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Quick Tip - How to Manually Verify VCF Software Download Checksums?

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When a new VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) binary is published for download, its filename, size, and checksum are generated and updated in the VCF manifest files, including productVersionCatalog.json (PVC) and its corresponding signature file, productVersionCatalog.sig.

Whether you use the VCF Download Tool (VCFDT) to download the binaries for a local VCF Offline Depot or the VCF Installer to connect directly to Broadcom's download portal, the manifest file is automatically used to verify that the binaries match their expected checksums, preventing corrupted downloads or, worse, compromised software from being deployed.

For those using the VCFDT, below is a typical folder structure (/PROD/COMP) that is automatically created to store all VCF downloads:

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Major Enhancements to VCF 9.1 Upgrade Planner Tool

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The VCF Upgrade Planner was launched back in May and the reception and feedback from our users has been incredible. With over 90,000 visits in just a few months, it has quickly become an essential resource for helping customers and partners create a custom-tailored runbook for their specific environment to successfully upgrade to VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) 9.1.

As if the number of visits was not enough validation, I really felt the impact firsthand at VMware Explore 2026, where I met several attendees who all shared a similar sentiment:

I would not have been able to upgrade to VCF 9.1 without the VCF Upgrade Planner.

It has been great to hear how valuable the VCF Upgrade Planner has become for our users. Based on that feedback, we have made over 100 updates, from fixes to enhancements, and today I am excited to share several major updates that further improve the user experience and introduce new capabilities that will help with your VCF 9.1 journey.

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VCF 9.1.1 - New UI Support for Deploying VCF Management Services (VCFMS) & VCF Automation (VCFA) on Non-Management Networks

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When using the VCF 9.1.0 Installer to deploy VCF Management Services (VCFMS) and/or VCF Automation (VCFA), users can choose to deploy these components on either the default VM Management Network or an alternative network.


However, deploying VCFMS to a non-management network as part of an upgrade workflow, or VCFA during Day-N operations, requires using the VCF APIs (as explained here and here, respectively), as these workflows are not supported through the UI.

I was pleasantly surprised to recently learn from a colleague that with the latest VCF 9.1.1 release, the UI workflows have been enhanced! Instead of requiring the SDDC Manager or Fleet LCM API, you can now deploy these components to a non-management network directly from the UI.

Here is a screenshot when upgrading your environment to VCF 9.1.1 and when deploying VCFMS, you will now have an option to select a different network.


Here is a screenshot after upgrading you environment to VCF 9.1.1 and you have no deployed VCFA and as part of the Day-N operation, you will now have an option to select a different network.