Highlights from VMworld 2011

VXLAN Advances Network Virtualization - As a major step towards on-demand networks, VXLAN (Virtual eXtensible Local Area Network was introduced as a breakthrough in network virtualization. VXLAN is a collaborative effort for an Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) draft as a framework for overlaying virtualized layer 2 networks over layer 3 networks. It is a networking group Internet draft released August 26th, with participating companies including Cisco, VMware, Arista Networks, Broadcom, Citrix and Red Hat .

VMware’s Vision: Connected Global Clouds - VMware (VMW) announced several new vCloud offerings to help enterprises connect and manage cloud services from the large network of service providers. VMware announced Global Connect, an optional feature of the vCloud Data center service announced in 2010, that will let customers use cloud services from multiple providers across geographies as if they are a single, virtual cloud. First to the table for service providers are Bluelock, SingTel and Softbank Telecom. The network of service providers is expected to span 25 data centers in 13 countries by the end of 2011.

Brocade Offers Subscription Plans for Network Gear - Seeking to capitalize on interest in the usage-based pricing models seen in cloud computing, Brocade today introduced a subscription-based option for acquiring network infrastructure equipment. The Brocade Network Subscription offers a new way for its customers to procure network capacity, allowing them to shift hardware costs from up-front capital expenditures to the operating budget.

Riverbed Optimizes Replication - Riverbed (RVBD) announced its Steelhead appliance wide area network (WAN) optimization solutions accelerate VMware vSphere Replication, a new feature of VMware vCenter Site Recovery Manager 5. Plus news from EMC, VCE and CiRBA

Dell Unveils vCloud Datacenter - Dell and VMware (VMW) jointly announced the availability of the Dell Cloud based on VMware vCloud Datacenter Services designed to provide a seamless multi-tenant environment for running virtual systems. Aimed at hosting and outsourcing firms, system integrators and service providers Dell and VMware will provide the Infrastructure as a Service choice and leverage automation, workload scalability and multi-level security. Plus news from NetApp and EMC.

VMworld Roundup: F5, Fusion-io, Radware, Virtensys - Fusion-io (FIO) announced its ioCache solution customized to deliver Fusion Powered performance for the virtualization of even data-intensive enterprise applications in VMware environments, including environments that use vMotion. Also, F5 Networks (FFIV) announced enhanced capabilities for data center-to-data center live migration and desktop virtualization deployments.