vSphere 6 brought a huge number of changes upon release. They not only included changes to it’s architecture but there great new features as well that made vSphere Architects very excited. That was about a year and a half ago and so a major update was due.

Enter vSphere 6.5: It introduces so many new features and enhancements that it’s worthy of bearing a major version update number. Those improvements are in many areas but most notable, are these four:

  • vCenter Server Appliance
  • Lifecycle Management
  • Security
  • Availability and Management

There are so many details to share that I’ve written separate blog posts for each of these different topics but in summary, following is what you can expect with this new major update:

vCenter Server Appliance

There’s a major overhaul of the installation process and migration from a Windows-based vCenter server to an appliance, is now an integrated feature.  In addition to that, there’s Native High-Availability, improvements to VAMI, Integrated Update Manager and Native Backup and Restore. Here are all the new features in detail: What’s New in vSphere 6.5: VCSA Improvements

Lifecycle Management

In addition to Update Manager’s integration mentioned above, there are major updates to the management and operation of Host Profiles. Also, Auto Deploy has been improved massively in terms of performance and resiliency and it also has a GUI, built into the web client.

Here are all the new features in detail: What’s New in vSphere 6.5: Lifecycle Management

Security

Enhanced Logging and End-to-End encryption sums up what is new with security in vSphere 6.5. Major improvements in encryption is definitely something that you should look at.

Here are all the new features in detail: What’s New in vSphere 6.5: Security

Availability and Management

Doesn’t matter what role you have with vSphere but I am sure you’ll be excited, after seeing the major improvements made in HA, FT and DRS. There are simply too many of them to mention in the summary so you’ll have to read the detailed post about it, I am afraid! 🙂

Here are all the new features in detail: What’s New in vSphere 6.5: Availability and Management

The more you look into the new version, the more you’ll say: I’ve been waiting for this! It sure does look that VMware is paying attention to what customers are asking for and this new release is a proof of that.

I just can’t wait for it to be released now!