Oral History of Steve Herrod

Interviewed by Dag Spicer on 2023-11-13 in Mountain View, CA
© Computer History Museum
This interview begins with Herrod’s early formative years in Texas as an early computer hobbyist with broad interests in science and the humanities. Graduating from the University of Texas, he drove out to California for graduate studies in computer science at Stanford University. His advisor, Mendel Rosenblum, was leading research into virtualization on consumer PC hardware. Rosenblum later cofounded VMWare.
The interview takes some time to explain what virtualization is, from the desktop to the datacenter, as well as the various other forms of virtualization beyond compute, such as storage and networking. Additionally, Herrod describes in depth his evangelist role within and outside the company as VMWare grew into a multi-billion dollar enterprise. The role of CTO and how the innovation process unfolds in real time and is managed is discussed in detail. There is also some discussion of the various acquisitions VMWare has undergone over the years and its prospects for the future.
* Note: Transcripts represent what was said in the interview. However, to enhance meaning or add clarification, interviewees have the opportunity to modify this text afterward. This may result in discrepancies between the transcript and the video. Please refer to the transcript for further information - www.computerhistory.org/colle...
Visit computerhistory.org/collections/oralhistories/ for more information about the Computer History Museum's Oral History Collection.
Catalog Number: 102808936
Acquisition Number: 2023.0191