Introduction to VMware Cloud Foundation
Broadcom is expanding VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) with new AI and security features as more companies move to modernise their private cloud setups. At VMware Explore 2025, Broadcom said VMware Private AI Services will now come as a standard part of VCF 9.0, which is now available. Broadcom says nine of the top 10 Fortune 500 companies already use VCF, and more than 100 million cores have been licensed worldwide.
Private AI at the Core of VCF
The new release positions VCF as an “AI native” platform that blends standard private cloud functions with built-in AI services. Broadcom said enterprises can run and manage AI models with GPU-level precision while maintaining privacy and compliance. Private AI features included in VCF 9.0 range from GPU monitoring and model storage to runtime tools, agent builders, vector databases, and data indexing. The capabilities are designed to strengthen data protection. Customers will be entitled to the services with a VCF subscription starting in Broadcom’s first fiscal quarter of 2026.
Upcoming Additions to VCF
Upcoming additions include:
- Intelligent Assist for VCF – an AI support tool (in tech preview) that helps diagnose and resolve issues.
- Model Context Protocol (MCP) support – standardising how AI assistants connect with tools.
- Multi-accelerator model runtime – running AI workloads in AMD and NVIDIA GPUs without the need to rewrite applications.
- Multi-tenant Models-as-a-Service – securely sharing AI models in departments to lower costs and save power.
Broadcom and VMware Expand AI Infrastructure
Broadcom is working with NVIDIA and AMD to strengthen VCF’s AI infrastructure. With NVIDIA, Broadcom is integrating support for Blackwell GPUs, networking gear, and AI software. This includes RTX PRO 6000 Server Edition GPUs, the upcoming B200 GPUs, ConnectX-7 NICs, and BlueField-3 DPUs. The additions build on the jointly-developed VMware Private AI Foundation with NVIDIA. Broadcom is also collaborating with AMD to let customers use VCF with ROCm Enterprise AI software and Instinct MI350 GPUs.
Developer-Focused Improvements
VCF’s new features include:
- Native vSAN S3 Object Store – an S3-compatible interface for managing unstructured data directly on vSAN without extra licences or hardware.
- GitOps, Argo CD, and Istio integration – Git-based application management, automated deployments, and service mesh networking for Kubernetes apps.
- Expanded Canonical partnership – combining open-source tools with VCF to help teams deliver container-based and AI applications.
Customer Use Cases
Insurance provider Grinnell Mutual said VMware Cloud Foundation has unified its separate IT teams on a single platform, helping its deliver faster results. New Belgium Brewing said it expects VCF 9.0 to cut costs and boost security. “With the integrated and unified VCF 9.0 platform, we will be able to significantly improve our IT operations. VCF’s built-in security capabilities will help make us secure and compliant by default from the moment we deploy,” said Adam Little, Director of IT Operations.
Enhanced Security Features
Broadcom is also targeting security and compliance challenges that come in regulated industries. Broadcom introduced VCF Advanced Cyber Compliance for VMware Cloud Foundation, which adds automated compliance enforcement, disaster recovery, and hardened infrastructure images. Other updates include:
- vDefend – expanded micro-segmentation, Zero Trust security, and new threat detection tools, including in-memory malware defence.
- Avi Load Balancer – features like post-quantum cryptography, TLS mutual authentication, and a new WAF assessment tool.
Conclusion
Broadcom says customers see VCF as the natural extension of vSphere into a modern private cloud platform. The company is betting that by weaving AI services, developer tools, and stronger security directly into VCF, enterprises will be able to modernise infrastructure without multiple separate point solutions.
FAQs
Q: What is VMware Cloud Foundation?
A: VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) is a platform that blends standard private cloud functions with built-in AI services.
Q: What are the new features of VCF 9.0?
A: The new features of VCF 9.0 include Private AI Services, Intelligent Assist for VCF, Model Context Protocol (MCP) support, and Multi-accelerator model runtime.
Q: How does VCF improve security?
A: VCF improves security with features like vDefend, Avi Load Balancer, and VCF Advanced Cyber Compliance.
Q: Which companies are using VCF?
A: Nine of the top 10 Fortune 500 companies already use VCF, including Grinnell Mutual and New Belgium Brewing.
