The Best of VMworld 2021 Awards recognize the most innovative new products in the server virtualization, cloud and end-user computing markets. A panel of expert judges evaluated nominated products from vendors associated with this year's virtual conference and named winners in three categories.
The Multi-Cloud and App Modernization category includes hardware and software products that enable organizations to build on-premises virtual infrastructure, support multiple cloud environments and update legacy applications to run on cloud-native frameworks.
Winner: Nvidia, CloudXR
What the judges said:
In the past, VR devices have been cabled and connected to some type of device, like a desktop or server; there has to be a physical connection to deliver data. Nowadays, [vendors] are piggybacking off 5G to be able to send all the data wirelessly. It's something that was going to happen eventually. With CloudXR, Nvidia is cutting the cord to VR and making it more immersive.
Finalist: ControlUp, ControlUp
The Security, Networking and Edge category includes products that monitor and protect hypervisors, guest OSes and enforce security protocols; products that enhance networking in virtual or cloud networks and/or optimize virtual networks; and tools that enable organizations to build edge computing infrastructure.
Winner: vSAN RDMA over Nvidia's ConnectX-4 Lx SmartNIC
What the judges said:
Now that Nvidia has a seamless use case with vSAN, that's just going to make adoption a little bit faster. It's validated, it works, and when people start building new clusters, it just comes with vSAN validated or vSAN ReadyNodes. It's a no-brainer at that point. It will increase bandwidth for IOPS within vSAN.
Finalist: HPE, HPE SimpliVity
The Business Continuity and Data Protection category focuses on hardware and software products or cloud services that are designed to manage, back up, restore and replicate data in private or public clouds.
Winner: Veeam, Veeam Backup & Replication v11
What the judges said:
With release 11, Veeam has closed the gap between them and their competitors, and they have made their product into a fully complete solution. A lot of the features people were looking for, like storage reduction on premises and moving it out to the cloud, are now included.
Finalist: Rubrik, Rubrik Cloud Data Management - 6.0 Summer Release
Judges select a winner for Disruptive Technology from all Best of VMworld 2021 entries. This award highlights a product with the potential to either create a new market or disrupt an existing market with new technology. Judges considered all nominated products before their final selection.
Winner: Nvidia, AI Enterprise
What the judges said:
For those companies looking into AI, Nvidia's AI Enterprise can definitely provide value. It's a solution that many companies aren't aware they need yet, but when they do need it, it will be there. With a solution this well vetted, organizations will find applications for it. That will naturally occur and drive adoption.
The Best of Show winner represents the best of the best. Judges chose this winner from the pool of winners created by other categories in the Best of VMworld Awards.
Winner: Nvidia, vSAN RDMA over Nvidia's ConnectX-4 Lx SmartNIC
