VMware Edge Compute Stack Deep Dive and Demo

Deploying applications at edge sites, close to where data is generated, presents unique challenges compared to traditional cloud or data center environments. Edge sites face limited connectivity or private network constraints, physical security constraints, and typically lack trained IT staff. In this session, discover how VMware simplifies fleet management of edge applications and infrastructure across thousands of resource-constrained sites using a GitOps and desired state management approach.

Deploying applications at edge sites presents unique challenges, such as limited connectivity, physical security constraints, and a lack of trained IT staff. VMware’s Edge Compute Stack aims to simplify the management of edge applications and infrastructure across thousands of resource-constrained sites using a GitOps and desired state management approach. GitOps allows infrastructure to be defined through text files, such as YAML, which specify the desired state of the infrastructure, including virtualization layers, networking configurations, and applications. These files are stored in a Git repository, providing version control, auditing, and security benefits. The infrastructure at the edge site can reference these files to configure itself, ensuring it remains in the desired state even when connectivity is limited.

VMware’s solution integrates both infrastructure and application management, bridging the gap between developers and infrastructure administrators. Developers can focus on creating applications, while infrastructure admins manage the platform on which these applications run. The platform supports continuous integration and continuous deployment (CICD) pipelines, allowing for automated testing and deployment of edge configurations. For example, a virtual edge device can be spun up in a CICD pipeline to test infrastructure and application changes before they are deployed to production. This approach ensures that updates are thoroughly tested and can be rolled out incrementally, starting with a few edge sites and gradually expanding to thousands.

The demo showcased how VMware’s Edge Compute Stack can be deployed on a small device, such as an Intel NUC, and how it integrates with GitOps to manage edge infrastructure. The demo included deploying a computer vision application and configuring a display screen connected to the edge device. The platform allows for easy deployment and management of applications, with the ability to monitor and update edge sites remotely. VMware’s solution is designed to provide a complete edge stack, including virtualization, Kubernetes, networking, and monitoring, making it a comprehensive solution for managing edge environments.

Presented by Alan Renouf, Technical Product Manager, Software-Defined Edge

Try VMware Edge Compute Stack: https://images.sw.broadcom.com/Web/CAInc2/{e35e3a44-c0c1-44aa-9da0-7ab729b5348d}_ECS_Trial_License_Request_091724.pdf