What’s Coming Next: VMware Cloud on AWS SDDC Upgrade to Version 9.1

What’s Coming Next?

Broadcom is excited to announce that VMware Cloud on AWS cloud offering’s SDDC components will be upgraded to version 9.1, advancing the service to the next generation of the VMware Cloud platform! 

For more than nine years, customers have run their most critical workloads on VMware Cloud on AWS. The upgrade of the SDDC software components of the VMware Cloud on AWS offering to version 9.1 is part of Broadcom’s continued investment in the service, with a focus on the resiliency, security, and long-term supportability of the platform.

Although timelines are still in development, the SDDC upgrade to 9.1 versioned components is planned over the course of three phases: The Early Access phase is intended for customer application-level testing in a non-production organization, and will be considered by nomination only. The General Availability phase, expected some time in calendar year 2027, is when SDDCs with version 9.1 software components will be available as the default build for all newly deployed SDDCs. Soon thereafter, the Fleet Upgrades phase is expected to begin, during which existing customer SDDCs will advance to the latest version. Further details, including feature-level information for the upgrade, will follow in subsequent communications.

Impact

All new and existing SDDCs, including those currently running version 1.26, will upgrade software components to version 9.1 throughout 2027. SDDCs with version 9.1 components are anticipated to be supported on i4i, i3en, and i7i instances, and on future instance types added to the VMware Cloud on AWS service.

The SDDC component upgrade to version 9.1 does not change the current operating model, including Broadcom continuing to maintain patching and lifecycle responsibilities of SDDCs running on VMware Cloud on AWS, 99.9% uptime SLA (99.99% with a stretched cluster), 24/7 global support, SRE coverage, etc.

Patching and upgrades continue as normal in the interim for customers’ existing SDDCs not yet upgraded to the newest SDDC version. The fleet of existing customer SDDCs will proceed through 1.26 versioned releases, with release communications issued as those versions are made available. Customers will receive advance notice before their environments are upgraded to the latest SDDC version.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will my SDDC be upgraded? 

We expect SDDCs with version 9.1 software components to become available as the default build for all new SDDC deployments during calendar 2027. Soon after, the focus will shift to upgrading existing SDDC deployments. Stay tuned for more communication about upgrade timing and scheduling for existing SDDC deployments.

Does this change the VMware Cloud on AWS operating model? 

This is an upgrade of SDDC components of the VMware Cloud on AWS service and has no impact on its operating model. The service continues as Broadcom’s managed SDDC offering for workloads deployed on AWS infrastructure as described in the SaaS Listing.

What happens to SDDCs running version 1.26? 

SDDCs running with version 1.26 will have their software components upgraded to version 9.1 during the Fleet Upgrades phase, currently expected to commence some time in calendar year 2027. 

Will there be an option to remain on version 1.26?

No, the option to remain on older releases is not possible as those SDDCs are delivered as part of a managed cloud offering. Furthermore, upgrades of the SDDCs to version 9.1 are performed by Broadcom as part of the managed service, with advance notice, and require no customer action.

Will the service continue to receive updates before the upgrade? 

Yes. This has no impact on Broadcom’s responsibilities with respect to patching and upgrading SDDCs, regardless of whether they are before or after the SDDC component upgrade to version 9.1.

Which instance types will support the newer SDDC version? 

SDDCs with software components on version 9.1 are anticipated to be supported on i4i, i3en, and i7i instances, in addition to any future instance types that Broadcom may add to the VMware Cloud on AWS service.

What new capabilities will this upgrade bring to VMware Cloud on AWS? 

Upgrading SDDCs to software components on version 9.1 advances the service to the next generation of the Broadcom-managed VMware Cloud platform. Feature-level details are being finalized and will be shared in subsequent communications.

Can I deploy a new cluster with software components on version 9.1 alongside 1.26 clusters in the same SDDC?

No. All clusters within an SDDC need to run the same SDDC version.

Can I deploy a new SDDC with components on version 9.1 alongside existing 1.26 SDDCs? 

Yes. Once the new SDDC version reaches General Availability, and until the Fleet Upgrades Phase is completed for your environments, all new SDDCs will be provisioned with software components on version 9.1 and can run alongside existing SDDCs on version 1.26.

How can my organization be considered for Early Access? 

Contact your account team or the VMware Cloud on AWS product team. Participation for Early Access is at Broadcom’s discretion.

Stay tuned for further updates!

This blog contains forward-looking statements about our product vision. Because software development involves unknowns, including changing market landscape and customer needs, these plans are subject to change without notice. The information in this blog is therefore for informational purposes only, outlines our general product direction, and should not be relied upon in making a purchasing decision. The development, release, and timing of any features or functionality described in this blog remain at Broadcom’s sole discretion.