VMworld 2013 is now over and its time for a rundown of what went on during this years show.  As always, this is THE event that virtualization junkies must attend.

This year there was no shortage of things to do.  Keynotes, Hands on Labs, Solutions Exchange, VMware Education Services, Blogger hang out, parties, meetings and social gatherings.  I wear a Jawbone UP device that tracks my steps and it was not uncommon to hit 20,000 steps each day.  Reminders for anyone going next year, that comfortable footwear is a must.

Keynotes

The keynotes obviously super charged everything going on at VMworld.  The announcements about vSphere 5.5, NSX and VSAN were heavily talked about subjects.  NSX took over 2 of the “Ask the Experts” panel sessions that I went too, and the VMware NSX booth was always packed at the solutions Exchange.

VMware CEO Pat Gelsinger making the vSphere 5.5 announcements at the Monday Morning Keynote.

Sessions

I didn’t plan well enough ahead and wasn’t able to get into any of the technical deep-dive sessions on NSX (shame on me) but had plenty of opportunities to sit at some really great sessions.  Industry experts (not all VMware employees) presented on a variety of subjects about how technology is changing, and how we can get the most out of what we’re doing on a daily basis.

David Davis in the Mythbusting gone virtual edition session.

Ask the Expert vBloggers session with (left to right) Rick Scherer, Scott Lowe, Duncan Epping, William Lam, Vaughn Stewert

Mr. Luk Dekens explaining PowerCLI to a packed house.

The top 10 sessions are listed below:

BCO5129 – Protection for All – vSphere Replication & SRM Technical Update

STO5715-S – Software-defined Storage – The Next Phase in the Evolution of Enterprise Storage

PHC5605-S – Everything You Want to Know About vCloud Hybrid Service – But Were Afraid to Ask.

VCM7369-S – Uncovering the Hidden Truth in Log Data With vCenter Log Insight

VAPP4679 – Software-Defined Datacenter Design Panel for Monster VM’s: Taking the Technology to the Limits for High Utilisation, High Performance Workloads

EUC7370-S – The Software-Defined Data Center Meets End User Computer

Solutions Exchange

This is the huge area where just about every vendor you can think of was out promoting their products and in many cases explaining how well they work with VMware vSphere.  I mean it’s VMworld right?

VMware gives out awards to these companies based off of community buzz and their showing.  This year the following companies won the best of breed awards.

Category: Storage and Backup for Virtualized Environments

SimpliVity, OmniCube

Category: Security and Compliance for Virtualization

AFORE Solutions, CloudLink Secure VSA

Category: Virtualization Management

Eaton, Eaton Intelligent Power Manager 1.3

Category: Networking and Virtualization

PLUMgrid, PLUMgrid Platform

Category: Desktop Virtualization and End-User Computing

Lakeside Software, SysTrack Resolve 6.1

Category: Private Cloud Computing Technologies

Nutanix, NX-6270

Category: Public/Hybrid Cloud Computing Technologies

Embotics, vCommander 5.0

Category: New Technology 

Neverfail Group, Neverfail IT Continuity Architect

Category: Best of Show

Eaton, Eaton Intelligent Power Manager 1.3

Judges’ Choice – recognition for a product not nominated for the Best of VMworld 2013 Awards

NVIDIA, NVIDIA GRID

Hands on Labs

In 2013 there were a few technical issues with the VMware Hands on Labs, but this year they seemed to be very smooth and fast.  I went to three sessions and walked right in each time.  No waiting.  Hats off to Doug Baer @dobaer (also known as Trevor) and the Technical Marketing team at VMware on a great job.  The labs should be available online to all attendees at a later date, but during the conference I know that more than 9000 labs and 80,000 virtual machines were deployed in the 5 days it ran.  Amazing.

VMware Education Services

VMware was allowing discounted certifications during the week so people were taking exams all week and trying to “level up” their qualifications.  Josh Andrews also ran a small area were attendees could test their metal against a VCAP-DCA question.  The fastest solutions were awarded with prizes.

My prize was a signed copy of the “VCDX Boot Camp”, autographed by VCDX001 himself John Yani Arrasjid.

Social Gatherings

This was also a great time to get together with colleagues that you may not see face to face very often.  VMware threw a great party on Thursday night at the AT&T ballpark to unwind after a long week of learning.  Guest bands “Imagine Dragons” and “Train” performed and I think everyone had a great time.

Imagine Dragons performing during VMworld 2013

Overall the conference was a great time, a great opportunity to network with peers, and a good chance to learn from industry experts.