“I started with VMware ESX 1.0 back in the day,” Marc Huppert recalls. Today, he’s running a home lab with 880 cores spread across three locations. That’s the kind of dedication that has earned Marc his reputation as one of VMware’s most passionate community members.
As a Principal Consultant at Computacenter Germany, Marc brings his real-world experience to every conversation. His journey started in an unexpected place – the German Air Force, where he cut his teeth managing Microsoft Server infrastructure. But it was his early adoption of virtualization technology that set him on a path to becoming VCDX certified and a technical leader for VMware Solutions.
Teaching is in His DNA
Ask Marc what gets him excited about his work, and his answer comes quick: “I love sharing knowledge!” You’ll find him leading VMware certification courses, speaking at customer events, or diving deep into technical discussions with his peers. His commitment to the community hasn’t gone unnoticed – Marc was recently named a Broadcom Knight and has maintained his vExpert status for an impressive 14 years in a row, a testament to his consistent contributions to the VMware ecosystem.
“Getting all the work done can be challenging,” he admits, juggling presales with customers, writing technical concepts, and implementing solutions. But that doesn’t slow him down.
His legendary home lab isn’t just for show. It’s where he tests every new feature VMware releases, pushing the technology to its limits. This hands-on approach has made him a go-to resource for complex technical questions and earned him the nickname #HomeLabKing.
A Record-Breaking Connection to VMware
Here’s something nobody else can claim: Marc has attended every single VMworld and VMware Explore event in both the US and Europe. Every. Single. One. Pat Gelsinger, VMware’s former CEO, recognized this dedication by presenting Marc with a lifetime free ticket — a moment Marc counts among his favorite memories.
“The networking is incredible,” Marc says about VMware Explore. “You get strategy insights straight from management, deep technical knowledge from the breakout sessions, and invaluable face time with other experts.” The Alumni Elite Events hold a special place in his heart, where he connects with fellow long-time community members.
“The networking at Explore is incredible. You get strategy insights straight from management, deep technical knowledge from the breakout sessions, and invaluable face time with other experts.”
Looking Ahead: AI Changes Everything
These days, Marc sees a big shift coming. “Every customer wants to talk about AI right now,” he notes. “I think it will be hard to fulfill all infrastructure requests in the future. Power and cooling is a ‘hot topic’ – pun intended.”
To stay ahead, he’s constantly learning. You’ll find him at Nvidia GTC and Dell Technologies World, talking with vendors, reading up on AI, and adding new certifications to his already impressive collection.
His advice for newcomers? “Never stop learning and exploring new things! Try things out.” It’s simple but powerful — just like the best technical solutions.
Life Beyond the Data Center
When he’s not knee-deep in virtualization technology, Marc spends his time working on BMW cars and traveling with his family. “I received the official hashtag, #HomeLabKing,” he mentions with pride, “but my family keeps me grounded.”
Want to tap into Marc’s wealth of knowledge? His blog at vcdx181.com is a great starting point, or you can connect with him on LinkedIn or any other platform where tech professionals gather. Just be ready to talk shop — this is one expert who loves diving into the details.
Marc’s story shows what happens when you combine technical expertise with a genuine passion for helping others succeed. As we navigate the future of cloud computing and AI, we need more community leaders like Marc who remember that at the heart of every great technology is the people who use it.
Want the full scoop? Stay in the loop on all things Explore.
There are several ways to catch up on Explore news and announcements. Join the Explore Insider newsletter for year-round updates, exclusive content, collaboration opportunities and more. Check out the VMware Explore LinkedIn page to find and connect with other Explore enthusiasts. Or, enjoy on-demand learning with the free Explore video library.
