VMware Cloud Foundation 5.2 – What’s new?

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This update brings features like VCF brownfield import, support vSAN Max, ESA Stretch Clusters, live patching. Explore the transformative capabilities designed for modern IT infrastructures.

Introduction

The VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) division is at the forefront of driving innovation in the realm of hybrid cloud infrastructures. The latest release, VMware Cloud Foundation 5.2, introduces a myriad of enhancements and new features aimed at modernizing infrastructure, bolstering security, and enhancing the developer experience. This article provides a comprehensive overview of these advancements and their implications for the future of cloud operations.

The future of VMware Cloud Foundation Division

VMware’s strategy for the VCF division revolves around creating a cloud operating model for on-premises data centers and beyond.

The image is a slide titled "VCF Division Strategy: Cloud Operating Model for On-Prem Data Centers and Beyond," associated with VMware Cloud Foundation. It emphasizes delivering a cloud computing platform with the following attributes:

Ubiquitous: Supports on-prem, edge, service providers, and hyperscalers for any application type.
Compatible: Ensures workloads run the same way and are managed consistently with portability.
Integrated: Features vSphere-optimized storage, networking, management, security, and IaaS/CaaS.
Resilient: Provides multi-layered infrastructure resilience to keep applications available.
The slide includes a diagram representing the IaaS Consumption Surface, Automation & Operations layer, and various cloud environments such as Private Cloud, Service Provider, Sovereign Cloud, Public Cloud, and Telco/Edge Cloud.
Importance of innovation and amortization across core technologies

This model encompasses private, hybrid, and multi-cloud environments, ensuring that workloads run consistently across different infrastructures.

The image is a slide titled "New Path: Radically Simplifying VCF for Faster Time to Value," which outlines a cultural shift in the VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) Division focusing on people, process, and go-to-market strategies. The slide emphasizes four key aspects:

Unified VCF Division for Faster Innovation:

Unified strategy and roadmap.
Faster execution.
Unified Experience with Integrated Product:

Unified experience and releases.
Simplified sign-on and more.
Ease of Doing Business:

Two foundation offers.
Select add-ons and license portability.
Faster Customer Success:

Accelerated time to value.
Priority support included.
Brownfield support.
The central graphic features a cityscape with icons representing various cloud and infrastructure elements, symbolizing a streamlined and integrated approach.
Faster Time to Value and Go to the market

The unified VCF division aims to accelerate innovation, streamline operations, and enhance the overall customer experience by offering a unified strategy, product releases, and a simplified business model​​.

The image is a slide titled "Simplicity of Two Primary Offers," highlighting VMware's streamlined product offerings for cloud solutions. The slide outlines the following key points:

168 Products, Bundles & Editions:

A circular graphic lists various VMware products and services such as vSphere, VCF, vSAN, Aria, VCS, Tanzu, HCX, VRNI, NSX, and vCenter, all contributing to the total count of 168 offerings.
VMware Cloud Foundation:

Described as an Enterprise-Class Hybrid Cloud Solution.
Targeted at large and midsize customers.
VMware vSphere Foundation:

Positioned as a Secure and Resilient Workload Platform.
Designed for midsize and small data centers.
The visual representation simplifies the extensive array of VMware products into two primary foundational offerings, making it easier for customers to understand and choose the appropriate solution for their needs.
From a bunch of offers to 2 main solutions: VCF and VVF

Customers seek enhanced efficiency in their workflows from day 0 to day 2, leveraging automation at each step to streamline operations.

The image is a slide titled "A Better Private Cloud Journey – One Feature at a Time," depicting a three-day phased approach for private cloud implementation and management. Here are the key details:

Day 0: Automated deployment of private cloud infrastructure.

Benefits:
Faster setup.
Quick import of existing infrastructure.
Better initial performance.
Day 1: Provisioning scalable infrastructure.

Features:
Advanced automation.
Improved performance.
Seamless workload migration.
Day 2: Full run mode and private cloud management.

Advantages:
Enhanced reliability and security.
Scalable management solutions.
Efficient automated operations.
The graphic includes an application icon surrounded by cloud elements, tools, and security symbols, representing the integration and operational phases of private cloud management.
Day 0 to day 2 workflow
The image is a slide titled "VMware Cloud Foundation 5.2 – What’s New," highlighting new features and enhancements across three main areas:

Modernize Infrastructure:

VCF Import: Enhancements for vSphere and vSAN.
VMware Cloud Foundation Edge: New solutions for edge infrastructure.
Cloud Experience for Developers:

Independent TKG Service: Providing Kubernetes services independently.
Simplified Adoption of Virtual Networks: Streamlining the process for virtual network deployment.
Security and Resilience:

Live Patching and Flexible Upgrades: Enhancing security with live patching and more flexible upgrade processes.
Dual DPU Support: Adding support for dual Data Processing Units for improved performance and security.
Each of these categories is visually represented with icons and graphics to illustrate the improvements and new capabilities introduced in VMware Cloud Foundation 5.2.
What’s New in VCF 5.2

Infrastructure Modernziation

  • VCF Import: Possibility to import vSphere environment to VCF without downtime.
  • vSAN Max Support: Enhanced scalability and performance to support larger and more complex environments.
  • ESA Stretch Clusters: Improved disaster recovery capabilities.

Security and Resilience

  • Live Patching and Flexible Upgrades: Continuous operations with minimal downtime.
  • Dual DPU Support: High availability and enhanced security with dual data processing units.
  • Enhanced Threat Detection: abitility to leverage the intrsuion prevention / network detection and response.

Developer Experience

  • Independent TKG Service: Decoupled updates from vSphere release cycles for greater agility and security.
  • Simplified Adoption of Virtual Networks: Streamlined network virtualization with minimal configuration changes.
  • Enhanced Cloud Consumption Interface: New elements and dashboards for better resource management.

Key Features of VCF 5.2

  • VCF Import – vSphere, vSAN: This feature allows for seamless integration of existing vSphere, vSAN, and NFS environments into VCF. It supports flexible networking options and ensures reduced downtime, simplified migration, and enhanced system reliability.
  • VMware Cloud Foundation Edge: Optimized for edge locations, this feature offers consistent infrastructure and operations across data centers, clouds, and edge sites. It provides scalable and flexible infrastructure options tailored to specific deployment needs.
  • Flexible VCF Patching: Enables asynchronous patch application and supports mixed and split BOM environments. This feature ensures reduced downtime, simplified upgrade processes, and enhanced compatibility and reliability.
  • ESXi Live Patching: This allows for non-disruptive patching of essential updates without taking hosts offline, maintaining continuous operations and reducing downtime.

Operational Efficiency and Flexibility

  • VMware Cloud Foundation 5.2 introduces several enhancements aimed at improving operational efficiency:
  • Lifecycle Management: Independent upgrades for SDDC Manager, flexible patching strategies, and a new graphical interface for patching simplify the management and maintenance of cloud environments.
  • Cloud Admin Launchpad and Dashboard: These tools provide comprehensive resource management, improved visualization, and enhanced security and performance insights for administrators.

Conclusion

VMware Cloud Foundation 5.2 represents a significant leap forward in cloud infrastructure management. By focusing on unified cloud operations, enhanced security, and improved developer productivity, VMware continues to provide a robust platform that meets the evolving needs of modern enterprises. The future of the VCF division is geared towards driving further innovation and delivering unparalleled value to customers.

Autor

Alexey Koznov

Consultant