System Virtualization Pioneer Guido Appenzeller Exits VMware

Guido Appenzeller, who spearheaded organize virtualization, is leaving VMware following four years at the organization, heading for parts undisclosed, Appenzeller said Thursday.

"It's legitimate, following four years at VMware I am leaving to seek after another experience," Appenzeller said in an announcement on his blog.

What next? "Not exactly prepared to discuss what I am doing straightaway. Be that as it may, likely it won't be in the systems administration industry," Appenzeller said in a message to Light Reading.

Appenzeller helped to establish Big Switch Networks in 2010. Around then, organize virtualization - referred to then as programming characterized organizing - was dubious and insane; everyone realized that systems administration required specific gear, with knowledge incorporated with the equipment. Presently, organize virtualization is standard, and VMware Inc. (NYSE: VMW), amid Appenzeller's residency, has had a major job in that industry progress. The other enormous player here is Cisco Systems Inc. (Nasdaq: CSCO), which has grasped organize virtualization - amusingly, since Cisco is the huge organization that Big Switch and other SDN advocates set out to obliterate.

Appenzeller joined VMware as CTO, cloud and systems administration, in 2014, a job he has held since. (See VMware Hires Top Execs From Cisco, Big Switch.)

"VMware was the first run through for me to work in a substantial organization (or actually, any organization I didn't begin myself)," Appenzeller says on his blog. Amid his time at VMware, NSX went from under $200 million run rate to more prominent than $1 billion.

VMware affirmed that Appenzeller is leaving viable Friday, Jan. 11, as an "individual vocation choice." The organization includes: "We express gratitude toward Guido for his enthusiasm and responsibility and wish him well."