VMware vSphere 7 Advanced Features

VMware introduced VMware vSphere 7.0 Update 3d and added advanced features to this version. vSphere 7.0 Update 3d is currently available for download, and it includes several problem fixes seen in earlier versions.

Figure: Download VMware vSphere 7.0 Update 3d

The following are some of the new advanced features in VMware vSphere 7.0:

vSphere with Tanzu

The integration of Kubernetes, which we name vSphere with Tanzu, is one of the most important aspects of VMware vSphere 7. It enables businesses to quickly launch and operate container-based contemporary apps on top of their existing infrastructure. To construct clusters and deploy apps, developers may easily utilize standard tools and YAML files, giving excellent self-service capabilities.

Figure: VMware vSphere with Tanzu

vCenter plugin for NSX

This plugin makes it easier for system administrators to set up NSX networking in VMware vSphere Client. Due to the seamless authentication between vCenter and NSX-T, there is no need to open and log in to the NSX manager while utilizing this vCenter plugin for NSX. The ability to manage VMware advanced settings in a single pane of glass thanks to the integration of vSphere and NSX is more user-friendly. To use the plugin, you must have an NSX-T license.

In NSX-T environments, you may leverage vSphere distributed virtual switches for distributed firewalling. This method needs fewer network modifications in the VMware vSphere and NSX configurations.

DRS Improvements

DRS is mainly focused on large workloads in VMware vSphere 7 Update 3, such as large VMs and VMs with a significant number of I/O. The current concept of DRS is to transfer large VMs as little as feasible. This approach aids in the reduction of failure risks during maintenance, upgrades, and VM migrations. DRS attempts to migrate a large-sized VM from a server in maintenance mode to an ESXi host running the most recent version of ESXi. The VM then continues to run on the host to which it was moved without being migrated back (now it is not necessary to move this VM back in VMware vSphere 7.0 Update 3).

vCenter Lifecycle Manager (vLCM)

vSphere Update Manager was previously used by VMware to handle updates for ESXi hosts, clusters, and vCenter servers. This component has been renamed as vSphere Lifecycle Manager (vLCM) by VMware. VLCM ensures that server hardware is consistent and current. It retains the functionality of VMware Update Manager but adds a new intended state model that ensures that server firmware provided by OEMs is kept up to date as well.

Only a few of the new capabilities of vLCM include cluster software management using desired state images, host hardware verification against the VMware Compatibility Guide and the vSAN Hardware Compatibility List, and the ability to run automated firmware updates.

VMware Virtual Hardware 19

VMware recently introduced VMware vSphere 7.0 Update 3d which is compatible with VMware Virtual Hardware version 19. VMware vSphere 7.0 U2 and newer versions are compatible with virtual hardware version 19 that supports new features and capabilities. 

Also Read: VMware vSphere 7: Explain the Importance of Advanced Storage Configuration (VASA, VAAI, etc.)

Conclusion

VMware introduced many advanced features in VMware vSphere 7 including vCenter Lifecycle Manager, vCenter Server plugin for NSX, and vSphere support with Tanzu; a cloud-native and modern applications platform. Customers can upgrade their infrastructures from previous versions to vSphere 7 and take advantage of these advanced features.