What is VMware Cloud Foundation

Most companies use many different tools to manage their tech. One tool runs the virtual machines, another handles storage, and a third one takes care of the network. This can be confusing and hard to manage.

VMware Cloud Foundation puts all these tools into one big system. That system includes:

• • vSphere to run virtual machines
  • vSAN to manage storage using your own servers
  • NSX to take care of networking and security
  • Aria Suite to manage and automate everything
  • Tanzu Kubernetes Grid to run apps in containers like Kubernetes

This setup helps you build a private cloud (in your own building) or a public cloud (on someone else’s servers). You can even use a mix of both, called a hybrid cloud.

Because everything works together, it’s easier to build, run, and manage your apps. You don’t need five different teams to handle five different things. It’s all in one place.

IT teams spend a lot of time installing, updating, and fixing systems. Doing all this by hand can lead to mistakes and downtime. That’s where automation comes in.

VCF uses a tool called SDDC Manager. This tool helps with:

• • Setting everything up the right way
  • Installing updates and patches
  • Checking for problems and fixing them
  • Keeping everything up to date without stopping your apps

VCF also uses something called workload domains. These are like little mini-data centers. Each one can be set up for a different purpose:

• • One domain can be for development and testing
  • Another domain can be for real customers and apps
  • A third one can be for backup and recovery

Each domain is managed separately. This keeps everything organized and safe. If something breaks in one domain, it won’t affect the others. For companies with a lot of systems or apps, this makes life a lot easier.

If you’re wondering what is included in VMware Cloud Foundation, here’s a list of the main tools that come with it:

• vSphere: Lets you run and manage virtual machines.
• vSAN: Turns your storage into shared storage without extra hardware.
• NSX: Helps control your network and protect it from threats.
• Aria Suite:Lets you see and manage everything from one screen.
• Tanzu Kubernetes Grid: Lets you build and run container-based apps.

VCF also supports add-ons for:

• Ransomware protection
• Disaster recovery
• Application-level security
• Private AI setups for companies building smart tools

Because everything comes in one system, there’s less need to shop around or buy different tools. It saves time and makes IT simpler for everyone.

One of the best things about VCF is that security is built in. You don’t need to add extra tools to keep your systems safe. Here are some of the ways VCF protects you:

• Zero-trust access: No one gets in unless they are approved.
• Micro-segmentation: Apps and systems are kept separate unless allowed to talk.
• Encryption: All your data is locked, so others can’t read it.
• IDS/IPS tools: These check for hackers or strange activity.

VCF keeps your data safe whether it’s in your building, in the cloud, or spread across many places.

It also helps with disaster recovery. That means if something goes wrong, like a power outage or cyberattack, VCF can move your systems to another spot and keep them running. This reduces downtime and helps businesses stay open.

If your business needs to follow strict laws like HIPAA or PCI-DSS, VCF is built to help you stay compliant.

VMware Cloud Foundation doesn’t just benefit IT. It delivers serious value to the entire business. By unifying infrastructure and automating key tasks, VCF helps companies reduce costs, move faster, and work more efficiently across teams.

According to a 2024 IDC report, organizations using VMware Cloud Foundation saw a 564% return on investment (ROI) in just three years. They also cut total costs by 42%, reduced downtime by 98%, and deployed applications 61% faster. These numbers show how VCF supports both operational efficiency and long-term growth, making it a smart investment for any business aiming to modernize.

Almost no downtime means fewer angry customers and more sales. Faster app setup means new ideas get tested and launched quickly. That can help you beat your competition.

Here are some real-world examples from the report:

• • A healthcare company used VCF to combine many systems across multiple locations. That helped their IT team manage things faster and fix backups more easily.
  • A government group used VCF to clean up old tech and build a plan to upgrade in the future.
  • A retail company used VCF to move some systems to the cloud and some to edge devices. Everything worked together with no problems.

On average, companies using VCF ran:

• • Over 1,000 servers
  • Over 11,000 virtual machines
  • Across more than 60 locations

When your setup is that big, saving even a little time or money in each spot makes a big difference.

At OTAVA, we are here to help you use VMware Cloud Foundation the right way. We’re not just any IT company. We’re a Broadcom Advantage Premier Partner and a licensed VMware Cloud Service Provider (VCSP). That means we’re trusted by the people who make VMware and know this stuff inside and out.

We help you with:

• Licensing: Broadcom now sells VMware in bundles. We explain what this means and help you pick the right plan.
• Planning: We look at your current systems, figure out what you need, and make a plan that saves money and works long-term.
• Optimization: Licensing costs depend on CPU cores now. We help you run more efficiently so you don’t waste money.
• Migration: We help you move your apps and data without stopping your business. We keep things running while making the switch.
• Cloud Options: We offer Dedicated Private Cloud (DPC), where your own secure setup is fully managed by us. We also offer Virtual Private Cloud (VPC), a shared environment, with your own private section.

Both are built on VMware Cloud Foundation and are perfect for companies that need privacy, speed, and flexibility.

VMware Cloud Foundation gives you the tools to modernize, protect, and grow your IT setup. However, setting it up the right way isn’t easy.

That’s where we come in.

We help companies make sense of Broadcom’s changes, build strong private clouds, and run their systems with confidence. Whether you’re just starting or already running VMware, we can guide you to the next level.

Contact us today to learn how we can help you get started with VMware Cloud Foundation.

• Embracing Change: OTAVA’s Insight on Broadcom’s New VMware Model
• Changes to VMware’s Partner Program: How OTAVA Can Help
• How to Survive the Broadcom VMware Acquisition
• VMware Cloud Service Provider Transition FAQ