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Hey there, fellow VMware enthusiasts! It’s time to mark your calendars for another exciting vBeers event! Following the success of our previous gathering, I’m thrilled to announce that we’ll be reconvening at The Steamtown Brew Co. in Eastleigh, a cozy microbrewery just a 5-minute walk from Eastleigh train station.

This will be a BYOW (bring your own wallet) event, but don’t let that deter you – Steamtown is renowned locally for its exceptional beer and burgers, so it’s an opportunity to indulge in some delicious treats while networking with like-minded individuals. Plus, the venue’s convenient location near the train station ensures that transportation won’t be a hassle.

The event is open to anyone interested in all things VMware, so whether you’re eager to discuss the latest developments in the Broadcom merger, curious about becoming a vExpert in the 2024 release, or simply looking to connect with other VMware enthusiasts, this is the perfect setting. We can expect to have a few vExperts in attendance as well, so if you’re interested in learning more about the program and how to become one, be sure to come prepared for a chat.

To ensure we have a solid turnout, please sign up at Eventbrite to express your interest. This will also allow us to provide any updates or changes leading up to the event. You can find the registration page here:

We’re hoping to generate some excitement and get a good number of attendees, so please spread the word among your friends, colleagues, and fellow VMware admins! Let’s make this another successful and enjoyable vBeers event. See you there!

As I sit down to write about my experience at the recent Commvault SHIFT event in London, I am struck by the significance of the company’s shift from a Data Protection company to a Cyber Resilience company. This change in focus reflects the growing importance of cybersecurity in today’s digital landscape, and Commvault’s commitment to helping organizations mitigate cyber risk effectively.

At the event, I had the opportunity to learn more about Commvault’s unique approach to cyber resilience, which centers around the concept of Cleanroom Recovery. This comprehensive testing and failover offering provides a safe and isolated environment for organizations to test their backups and ensure the integrity of their data.

Cleanroom Recovery is an essential tool for any organization looking to protect itself against cyber threats. With this offering, Commvault customers can automate the recovery of their control plane, integrate with a tertiary copy of data in Air-gap Protect, and use a streamlined, easy-to-use recovery wizard to provide clean and easy restores in a new uncontaminated Microsoft Azure tenant.

The key capabilities of Cleanroom Recovery that impressed me include the ability to restore an environment or single application to a cloud environment, effectively testing backups by building an air gapped environment. Additionally, Commvault’s automation allows for continual testing of recovery, ensuring that backups are 100% reliable. Furthermore, the automation can perform a number of tests for you, including running production from the cloud or restoring to the cloud should you question the integrity of your data.

I believe that Cleanroom Recovery is the killer app in Commvault’s arsenal that every organization will find a use for. This offering provides a comprehensive solution for cyber resilience, enabling organizations to continually test and validate their backups, ensuring that they are ready to recover from any cyber attack or data loss.

In conclusion, my experience at the Commvault SHIFT event in London has left me with a deeper understanding of the importance of cyber resilience and the role that Cleanroom Recovery plays in helping organizations mitigate cyber risk effectively. I highly recommend that all organizations consider investing in this essential tool to ensure their data is protected and their business can continue to operate in the face of any cyber threat. For more information, you can check out the Commvault Cleanroom Recovery resources here: https://tinyurl.com/3pf9tbmc.

As I scroll through the VMware Explore Content Catalogue, I can’t help but feel a sense of FOMO (fear of missing out) wash over me. With so many familiar faces from the London VMUG presenting, I knew I had to put together a list of all the sessions they will be leading.

First up, we have my own session on Tuesday at 11:45am, where I’ll be going head-to-head with Rob Bishop. It’s sure to be a great session, and I’m excited to hear what Rob has to say.

But that’s not all – there are plenty of other sessions worth checking out throughout the week. Amit Panchal and Anthony Poh will be going head-to-head on Wednesday at 9am, and there are spaces available for most sessions. However, if you do miss out on a session, don’t worry – there’s always the waitlist or you can just join the queue and hope there’s space available. From my personal experience, there usually is.

It’s great to see so many familiar faces from the London VMUG community presenting at VMware Explore. It just goes to show how much talent and expertise there is within our little corner of the tech world. I’m looking forward to hearing what everyone has to say, and I’m sure I’ll come away with plenty of new knowledge and insights to share with my colleagues back at the office.

So, without further ado, here’s the list of sessions from London VMUG members that I’ve found so far:

* Tuesday at 11:45am – My session (title TBA)

* Tuesday at 11:45am – Rob Bishop’s session (title TBA)

* Wednesday at 9am – Amit Panchal and Anthony Poh’s sessions (titles TBA)

I hope this list helps you plan out your VMware Explore schedule. Don’t forget to check the waitlist or join the queue for any sessions that are full – you never know when someone might cancel or have space become available at the last minute. And of course, be sure to catch up with me and the rest of the London VMUG crew during the conference. We’ll be the ones with the big smiles and the enthusiastic handshakes (or fist bumps, depending on your preference). See you there!

As I prepare to embark on my sixth VMware Explore adventure in Barcelona next week, I am filled with a mix of emotions – excitement, nerves, and gratitude. This year’s event holds special significance for me as I will be speaking on a community panel, sharing my personal journey and growth within the vExpert community.

I have been fortunate enough to attend every VMworld/Explore since 2015, with the exception of the two online events during the COVID-19 pandemic. Each year, I have walked away with new knowledge, experiences, and connections that have helped me grow both personally and professionally. However, this year is different – I am not just an attendee, but a speaker, and that brings a unique sense of responsibility and pride.

Corey Romero, a fellow vExpert and friend, put out a call for volunteers to join a community panel discussion. I submitted my application and was thrilled to be selected. This opportunity is the pinnacle of my vExpert career, and I am honored to be part of such an amazing group of speakers.

The community panel consists of five vExperts, including myself, who will share our experiences and how the community has impacted our lives. We will discuss how the vExpert program has helped us grow not only in our careers but also in our personal lives. Our session is scheduled to take place in the Community Area, and I encourage all of you to add it to your schedule.

As I reflect on my journey within the vExpert community, I am filled with gratitude. This community has given me so much – knowledge, support, friendship, and opportunities. It has helped me grow both professionally and personally, and for that, I am forever grateful.

I must admit, I am nervous about speaking in front of such a large audience. It will be my biggest public speaking event to date, but I am up for the challenge. I know that this experience will help me grow not only as a speaker but also as an individual.

In conclusion, I am excited to be part of VMware Explore 2023 in Barcelona. I am looking forward to seeing all of my vExpert friends and colleagues, meeting new people, and sharing my story. If you are attending the event, please come by the Community Area and join us for our panel discussion. Thank you to Corey and the vExpert team for this amazing opportunity. I cannot wait to see what this year’s Explore has in store for me!

Personalised Workwear: A Cost-Effective and Stylish Option for vExperts

As a virtualisation enthusiast, I was excited to receive an email from Toolstation offering personalised workwear with the vExpert logo. After experimenting with the application, I decided to go ahead and pay the reasonable setup costs of £10 for a single-colour design. The finished product turned out great, as you can see from the picture.

I’ve decided to offer this design to other vExperts and see if there’s any interest. If I can get an order in quickly before VMexplore, I may be able to deliver in person to save on postage. However, please note that I’m not a company and I don’t want to start international shipping, so I cannot fulfill orders from abroad.

The polo shirts are available in seven colours, but as the logo cannot be applied to white fabric, you’ll need to choose a different colour for your shirt. Sizes are available from small to 3XL, and the cost per shirt is around £15 with delivery in the UK using Hermes for approximately £3.

To place an order, simply send me an email at AndysPolos@outlook.com with your size and colour preferences. I’ll then provide you with some payment details. Please note that the first batch of polos has been ordered and is expected to arrive before VMexplore Europe.

Personalised workwear is a great way to showcase your vExpert status and add a touch of professionalism to your attire. Plus, it’s a cost-effective option compared to purchasing official vExpert merchandise. So why not give it a try? Email me today to place your order!

Hey there, fellow VMware enthusiasts! It’s been a while since we’ve had a chance to catch up in person, and I’m excited to announce that the wait is finally over. I’m thrilled to invite you all to the inaugural South Coast vBeers event, happening on Thursday, October 5th at 18:30 onwards!

As some of you may know, I’ve been eager to host this event for a while now. Life had other plans, though – first, there was the global pandemic, and then I had a close family death to deal with. But now, I’m ready to bring our community together and share some great beers and conversations.

After researching local venues, I’m thrilled to have found Steamtown Brew Co. in Eastleigh! Not only is it a fantastic microbrewery with an impressive reputation, but it’s also a mere 5-minute walk from Eastleigh train station – perfect for those commuting from London or other nearby locations.

This will be a BYOW (bring your own wallet) event, but don’t let that deter you. Steamtown has an extensive menu of delicious beers and burgers, so you’re sure to find something that suits your taste buds. Plus, the venue is cozy and intimate, providing the perfect setting for networking and making new connections.

During the event, we’ll have a chance to discuss all things VMware – whether it’s sharing experiences from VMexplore, planning for upcoming events like the Barcelona conference in November, or seeking advice from vExperts. If you’re interested in becoming a vExpert, this will be a great opportunity to learn more and connect with some of the best minds in the community.

To ensure we have enough space and supplies, please sign up on Eventbrite so I can get an idea of how many people are coming. Don’t worry – there’s no cost to attend, and feel free to bring along your colleagues, friends, or VMware admins who might be interested in joining us! ‍ ‍

I can’t wait to see you all on October 5th! Let’s raise a glass to the start of something amazing and make this community shine even brighter. ✨

Cheers,

[Your Name]

Hello fellow VMware enthusiasts!

Are you looking for a chance to connect with like-minded individuals, learn from industry experts, and explore the latest VMware technologies? Well, you’re in luck! The second London VMUG of the year is just around the corner, and we have an exciting lineup of sessions and speakers for you to enjoy.

Taking place on [insert date] at TechUK (10 St Bride Street, London, EC4A 4AD), the event will run from 9am to 4:30pm, with an array of sessions covering everything from NSX and Machine Learning Operations (MLOps) to Cloud and designing. And if you’re looking for some informal networking opportunities, be sure to stick around after the event for some vBeers at a local hostelry.

One of the sessions that has me particularly excited is Chris Bradshaw’s presentation on Improving your IT Documentation. As someone who knows the importance of well-documented processes and procedures, I can’t wait to hear Chris’ top tips and best practices for improving my own documentation skills.

But that’s not all! The agenda is packed with a diverse range of sessions, including Gareth Lewis’ talk on Migrating to NSX, which promises to be an invaluable resource for anyone looking to make the move to NSX. And with new presenters and familiar faces from the #VMcommunity, you’re sure to learn something new and valuable no matter what your area of expertise is.

The event is sponsored by two fantastic companies: Runecast and Xtravirt. Both companies are well-known for their contributions to the #VMcommunity and #vExpert program, and I’m excited to see what they have in store for us.

So, what are you waiting for? Pre-register now () or just show up on the day to secure your spot!

I hope to see you there, fellow VMware enthusiasts! Let’s make some connections, share our knowledge, and learn from each other. Until next time, stay tuned for more #VMware goodness!