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VVF 9 and VCF 9

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VMware has released vSphere Foundation and vCloud Foundation. So all the individual components has had been updated and released:

  • vCenter server appliance 9.0
  • ESXi 9.0 (now it is called ESX again!!!)
  • VSAN 9.0
  • NSX 9.0
  • VCF Operations 9.0
  • VCF Automation 9.0
  • VCF Logs 9.0

VCF is ideal for enterprises embracing ALL-IN VMware cloud strategies, while VVF is better suited to smaller businesses with basic virtualization needs.

Both versions share the same core products, including ESXi 9.0, vCenter Server 9.0, NSX 9.0, and vSAN 9.0, but VCF 9 includes additional capabilities like the VCF-SDDC Manager Appliance for unified deployment and management.

We're datacenter blog, but mostly focusing on SMBs, so for us, this product, the way it has evolved, does not make sense for SMB or small enterprise (size in Europe). That's why we're shifting our editorial focus to alternatives and there is plenty! Starting with Proxmox or XCP-NG! Those will probbably fit most scenarios.

We're curently working on a VCP-VVF Community Study guide to become VCP-VMware vSphere Foundation Administrator (2V0-16.25) . You can find it here. This certification is important, still, because many mid-sized organization and consultancy firms will need to maintain their level of certification, and perhaps via optimizing their core ratio they'll decide to upgrade.

VVF 9 is a streamlined version of VCF 9, designed for smaller-scale deployments. It shares the same core components—ESXi 9.0, vCenter Server 9.0, and vSAN 9.0—but simplifies the deployment process by eliminating the need for a separate Cloud Builder or complex SDDC Manager setup. It is ideal for organizations seeking a simpler, more cost-effective path to a modern private cloud without the full complexity of VCF 9. Licensing is also simplified, with ESXi hosts automatically licensed once vCenter is licensed, and a 90-day trial available if licensing is not in place.

VCF 9 platform that integrates compute, storage, and networking into a single, unified system. It has a VCF-SDDC Manager Appliance for deployment and management, supports both greenfield and brownfield environment conversions, and brings two new user-focused portals: VCF Operations for administrators and VCF Automation for developers.

Note: If you're small shop, medium size enterprise, or planning to migrate elsewhere, make sure to calculate your costs. Also, it is not only a migration, but also re-tooling, re-ingeniering of all your processes, etc, etc. It's not simply copy your VMDKs elsewhere -:).

The blog articles for VMware vSphere/ESXi 9:

vSphere 9 in the lab

 

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