Broadcom Expands Open Ecosystem for VMware Cloud Foundation

Broadcom is making significant strides in its open ecosystem for VMware Cloud Foundation, introducing new certification programmes, networking initiatives, and open-source contributions designed to assist businesses in creating private cloud environments.

Enabling Adaptable Private Clouds

The enhanced ecosystem is intended to empower customers to construct, connect, and safeguard flexible private clouds across data centres and edge environments, providing greater infrastructure choices.

The Chief Product Officer of VMware Cloud Foundation Division at Broadcom noted that the excitement surrounding VMware Cloud Foundation 9.0 cannot be overlooked. This platform is transforming how organisations navigate their private cloud journeys, delivering a consistent operational model that spans from data centres to edge locations. By creating an open VCF ecosystem, Broadcom aims to enable businesses to build contemporary private clouds that meet their strategic objectives.

New Certification and Partnership Initiatives

Broadcom has debuted the VCF AI ReadyNodes, which streamline the certification process to facilitate customers adopting next-generation CPUs, GPUs, and accelerators. Supermicro stands out as one of the initial OEMs to have certified an AI ReadyNode system. Additionally, an ODM Partner Self-Certification programme has been launched, allowing Original Design Manufacturers to validate their systems independently under the Broadcom Technology Alliance Program.

Supermicro expressed enthusiasm in being among the first hardware OEMs to certify its advanced GPU systems as VCF AI ReadyNodes.

Edge-Optimised Solutions

Broadcom is also focusing on edge-optimised nodes aimed at compact, rugged servers that cater to various sectors including industrial, retail, and defence. This initiative assists customers in deploying cloud infrastructure closer to their data sources.

Collaborations in Open Hardware

Partners such as OVHcloud, Intel, and SNUC are also supporting Broadcom’s open hardware initiative. The Chief Product and Technology Officer at OVHcloud stated that Broadcom’s open certification for VCF Ready hardware complements their vertical integration strategy, allowing the self-certification of their server systems for VMware Cloud Foundation.

Networking Initiatives

A new networking initiative has been announced to standardise network fabrics using EVPN and BGP networking, aiming to simplify operations and improve interoperability across multi-vendor environments.

The Vice President of Data Center Networking at Cisco emphasised that Cisco’s foundational efforts in VxLAN EVPN, supported by comprehensive IETF standards authorship, illustrate their long-standing dedication to open networking. This partnership with Broadcom reflects their mutual commitment to open standards.

Support for Open-Source Projects

Broadcom is actively involved in various open-source projects such as Kubernetes, Antrea, and Cluster API. Recently, VMware vSphere Kubernetes Service (VKS) was announced as a Certified Kubernetes AI Conformant Platform, ensuring standard compliance for AI workloads.

The CTO of Cloud & Infrastructure at the Linux Foundation highlighted that VMware by Broadcom has been a steadfast contributor to the CNCF, continuing to play a crucial role in supporting key projects like Kubernetes.