What is VMware Cloud Foundation? (And why training labs matter)

Managing a cloud solution like VCF requires training – and training needs to include hands-on exercises. Here's why.



Not all businesses are built the same. But they all have one thing in common – they all need somewhere to run their computer, storage, networking and system management processes.

Traditionally, this was done on private servers. The last few decades, however, have seen a rapid shift to cloud-based solutions. It's no exaggeration to say we're now living in the Age of the Cloud, whether or not we're aware of it day by day.

This brings with it a whole host of benefits. But for business managers, it also raises the spectre of choice fatigue – the exhausting prospect of finding exactly the right solution for your requirements.

Here at Ascend Cloud Solutions, we're system-agnostic. We don't believe that one cloud solution is better than another, per se. The solutions we see are answers, not just products.

Nevertheless, our background is in VMware – and we know its Cloud Foundation platform inside out. It's a private cloud platform that can speed up workload deployment by 61%, save 55% compared to old-school three-tier infrastructure and 40% compared to native public cloud.



Sounds good, right? But it's not as simple as downloading the software and seeing an instant change. Every business that uses VCF needs staff who know how to use it to its full advantage – and that requires training.

In our view, training in cloud computing needs to involve hands-on lab exercises. Without this practical grounding, you may as well try to split the atom by following the manual.

In this article, we take a look at the benefits of VMware Cloud Foundation – and how hands-on training labs can help you unlock its fearsome potential.

What is VMware Cloud Foundation?

VMware Cloud Foundation is a private cloud platform that integrates several core components into a single, automated stack. These components include:

• vSphere (compute virtualisation)
• NSX (network virtualisation)
• vSAN (software-defined storage)
• SDDC Manager (the central management component, allowing for simpler deployment and configuration of the stack)
  
  

By combining these core components, VMware Cloud Foundation allows organisations to treat their private cloud infrastructure like a public cloud.

What are the benefits of VMware Cloud Foundation?

VMware Cloud Foundation puts all your processes in one place. But more than that, it lets you automate and streamline your infrastructure management. This makes your processes more efficient – and your mistakes more easily spotted and zapped.

It's also forward-looking, supporting modern workloads such as containers and AI. And like all good virtualisation software, it's highly secure and highly scalable. If you've got your eyes on the big time, VCF can go there with you.

Why is hands-on training valuable?

If you want to become a VCF maestro, you'll need to undertake training. This is complicated stuff, even for IT professionals with years of experience under their belts.

We believe that good training is hands-on as well as practical. To illustrate why, consider what it takes to learn to drive a car.



To get your driving licence in Ireland – as elsewhere – you need to pass your theory test as well as your practical. The two tests complement each other and produce safe, well-rounded drivers.

The theory test teaches you braking distances. But what good are they if you don't know what the brake feels like under your foot? Vice versa, what's the use of smoothly changing through the gears if you can't quickly identify and process road signs?

Learning to use VCF isn't all that different. Yes, you need to learn a lot of facts, terms and processes. But without hands-on lab exercises to underpin that knowledge, you'll struggle when faced with a real-world problem.

Five ways that hands-on training can help

1. It leads to better knowledge retention

Successfully making a spaghetti dish once doesn't mean you can work in a restaurant kitchen. Knowledge retention comes through active doing – and the more you do it, the more the knowledge sticks and the quicker problems can be solved.

By speeding up problem-solving, issues can be contained and eliminated more quickly. This, in turn, means less downtime or disruption to your day-to-day operations.

2. It results in higher engagement levels

Yes, cloud computing is fascinating. No, it's not always easy to stay completely focused throughout a multi-day course. Hands-on exercises help boost engagement – and engagement means better knowledge retention. And better knowledge retention means… Well, you get the idea.

3. It prepares you for the real world

Real-world simulations – sometimes known as "sandbox training" – let students analyse problems and try out solutions without bringing the whole thing to a halt. It's a safe space to make mistakes and learn.

Participating in hands-on labs, students prepare for real-world scenarios, not theoretical ones. So when it comes to deploying apps, automating processes, managing virtual servers or configuring secure networking, they'll have been here before and know what to do.

4. It increases confidence

System administrators have a lot of responsibility – and to carry out their jobs effectively, they need confidence as well as capability. And what better way to cement knowledge and increase confidence than through practical exercises?

But training labs don't just increase the system manager's confidence. They can also pave the way for certification exams – and these act as a strong trust signal to clients old and new.

5. It enables real-time feedback

Teaching yourself has its advantages. But it can be a long and winding way to get where you want to be. By contrast, getting real-time feedback from instructors helps reinforce knowledge and best practices in the moment.

All of these benefits combine to make lab exercises a prerequisite for good training. In business terms, that means system administrators who can hit the ground running and know how to contain problems before they lead to disruption.

About VMware Education Delivery Partners

VMware Education Delivery Partners (VEDPs) are organisations that provide training in VMware products. Here at Ascend Cloud Solutions, we provide the lab infrastructure necessary to deliver courses that combine hands-on exercises and theoretical knowledge.

Our lab hosting services are highly secure and highly available. We work behind the scenes to bring your training to life, replicating full multi-cloud setups for learners.

So, if you're looking for lab hosting for VEDP training, don't hesitate to get in touch with Ascend Cloud Solutions and speak to a cloud expert today.