Broadcom has announced enhancements to VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) aimed at making it easier for DevOps teams to provide self-service catalogs for developers on the private cloud. Version 5.2 of VCF includes templates to simplify migration from standalone VMware platforms to an integrated compute, storage and networking platform. It also offers support for live patching of components and the ability to independently update Kubernetes clusters connected to the Tanzu Kubernetes Grid service. Additionally, VMware vSphere will be replaced by VMware vSphere Foundation, which adds self-service capabilities and live patching support.
VCF was originally developed by VMware to simplify the acquisition, installation, and management of the VMware software stack. With the latest updates, VCF consolidates over 168 products into a subscription service that significantly reduces total cost of ownership. Pricing for VCF has been cut in half to make it more appealing to customers, countering the perception that prices were raised when perpetual licenses were eliminated. VMware software pricing is now more consistent across platforms, allowing for easier license transfers.
Broadcom continues to invest in research and development for VCF and VMware vSphere, reinvesting 15% of the revenue generated by VMware into R&D. Companies must decide whether to continue relying on the VMware portfolio or migrate to a competing platform, considering the costs involved in transitioning away from a platform. Ultimately, supporting multiple platforms can increase the overall cost of IT for an organization.
The goal of these updates is to provide a seamless experience for platform engineers and application developers. Regardless of the chosen platform, Broadcom is committed to investing in improvements to VCF and VMware vSphere. Organizations must carefully evaluate their options when it comes to platform choices and weigh the costs associated with migrating to a different platform.
Article Source
https://devops.com/broadcom-updates-to-VMware-portfolio-streamline-devops-workflows/amp/
