I hear everyone wants more Tokens ... I've got an idea #IYKYK 😅
Remote
William Lam
@lamw@vmst.io
Distinguished Platform Engineering Architect, Broadcom • 📢 Customer Advocate • 🧑💻 Technologist • 🖊️ Blogger • 👨👧👦 Father • 🧗♂️ Spartan Races
0 Followers
0 Following
50 Posts
Joined November 18, 2022
Website:
VMware vExpert:
The ESX scheduler has been ruthlessly optimized for 2 decades packing VMs on same HW, delivering 🚀 perf!
Workloads evolve, ESX continues to enable organizations to run MORE (5.6x) & FASTER (4.9x) app readiness than others! 👏 Work to ESX & VKS teams!
https://blogs.vmware.com/cloud-foundation/2026/03/21/vcf-9-0-delivers-5-6x-pod-density-and-4-9x-faster-pod-readiness-than-red-hat-openshift/
Broadcom TechDocs 📄 has been revamped! Much better use of screen real estate & 2nd navigation has been brought back on right hand side 🙌
I suspect #VCF9 docs will be getting quite popular soon 😉 ... https://techdocs.broadcom.com/us/en/vmware-cis/vcf/vcf-9-0-and-later/9-0.html
My pre-workout this morning with some HCIBench 😆
🔥🆕 Updated Technical Whitepapers for Microsoft workloads on VCF💪
🔸SQL Server Failover Cluster on #VCF9 https://www.vmware.com/docs/mssql-fci-vcf-9
🔹SQL Server on VCF https://www.vmware.com/docs/architecting-mssql-vcf
🔸SQL Server HA on VCF https://www.vmware.com/docs/architecting-mssql-ha-vcf
🔹Active Directory on VCF https://www.vmware.com/docs/active-directory-domain-services-vcf
Fairly minimal changes to my Automated VCF Lab 9 Fleet Deploy Script to support #VCF91
Sometimes I'm pleasantly surprised at my approach for creating script (before AI), especially for easy update ☺️
~25min to deploy VCF Installer, Nested ESX hosts & begin VCF Fleet deploy! 🙌
Replying to
@jmcneill@mstdn.ca Since you asked so nicely ... https://vmst.io/@lamw/116528177705383814
Quoting
#VCF91 not only brings the goods to the x86 platform BUT it is also the🥇st release that officially productizes the popular #ESXonArm Fling💪🥳
Its been a long journey, but congrats to those involved in ESX on Arm Fling! 👏
⚙️ Automation pays massive dividends in long run, especially when you need it the most! 😅
Needed to rebuild my #VCF9 lab, everything automated including physical ESX host deployment using this approach https://williamlam.com/2025/07/custom-uefi-boot-menu-for-esxi-9-0-using-refind.html all rebuilt & fully configured in <5min! 🙌
🆕 vSphere Kubernetes Service (VKS) 3.6 is now available! 🥳
🧠 Blog: https://blogs.vmware.com/cloud-foundation/2026/02/11/vmware-vsphere-kubernetes-service3-6-making-enterprise-kubernetes-safer-more-flexible-and-easier-to-operate/
📒 RN: https://techdocs.broadcom.com/us/en/vmware-cis/vcf/vsphere-supervisor-services-and-standalone-components/latest/release-notes/vmware-tanzu-kubernetes-grid-service-release-notes.html#GUID-166807c0-799a-4122-a5de-59c5d158b3e3-en_id-1b5b3714-0ed8-4cf1-b6a9-96d34b1359b1
⚙️ VKS API Reference https://developer.broadcom.com/xapis/vmware-vsphere-kubernetes-service/latest/api-docs.html
#VCF9
#VCF9 documentation was recently updated to help clarify that VCF Automation (VCFA) is an optional component as part of Day-0 & can be deployed as Day-N (optional). Regardless of VCFA being deployed, you will always have ability to deploy VKS workloads!
[🆕] - Maximizing vSAN ESA Performance on Minisforum MS-A2 https://williamlam.com/2026/03/maximizing-vsan-esa-performance-on-minisforum-ms-a2.html
👆A MUST read if you're owner of an MS-A2!
🧠 Learned a ton from Nicholas Wilson (Broadcom)! 🙏
#VCF9
2 out the 3 990 Pro's have arrived ... I'm really regretting not spending a bit more 6 months back to get these or even Enterprise grade NVMe drives at 1/3 to 1/2 the cost it is today! 😩
Always get distracted when deploying a new vSphere Kubernetes Service (VKS) Cluster ... I need to make sure its operationally ready for the Platform Engr team 😅 🕹️👾
This might need to be a new Supervisor Service 😆
Just finished upgraded to Fusion Pro 25H2! 👌
📢 VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) 5.2.3 is now available!
[🆕] - Quick Tip - Debugging "stuck" vSphere Supervisor being removed https://williamlam.com/2026/02/debugging-stuck-vsphere-supervisor-being-removed.html
The Broadcom Compatibility Guide (BCG) was recently updated to include a new field called "VCF Supported. Confirm w/Vendor" which is explained in a newly published KB - Deprecated CPU Systems / Servers in ESX 9.0 and implications for support https://knowledge.broadcom.com/external/article/428874
🏁🏎️ The VMware Extreme Performance Series is back for 2026!
These are great technical deep dives from the #VCF9 Perf Engineering team in helping you drive maximum performance for your VMware environments! Definitely 🔖 and follow along!
https://blogs.vmware.com/cloud-foundation/2026/02/11/extreme-performance-series-2026-using-vtopology-in-vcf-9/
[🆕] - Creating Custom Virtual Machine Classes using vSphere API https://williamlam.com/2026/03/creating-custom-virtual-machine-classes-using-vsphere-api.html
#VCF9
🥳 Holodeck now supports the latest #VCF 9.0.2 patch release! This is a great all-in-one solution to get the full VCF experience
https://vmware.github.io/Holodeck/release_notes/#holodeck-902-maintenance-release
This will be a MUST attend briefing tomorrow (05/05) on our next planned release of ☁️ VMware Cloud Foundation (#VCF) ... 😁
Sign Up 👉 https://go-vmware.broadcom.com/inside-vmware-cloud-foundation
👏 Just like Harbor, the defacto OSS Container Registry solution for the Kubernetes eco-system, VMware & now Broadcom continues to lead in OSS contributions to K8s community by donating Velero (Backup/DR framework for k8s) to the CNCF 🥳
[🆕] - USB Native Network Driver for ESXi supports Realtek RTL8157 & RTL8156BG https://williamlam.com/2026/02/usb-native-network-driver-for-esxi-supports-realtek-rtl8157-rtl8156bg.html
Here's another 🆕 Fling! 🔥
🔦 Headlamp Supervisor Service Fling providing user friendly k8s UI for your vSphere Supervisor Cluster
https://github.com/vsphere-tmm/Supervisor-Services#headlamp
The AMD Zen4/Zen5 IPMI Thermal Driver for ESX Fling https://williamlam.com/2026/05/amd-zen4-zen5-ipmi-thermal-driver-for-esx-fling.html is now LIVE on Broadcom Support Portal under Free Downloads! 🥳
PS: Don't forget to click on T&C link or you won't be able to click on I Agree 😄
Really digging VS Code + GitHub Copilot ... used it refactor some Python code 👌
At some point ... I asked it to create a new function to remove repetitive code, it did BUT it ended up creating function def that collided w/same variable name 🤦
Spent past few hours debugging 😫
JFYI - For those prepping their labs for #VCF91 ...
Here's quick 👀 at the resource breakdown for both a VCF Fleet non-HA (Small) & HA (Medium) deployment. As part of Day-N, you'll be able to scale up & add additional capabilities
https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/unexploredterritory/episodes/112---Introducing-VMware-vDefend-featuring-Chris-McCain-e3eirs0/a-acevrjv
👆MUST listen 🎧 Goes beyond vDefend but a new mindset if you want deliver modern private cloud like public cloud ... Networking must be dynamic & delivered in software
Chris McCain always does great job breaking down Network & Security for us mortals👌
[UPDATED] - AMD Zen4/Zen5 IPMI Thermal Driver for ESX Fling https://williamlam.com/2026/05/amd-zen4-zen5-ipmi-thermal-driver-for-esx-fling.html
👇Includes instructions to add support additional AMD-based systems including:
🔸Zen 4 - Raphael, Granite Ridge, Phoenix
🔹Zen 5 - Strix Point, Krackan, Strix Halo
JFYI - New KB https://knowledge.broadcom.com/external/article/403075/vcf-90-bringup-fails-at-esx-host-validat.html to address VvsCompatibilityController controller failed with error message : Invalid VMwareProductVersion which was due to invalid VVS entry (change has been reverted but in case you're seeing it, quick workaround)
#VCF9
JFYI - Looks like the Headlamp Supervisor Service YAML was missing "version" declaration, once you add that, it'll deploy. I've already filed bug https://github.com/vsphere-tmm/Supervisor-Services/issues/125
[🆕] - Automated Initial Configuration of VCF Operations 9 using CASA API https://williamlam.com/2026/03/automated-initial-configuration-of-vcf-operations-9-using-casa-api.html
#VCF9
🆕 Broadcom KB regarding the upcoming expirations of Microsoft Secure Boot 2011 Certificates 🔑 and how to handle them in a vSphere-based environment https://knowledge.broadcom.com/external/article/423893
👏 Congrats to all the 2026 #vExperts (both 🆕 and returning)! 🥳
1️⃣8️⃣th year for myself 🤯
Had to go to the source to get some storage! 😅
Thanks to the Micron team for the NVMe devices, perfect timing with launch of #VCF91
Definitely will super charge my vSAN ESA + NVMe Tiering setup 🚀
🆕 VMware Workstation & Fusion 25H2u1 releases! 🥳
💻Workstation:
📔https://lnkd.in/ggvRp-nU
💿 https://lnkd.in/gw4GK8Pm
🖥️ Fusion:
[🆕] - AMD Zen4/Zen5 IPMI Thermal Driver for ESX Fling https://williamlam.com/2026/05/amd-zen4-zen5-ipmi-thermal-driver-for-esx-fling.html
🥳 Happy Friday! Excited to share we will have a new Fling for retrieving 🌡️ from an AMD-based Zen4/Zen5 systems! Great for all you MS-A2 owners
⏳ETA next week for publication
Linux kernel developers have some interesting sense of humor 🤣
🧠 Just learned about this awesome vSphere Supervisor resource for configuring Air-Gapped env, Ports & Protocols to Troubleshooting & more!
Whether you're deploying vSphere Kubernetes Service (VKS), DB, Private AI or Network Services, must bookmark! 🔖
https://github.com/vmware/vsphere-supervisor
A Common miss-understanding is that you can have "multiple" VCF versions within a single Offline Depot. In my setup, I've got 9.0.1, 9.0.2 and 9.1.0
VCF Download Tool (VCFDT) does heavy lift by pulling down latest metadata & binaries, simply append to offline depot
#VCF91
[🆕] - Frequent Query container volume async Tasks in vSphere UI https://williamlam.com/2026/02/frequent-query-container-volume-async-tasks-in-vsphere-ui.html
#VCF91 has been running in my lab for some time, digging all enhancements! I'll be sharing various tips for lab purposes in coming weeks, stay tuned!
One of my fav updates is NMVe Tiering capability, can view it in vSphere UI, enable w/o reboot, Nested ESX works & much more!
🔥📰 Check out this blog post for more details regarding some of the changes for #VCF9 Server Hardware Certification, especially for those with certified 8.x Hardware!
https://blogs.vmware.com/cloud-foundation/2026/02/25/vcf-9-0-server-certification-preserving-your-hardware-investment-and-giving-the-best-roi/
[🆕] - Automated Deployment of VCF Operations 9 OVA https://williamlam.com/2026/02/automated-deployment-of-vcf-operations-9-ova.html
For Infra Admins, Kubernetes experience is no longer nice to have in 2026 ... beyond software dev, even off the shelf SW is switching to k8s.
If you're interested in advancing your skills, @MyVMUG is providing FREE K8s Level ⬆️ Program 🧠 to help YOU!
https://my.vmug.com/s/event/a4pVs000001BigHIAS/kubernetes-level-up-program
[🆕] - Quick Tip: High CPU Utilization on ESX due to Slow Entropy from AMD Zen 4 CPUs https://williamlam.com/2026/04/quick-tip-high-cpu-utilization-on-esx-due-to-slow-entropy-from-amd-zen-4-cpus.html
📢 If you're MS-A2 owner or have AMD Ryzen-based setup running ESX, make sure to apply this workaround, it'll reduce your overall CPU utilization!
[🆕] - Simplify License Management across VCF Operations Fleet & Standalone Deployment for Monitoring https://williamlam.com/2026/03/simplify-license-management-across-vcf-operations-fleet-standalone-deployment-for-monitoring.html
#VCF9
[🆕] - Automating Lab Optimizations for Post-Deployment of VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) https://williamlam.com/2026/04/automating-lab-optimizations-for-post-deployment-of-vmware-cloud-foundation-vcf.html
☝️Finally found some time to automate (did old fashion way, no AI was used) a few tweaks for lab deployments of #VCF9
