Freshly re-minted VMware vExpert 2015

Posted by Paul Braren on Feb 11 2015 in
  • ESXi
  • Virtualization
    • vmware-vexpert-2013

    VMware vExpert 2015 recipients have been named, and I'm relieved to see I've made the list again this year! See also my original post, Freshly minted VMware vExpert, April 10 2014.

    joining the 721 other vExperts out there. Time for a new business card!

    Got the email from Corey Romero tonight at 8:55pm eastern:

    Welcome to the 2015 vExpert program and thank you for your contributions!

    My virtual diploma

    Here's a 700 pixel wide version of my new wall decoration.

    VMware-vExpert-2015-Paul-Braren

    VCP logo TinkerTry - PCs, EVs, home tech, efficiency and more, including virtualization. My opinions here. IT Professional offering part-time consulting.

    vExpert logo Paul Braren, MCSE in 1998, VCP #2681 in 2005, vExpert 2014 to 2025, Veeam Vanguard Emeritus, 2015 to 2019.

    Public Speaking Schedule

    Member of Build Green Connecticut

    Build Green CT logo

    Project Manager of my All Electric Home Retrofit

    All Electric Home Retrofit

    Support TinkerTry

    PayPal | Patreon

    PayPal donation Patreon support

    Easily update VMware ESXi at TinkerTry.com/easy-update-to-latest-esxi

    Update ESXi Hypervisor

    Necessity to sunset SuperServer Bundles

    SuperServers These systems still work great for many even 9+ years later, mine included, even with (unsupported) vSphere 8 and Windows 11 Version 21H2. But unless you added the optional TPM module, it may be the end of the line as far as repurposing them for running the latest Windows 11 Version 24H2 and beyond.

    After 6 successful years testing then shipping well over 1,000 Xeon D Bundles, Wiredzone had to stop SuperServer bundles in mid-2021 due to cost, supply, and logistics challenges. Bare bones system sales continued for years longer.

    What's next in 2025? I don't yet have my answer for my home lab, especially now that VCF certification is required to keep non-production home lab licenses going, even as a vExpert and VMUG Advantage EVALExperience customer.

    As for a SuperServer follow-on, the Xeon D-1700/2700 (Ice Lake D) was a minor refresh for 2023, with Xeon D-1800/2800 (Granite Rapids D) refresh slightly better in 2024, and hopefully Xeon 6 (Granite Rapids-D) much better in 2025 featuring PCIe Gen5, MCRDIMMs, and 100GbE networking, wow! Feb. 27 2025 update update looks promising, but pricey. Infortunately, it's become clear to me that Supermicro is less focuses on the mini-tower form factor these days.

    As for the CPU industry, it's unfortunate that Pat Gelsinger was apparently ousted from Intel's helm in these challenging times, but I'm also grateful to have had the honor of working at VMware when he was the CIO there. I'll leave it at that, given the whole Broadcom thing.