Tag: Explore

VMware vSAN ESA – Your Storage Platform for VMware Cloud Foundation

At VMware Explore 2024, the session “VMware vSAN ESA: Your Storage Platform for VMware Cloud Foundation” provided a comprehensive look into how vSAN Express Storage Architecture (ESA) is transforming storage solutions for modern data centers. Led by Duncan Epping and Pete Koehler, this session highlighted the capabilities and benefits of vSAN ESA within VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF).

Key Features of vSAN ESA:

  1. Next-Generation Storage Architecture:
    • Designed to handle today’s and tomorrow’s workloads with efficiency and resilience.
    • Offers both aggregated and disaggregated configurations for flexible deployment options.
  2. Performance and Efficiency:
    • Erasure Coding with RAID-5/6: Delivers the performance of RAID-1 with the space efficiency of RAID-5/6, optimizing capacity while maintaining performance.
    • Granular Snapshotting: vSAN ESA integrates snapshots at the VM level without impacting performance, unlike traditional LUN-based snapshots.
  3. Data Protection and Management:
    • Integrated Data Protection: Includes scalable snapshots and simplified recovery options, making it easier to protect and recover VMs.
    • Protection Groups: Offers flexible and easy-to-manage options for snapshot frequency, retention, and immutability, supporting dynamic VM assignments.
  4. Flexible Deployment:
    • vSAN Max: Enables disaggregated storage for independent scaling of compute and storage resources, enhancing cost efficiency and operational flexibility.

Demystifying Distributed Security in VMware Cloud Foundation

In today’s evolving IT landscape, securing distributed environments is crucial. VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) addresses these challenges head-on with its Distributed Security model. During the VMware Explore EU 2024 session titled “Demystifying Distributed Security in VMware Cloud Foundation,” experts Chris McCain, Tim Burkard explored the nuances of enhancing security within VCF environments.

Key NOTES:

  1. vDefend Distributed Protection:
    • This is VMware’s approach to ensuring secure communication between virtual machines (VMs) by enforcing strict security rules. The Distributed Firewall (DFW) policies, integral to vDefend, apply a Zero Trust model, allowing only authorized traffic and rejecting any unauthorized attempts.
  2. Granular Security Policies:
    • VCF’s Distributed Firewall offers granular control over security policies, allowing IT teams to define rules at both policy and individual VM levels. This flexibility ensures that security is tightly integrated into every layer of the infrastructure.
  3. Intrusion Detection and Prevention:
    • VMware’s Distributed Intrusion Detection and Prevention (IDP) system proactively monitors and prevents unauthorized activities. The IDP uses an extensive signature database to alert or block threats, ensuring real-time protection across the data center.
  4. Built-in Tools for Validation and Troubleshooting:
    • Tools like Traceflow and Live Traffic Analysis are pivotal for monitoring and validating security rules. These tools help IT professionals ensure that the DFW is functioning as intended and that traffic flow complies with security policies.

ESXi Hosts: The Data Plane

ESXi hosts, where VMs reside, are integral to enforcing NSX DFW rules. The following CLI commands can be run on ESXi hosts to manage and troubleshoot DFW settings at the host level:

  • List All the VMs dvFilter Names: Use summarize-dvfilter to list all dvFilters associated with VMs. dvFilters are kernel modules that apply firewall rules to VMs’ network traffic.
  • View IP and MAC Addresses for a dvFilter: To see the IP and MAC addresses related to a specific dvFilter, the command is
    vsipioctl getaddrsets -f <dvfilter-name>
  • List the Firewall Rules Applied on DvFilter: Retrieve the set of firewall rules applied to a dvFilter by executing
    vsipioctl getrules -f <dvfilter-name>
  • View Firewall Configuration for a dvFilter: To inspect the firewall configuration for a specific dvFilter, the command is
    vsipioctl getfwconfig -f <dvfilter-name>

NSX-T CLI on my blog.

Attend Sessions at VMware Explore 2024 – Plan Your Journey

VMware Explore 2024 is just around the corner, and it’s packed with insightful sessions and opportunities to learn from industry experts. With so much to explore, it’s crucial to plan your schedule, stay comfortable, and stay hydrated throughout the event. Here are my top session picks to make the most of your time at the conference.

Quick Tips for Attending:

  1. Wear Comfortable Shoes: You’ll be walking a lot between sessions, so good shoes are a must.
  2. Use the Event App: The VMware Explore app is a great tool for tracking your sessions, finding rooms, and staying updated with event news.
  3. Plan Your Sessions: Take some time to map out the sessions you want to attend so you can maximize your learning.
  4. Drink Plenty of Water: Keep yourself hydrated to stay energized throughout the day.

Recommended Sessions

VMware Explore Recap with William Lam

VMware Explore Recap with William Lam

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 […]

Broadcom Social Media Advocacy

Private AI: One Year Later with Chris Wolf

Private AI: One Year Later with Chris Wolf

Private AI: One Year Later with Chris Wolf

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.

Broadcom Social Media Advocacy

On-Demand session URLs for VMware Explore Las…

On-Demand session URLs for VMware Explore Las Vegas 2024

On-Demand session URLs for VMware Explore Las…

VMware Explore Las Vegas 2024 officially wraps up today! I thoroughly enjoyed the event and had fantastic conversations with customers, partners and colleague! The VMware Explore team has already been hard at work in getting all sessions published into the free on-demand catalog, which is available for or EVERYONE to watch, but also new this […]

Broadcom Social Media Advocacy

Introducing VMware Cloud Foundation 9

Introducing VMware Cloud Foundation 9

At VMware Explore 2024 in Las Vegas we are introducing VMware Cloud Foundation 9 – a significant leap forward that will streamline the transition from siloed IT environments to a unified, integrated private cloud platform. VMware Cloud Foundation 9 will make the deployment, consumption, and […]

Broadcom Social Media Advocacy

Don’t Miss Early-Bird Pricing for VMware Explore 2024 Barcelona Until July 29!

Are you ready to dive into the future of technology? VMware Explore 2024 EU is just around the corner, and you won’t want to miss this incredible opportunity. From cutting-edge innovations to industry-leading experts, this event promises to be a highlight for IT professionals, developers, and tech enthusiasts alike.

The best part? Early-bird pricing is available until July 29! By registering now, you can take advantage of significant savings and secure your spot at one of the most anticipated tech events of the year.

What to Expect at VMware Explore 2024 EU:

  • Innovative Sessions: Learn from the best in the industry through a variety of sessions that cover the latest trends and technologies. What is new in vSphere/VSAN 8U3.
  • Hands-On Workshops: Gain practical experience with hands-on labs and workshops designed to enhance your skills VSAN, VCF, VVols.
  • Networking Opportunities: Connect with peers, industry leaders, and VMware experts to share knowledge and expand your professional network.
  • Exclusive Insights: Get a first look at new products and solutions that will shape the future of IT.

Don’t wait – register today and take advantage of early-bird pricing before it’s too late. Secure your place at VMware Explore 2024 EU and be part of the conversation that drives innovation forward.

Mark your calendar and get ready to explore the future with VMware!

VMware Explore Registration Barcelona | VMware Explore | 4 – 7 Nov. 2024