VM /ETC

VM /ETC is probably the last virtualization blog to talk about VMware’s April 21 live via Simulcast web event. Nevertheless, there might be a few that have not heard about it yet. I’ve already registered, and I recommend all vmetc.com readers do the same.

Quickly, here is my speed read keywords from the verbiage on the official event web page:

• bringing cloud computing to businesses of all sizes.
• Transform your IT infrastructure into a private cloud
• dramatically reducing capital and operating costs and maximizing IT efficiency—with the freedom to choose any application, OS, or hardware.
• unveil the next generation of virtualization technology from VMware.
• one of the most groundbreaking events this year.
• Register Now >>

The virtualization community has exploded with theories and hype about what this announcement and event is really about. I’ll admit, it is exciting, but I have my doubts that this unveiling is really anything I have not heard already. I’m expecting to hear the same message I heard at VMworld 2008 in Las Vegas back in September, then again during VMworld Europe 2009 in February. I feel this is a “Microsoft” style web event that is designed to reach the masses that have not attended a VMworld conference recently. I have my fingers crossed that we’ll get an official name and a release date on VI 4 (next version), but I fear that is best case scenario. Maybe we’ll have a public beta?

Here’s what VMware employees are saying (or understandably being told to say) on their blogs to promote this event:

The dawn of a new era – Yellow-Bricks.com

While most virtualization vendors are still catching up on VMware Virtual Infrastructure 3.5, VMware prepares for the official unveiling of the next generation of virtualization software! April 21 – 2009, mark that date! It’s the dawn of a new era! I know that it’s way over the top, but you Get ready for the launch event of the year. On April 21, VMware will launch the next evolution of virtualization and cloud computing. Anyone is welcome to attend this momentous occasion can’t half imagine how excited I am about this upcoming announcement!

VMware Launch Event – Virtualization Takes a Giant Leap Forward – mikedipetrillo.com

Get ready for the launch event of the year. On April 21, VMware will launch the next evolution of virtualization and cloud computing. Anyone is welcome to attend this momentous occasion.

On the other hand, Maish Saidel-Keesing’s (not a VMware employee) post titled April 21st – What will we get? is a good read that offers three possibilities of what we could hear from VMware:

“What will we get? What will the announcement be? the way I see it – three different alternatives.

• VMware will release their new version of vSphere. It has been around in Beta since September 2008 (I have personally filled out countless amounts of surveys and feedback forms with my input on all aspects of the product and all the additional functionality that will be released with it).
• VMware will announce the release date for vSphere.
• Something completely new will come out – that has not been circumventing around the virtualization world.”

Check out Maish’s full post (as well as Duncan’s and Mike’s) for his prediction on which of the three he believes we will actually get.

Maybe the most interesting unvieling related to the VMware event will come on April 14 from VMware’s mothership EMC. Chad Sakac’s post, Well – it’ll be nice to finally have the cat out of the bag, explains:

“Ok – first on April 14th, the must-see EMC event (click to register):

It’s no joke that to say that we’ve been designing everything (platforms, management software, backup apps, our services capabilities) around the virtual datacenter for the last 2 years.   This is the next piece to drop into place.

Then on April 21st, the must-see VMware event.”

I am attending VMware Partner Exchange 2009 in Orlando, FL next week, so I hope to get some better information myself before the April 21 event. Most of the Orlando Partner conference is probably under NDA. I doubt I’ll be able to reveal much else I learn on VM /ETC, but I hope at least I might know what the event will be about by the end of Partner Exchange!

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