VMware

In the evolving landscape of infrastructure automation, two tools frequently stand out: SaltStack and Terraform. Both are pivotal for managing infrastructure, yet they cater to distinct needs and operate on fundamentally different principles. This blog post explores what sets SaltStack and Terraform apart, delving into their purposes, architectures, use cases, and how they can work together to streamline your infrastructure workflows. What is SaltStack? SaltStack, commonly known as Salt, is a configuration management tool designed to automate the setup, configuration, and ongoing maintenance of servers. It thrives in environments where consistency and control over server states are paramount. Salt operates on a master-minion architecture, where a central master server orchestrates commands and configurations across multiple minion servers in real time. ...

In today’s blog, we’re diving into the world of storage solutions, specifically comparing VMware’s vSAN Express Storage Architecture (ESA) with traditional storage systems like SAN (Storage Area Network) and NAS (Network Attached Storage). If you’re wondering which storage solution is right for your environment, this post is for you. We’ll explore the key differences in architecture, performance, scalability, cost, management, and use cases to help you make an informed decision. ...

I often find myself fielding questions about how to effectively manage and monitor licensing in VMware Aria Automation. Licensing is a critical piece of the puzzle when it comes to ensuring compliance, optimizing resource usage, and maintaining operational efficiency in your automation environment. Recently, I was asked about tracking licensed assets, and I’m excited to share a practical approach using the powerful vracli command-line interface (CLI), specifically the vracli license usage command. In this blog, I’ll walk you through how to leverage this tool to gain visibility into your licensed assets, why it matters, and some actionable insights for managing your Aria Automation deployment. ...

Are you looking to streamline configuration management in your VMware by Broadcom Aria Automation environment? SaltStack Config 8.17, integrated into Aria Automation 8.18, offers powerful tools for automating and securing your infrastructure. In this guide, I’ll walk you through deploying SaltStack Config 8.17 using VMware Aria Suite Lifecycle Manager in an existing Aria Automation 8.18 setup. Whether you’re a solutions architect or IT administrator, this step-by-step tutorial will help you get started efficiently. ...

When it comes to configuration management, SaltStack and Ansible stand out as two of the most popular open-source tools for automating infrastructure, deploying applications, and managing IT environments. Whether you’re a DevOps professional or an IT administrator, choosing the right tool can streamline your workflows and improve efficiency. In this technical comparison, we’ll break down the differences between SaltStack Config and Ansible Open Source, covering their architectures, ease of use, scalability, and more. By the end, you’ll know which tool is best suited for your specific needs. ...

Want to harness the power of SaltStack Config for configuration management without tying it to an existing VMware Aria Automation setup? Deploying SaltStack Config 8.17 as a standalone product via VMware Aria Suite Lifecycle Manager (by VMware by Broadcom) is an excellent solution. This step-by-step guide will walk you through the process, ensuring you can set up a standalone SaltStack environment efficiently. Perfect for IT administrators or DevOps teams, this tutorial makes deployment simple and scalable. ...

Setting up a vSAN cluster on a single ESXi host without vCenter is simpler than you might think. This guide walks you through a CLI-based method to configure VMware by Broadcom’s vSAN in a standalone environment. Whether you’re testing in a lab or laying the groundwork for a larger cluster, a single node vSAN deployment offers a flexible starting point that scales as your needs grow. What Is a Single Node vSAN? VMware by Broadcom’s vSAN is designed for multi-host clusters managed by vCenter, typically requiring at least two hosts for production resilience. However, with CLI tools, you can establish a vSAN cluster on a single ESXi host. This setup is ideal for experimentation or initiating a cluster, providing a solid base for later expansion with vCenter and additional nodes. ...

In this post I will go over upgrading Aria Operations for Networks 6.x appliance to 6.14 using the upgrade bundle. If your appliance is managed by Lifecycle Manager, I covered upgrading Aria Operations for Networks to 6.14 via Aria Suite Lifecycle in a separate post. To get started log in to the platform server using an administrative account (default:admin@local) and go to Settings -> Infrastructure and Support ...

In this post I will go over upgrading Aria Operations for Networks 6.x appliance to 6.14 using Aria Suite Lifecycle. As a pre requirement we do need to have Aria Suite Lifecycle upgraded to 8.18. Instructions can be found here. The upgrade does not include the latest Product Support Pack. We can apply the latest Product Support Pack following the guide here. To get started we can go to Aria Suite Lifecycle -> Lifecycle Operations -> Settings -> Binary Mapping. ...

VMware Aria Operations for Networks (formerly vRealize Network Insight) provides deep network visibility, security analysis, and troubleshooting capabilities. Deploying VMware Aria Operations for Networks through VMware Aria Suite Lifecycle Manager (ASLCM) ensures a streamlined installation process. Prerequisites Before proceeding, ensure that: • Aria Suite Lifecycle Manager (ASLCM) is installed and configured. • VMware Aria Operations for Networks binaries are manually downloaded from Broadcom’s Support portal. • vCenter and NSX credentials are available. ...