VMware Explore US 2022: A Recap of the Event

I recently attended VMware Explore US 2022, held in San Francisco, CA, from August 26-30. As a vExpert and long-time VMware enthusiast, I was excited to experience the latest developments in the world of virtualization and cloud computing. Here’s my recap of the event, including the announcements, sessions, and overall experience.

Announcements

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VMware made several significant announcements during the event, including:

1. vSphere 8 and vSAN 8: These new versions of VMware’s core products were officially announced during the general session. vSphere 8 includes major updates such as DPUs (Data Processing Units), aka smart NICs, and Project Monterey.

2. VMware Aria: This new unified platform for cloud management was introduced, which includes familiar names like CloudHealth, Operations, Log Insight, Network Insight, and Automation.

3. Aria Family: This new family of solutions includes Guardrails, Migration, and Business Insights, offering a comprehensive approach to cloud management.

Sessions

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I attended a variety of sessions during the event, including TAM (Technical Account Manager) sessions, which are not recorded or under NDA. Some other notable sessions included:

1. ’10 New and Exciting Things About vSphere That You Absolutely Need to Know’: This session was scheduled right after the general session and provided an in-depth look at the latest features and updates in vSphere 8.

2. Ariel Sanchez’s presentation on upgrading from vSphere 6.7 to vSphere 7.0 U3: This was one of the best presentations I heard during the event, covering all the details in a GitHub repository.

Exhibition Hall

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The exhibition hall was filled with various vendors showcasing their products and services. While there weren’t as many extravagant booths as previous years, the products were still on display, and attendees could get a good look at what was available. Cohesity and NetApp were particularly generous to vExperts, offering Lego sets as a giveaway. Zerto had the largest giveaway with an AT-AT set and a Millennium Falcon set.

Food and Drinks

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The food at VMware Explore US 2022 was significantly better than at previous events. Gone were the days of sandwiches in huge plastic containers; instead, attendees were treated to a hearty bowl of food three out of four days, with multiple meal options available every day. The food was also more varied and served in compostable bowls, making it easier for people with specific food allergies to enjoy. Breakfast was slightly improved compared to previous events as well.

Overall Experience

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I had a great time at VMware Explore US 2022, and I was able to learn a lot about the latest developments in virtualization and cloud computing. The event provided a fantastic opportunity to connect with other professionals in the industry, attend informative sessions, and explore the latest products and services available. While there were some minor changes compared to previous events, the overall experience was excellent, and I’m looking forward to seeing what VMware has in store for us at future events.

As a final note, I want to mention that the event was well-organized, and the materials pickup was conveniently located near the registration area. The welcome reception and hall crawl were also a lot of fun, allowing attendees more time to explore the expo area. Overall, VMware Explore US 2022 was an excellent event that provided a wealth of knowledge and networking opportunities for professionals in the virtualization and cloud computing industry.