Product Announcements

#vSphereChat Recap: VMworld 2020

VMworld 2020 is quickly approaching! To prepare for this first-ever virtual VMworld, we hosted a vSphere Tweet Chat with our friends over at VMware Events and vSAN. Joining us to answer eight rapid-fire questions were VMware experts from across the company and world: Josh Townsend (@joshuatownsend), Rick Walsworth (@RickWalsworth), John Dias (@johnddias), Bob Plankers (@plankers) and many, many more! From tips and tricks to can’t-miss sessions, they’ve got you covered with all things VMworld. Read on to see anything you may have missed.

Q1. What’s your #1 pro-tip for getting the most out of VMworld 2020?

Bob Plankers

A1-1. I always suggest that people do the things that they CAN’T do outside of the conference. Watch live sessions, ask questions, do the virtual TAM & meetups, etc.

A1-2. And, as always, I suggest not taking random USB devices from anyone, unless you like malware and ransomware. Not so much an issue this year but good security advice in general.

John Dias

A1. Since we’re virtual this year, find a quiet place to enjoy VMworld 2020 and take in the vRealize content!

Josh Townsend

A1. Stand behind the hydrant – VMworld is like drinking from the firehose! Pace yourself and pick your sessions carefully (there’s a ton of content this year!)

Rick Walsworth

A1. That’s Easy – Download the VMworld mobile app, go to the session catalog and find all of the Cloud Foundation, vSphere, vSAN sessions and register now. Boom.

John Nicholson

A1. Pick up one area that isn’t your core competency to go explore.

Q2. What can we expect for session content at VMworld 2020?

Bob Plankers

A2-1. There’s a ton of content this year because we aren’t restricted by the constraints of a physical space. Lots of good stuff around all the new technology with VMware Tanzu and lots of new announcements with VMware vSphere and Cloud Foundation.

A2-2. VMworld Sessions HCP2046 is back with the vSphere security updates — “News You Can Use.” HCP2047 is all about securing AD with vSphere. HCP2050 is all about certificate management.

Josh Townsend

A2. So much content!  Be sure to check out the VMware Cloud Foundation content – bringing the best of vSphere and vSAN together with some great new features!

Rick Walsworth

A2. Over 600 VMworld sessions across multiple tracks, awesome keynotes and of course a of new product announcements on the big stage.

John Dias

A2. At VMworld 2020 we will be covering the latest updates for vRealize products including the 8.2 releases (and vRNI 5.3) so come find out “what’s new!”

Q3: How can attendees connect with experts at #VMworld 2020?

Bob Plankers

A3. Twitter is probably easiest, to be honest. Hit me up, @plankers, if you have a question about a session.

Josh Townsend

A3. Connect with the VMworld experts with guided Hands-on Labs, engage on social media, and through the app!

Rick Walsworth

A3. Definitely take advantage of the expert sessions and look for the Cloud Foundation breakout sessions.

John Dias

A3. Meet the Experts sessions are your chance to get your questions answered for vRealize products. Sign up for VMworld 2020 Premier Pass to chat live!

John Nicholson

A3. I’ve got a roundtable HCI 2726, to cover your questions on Space Reclaim

Sunny Dua

A3. Make sure to follow the presenters on Twitter. Check out the blogs. Follow @VMware

channels on social media. We are gearing up all our employees to talk to you at VMworld!

Q4: Why are VMware Hands-On Labs the best way to learn? What types of Hands-On Labs will vSphere be offering at VMworld 2020?

VMware Hands-On Labs

A4. Exciting news! Round 1 of our pre-event qualify rounds of our VMworld 2020 VMware Odyssey Tournament will cover our brand-new vSphere 7 Odyssey lab! Add this to your schedule now.

Bob Plankers

A4-1. VMware Hands-On Lab is awesome! If there are ones that are only available during VMworld do those first and follow up with others throughout the year (many HOLs are available year-round, BTW).

A4-2. Also check out the Odyssey contests! Those are interesting knowledge competitions and you can win pretty nice prizes.

Rick Walsworth

A4: Definitely take advantage of the VMworld Hands-on Labs, then engage on social media, and get your nerd on!

John Dias

A4. Two reasons the vRealize HOL labs are great 1) for the expert, learn about new product features 2) for the beginner get guided, self-paced overviews of product capabilities, there’s something for everyone at VMworld 2020.

Q5. What sessions on vSphere Bitfusion and vSphere 7 with Kubernetes will be featured at VMworld 2020?

Bob Plankers

A5. ALL OF THEM. Bitfusion is really interesting if you use GPUs for workloads. Tanzu has all sorts of new announcements coming up, here.

John Dias

A5. Check out VMworld 2020 for vRealize with vSphere 7 with Tanzu!

Q6. What are the top three vSphere sessions that VMworld 2020 attendees should not miss?

Bob Plankers

A6. HCP2046 is the greatest session ever!

John Dias

A6. Check out this 3-part series on Operationalizing Your Cloud HCMB1493, HCMB1494 and MCOP1500.

Sunny Dua

A6. This blog post is the answer!

Q7. Can you share a favorite memory from a past VMworld? Bonus points if you have a photo!

Bob Plankers

A7. Too many photos and memories. I think the best times are usually with the vStogies crowd, though, Todd Scalzott, Jason Boche, Eric Siebert, Matt Leib and crew. The nice thing is that there’s something for everyone at VMworld, though.

Stephanie Karic

A7-2. Powered by vSAN shoe giveaway at VMware VMworld last year

Rick Walsworth

A7. Meeting Joe Montana in the HPE booth last year was pretty cool.

VMware Events

A7. Just a few from the VMworld vault!

Q8. Last question of the tweet chat! How would you describe the VMworld experience using one GIF?

VMware Events

A8. 800+ sessions of amazing technical content. [GIF]

Bob Plankers

A8-1. [GIF]

https://twitter.com/plankers/status/1300869709475319813

A8-2. [GIF]

https://twitter.com/plankers/status/1300869928677933056

Rick Walsworth

A8. VMworld ROCKS! THANKS ALL – GOTTA GO! [GIF]

Sunny Dua

A8. MINDBLOWING! [GIF]

Whether you followed along in real time or caught up with this recap, we hope you enjoyed our latest dual vSphere and vSAN Tweet Chat on all things VMworld. Stay tuned to our Twitter account (@VMwarevSphere) for details about our next chat. And be sure to register for VMworld 2020, here. Have a topic idea? Reach out to us anytime on Twitter!

 


We are excited about these new releases and how vSphere is always improving to serve our customers and workloads better in the hybrid cloud. We will continue posting new technical and product information about vSphere with Tanzu & vSphere 7 Update 1 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays through the end of October 2020! Join us by following the blog directly using the RSS feed, on Facebook, and on Twitter, and by visiting our YouTube channel which has new videos about vSphere 7 Update 1, too. As always, thank you, and please stay safe.