Broadcom unveils AI, networking features for VCF

AI in VeloCloud

The majority of AI development by VMware is focused on VeloRAIN, new capabilities that launched Tuesday and add AI and machine learning to managing and prioritizing workloads in VeloCloud, the software-defined wide area network VMware acquired in 2017.

VeloRAIN, an acronym for robust AI networking, parses encrypted data and optimizes network traffic at the edge to prioritize resources for more demanding applications such as generative AI as well as productivity apps such as Zoom or Google Workspace.

VeloRAIN can dynamically slice VeloCloud's network and uses machine learning to prioritize connections or applications, according to Broadcom executives.

Broadcom is also releasing two new networking appliances, VeloCloud Edge 4100 and VeloCloud Edge 5100, to handle increased generative AI applications operating over the network and the edge expected with VeloRAIN.

The rise of encrypted data in networking needs AI and ML tools to help understand and allocate system resources, according to Mike Matchett, founder and analyst at Small World Big Data. Other promised features such as segmenting applications down to the individual user might not be important for most network engineers, he said.

"I think people have been using machine learning to analyze encrypted traffic for a long time," Matchett said. "[But] do network engineers have the bandwidth to tune edge networks for individual user profiles?"

AI security

AI additions aren't exclusive to networking as a new generative AI service is coming to VCF security and firewall software VMware vDefend. It will gain new threat detecting capabilities with the release of Intelligent Assist in January 2025, according to Broadcom.

Intelligent Assist is a generative AI copilot for threat defense that includes a natural language interface for IT employees of all skill levels to identify and react to security alerts flagged in vDefend. The copilot can summarize alert information, provide answers to questions and automate recovery and defense processes.

Security automation through generative AI chatbots has become a popular addition for security services, according to Krista Case, an analyst at the Futurum Group. Sifting through alerts to find true threats and then identifying how those alerts might be interconnected is an ideal use case for AI, she said.

"It's not only about taking out the grunt work but potentially making new correlations to the deluge of data," Case said.

The challenge with adding generative AI tools to an existing security platform will come from ensuring user data isn't compromised and trusting that Broadcom will invest in future development, Matchett said.

"Do you have some assurance they're going to keep improving this as the threats keep improving?" he said. "They're making a business marketing message -- and not an IT one."

Tanzu developments

New automated data services are coming at an unspecified date to the VMware Tanzu Platform 10, an application development platform.

VMware Tanzu Data Services automates lifecycle management of several popular data services and databases within VCF, including PostgreSQL, MySQL, RabbitMQ and Valkey. These services provide updates, user provisioning and security and disaster recovery tools with full Broadcom support services.

Other planned improvements for Tanzu will include a built-in token brokering service and governance tools for popular generative AI services.

The added Tanzu capabilities are an attempt by Broadcom to keep skittish customers within the VMware ecosystem longer, according to Naveen Chhabra, an analyst at Forrester Research.

"It's another reason to say, 'We think about you, we care about you and we're doing everything to suit your needs,'" Chhabra said.

Users today and tomorrow

Broadcom is also now offering VMUG members personal use licenses for the complete VCF platform.

To qualify, users must successfully complete a VMware Certified Professional or VMware Certified Advanced Professional certification exam. Additionally, they must be members of VMUG Advantage, a paid membership tier currently priced at $210 per year. The licenses last for three years and Advantage customers are eligible for a new 50% discount on exam fees, according to Broadcom.

Tying so many benefits behind paid membership and creating more financial roadblocks for adoption doesn't make sense, Matchett said. VMware licenses were previously distributed much more liberally for educational or personal uses, he said.  

"I don't understand why you wouldn't be encouraging everyone to [get the certification]," Matchett said.

This tension between the laissez-faire ecosystem and community cultivated by VMware over the years and the new business demands of Broadcom is reflected in recent attempts to sell VCF, Chhabra said.

The addition of generative AI, data services and other add-on products creates a more cloud-like experience within VCF but are minor revenue generators compared with the core virtualized infrastructure on which customers rely.

Most customers are looking to maintain their VMware infrastructure and support through a VCF subscription, not grow into a new cloud platform, he said.

"There's a context of making it easier for you, but what's it making easier?" Chhabra asked. "There's a very small installed base [for these features]."

Tim McCarthy is a news writer for TechTarget Editorial covering cloud and data storage.