Some vExperts Have vCloud Air Access

vCloud Air-Powered

Earlier today I tweeted about how some vExperts have access to vCloud Air to test and blog about the offering.

This is not actually a new thing, it’s been in place since before vCloud Air went generally available.  However, that being said the same people have had access to it for some time since it went GA.  The intent of my tweet was not to completely open the flood gates for interest….although it did.  The fact of the matter is there is a vCloud Air tenant reserved for vExperts to experiment and blog about the offering using Virtual Private Cloud, (VPC).  The challenge is that we need to put a system in place to rotate out the current people to allow access for new people.Here is something I want to propose and take back to some other folks internally about using this as a program.  This is just my thoughts, but comment as you see fit and socialize this for more ideas.

  • Run program Quarterly, you get access for one quarter
  • Limit the number of vExperts per quarter, number TBD
  • Access request form to be filled out in prior quarter
  • Access requests reviewed by the VMware team
  • Previous people who had access cannot re-request for at least 6 months to give others a chance
  • You must commit to use the system and write about your experiences
  • Users that do not use the system within the first month will be swapped out
  • Previous users workloads will be deleted
  • All workloads are considered temporary and transient

This is just some ideas I had to try to put something “official” in place for all the vExperts out there that want to get hands on with vCloud Air.  So, what do you think?  What else can we do to control the access and the availability to people on a fair, round robin basis?  My thought is that we come up with the system now and we can possibly try to get new people going the start of Q2 2014.  Again, this is just an IDEA I am willing to try to facilitate, NOT a guarantee.

Please start a discussion below so others can see the opinions instead of just on twitter.

UPDATED 1/27/13:  Many folks that also work for partners have reached out to me and mentioned that the partner they work for also has access.  If you work for a partner, many of them have fired up paid Virtual Private Clouds, and in some cases full Dedicated Clouds for more permanent uses.  I’d encourage those that work for partners to look at that route so you are not rotated out of the transient space.  I may not have time to really dig into this until after PEX but I am also roping in Jeremiah Dooley to help herd the cats.  Let’s walk before we run and make sure we put a good system in place that uses the space we have.  Currently the people who have access have either never used it, or are done using it, so let’s work together for a good plan.

 

About Chris Colotti

Chris is active on the VMUG and event speaking circuit and is available for many events if you want to reach out and ask. Previously to this he spent close to a decade working for VMware as a Principal Architect. Previous to his nine plus years at VMware, Chris was a System Administrator that evolved his career into a data center architect. Chris spends a lot of time mentoring co-workers and friends on the benefits of personal growth and professional development. Chris is also amongst the first VMware Certified Design Experts (VCDX#37), and author of multiple white papers. In his spare time he helps his wife Julie run her promotional products as the accountant, book keeper, and IT Support. Chris also believes in both a healthy body and healthy mind, and has become heavily involved with fitness as a Diamond Team Beachbody Coach using P90X and other Beachbody Programs. Although Technology is his day job, Chris is passionate about fitness after losing 60 pounds himself in the last few years.

9 comments

  1. José Luis Gómez Ferrer de Cout

    Hi Chris,

    I like the idea, please count with me. I’d like write about this service for Spanish market.

    Best regards,
    Jose Luis Gomez – @pipoe2h

  2. Hi Chris,

    This is a great idea and something VMware needs to do. I actually have to admit that I don’t understand why it have not happened yet! Not only for vExpert but think bigger than that. Think VCAP and eventually VCP with limited resources. Give access to the consultants and administrators out, this will drive adoption.

    • Frank the issue is the resources cost money and currently it’s all subscription based. What we have to Sonia start small and start with the vexpert space we have to work with. Even employees are asking for access but it’s baby steps. If all the resources go to people for testing there’s nothing left to sell :). One step at a time lets work with the space and use for it we have. The goal is to use it as best we can

  3. What’s the best way to report bugs? I’m not a paying customer, but have seen some behavior that could use fixing.

  4. Hey Chris,

    How can I get started with vCloud Air – I’m a vExpert and would like to blog about it.

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