There is no better way to describe EMC World than “Bigger and Better”, 13,000+ record attendees, WOW!!!   In my now annual ritual, I do some research going into the conference. Just like last year, I wondered what session I should attend to get the latest information on EMC/Microsoft Integration. For EMC world 2011, I found 17 sessions dedicated to, or referencing, Microsoft Applications. This year is even bigger. A quick search of the EMC World 2012 agenda yields 25 sessions with Microsoft related content. Fortunately, most of the sessions are repeated. Adrian Simays recently posted a great recap of the Microsoft related sessions on his blog at Virtual Winfrastructure.  There’s no need for me to relist them here.

It’s also interesting to note that Microsoft is a Premier Sponsor of EMC World 2012, just like last year. You can expect to find more details of the Private Cloud Fast Track Reference Architecture as introduced at the Microsoft Management Summit and reviewed here at Inside the Partnership.

One of the big keynote announcements last year at EMC World was VFCache, the PCIe server based cache solution designed to dramatically increase application IO while maintaining protection. Performance AND Protection! I blogged about the SQL Server performance increases back in February.

A year later, the customer adoption has been outstanding. So, what’s all the fuss about?  Find out at EMC World.  There are 4 Sessions and a Keynote dedicated to EMCs VFCache, and Flash strategy… I would expect some announcements at the conference.  Stay tuned for more details.

Introduction to VFCache (Monday 8:30-9:30 and Wednesday 4:15-5:15)

This session provides an introduction to different ways in which Flash technology can be used inside the server, specifically PCIe-based EMC VFCache. It covers the performance considerations and best practices which should be followed to get optimum performance from server-based Flash technology. This session also covers the different ways in which EMC storage systems like Symmetrix VMAX and VNX interact with these Flash-based solutions in the server.

Leveraging EMC VFCache with Enterprise Applications (Monday 4:00-5:00 and Thursday 10:00-11:00)

This session describes how EMC VFCache can be leveraged with enterprise applications like Oracle, SQL Server, and Microsoft Exchange. This presentation introduces various VFCache deployment scenarios for enterprise applications and also provides some best practices to maximize performance benefits. This session also shares the results from various benchmark tests done at EMC Application Performance labs in both physical and virtual environments.

Leverage VNX for Your High-Performance and High-Bandwidth Microsoft SQL Server Applications

This session discusses how you can leverage the VNX platform to deliver predictable and sustained performance with the VNX unified storage platform for your high-bandwidth SQL Data Warehouse / Business Intelligence requirements. Solutions including VNX all Flash array and VFCache are discussed. Best practices around deploying SQL data warehouse on VNX are also discussed as well as how you can leverage VNX with the Microsoft SQL Fast Track program to get a balanced repeatable deployment design.

Birds-of-a-Feather: Implementing Flash Technologies and Cisco UCS in Mission-Critical Application Environments

This BoF session explores the ways customers implement Flash technology to improve performance in mission-critical application environments. The session will also discuss how customers are implementing Cisco UCS to deliver higher performance computing needed in a virtualized data center environment. Customers will have the ability to review how EMC’s new VFCache and EMC Flash-enabled storage systems dramatically improve application performance.

KEYNOTE: Flash Deconstructed: Understanding The What, Where, Why, and When of This Mega-Hyped Movement. (Thursday 8:30-9:30)

Keynote with Steve Duplessie In this session, Steve will overview the various Flash technologies – those available now and those on the horizon – and the potential each technology offers. Steve will drill into implementation and technology options and what users can expect from each – where they work, and where they don't. Users will leave the session with a better understanding of how Flash will evolve and gain insight on what to expect from the industry – along with what questions to ask prospective vendors.

Even more interesting is “Area 51” (Tuesday 5/22 at 2:45) Check your agenda.  Even as an internal EMC Blogger, I can’t find any details! What could that be about?  You’ll get them after, that’s for sure!

Look for me at EMC World.  Follow-me on Twitter @EMCMSFT for all the latest updates, and   check back for Videos and Podcasts from EMC World.