VMworld 2013 will be kicking off on August 25, 2013 and will run through until the 29th.  Before heading out to San Francisco to discover what VMware and its partners have to offer this year, let’s check out some of the highlights from last year’s conference.

With theCUBE’s premier broadcast suite, hosting live interviews from VMworld for three consecutive years, we have a front row seat for event highlights, exclusive content and analysis.

Here’s a recap of the top news and interviews from our coverage of VMworld 2012.  Be sure to tune into SiliconANGLE.tv for live broadcasts during this year’s event, and check out our YouTube channel for the full archive of interviews and analysis from theCUBE.

VMware CIO on New Software-Defined Strategy

Mark Egan, VMware Chief Information officer, appeared on theCUBE last year and stated that the company is changing its strategy when it comes to software release cycles.  Instead of focusing on what the company is going to do 90 days, it will be focusing on what its teams will be doing in the current week.  By not thinking so much about the future, the company will be able to focus on what needs to be done now.

It’s all about vSphere, Octopus + Partners

vSphere 5.1 introduced several new features that eliminates the vRAM billing model that VMware implemented with version 5.0.  Admins can now use the web client to manage both replication and vSphere Data Protection, the new embedded security component that ships with the cloud platform, and more vMotion capabilities have been added as well.  The web-based interface has replaced the Windows client, which doesn’t even include the new 5.1 functionality.

• The Birth of the Cloud Computing Era: HP Expands with vCloud Suite 5.1

Hewlett-Packard integrated vCloud 5.1 to its Converged Cloud Portfolio. The vendor added support for Data Protection as well as the PCI DSS financial services security standard, optimized VM migration for CloudSystem, and a new feature that makes it easier for admins to automate roll outs and configuration.

• What’s Hot at VMworld 2012: Octopus, HP Integration and SDN

VMware unveiled Project Octopus, which now sports the much more official-sounding name of Horizon Data. Horizon Data is in alpha stages but when it’s out, it’s going to be the lynchpin of the VMware Horizon Suite, an integrated platform that allows organization to manage their entire BYOD strategy from a single pane of glass.

• VMware Launches Forum, Helps Enterprises Transition to the Cloud

Called Cloud Ops Forum, the group includes EMC Global Services, Capgemini, Deloitte, Infosys and CSC. According to VMware, the group’s mission includes not just assisting enterprises with the technical side of moving to the cloud, but also the organizational and cultural issues that come with such a dramatic shift.

Below is the entire playlist of VMworld 2012 interviews.  Sit back, relax and watch!