innovations with vDefend
The new vDefend Intelligent Assist, powered by GenAI, promises automated triage and response recommendations to help IT teams handle threats proactively, reducing alert fatigue by filtering and prioritizing real-time threats .
4. VeloRAIN: AI-Powered SD-WAN Solution
Broadcom unveiled VeloRAIN, an SD-WAN architecture with built-in AI to dynamically adapt to complex networks, including 5G and satellite links. The new VeloCloud Edge appliances further support the scalability and performance needed for today’s network-intensive workloads .
5. Supporting VMUG with VMware Cloud Foundation Licenses
As part of its ongoing commitment to the VMware User Group (VMUG) community, Broadcom is providing free VCF licenses for VMUG Advantage members who complete VCF certifications. This gesture reinforces VMware’s dedication to growing its ecosystem and supporting its community amid change .
Thanks to industry sources like The Register, TechTarget, and others for providing updates and summaries from the event for those of us watching from afar.
ITQ’s New Secure Private AI Service: Bridging Security and AI
In addition to VMware’s announcements, ITQ recently launched its own Secure Private AI service in collaboration with VMware, NVIDIA, and Dell. This new service aims to support enterprises in deploying private AI models securely within their own data centers, delivering an ideal solution for organizations handling sensitive data and requiring strict control over AI applications.
This offering, detailed further in ITQ’s press release, integrates VMware’s AI-ready cloud infrastructure, NVIDIA’s GPUs, and Dell’s high-performance hardware. It reflects ITQ’s dedication to helping clients leverage AI in a way that prioritizes both data protection and performance.
Final Thoughts and Updates
Although I’m not at VMware Explore this year, I’ll be following closely as additional announcements unfold. I plan to keep this post updated as more news surfaces and as session videos become available. Each session is an opportunity to understand VMware’s trajectory in multi-cloud, AI, and security—key areas where our clients’ needs are evolving rapidly. While watching from afar isn’t the same as experiencing the excitement of #OneITQ in person, I look forward to virtually participating and sharing insights that resonate with all of you here on Dive-Virtual.com.
Sources:
- https://siliconangle.com/2024/11/05/broadcom-broadens-private-cloud-options/
- https://www.techzine.eu/news/infrastructure/125920/broadcom-announces-velorain-architecture-for-velocloud-what-is-that/
- https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/vmware-cloud-foundation-delivers-a-private-cloud-platform-to-accelerate-customers-ai-sovereignty-and-security-outcomes-1033949854
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