To test Cloud Foundation for on-premises deployments there are two recommended steps for testing Ready Systems: Use a Solution Center from VMware or partners Typically 2-3 days to explore a se...
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To test Cloud Foundation for on-premises deployments there are two recommended steps for testing Ready Systems: Use a Solution Center from VMware or partners Typically 2-3 days to explore a set of use cases (usability, failover tests, application deployment tests) On-site or remote access No hardware needed on-premises for this test Usually you start from scratch (naked hardware) - and you deploy the complete SDDC stack (vSphere, vSAN, NSX, vROps, vRLI + optionally Horizon View) in less than 4-6 hours Once this first evaluation has succeeded and you want to deepen the Cloud Foundation tests in your own data center Test custom integrations, extended tests for more than 3 days, using specific hardware Organise at least 4 servers + 2 top-of-rack switches + 1 management switch from the VMware Compatibility Guide. More servers and two additional Spine Switches (for multi-rack deployments) might be needed for failover tests. This depends on your use case. Purchase the hardware - or - rent the hardware - or - try+buy the hardware - or - find a server and switch hardware vendors who give you the hardware for free for the time you do the tests Get the Cloud Foundation evaluation licenses from your VMware account team or partner. Once the servers are cabled to the switches you deploy the complete SDDC stack (vSphere, vSAN, NSX, vROps, vRLI + optionally Horizon View) in less than 4-6 hours and begin your tests I very much recommend doing step 1 before you do step 2, mainly because it is so much easier to do (no hardware needed). Though you could start with step 2 if you really want. There are Solution Centers from VMware and Partners in Americas, EMEA, and APJ. To test integrated systems like VxRack SDDC reach out to Dell EMC or the respective vendor (if you want another integrated system). All the common sense recommendations apply: Have a business case (most important!) Define what you want to test Define success criteria Work with VMware or your VMware Partner to design and run the evaluation tests. To demonstrate VMware Cloud Foundation you can use the Hands-On Lab: HOL-1706-SDC-5 - VMware Cloud Foundation Fundamentals. This lab currently is based on an older release of Cloud Foundation, but the basic principles are very similar. You also find a list of videos. These range from basic introductions to technical deep dive demos. VMware sales people also have access to further guided demos.
