I use this site to document VMware and infrastructure automation work from a VCF Holodeck deployment in one of my labs. The guides record the commands, screenshots, and checks that solved a problem, along with the product version and the vendor documentation I used. Most started as notes from an upgrade, troubleshooting session, or lab proof of concept.
What I work on
- VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF): installer, fleet management, SDDC Manager, upgrade paths from 4.x through 9.x, lifecycle and Aria suite integration.
- VCF Automation / Aria Automation: blueprint design, custom resources, ABX actions, Cloud Assembly, day-2 operations.
- vSphere & ESXi: patching via
esxcli, VCSA upgrades, vSAN, NSX, certificate replacement, performance and compliance. - Aria / VCF Operations: capacity, rightsizing, custom super metrics, alerts, role-based access, API workflows.
- Configuration management: Salt vs. Ansible vs. BigFix, deploying SaltStack Config via Lifecycle Manager, Windows patching at scale.
- Cloud and adjacent systems: AVS on Azure, GCP three-tier deploys via Terraform / Ansible, Mac mini DFU recovery, and other stray notes.
Why this site exists
I write each guide around a specific operational question. The steps come from the lab environment where I tested them, with version details and verification points included when they matter. Older posts use the product names and releases that were current at the time, so check the linked release notes before applying an older procedure.
If something is wrong or has changed in a newer release, the contact links below are the fastest way to reach me.
Certifications
These are my currently public badges on Credly:
- VMware Certified Professional - VMware Cloud Foundation Administrator 2024
- VMware Certified Professional - VMware Cloud 2024 [v2]
- VMware Education Champion - Level One
- Certification Subject Matter Expert - VMware Cloud Infrastructure 2024
- VMware Certified - Cloud Infrastructure Administrator 2024
- VMware Certified Professional - VMware Cloud 2023
- AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional
- Certification Subject Matter Expert - VMware Cloud 2022
- VMware Certified Professional - VMware Cloud 2022
- FinOps Certified Practitioner
- VMware Certified Advanced Professional - Data Center Virtualization Design 2021
- CompTIA Linux+ ce Certification
- CompTIA Linux Network Professional – CLNP Stackable Certification
- CompTIA Network+ ce Certification
- VMware Certified Advanced Professional - Data Center Virtualization Design 2020
- VMware Certified Implementation Expert 6.5 – Data Center Virtualization
- VMware Certified Implementation Expert - Data Center Virtualization 2020
- Double VCP - Data Center Virtualization & Network Virtualization
- Double VCP - Network Virtualization & Cloud Management
- VMware Certified Professional - Network Virtualization 2019
- Double VCP - Data Center Virtualization & Cloud Management
- VMware Certified Professional - Cloud Management and Automation 2019
- CompTIA Security+ ce Certification
- VMware Certified Professional 6.5 – Data Center Virtualization
- MCSE: Cloud Platform and Infrastructure — Certified 2016
- VMware Certified Professional 6 – Data Center Virtualization
- Exam 414: Implementing an Advanced Server Infrastructure
- Exam 413: Designing and Implementing a Server Infrastructure
- Exam 247: Configuring and Deploying a Private Cloud with System Center 2012
- Exam 246: Monitoring and Operating a Private Cloud with System Center 2012
- Exam 417: Upgrading Your Skills to MCSA Windows Server 2012
- MCSA: Windows Server 2012 - Certified 2016
Elsewhere
- Credly: cosmin-trif
- X / Twitter: @cosm0_
- LinkedIn: Cosmin Trif
- RSS: /index.xml
All content here is my own and not affiliated with my employer or with Broadcom / VMware.