What is our primary use case?
We are using it for infrastructure automation. We have a manager of a manager to take care of day zero, day one, and day two operations, which makes deployment and management easier. We also have workload clusters that segregate the workload based on the different types of applications we have, such as sat clusters, PC clusters, mixed-door clusters, and container clusters.
What is most valuable?
The most important thing is the VMware platform. We have the product piece that completely simplifies different data center components. We have to compute, store, and network all under one data stack. Apart from this, starting from planning deployment, you have a planning seat, and then you have a cloud builder to bring up this composite stack. It's a complete solution, and you can deploy it easily. You need to upload only the build site in the cloud builder. The cloud builder will take care of bringing up the complete infrastructure. Then you have strategic management that will help handle password, license, configuration, and lifecycle management of these clusters.
On day zero, you have a template and a build cloud builder to bring up the template stack. It's a full-stack deployment. Then you have a conversation manager, lifecycle manager, password rights, and certificates- everything is taken care of.
What needs improvement?
I would like to see an improvement in the SDDC Manager. Specifically, VMware Cloud Foundation should improve some of the federation types, such as multi-site managers. For instance, if we have similar SDDC Managers, like the ones we currently have, which have three DCs in them, it would be helpful to have the ability to have multiple SDDC managers so we can look for foundation across multiple SDDC segments.
Apart from this, there are some features that could be added. For example, I think it would be useful to have better integration with other VMware products, such as vSphere or NSX. Additionally, the ability to customize resource usage based on business needs would be helpful. These are just a few examples, but I think they could really enhance the product.
VMware has duplicated a lot of functions. For instance, when I'm doing any individual upgrade, I have to follow the orchestration and upload. It takes time, and I cannot manage individual life and need an orchestrated process. We have to follow the sequence and the pre-check. So it's still easy, but I have to follow the system approach. I cannot do it on my own.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been working with VMware Cloud Foundation for the last three years.
The Veeam confirmation was launched five years back in 2015. But I have had some experience for the last three years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
From a stability perspective, there may be some issues, and that is very difficult. If I have to fix any issues, I need to connect with multiple teams within VMware. For example, if there is a DNS issue, it may impact multiple products. To fix it, I need to connect with different technical teams within VMware. It takes time, and it's not a one-step process. However, if you have skilled resources and knowledge, it is quick and simple.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The scalability depends on the hardware. For example, if it's on a VxRail or vSAN ReadyNode, I would rate it a nine. However, if there are some challenges, it would be rated lower. It depends upon the hardware stack.
It is suitable for companies with a lot of footprints, like a virtualization environment. If they have a software-defined data center, then it's fine. However, if they have a mixed environment of software and physical, it is not suitable. It also depends on their storage and network performance needs. If they need external storage or a physical kind of thing, it may not be suitable.
How are customer service and support?
We have a Professional Services team. It's easy to connect with them since we are partners.
How was the initial setup?
The setup process is complex. The adoption is not simple, but we need to ensure we've screened the resources. If we screen the resource who has knowledge of this product, it is easy.
VMware is on-premises. When it comes to hybrid cloud, we have rebranding like VMC. But the framework, the approach, the deployment, and the operation are the same. So the VMware Cloud Foundation installed on-premises is the same automated deployment and full-step deployment, and the single pane of management license is used. But on-premises, it is a VCF portfolio, and on a hyper-scale, it is rebranded to VMC-AVI.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
If you purchase VMware Cloud Foundation as a bundle license, the pricing and all the VMs will be included. It's a better option compared to buying individual licenses. You can save up to forty percent of the cost. It's like getting a Visa and a Sixty license as a bundle instead of buying them separately.
However, if you purchase the products separately, it will be costly. I would rate the pricing within VMware a five out of ten.
What other advice do I have?
Overall, I would rate the solution a nine out of ten. VMware Cloud Foundation covers all of its bases. It includes computing, networking, hyperscale containers, and more.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner