At AWS re:Invent 2023, VMware, in collaboration with Broadcom, unveils an advanced architecture for VMware Cloud on AWS powered by an Amazon EC2 M7i bare-metal instance that utilizes customized 4th Gen Intel Xeon Scalable processors, also known as Sapphire Rapids. This diskless instance, combined with scalable and adaptable storage choices, empowers customers to align their application needs with the infrastructure more efficiently. Leveraging this instance, VMware Cloud on AWS users can expedite cloud migrations, enhance disaster recovery processes post-ransomware attacks, and efficiently develop and deploy modern AI/ML workloads, all while reducing the total cost of ownership.
VMware Cloud on AWS is a managed service co-engineered to combine VMware Cloud Foundation with Amazon EC2 elastic bare-metal infrastructure. This integration allows businesses to run mission-critical applications across private, public, and hybrid cloud environments, seamlessly accessing AWS services optimally. The service ensures a consistent architecture and operational experience both on-premises and in the cloud, enabling IT teams to extend, migrate, secure, and modernize vSphere-based applications on AWS using familiar VMware tools. This solution is delivered and supported by VMware and its partners and is available for purchase through VMware, AWS, and their respective partner networks. The introduction of the Amazon EC2 M7i instance, alongside versatile storage options, facilitates smoother cloud transitions and faster modernization of enterprise applications.
Enhancing Enterprise Workloads with Scalable Storage and Advanced Computing
As enterprises increasingly rely on advanced analytics and AI, the demand for scalable storage solutions that can handle massive data sets is paramount. Combining diskless M7i instances with flexible storage options like Amazon FSx for NetApp ONTAP and VMware Cloud Flex Storage in VMware Cloud on AWS empowers customers to scale storage independently from compute resources. This elasticity maximizes utilization and ensures high performance and resiliency while minimizing total cost of ownership (TCO). For scenarios requiring fewer compute and memory resources, the cost-effective m7i.metal-24xl instances provide a suitable solution, offering a 4:1 memory to vCPU ratio. Meanwhile, for I/O intensive workloads with stringent performance and latency requirements, existing i3en and i4i instances with a hyper-converged storage architecture remain viable options.
Accelerating Innovation Through Cutting-Edge Technology
Amazon EC2 M7i instances, powered by exclusive 4th Gen Intel Xeon Scalable processors available solely on AWS, exhibit superior performance compared to similar Intel processors in the cloud. Tailored for application servers, secondary databases, gaming servers, CPU-based machine learning, and video streaming, M7i instances, when paired with external storage options, unlock the potential of AI with enhanced privacy, security, performance, scalability, and cost-efficiency. The Intel Xeon processors with Intel Advanced Matrix Extensions (Intel AMX) deliver notable performance enhancements across diverse frameworks, data science tools, and AI models, enabling an array of smart solutions within a robust ecosystem.
Lisa Spelman, Intel corporate vice president and general manager of Xeon Products and Solutions, emphasizes the collaboration between VMware and Intel to integrate VMware enterprise-class software into AWS cloud infrastructure seamlessly. This collaboration provides businesses and developers access to efficient and high-performance computing resources in the cloud, offering an essential alternative for customers experiencing burgeoning AI workload demands in private, public, and hybrid cloud environments.
The burgeoning demand for cloud services has opened doors for partners specializing in cloud solutions. Enterprises seek agile, pay-as-you-go models, turning to partners for guidance amid rapid technological evolution. With AWS and VMware as key pillars, partners are pivotal in advising customers and delivering managed services on VMware Cloud on AWS to expedite their cloud migration.
Presidio stands at the forefront, aiding clients in leveraging technological innovation to streamline IT complexities for digital transformation and optimal ROI. Their Lifecycle Services, available on AWS Marketplace, offer top-notch cloud consulting, assessing readiness and guiding execution strategies.
Mark Vaughn, Senior Director of VMware Cloud Practice at Presidio, mentioned the significance of this advancement, highlighting how tailored architecture and instance types cater to diverse customer needs. This tailored approach prevents over-purchasing of infrastructure, facilitating faster workload migration to the cloud, ultimately benefiting businesses in the long run.
FAQs
1. What is VMware Cloud on AWS, and how does it leverage the Amazon EC2 M7i instance?
VMware Cloud on AWS is a managed service combining VMware Cloud Foundation with Amazon EC2 elastic bare-metal infrastructure. The introduction of the EC2 M7i instance, powered by customized Intel Xeon Scalable processors, enhances performance and flexibility for enterprise applications.
2. How does this collaboration facilitate cloud migrations and disaster recovery processes?
The architecture, featuring the M7i instance and versatile storage options, streamlines cloud transitions, enhances disaster recovery post-ransomware attacks, and accelerates the development and deployment of modern AI/ML workloads while reducing the total cost of ownership.
3. What are the key benefits of the Amazon EC2 M7i instance in this partnership?
The M7i instance, exclusive to AWS, offers superior performance with 4th Gen Intel Xeon Scalable processors. Tailored for diverse workloads like AI, databases, and machine learning, it integrates well with storage options, unlocking potential in AI with enhanced privacy, security, and scalability.
4. How does this collaboration cater to various enterprise workload requirements?
VMware Cloud on AWS provides scalable storage options like Amazon FSx and VMware Cloud Flex Storage, allowing independent scaling of storage and compute resources and ensuring high performance, resiliency, and cost-efficiency for different workload types.
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