It is crazy to think that we could celebrate (those of us brave enough to admit it) the birthday of the piece of software. Throughout modern history, software celebrations have been limited to the likes of Windows, Linux or … I can’t even name another to be honest. But VMware Cloud Director (formerly vCloud Director) has a special place in cloud service provider hearts. On the one hand It is much loved, much supported … while at the same time is is much maligned and even despised.
Even before it was vCloud Director, it was VMware Lab Manager and I can remember using it back before the first vCloud Director 1.0 BETA was released. It’s interesting to see a screen shot of it back then, but the DNA is unmistakable.
As ironic as it was, Lab Manager was an Enterprise Tool, that was retro-fitted to become one of the best Cloud Management Platforms in existence and one that now dominates the VMware Cloud Provider landscape. Through the years, vCloud Director has had its struggles… mostly due to a lack of UI and UX development (while maintaining a super strong API) and commitment issue by VMware to the platform during the 2014-2016 timeframe. However due to community and service provider support, and renewed product focus from VMware, vCD has seen a strong rebirth and is now stronger than ever ten years since its first release.
On a personal note, I have a lot to thank vCloud Director for… I can honestly say that I wouldn’t be where I am without it. Timing is everything as they say, and vCloud Director came at the very right time in my career and like others in the VMware Community, I was able to use it as a launching pad for my career. It’s hard to think of another piece of software that has had such an impact on me.
What is also great is they fact that I am seeing so much new content being produced around Cloud Director as it matures into a truly extensible Cloud Management Platform. I’m sure those who blogged and worked with early versions of vCD would agree that it is great to see a new generation of vCD bloggers continue to allow it to shine.
It deserves to be celebrated!
Here is to the next 10 years!
#LongLiveVCD
