Broadcom updates VMware platform to streamline private cloud operations

Broadcom has made VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) 9.0 generally available, rolling out updates aimed at making private cloud setups easier to manage.

VCF 9.0 introduces a modular design that adds automation and API access into cost and performance. Broadcom says the goal is for private clouds to work more like public ones – easier to scale and quicker to deploy.

The company said its research shows that private cloud use is on the rise. Two-thirds of businesses it surveyed had moved some workloads back from public cloud to on-premise. Many cited wasted spending as a reason for the migration. In Broadcom’s findings, over 90% of respondents said they weren’t using their public cloud budgets well, and about half said 25% of that spending went to waste.

According to Broadcom’s Prashanth Shenoy, businesses are shifting toward what he calls a “cloud smart” approach – one that puts more focus on private cloud in cases where it makes more sense.

Tools to simplify setup and improve control

VCF 9.0 comes with an interface aimed at IT admins and developers. It’s meant to reduce complexity and speed up provisioning. A new Quick Start App helps with setup and central management of access policies and logs. It also gives admins more visibility into how workloads behave, which can help with troubleshooting and optimisation.

Cost tracking has also been built in. Users can now see how infrastructure is used, forecast future needs, and thereby, manage budgets. VCF 9.0 also supports patching and compliance checks in multiple clusters from a single dashboard.

For developers, Broadcom said the platform provides a smoother experience. Platform teams can define policies, while developers can request and manage infrastructure through self-service tools and APIs. The system supports both virtual machines and containers on the same stack, with Kubernetes services baked in.

“A lot of new private cloud workloads we’re seeing are containerised,” said Shenoy, who added that VCF is built to support those natively.

Support for AI and better performance tracking

VCF 9.0 includes features for running AI and machine learning workloads with minimal slowdown. Shenoy said tests show the platform retains 99% of performance compared to bare metal setups. It also supports live migrations using vMotion, so applications can be moved without downtime.

Security tools have also been updated. A new dashboard lets users track compliance and security posture, and the platform supports confidential computing features, like encrypted memory and secure enclaves, for sensitive workloads in hybrid setups.

Cost control has also been improved. New tools help IT teams model future costs and optimise resource use. Broadcom said it has used VCF internally to consolidate from 41 data centres to seven, reaching 89% use. Built-in showback and charge-back features help map spending to use.

Updates to vDefend and Avi Load Balancer

Alongside VCF 9.0, Broadcom is also rolling out updates to its vDefend security platform and Avi Load Balancer.

vDefend now includes self-service micro-segmentation and threat detection directly in the virtualisation layer. Security teams can define base policies, while app owners can create their own in those guardrails. There’s also new support for importing vDefend deployments, setting policies in sites, and filtering traffic by location.

The Avi Load Balancer now allows multi-tenant use and better integration with infrastructure automation. Tasks like scaling and service discovery are now handled automatically. A web application firewall is also included, with centralised policy management and support for Kubernetes ingress and the Gateway API.

The update comes as new rules, like PCI requirements, push companies to secure all public-facing web apps. Broadcom says Avi’s WAF helps meet those needs.

(Photo by Ariane Hackbart)

Want to learn more about cybersecurity and the cloud from industry leaders? Check out Cyber Security & Cloud Expo taking place in Amsterdam, California, and London.

Explore other upcoming enterprise technology events and webinars powered by TechForge here.

Broadcom has made VMware Cloud Foundation 9.0 generally available, rolling out updates aimed at making private cloud setups easier to manage, more secure, and better suited for modern workloads like AI and containers.

VCF 9.0 introduces a modular design that adds automation, API access, and more insight into cost and performance. Broadcom says the goal is for private clouds to work more like public ones – easier to scale, simpler to secure, and quicker to deploy.

The company said its research shows that private cloud use is rising again. Two-thirds of businesses it surveyed had moved some workloads back from public cloud to on-premise. Many cited wasted spending as a reason. In Broadcom’s findings, over 90% of respondents said they weren’t using their public cloud budgets well, and about half said 25% of that spending went to waste.

According to Broadcom’s Prashanth Shenoy, businesses are shifting toward what he calls a “cloud smart” approach – one that puts more focus on private cloud in cases where it makes more sense.

Tools to simplify setup and improve control

VCF 9.0 comes with a unified interface aimed at both IT admins and developers. It’s meant to reduce complexity, speed up provisioning, and make it easier for teams to work together. A new Quick Start App helps with setup and central management of access, policies, and logs. It also gives admins more visibility into how workloads behave, which can help with troubleshooting and optimisation.

Cost tracking has also been built in. Users can now see how infrastructure is being used, forecast future needs, and manage budgets. VCF 9.0 also supports patching, upgrades, and compliance checks in multiple clusters from a single dashboard.

“A lot of new private cloud workloads we’re seeing are containerised,” said Shenoy, who added that VCF is built to support those natively.

Support for AI and better performance tracking

Security tools have also been updated. A new dashboard lets users track compliance and security posture. The platform supports confidential computing features, like encrypted memory and secure enclaves, for sensitive workloads in hybrid setups.

Updates to vDefend and Avi Load Balancer

Alongside VCF 9.0, Broadcom is also rolling out updates to its vDefend security platform and Avi Load Balancer.

vDefend now includes self-service microsegmentation and threat detection directly in the virtualisation layer. Security teams can define base policies, while app owners can create their own in those guardrails. There’s also new support for importing vDefend deployments, setting policies in sites, and filtering traffic by location.

The Avi Load Balancer now allows self-service deployment, multi-tenant use, and better integration with infrastructure automation. Tasks like scaling and service discovery are now handled automatically. A web application firewall is also included, with centralised policy management and support for Kubernetes ingress and the Gateway API.

The update comes as new rules, like PCI requirements, push companies to secure all public-facing web apps. Broadcom says Avi’s WAF helps meet those needs.

Positioning for hybrid and AI demands

While VCF 9.0 brings a major shift in how Broadcom handles private cloud, the broader updates to its security and networking tools show that it sees its cloud stack as more than just infrastructure. It’s building toward a full software-based foundation for the data centre – one that can keep up with AI workloads, hybrid demands, and tighter compliance standards.

(Photo by Ariane Hackbart)

Want to learn more about cybersecurity and the cloud from industry leaders? Check out Cyber Security & Cloud Expo taking place in Amsterdam, California, and London.

Explore other upcoming enterprise technology events and webinars powered by TechForge here.

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