Author

Tommy Grot

Omnissa Horizon

Omnissa Horizon Upgrade 2406 to 2412

by Tommy Grot
written by Tommy Grot 2 minutes read

Omnissa Horizon has established itself as a leading solution for Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) and Desktop-as-a-Service (DaaS) environments. Building on the success of its predecessor, the Horizon 2406, we are excited to announce the release of the Horizon 2412 upgrade. This latest iteration offers a range of enhancements designed to further improve performance, scalability, and manageability for organizations leveraging VDI and DaaS solutions. With advanced features and improved capabilities, the Omnissa Horizon 2412 is poised to deliver even greater value to users, administrators, and IT professionals alike

Lets Upgrade!

  • Take a Snapshot of your Horizon Connection Server
  • Copy the Omnissa-Horizon-Connection-Server-x86_64-2412-8.14.0-12990578933.exe to your Horizon Connection Server.

Next ->

Your preference to join the CEIP -> Next

Install!

Follow up on the New Documentation site on Omnissa’s Site

New Look! For the Admin Login, really clean and streamlined and snappy interface I must say!

Now, that the Horizon Connection server is upgraded, we will now upgrade the Agent on our Image for our Pool, if you have a non-persistent image then you will need to unpack your template and update the gold image, but for my deployment I have persistent so I updated the VM it self.

Agent Upgrade

Next ->

Depending on your Deployment I would stick with IPv4 if you do not have IPv6 Routing capabilities.

Select your features you want enable on the Image.

Install!

Now we will re-deploy my Unified Access Gateway with the same IP address and configuration as my old 2406, but before turning off and removing the old UAG I exported my json file of my configuration to re-import it into the new 2412 UAG.

Login! with the credentials you setup during the OVA deployment.

Now we will Import the settings, so when you import the json file you will need to also re-import your certificate file, mine is a PFX and reapply it because after the import and reboot of the Horizon Connection and UAG I kept running into this error, and it was due to that the certificate was not imported within the json file and it needed a re-import. After reboot and all I was able to login!

Really nice and clean UI of the new Horizon 2412 Upgrade!

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VMware Cloud Foundation

Couldn’t establish a connection to the VM web console from vSphere Client

by Tommy Grot
written by Tommy Grot 2 minutes read

You’ve launched the vSphere Client, but can’t access your virtual machine’s web console? Don’t worry, you’re not alone! This new problem can be frustrating, but it often has simple solution to fix the problem. After the recent upgrade of vSphere 8.0.3.00400 this issue occurred to me as I was trying to connect to a virtual machine web console. So below I go through steps to fix it.

This is what I saw: Couldn’t establish a connection to the VM web console from vSphere Client. So first thing was I connected to my SDDC Manager, retrieved my vCenter Root Password.

VMware’s KB – Here

Then I started digging into the logs where I saw that the Reverse HTTP Proxy was putting out Errors on JWT verification failed.

2024-12-19T19:03:18.572-07:00 error rhttpproxy[02851] [Originator@6876 sub=RhttpProxy] [Rhttpproxy REST Handler] Missing JWT
2024-12-19T19:03:18.572-07:00 error rhttpproxy[02851] [Originator@6876 sub=RhttpProxy] [Rhttpproxy REST PUT Handler] JWT verification failed
2024-12-19T19:03:18.778-07:00 error rhttpproxy[02891] [Originator@6876 sub=RhttpProxy] [Rhttpproxy REST Handler] Missing JWT
2024-12-19T19:03:18.778-07:00 error rhttpproxy[02891] [Originator@6876 sub=RhttpProxy] [Rhttpproxy REST PUT Handler] JWT veri
2024-12-20T02:03:18.852Z INFO tokenservice[92:tomcat-http--46] [CorId=27264dea-fc49-485f-8df6-182c9e3bb977 OpId=m369ltl2-668183-auto-ebl6-h5:70192572] [com.vmware.identity.token.impl.SamlTokenImpl] Token expiration date: Fri Dec 20 01:58:38 GMT 2024 is in the past.
2024-12-20T02:03:18.852Z ERROR tokenservice[92:tomcat-http--46] [CorId=27264dea-fc49-485f-8df6-182c9e3bb977 OpId=] [com.vmware.vcenter.tokenservice.vapi.TokenExchangeProviderImpl] Exchange failed due to invalid grant:
com.vmware.vcenter.tokenservice.exceptions.InvalidGrant: Invalid SUBJECT token: tokenType=SAML2

So what I ended up doing is going to:

  • Go to Administration ->Access Control -> Roles
  • Select the vSphere Client Service Account and click edit
  • Scroll down to Global section and de-select the Proxy setting as you see in the screenshot below, and then click Save, but go back into the same Proxy setting and re-select it and hit Save.

A working Web Console!

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VMware Cloud Foundation

VMware Cloud Foundation 5.2.1.1

by Tommy Grot
written by Tommy Grot 2 minutes read

VMware Cloud Foundation 5.2.1.1 Release Information

VMware Cloud Foundation 5.2.1.1 includes bug fixes and a new version of SDDC Manager.

You can upgrade to VMware Cloud Foundation 5.2.1.1 from VMware Cloud Foundation 5.2 or later.

Upgrading from 5.2.1:

SDDC Manager is the only component that requires an upgrade. See Independent SDDC Manager Upgrade using the SDDC Manager UI.

Upgrading from 5.2:

See Flexible BOM Upgrade in VMware Cloud Foundation. When selecting the target version for SDDC Manager choose the version listed in the BOM update table below.

Known issues:

  • In order to upgrade from 5.2 to 5.2.1.1, you must download the bundles for both SDDC Manager 5.2.1.0 and SDDC Manager 5.2.1.1.
  • The Bundle Management window in the SDDC Manager UI displays “VMware Cloud Foundation Update 5.2.1.0” instead of “VMware Cloud Foundation Update 5.2.1.1” for the 5.2.1.1 bundle. The description of the bundle correctly describes it as the upgrade bundle for 5.2.1.1. This is a cosmetic issue only and does not impact the upgrade.

VMware Cloud Foundation 5.2.1.1 contains the following BOM updates:

Software ComponentVersionDateBuild Number
SDDC Manager5.2.1.105 DEC 202424397777

Resolved Issues

The following issues are resolved in this release:

  • VMware Cloud Foundation 5.2 does not support the “License Now” option for vSAN add-on licenses based on capacity per tebibyte (TiB).
  • Remove unresponsive ESXi Host fails when SDDC Manager certificate does not have subject alternative name.

Upgrade Process

Take a snapshot or have a backup of SDDC Manager if anything goes wrong.

Update is downloading, should be ready within 10 minutes

Now that the upgrade is staged and the bundle has been automatically ingested you can start the upgrade!

The whole upgrade took – 20 minutes 22 seconds

Once your SDDC Manager is upgrade you may proceed to NSX and ESXi upgrades for this release, which the same upgrade process exists in my other blog posts.

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Hardware Reviews

Dell PowerEdge R740XD2 – Storage Upgrade

by Tommy Grot
written by Tommy Grot 3 minutes read

A Powerful Workhorse for Data-Intensive Workloads

In the world of data centers, where performance and efficiency are paramount, Dell Technologies has introduced the PowerEdge R740xd2 server—a robust machine designed to handle the most demanding computing tasks. This server is a force to be reckoned with, offering unparalleled processing power, advanced scalability, and enhanced security features. That is why I upgraded from a Dell PowerEdge R740XD to the XD2, as well running TrueNAS Scale! Let’s dive into what makes this hardware a standout choice for businesses seeking to optimize their data infrastructure.

Key Features:

1. Performance Boost:

The R740xd2 is equipped with the latest Intel Xeon Scalable processors, delivering up to 48 cores per CPU. This massive processing power enables it to effortlessly handle large-scale computing, making it ideal for data-intensive applications such as machine learning, high-performance computing (HPC), and complex simulations. With support for up to 2 TB of memory, this server ensures lightning-fast data access and processing speeds.

2. Scalability and Flexibility:

One of the standout features of the PowerEdge R740xd2 is its modular design, allowing for easy expansion and customization. The server supports various configuration options, including different CPU models, multiple storage drives, and a wide range of peripheral devices. This flexibility ensures businesses can tailor their servers to specific needs, accommodating future growth without significant disruptions.

3. Enhanced Storage Capabilities:

Data centers rely on robust storage solutions, and the R740xd2 does not disappoint. It offers a variety of storage options, including hot-plug NVMe SSDs, SAS drives, and M.2 slots for additional flexibility. With support for up to eight internal hard drives or solid-state drives (SSDs), this server can deliver high throughput and low latency, ensuring fast data retrieval and improved performance.

4. Security at Every Level:

Dell has implemented several security measures in the R740xd2 to protect sensitive data. The server includes a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 for hardware-level security, as well as support for Dell Data Guard for advanced data protection and encryption. Additionally, the R740xd2 is compatible with various security protocols and offers remote management capabilities, ensuring your data remains secure even in remote deployments.

5. Efficient Design:

Despite its powerful capabilities, the PowerEdge R740xd2 is designed with energy efficiency in mind. Dell has incorporated advanced power management features, allowing the server to operate at optimal levels while minimizing power consumption. This not only reduces operational costs but also contributes to a more sustainable data center environment.

Use Cases:

  • AI and Machine Learning: The R740xd2’s processing prowess makes it an ideal platform for training and deploying AI models, enabling businesses to stay ahead in the era of intelligent computing.
  • Data Analytics: With its ability to handle vast amounts of data, this server is perfect for organizations conducting complex analytics, helping them gain valuable insights from their data repositories.
  • Cloud Services: The scalability and performance of the R740xd2 make it a strong candidate for building and hosting cloud infrastructure, enabling businesses to deliver services at scale.

Conclusion:

The Dell PowerEdge R740xd2 is a server designed to tackle the most challenging computing tasks with ease. Its impressive performance, scalability, and security features position it as a leader in the data center hardware market. Whether you’re an enterprise, a research institution, or a cloud service provider, this server can be a valuable asset, ensuring your data-intensive workloads are handled efficiently and securely.

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Education

New Updates on vExpert 2025 & VMUG Advantage Programs

by Tommy Grot
written by Tommy Grot 4 minutes read

VMUG Advantage and VCF Licenses: A Cost-Effective Way to Stay Updated

If you’re looking for a way to stay ahead in your VMware career, look no further than the VMUG Advantage program. For just $210 per year, you get access to a wealth of benefits that will keep your skills sharp and your resume competitive. And did we mention that you also unlock exclusive VCF licenses?!

What’s Included with VMUG Advantage?

  • Exam Discounts: The VMUG Advantage program includes access to discounts for the VCF exam, which covers the most recent VMware products and features. This exam is a great way to validate your skills and knowledge. Exam Info Here (VCP-VCF Administrator)
  • VCF Licenses: With your VCF exam pass, you’ll receive three years of VCF licenses, giving you the flexibility to install and test VMware products for personal development for your home lab!
  • Broadcom Account: As a VMUG Advantage member, you’ll also gain access to a Broadcom account, where you can manage your licenses and access additional resources.
  • vExpert: In 2025, if you are within the vExpert family you automatically get a free VMUG Advantage membership and exclusive access to vExpert-only events and resources!

What are the Requirements?

The VMUG Advantage program is designed to benefit both beginners and experienced professionals. Here are the key requirements to getting VCF Licenses

  • You must be an active VMUG Advantage member. This includes signing up for the annual membership fee, which is typically a small fraction of the total cost of the benefits you unlock. The cost for VMUG Advantage is $210.00 a year! Really great cost for the amount of benefits you will receive from VMUG Advantage Program.
  • A valid VMware Certified Professional – VMware Cloud Foundation 2024 certification is required. If you don’t currently hold a VCP-VCF, you can use the VMUG Advantage subscription to get a discount code for the exam and gain the necessary credentials for VCF License.

The vExpert program is designed to benefit influencers and bloggers and vloggers to showcase and spread knowledge within the community and be a voice!

To be eligible for vExpert status, you must: (More Info here)

  • Qualifications for the vExpert Award
    To qualify for the vExpert award, you need to be actively sharing your VMware expertise with the community. For the 2025 award, judges will review your content from the previous year, 2024.
  • Here’s how you can earn the vExpert Award
    Activities should be completed outside your day job and must be your original work. Ways to qualify are listed below; some categories are auto-approved, while others depend on the quality and volume of your contributions.
  • Here are several ways to qualify
    Blogging: Write blog posts on VMware products or events like VMware Explore to educate and engage the community.
    Code Sharing: Share custom code or tools via websites, apps, VMware {code}, or internal channels.
    Enterprise/Internal Influencer: Lead knowledge-sharing sessions within your organization, such as webinars or workshops on VMware solutions.
    Event Speaking: Present at VMUG meetings, VMware Explore, or other conferences to inspire and educate peers.
    Podcasting: Host or co-host a regular podcast on VMware topics, sharing valuable insights with the community.
    Video Content: Create tutorials, product demos, or how-to videos on platforms like YouTube.
    Online Forums: Support the community by answering questions on VMTN and VMware-related Reddit threads.
    VMUG Leadership Support: Assist your local VMUG chapter’s leadership for award consideration.
  • Auto-Approve Categories
    Book Authors: Published book authors and co-authors from the previous year are auto-approved but must still apply.
    VCDX Certification: VCDX certification holders are auto-approved but must still apply.
    VMUG Leadership: Active VMUG leaders are auto-approved but must still apply.

Why Choose VMUG Advantage or vExpert?

With VMUG Advantage, you get a strong return on your investment. The combination of VCF licenses, exam preparation, exam discounts, VMware Explore Discounts, and community access can help elevate your career and keep you at the forefront of VMware innovations. Plus, with vExpert status, you’ll join a network of like-minded professionals who are passionate about sharing knowledge and pushing the boundaries of VMware technology.

So, if you’re looking for a way to stay ahead in your VMware journey, consider investing in VMUG Advantage. It’s an affordable way to gain access to valuable resources, licenses, and community connections that can benefit your professional growth.

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VMware Cloud Foundation

VMware Cloud Foundation 5.2.1 – Upgrade Process & Troubleshooting Tips

by Tommy Grot
written by Tommy Grot 6 minutes read

VMware has released a new version of its flagship product, VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF), with version 5.2.1. This upgrade brings exciting new features and enhancements to the table, offering improved functionality and performance for VMware users. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the key features of VCF 5.2.1 and provide some quick tips and tricks to get your upgrade process started.

What’s New

The VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) 5.2.1 release includes the following:
  • Manage all SDDC certificates and passwords from a single UI: SDDC Manager certificate and password management functionality is now integrated in the vSphere Client to simplify and speed-up day-to-day operations. VCF users can now manage the certificates, integrated certificate authorities, and system user passwords from the Administration section in the vSphere Client. 
  • Reduced Downtime Upgrade (RDU) support for vCenter: VCF users can now leverage vCenter Reduced Downtime Upgrade (RDU) to execute a vCenter upgrade. vCenter RDU is a migration-based approach to upgrading vCenter and reduces the vCenter downtime to less than 5 minutes. 
  • NSX in-place upgrades for clusters that use vSphere Lifecycle Manager baselines: VCF users now have the choice to perform NSX in-place upgrade for clusters that use vSphere Lifecycle Manager baselines. In-place upgrades eliminate the need to place hosts into maintenance mode during the upgrade.
  • Support for vSphere Lifecycle Manager baseline and vSphere Lifecycle Manager image-based clusters in same workload domain: VCF users now have the flexibility to deploy and upgrade vLCM baseline and vLCM image-based clusters within the same workload domain. 
  • Support for the “License Now” option for vSAN add-on licenses based on capacity per tebibyte (TiB): VCF users can now apply the vSAN TiB capacity license within the SDDC Manager UI to expand storage capacity for their workload domains and clusters. You can also use the “License Later” option to assign the per-TiB vSAN license key using the vSphere Client.
  • Set up VMware Private AI Foundation infrastructure from the vSphere Client: VCF users can leverage a new guided workflow in the vSphere Client to set up infrastructure for VMware Private AI Foundation and maximize the potential of NVIDIA GPU-enabled ESXi hosts. The workflow streamlines the set up process by centralizing configuration steps from SDDC Manager and vCenter into a single workflow.

Read More at VMware’s site – VCF 5.2.1

Upgrade Process & Troubleshooting Tips

To disable the upgrade compatibility checks, follow the steps below:

  1. SSH into SDDC Manager appliance with the vcf user and su to root.
  2. Edit the file: /opt/vmware/vcf/lcm/lcm-app/conf/compatibility.flag
  3. Update the property vcf.compatibility.controllers.compatibilityCheckEnabled to false
  4. Save and close the file.
  5. Restart Lifecycle Management by running the command: systemctl restart lcm
Edit the file: /opt/vmware/vcf/lcm/lcm-app/conf/compatibility.flag (Example Below)

After you have updated the flag to false from true, reboot LCM service.

systemctl restart lcm

Once you have executed the syntax above, go back to SDDC Web UI and refresh the page, you should see “Update Now” enabled an no more errors.

I ran a pre-check, its a preferred practice to verify pre-checks of any upgrade of VCF, to ensure that everything will upgrade smoothly.

Pre-check is success with no errors or warnings! Lets Upgrade!

Update Now – will start the SDDC Upgrade to the latest version: Example below

Now that SDDC Manager has upgraded successfully, – Elapsed Time : 19 minutes 28 second

Now, for the next portion of the upgrade – I ended up having a issue where the SDDC BOM was erroring out, that I have a compatibility issue, this is due to a previous async patch upgrade that was required to fix CVE’s so what you will need to do is go back to the same configuration file and switch it back to false, and reboot lcm service. The configurations file reverts back to true after the SDDC upgrade.

Error Message:

You cannot select this target version for the following reasons. Select a different target version to proceed.

Cannot upgrade to VCF version 5.2.1.0 for domain ab8cae17-5034-4e2a-a3b1-ae283608d9ed in a compatible way: not upgradable: VCENTER 8.0.3.00200-24262322 -> VCENTER 8.0.3.00300-24305161, NSX_T_MANAGER 4.2.0.2.0-24278654 -> NSX_T_MANAGER 4.2.1.0.0-24304122; not interopable: VCENTER 8.0.3.00300-24305161 -> SDDC_MANAGER 5.2.1.0-24307856, VCENTER 8.0.3.00300-24305161 -> ESX_HOST 8.0.3-24280767, VCENTER 8.0.3.00300-24305161 -> NSX_T_MANAGER 4.2.0.2.0-24278654, NSX_T_MANAGER 4.2.1.0.0-24304122 -> VCENTER 8.0.3.00200-24262322, NSX_T_MANAGER 4.2.1.0.0-24304122 -> ESX_HOST 8.0.3-24280767, NSX_T_MANAGER 4.2.1.0.0-24304122 -> SDDC_MANAGER 5.2.1.0-24307856

Now after you have updated the configuration and restarted LCM service, go back to the SDDC UI and you should see it allow you to proceed with upgrade.

Now once the upgrade is staged and ready you can execute the NSX upgrade, which is the first part of the upgrade. Lets start!

NSX Precheck –

Selection if you would like to upgrade only NSX edge clusters, for my deployment I upgrade all of NSX.

Cluster Selection –

Upgrade options –

Preferred practice – to run the pre-check of any upgrade to ensure compatibility and prevent upgrade issues.

Lets Upgrade!

After NSX has upgraded, you will be able to proceed to vCenter Server upgrade process. If you want to watch the detailed upgrade of NSX you will need to login to the NSX manager web UI and go to System -> Upgrade (here you will be able to watch what is happening during the upgrade of NSX)

Finally to the exciting portion of the upgrade, the Reduced Downtime Upgrade (RDU) is outstanding and flawless and smooth process. Lets begin!

Ensure you have backups and everything you will need incase of any emergency that you need to roll back if the upgrade has an issue.

Here we will setup a temporary static IP, if you have a DHCP that works also.

At this part of the the upgrade, the scheduler we can tell the vCenter to do a immediate or scheduled switch over of the new vCenter that has been built / upgraded.

Verify everything you configured is correct to your needs before hitting Finish!

Now we watch the upgrade!

Elapsed Time : 35 minutes 39 seconds

That is all! We have upgraded VCF 5.2 to 5.2.1 and this process was super smooth and ran into few snags which we talked about here in this blog post from the async patch throwing off the BOM and then repeating the steps for SDDC Upgrade and also vCenter / NSX upgrade. Stay tuned for more VCF 5.2.1 posts!

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Cloud

VMware Cloud Director – Failed to Start

by Tommy Grot
written by Tommy Grot 3 minutes read

Welcome, tech enthusiasts, to another thrilling dive into the depths of VMware’s cloud management platform, Cloud Director. Today, we find ourselves confronted by an issue that has left many a cloud administrator scratching their heads: the mysterious failure of Cloud Director to initiate its services due to a missing public address in the AllowedOrigins configuration. This blog is your lifeline, offering a comprehensive roadmap to navigate through this technical maze and restore the harmony of your Cloud Director environment!

“Failed to Start: An error occurred during the initialization” error when trying to access vCloud Director after updating public addresses

Additional Informatoin avaiabled from VMware’s Support Site – Failed to Start: An error occurred during the initialization

Procedure:

  • Take a Powered off snapshot of your VMware Cloud Director Cells, (ensure to turn them off properly).
  • Power on the VCD Appliances

Login into VCD Administration Provider Portal

Go to Swagger API

Expand the GET /1.0.0/site/settings/cors

Click ” Try it out “

When you hit ” Execute” Below as in the screenshot provided you should see a similar output. Once you see your output, and you see missing entries for any additional VCD Cells, you will need to input them into the following order as provided.

Once you have staged and prepared your JSON for the AllowedOrigins, using Notepad ++ or VS Code then you will go to the PUT section of Swagger API Explorer as in screenshot below.

An Example of JSON: As provided ensure to replicate the missing FQDN or IP for each section as the sample JSON below.
{
  "resultTotal": 18,
  "pageCount": 1,
  "page": 1,
  "pageSize": 25,
  "associations": null,
  "values": [
    {
      "origin": "172.31.181.200"
    },
    {
      "origin": "172.31.200.10"
    },
    {
      "origin": "172.31.200.11"
    },
    {
      "origin": "IP ADDRESS For Missing Node"
    },
    {
      "origin": "cloud.virtualbytes.io"
    },
    {
      "origin": "cloud01.virtualbytes.io"
    },
    {
      "origin": "cloud02.virtualbytes.io"
    },
    {
      "origin": "FQDN for Missing Node"
    },
    {
      "origin": "http://172.31.181.200"
    },
    {
      "origin": "http://172.31.200.10"
    },
    {
      "origin": "http://172.31.200.11"
    },
    {
      "origin": "IP ADDRESS For Missing Node"
    },
    {
      "origin": "http://cloud.virtualbytes.io"
    },
    {
      "origin": "http://cloud01.virtualbytes.io"
    },
    {
      "origin": "http://cloud02.virtualbytes.io"
    },
    {
      "origin": "FQDN for Missing Node"
    },
    {
      "origin": "https://172.31.181.200"
    },
    {
      "origin": "https://172.31.200.10"
    },
    {
      "origin": "https://172.31.200.11"
    },
    {
      "origin": "FQDN for Missing Node"
    },
    {
      "origin": "https://cloud.virtualbytes.io"
    },
    {
      "origin": "https://cloud01.virtualbytes.io"
    },
    {
      "origin": "https://cloud02.virtualbytes.io"
    },
    {
      "origin": "FQDN for Missing Node"
    }
  ]
}

After your JSON is ready, you will want to paste it into the white body of the PUT request and hit execute.

Toward the bottom of the CORS PUT Section you should see a 200 OK Status, after you see that you should see VCD cells that were missing start up and also if you re-run the GET command you should see your missing nodes.

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EventsVMware Cloud Foundation

VMware Explore 2024 – General Session – Shaping The Future Of Cloud And AI Innovation

by Tommy Grot
written by Tommy Grot 3 minutes read

Las Vegas, the city that never sleeps, is about to shine even brighter as we step into a new era of technology. VMware Explore 2024 has arrived, and with it, a gathering of some of the most brilliant minds from around the globe, ready to shape the future of infrastructure and innovation.

At VMware Explore 2024, the company’s CEO, Hock Tan, took the stage to present a vision for the future of the company and reassure customers about its commitment to innovation and their success. In this blog post, we’ll recap Tan’s key messages from the general session and explore how VMware is positioning itself for the future while maintaining a strong focus on its customers’ needs. Along with announcing the large community that backs VMware – VMUG and VMware vExperts.

Hock Tan said that the CEOs’ decisions to push their companies into public clouds have left their IT departments with post-traumatic stress disorder, while silos of datacenter tech have left tech teams “screwed”. Which is 100% true, organizations are not ready for the cloud and the insane costs, cloud should be utilized to provide on-demand resources when an organization requires them.

The Future of VMware:
Tan began by highlighting VMware’s rich history and its role in revolutionizing virtualization and cloud computing. He acknowledged the company’s impressive track record of innovation, including recent innovations like VCF 9 and many other updates within Private AI and business operations, which have expanded VMware’s capabilities in areas like cloud management and multi-cloud.

He then set the tone for the rest of his presentation by emphasizing that while VMware has come a long way, there is still much to be done. Hock Tan said, “We’re just getting started,” hinting at a bold and ambitious future ahead for the company. He went on to describe VMware’s strategy as one that focuses on three key pillars: cloud, modern applications, and digital infrastructure.

Cloud and Virtualization:
Tan discussed how VMware has been at the forefront of cloud computing since its early days with virtualization. He highlighted the ongoing evolution of cloud technologies and how VMware is adapting to meet the changing needs of businesses. This includes investing in hybrid cloud solutions and expanding its presence in public, private, and edge clouds. Tan also mentioned VMware’s commitment to open standards and interoperability, ensuring that their products can seamlessly integrate with various cloud environments.


In his presentation at VMware Explore 2024, Hock Tan offered a compelling vision for the future of VMware, highlighting its commitment to innovation and customer success. By focusing on cloud, modern applications, and digital infrastructure, VMware is positioning itself to meet the evolving needs of businesses. Tan’s reassurance to customers that Broadcom wants to help and continue investing in their success are likely to alleviate any concerns about the company’s future direction. As VMware continues to execute on its strategy, it will be fascinating to see how the company evolves and adapts to the ever-changing landscape of technology.

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Events

VMware Explore 2024 | Las Vegas – Recap

by Tommy Grot
written by Tommy Grot 5 minutes read

VMware Explore Las Vegas

The Venetian Convention and Expo Center
August 26, 2024

Day 1

Its an absolute blast to connect with an incredible group of individuals from the VMware community during day 1 of VMware Explore 2024. The event brought together some of the brightest minds in the industry, including the prestigious VCDX (VMware Certified Design Expert) professionals (John Arrasjid & Mark Gabryjelsk)  and the dedicated team from VMware Education. (Karl Childs & James Robinson)

The energy and passion within the team was exciting, as we shared ideas, discussed emerging trends, and exchanged knowledge. It was inspiring to witness the depth of expertise and commitment demonstrated by each member of this remarkable team. Their dedication to driving innovation, educating the community, and shaping the future of virtualized infrastructure is truly admirable.

The Hub & Expo

This is an awesome area to connect with the community and networking space of VMware Explore. This area welcomes all attendees to kick back and relax, network and learn from the Code Community or Expert Bar. There are many activities and break out sessions and live streaming like the Broadcast Booth featuring theCUBE, the Spring Theater, Hands-on Labs and the VMware Rewards Space. The all-encompassing VMware Communities Space now includes VMUG and more!

Lots of great Vendors giving out great information on their products, and solutions and cant forget, SWAG!! There was vendors giving out light sabers to t-shirts, and so many stickers! Its a great time to collaborate with friends and vendors and get to learn about their products that they are offering that works along with VMware Cloud Foundation!

VMware Communities (vExpert & VMUG)

I enjoyed spending time at the VMware Community Booth, where Corey Romero – Senior Manager of vExpert Community, we talked about many exciting things, from vExpert and the future projects, collaboration with team members, spending quality time with an amazing individual that cares for his vExpert Team, without Corey the community wouldnt be the same, thank you to all you do!

Day 2

The General Session

In the morning it was all about the main stage! Where everyone got together for an innovative general session where attendees heard about cutting-edge developments in private cloud, AI, app delivery, and edge computing. Broadcom leaders, VMware experts, and innovative customers provided real-world insights on optimizing, scaling, and securing enterprise workloads. Check out my other blog post about the General Session here!

The rest of the day 2, was filled with countless hours or sessions and events and networking with fellow vExperts and Broadcom leadership, got invited to a Broadcom Leadership Party where I got to meet and talk to Hock Tan! It was a great time where he answered our questions and as well had fun and made us laugh!

Meeting Hock Tan

Day 3

The Party!

Another long day is over and a successful day! There have been many outstanding sessions around 80 of them, 16 VMware {code} Theater sessions, 27 Meet The Expert Roundtables, 23 Community Quick Talks, and 19 ​​Hands-on Labs Expert-led Workshops. Tons of great knowledge being shared by the community. Networking with fellow team members within many different industries and being able to share knowledge and experiences. Also cant forget about The Party! with a DJ playing music and then live band Jimmy Eat World!

The Party! First there was a DJ that played outstanding music, then around 9pm Jimmy Eat World came up on stage and started off playing great music!

The Party was located indoors in the Main Stage Hall at The Venetian, it was awesome to have it indoors this year, there was a great turn out of Explorer’s that showed up, tons of great food, drinks, and networking going on!

Overall, Day 3 of VMware Explore 2024 delivered valuable insights and practical takeaways for attendees. The conference continues to be a great platform for learning, connecting, and staying updated with the latest trends and advancements in virtualization and cloud computing. In the end The Party was a blast, great DJ and awesome live music – Jimmy Eat World

Day 4

A Farewell for now…

VMware Explore 2024 has come to a close, and it was an incredible week filled with new insights, connections, and innovations. Over the past five days, we’ve had the opportunity to dive into the latest developments in cloud infrastructure, digital transformation, and new product releases.

The event featured thought-provoking general session, breakout sessions, and hands-on labs, offering attendees a well-rounded experience. We heard from industry leaders, got to explore cutting-edge technologies, and connected with like-minded individuals passionate about driving digital change.

One of the standout moments was the announcement of VMware’s new suite of products, VMware Cloud Foundation 9, which is designed to empower organizations in their digital transformation journey with a on premise private cloud. With enhanced security features, improved scalability, and simplified management, these tools will enable businesses to build more efficient and resilient cloud infrastructures.

Another high point was the opportunity to network with peers. The event brought together a diverse range of professionals, allowing for the exchange of ideas, best practices, and even future collaborations. It was inspiring to see the dedication and expertise represented in the room.

As we bid farewell to VMware Explore 2024, we feel grateful for the knowledge shared and connections made. The event has equipped us with fresh perspectives and practical insights that we will carry forward in our journey towards digital excellence.

Until next year, VMware Explore 2025!

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Tips & TricksVMware Cloud Foundation

VMware Cloud Foundation 5.2 – Tips & Troubleshooting

by Tommy Grot
written by Tommy Grot 3 minutes read

Today’s blog post is about VCF and how it is a comprehensive cloud management platform that enables organizations to build, deploy, and manage private clouds. With the release of VCF 5.2, VMware has further enhanced the platform’s capabilities, making it an even more attractive choice for businesses looking to modernize their infrastructure. In this blog post, we’ll delve into the process of upgrading specific components in VCF 5.2, including ESXi and Image Management.

This will be a living blog post – Any Issues I encounter will be documented here!

PowerShell Script for VMware Cloud Foundation Bundle Management

Below I will walk you through on using the PowerShell Script which is provided for end-users to be able to safely and easily clean up bundles within their SDDC Manager.

  1. Prepare System Requirements:
    • Windows, Linux, or MacOS running PowerShell Core 7.3.0 or later.
    • VMware PowerCLI 13.1 or later
    • PowerVCF 2.3.0 or later
  2. Download attached script.
  3. Extract script, change to its directory.
  4. Run script
    • with parameters:
      • .\VcfBundleManagement.ps1 -user <SDDC_Manager_user> -server <SDDC_Manager_FQDN> -pass <password> -rootPass <root_password>
      • Where:
        • <SDDC_Manager_user>      is the username to authenticate with SDDC Manager.
        • <password>                          is the password to authenticate with SDDC Manager
        • <SDDC_Manafer_FQDN>    is the fully qualified domain name of the SDDC Manager
        • <root_password>                  is the password for the root user on the SDDC Manager appliance
    • without parameters (script will ask for input parameters):
      • .\VcfBundleManagement.ps1
  5. Select options from the displayed menu and press enter to run it.

Specify your SDDC Manager ->

Once connected with your SSO Account ( I used [email protected], but any administrative privilege account shall work as well)

Selecting #7 Will Delete all obsolete bundles which I had for VCF 5.1.1 and no longer needed them.

Detailed Storage usage of the SDDC Manager is provided by option #4

vLCM Upgrade Preparation

For the vLCM Portion of the upgrade, I encountered a issue where I could not proceed till I built a custom image with all the dell firmware’s and drives addon, due to the reason my previous version of ESXi had the Dell OEM drivers embedded.

Configure Update ->

Select your cluster(s) ->

Select your image, so for this part you will need to go into vCSA and prepare a image that is latest version, and ensure that all OEM drivers are updated.

Once image is created go to Image Management -> Import Image from your Management Workload Domain vCenter

It will take few minutes but once the import is complete for the vSphere 8.0 U3 version, then you will see it appear in the vLCM upgrade window.

Back at the vLCM upgrade window, assign the image(s) that you created earlier and click next.

Upgrading VMware Cloud Foundation 5.2 involves updating specific components like ESXi and Image Management. By following the step-by-step guides outlined above, you can ensure a smooth and successful upgrade process that takes advantage of the latest features and capabilities in VCF 5.2. Remember to always back up your configuration and data before upgrading, and plan for downtime accordingly. With these best practices in mind, you’ll be well on your way to modernizing your private cloud infrastructure with VMware Cloud Foundation.

Click Next -> After you have applied your custom image for vLCM Upgrade. Once the vLCM is complete then ESXi will upgrade and below you can specify the deployment orientation. If your servers support Quick Boot keep it enabled or even Live Patch.

Upgrade process is about to begin…

Upgrade in process!

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