VMware vSphere 6.5 is the latest version of the most used enterprise virtualization platform. A good understanding of this product and its features is crucial for a successful implementation.

In this chapter, we provide a better understanding of the VMware product portfolio, vision, and evolution, learn what's new in vSphere 6.5, and introduce the different solutions, features, and editions of vSphere. Also, some hints have been provided for choosing the right editions and version of vSphere and choosing when to upgrade to vSphere 6.5 and when not to upgrade.

Finally, there is a general overview of all the products, solutions and features in other VMware products, or different suite, where vSphere represents an infrastructural foundation, or where those products could be complementary to vSphere.

This chapter will cover the following topics:

• VMware product portfolio
• What's new on vSphere 6.5 and vSphere limits
• Why you should upgrade to vSphere 6.5 and why not
• Features and editions of vSphere 6.5
• VMware vSphere as an infrastructure pillar (with a brief overview of VMware products that require vSphere, including containers)
• Overview of other VMware products that could be useful with vSphere