NetApp, an intelligent data infrastructure company providing enterprise storage and data management services, announced its ONTAP software is tested and validated to support VMware Cloud Foundation 9.1. The integration allows mutual customers of the storage provider and Broadcom, the technology company operating the VMware Cloud Foundation Division, to run data protection controls within their hybrid clouds. This includes built-in security features designed to safeguard data against ransomware attacks and initiate rapid recovery protocols. The validation enables enterprises to update their environments to the new VMware release while maintaining a compatible infrastructure layer.
The 9.1 version of the VMware platform provides a unified private cloud for both traditional and modern workloads. The release increases infrastructure density for virtual machines and containerized artificial intelligence workloads, while utilizing automated operations to reduce complexity. NetApp provides the only external enterprise storage certified to support these environments across the major hyperscale clouds through its first-party cloud storage services. Using VMware Cloud Foundation license portability, organizations can deploy the software in certified hyperscaler environments without refactoring their applications.
“To keep up with the rapid pace of innovation required to thrive in a competitive landscape, enterprises need flexibility to move and place workloads in the best environment to which they are suited,” said Alvaro Celis, Chief Partner and Ecosystem Officer at NetApp. “NetApp continues to innovate to ensure VCF customers can operate consistently and without disruption across cloud environments. Together with Broadcom, we are giving organizations the autonomy to optimize, protect, and scale their virtualized environments across any cloud on their own terms, safeguarding their existing operational investments while unlocking the future.”
To support the updated architecture, NetApp introduced Console Backup and Recovery alongside Console Data Services. The vendor's ONTAP Tools for VMware will add granular replication for datastores and consistency group management. Administrators access these controls directly through the vCenter user interface or via REST APIs connected to the VCF Operations Orchestrator for vSphere Metro Storage Clusters. Furthermore, the storage company validated its systems to support the VMware vSphere Kubernetes Service within the 9.1 release. This connection accelerates continuous integration and development workflows by allowing information technology teams to manage micro-services and traditional virtualized applications on a single shared platform.
“Broadcom and NetApp have long collaborated on solutions that help organizations simplify operations, protect critical data, and innovate faster,” said Paul Turner, Chief Product Officer, VMware Cloud Foundation Division at Broadcom. “With VCF 9.1, we are delivering an AI- and Kubernetes-native private cloud platform that maximizes infrastructure efficiency and security. Because NetApp’s solutions are tested and validated to support VCF 9.1 environments, our mutual customers can adopt these innovations with a data infrastructure foundation that is proven and ready.”
The companies are detailing the capabilities at booth 109 during the VMware Explore 2026 conference, running through September 3 at The Venetian in Las Vegas.
