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.

• Sufficient resources (CPU, RAM, storage) are allocated in vSphere.

• DNS, NTP, and network settings are properly configured.

Step 1: Log in to Aria Suite Lifecycle Manager

  1. Open your browser and go to the Aria Suite Lifecycle Manager UI.

  2. Log in using admin credentials.

  3. Navigate to Lifecycle Operations.

The image shows the “Lifecycle Operations” option highlighted in the VMware Aria Suite Lifecycle Manager dashboard.

Step 2: Manually Download and Map the Aria Operations for Networks Binary

Since ASLCM no longer downloads binaries directly, you must:

  1. Visit Broadcom Support Portal Downloads.

  2. Search for VMware Aria Operations for Networks.

  3. Download the required OVA/installation files for the desired version. In my case the VMware-Aria-Operations-for-Networks-6.14.0.1725688792-collector.ova and VMware-Aria-Operations-for-Networks-6.14.0.1725688792-platform.ova

  4. Transfer the downloaded files to a local datastore or a NFS accessible location.

Adding Local Binary in ASLCM

  1. In Aria Suite Lifecycle Manager, go to Settings > Binary Mapping.

Settings page in Aria Suite Lifecycle Manager with options like System Administration and Servers & Accounts.

  1. Click Add Binaries and select Local.

  2. Browse to the location where you uploaded the Aria Operations for Networks OVA.

  3. Click Add to map the packages.

In the Add Product Binary step, select VMware Aria Operations for Networks packages and click Add.

Step 3: Add VMware Aria Operations for Networks to the Environment.

  1. In Lifecycle Operations, click Add Product to an existing environment or create a new environment.

  2. Select Aria Operations for Networks.

  3. Choose the version you mapped in Binary Mapping.

Selecting version 8.14.0 for VMware Aria Operations for Networks in the Create Environment wizard.

  1. Accept the EULA and continue.

EULA acceptance step in VMware Aria Suite Lifecycle Manager wizard.

Step 4: Configure Licensing

  1. Select License: Choose a license or add a new one.

  2. Validate the license:

  3. Proceed to the next step.

In the “Create Environment” wizard, the “License” step shows a list of applicable licenses and a “Validate Association” button.

Step 4: Configure Deployment Details

  1. Select Environment: Choose an existing environment or create a new one.

  2. Provide vCenter Details:

• Provide the vCenter Server.

• Select the appropriate cluster, resource pool, network, datastore, disk mode and vIDM integration.

The image shows the Infrastructure step in a VMware Aria Operations for Networks deployment wizard, with fields for selecting vCenter Server, cluster, network, datastore, disk mode, and vIDM integr…

  1. Network Configuration:

• Provide gateway, subnet, and DNS details.

  1. VM Sizing: Choose between Small, Medium, or Large based on the network size.

Step 5: Start the Deployment

  1. Run the recheck and review all configurations carefully.

The precheck step shows all validations passed, with options to re-run or download the report.

  1. Click Submit to begin the deployment.

The screenshot shows the Summary step of the VMware Aria Operations for Networks deployment wizard.

  1. ASLCM will automatically deploy and configure the Aria Operations for Networks VM.

ASLCM deployment in progress, infra validation initiated. Stage 5: Deploy Ovf in VMware Aria Operations for Networks. Diagram shows VMware Aria Operations for Networks collector stages 6 and 7. Progress bar showing stages 8, 9, and 10 of a VMware Aria Operations deployment. Stage 11: Toggle FIPS mode in VMware Aria Operations for Networks.

Step 6: Validate the Deployment

  1. After deployment, log in to Aria Operations for Networks via its web UI.

  2. Check the Admin Console for any configuration errors.

  3. Verify that the VM is properly running in vCenter.

  4. Ensure successful integration with vCenter and NSX.

Post-Deployment Tasks

• Configure user roles & access permissions.

• Set up data sources and start monitoring traffic flows.