VCF 9 and SDN: Revolutionizing private network management with Virtual Private Cloud
With each passing day, I’m becoming more and more convinced of the vision Broadcom is showing for the development of VMware Cloud Foundation 9 (VCF9). What was a promise not so long ago is now starting to work in practice – and it’s working brilliantly. The concept of SDN and Virtual Private Cloud (VPC), which takes on a new dimension in VCF9, has particularly caught my attention recently.
👉 If this is your first contact with the series, be sure to also read the first introductory article to VCF9 here.
In this article, I’ll show you why it’s worth getting interested in it and what it all looks like in practice – step by step.
Why is it worth betting on VCF9 in a network context?
Let’s start with the basics. The very idea of building an SDN network using VPC is not new – it already appeared in VCF 5.2 and users have been using it ever since. What is changing is how this concept is being consumed and developed. Integration with the self-service portal – both within vCenter and the more modern approach, VCF Automation – is key here.
But one step at a time.
How does VPC work in VCF9?
VPC works at the SDN, or programmable network, level. Each physical server with vSphere is connected to a physical VLAN through which SDN packets flow. The whole thing is controlled by NSX, VMware’s flagship networking component. For simplicity’s sake, imagine that a VLAN is a highway on which data trucks travel. These trucks carry smaller packets – the actual network packets.
Creating VPCs - something nice for everyone
In the new approach, VPCs can be created in several ways:
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vCenter – a familiar and well-loved interface, ideal for virtualization administrators who can create a VPC with literally a few clicks.
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NSX – a more advanced console for network professionals who need full control over their SDN infrastructure.
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VCF Automation – ideal for users outside the networking and virtualization world who also want to create their own network environments.
VCF Automation - what does it look like in practice?
We create regions – e.g. one for the Data Center in Warsaw, another for the DC in Poznan.
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We create organizations (tenants) – we assign administrators to each organization.
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Organizational administrators create projects, namespaces and, of course, VPCs.
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End users – can then divide the VPCs into smaller network segments, establish addressing and run services.
What used to take days or weeks (configuring VLANs, changing switches, assigning to vSphere), today users can do themselves in 2-3 minutes.
Control, history, security
Every operation in VCF Automation is recorded. Every step can be analyzed and accounted for. VPC can be easily scaled, assigned to different projects and network segments. We can also easily control whether a user has access to the outside world or only to internal resources. What’s more – communication between different VPCs is also possible.
Now let’s think: doesn’t all this remind you of a public cloud? Regions, organizations, VPCs, network segmentation – after all, these are classics of public cloud. Only that with VCF9 we have it all at home – in our own Data Center, under full control, without compromising on security, and – importantly – with much lower operating costs than in the public cloud.
I’ve seen it in action – it’s no longer a vision, it’s a reality. And I have to admit: I really like it.
We will soon look at another important aspect – how to implement advanced security mechanisms in our VCF9 private cloud environment, which security professionals still often only dream about.
Here’s a rundown of official sources from Broadcom’s website detailing what’s new in VMware Cloud Foundation 9 (VCF9), including features related to SDN, VPC and automation:
1. **Broadcom unveils the future of VMware Cloud Foundation**.
Official announcement of VCF9, including simplified management, self-service portal and native VPC support.
2 **Broadcom announces new version of VMware Cloud Foundation**.
Information on simplified deployments, management console consolidation, and support for multi-tenancy and network services.
https://news.broadcom.com/releases/vmware-cloud-foundation-9-0
3 **Broadcom’s strategic shift: VMware’s return to the private cloud**.
A description of VMware’s shift in strategy to the private cloud and VCF9’s role in this transformation.
4 **VMware Cloud Foundation delivers private cloud platform**.
Details on VCF9’s support for AI, digital sovereignty and security.
5 **Broadcom announces deprecation of VCF Automation Pipelines**.
Information on the withdrawal of the VCF Automation Pipelines feature in version 9.
https://news.broadcom.com/releases/vmware-explore-2024-barcelona-vmware-cloud-foundation
These sources provide comprehensive information on the new features and changes introduced in VMware Cloud Foundation 9, especially in the context of SDN, VPC and private cloud management automation.
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