Salt (SaltStack) is a powerful open-source configuration management and automation tool. Below is a step-by-step guide to deploying Salt Open Source for centralized configuration and management. Preparing the System Step 1: Update Your System Before installing Salt, update your package repositories and upgrade your system packages: sudo apt update sudo apt upgrade -y Installing and Configuring the Salt Master Step 2: Install Salt Master On your master server, install the Salt master package: ...

If you’re working with Aria Automation (formerly vRealize Automation) and want to give users the ability to add extra disks to a Windows VM (and define their drive letter and volume label) you’re in the right place. This guide shows you how to build a flexible and reusable cloud template (blueprint) that handles additional disks dynamically. We’ll cover: YAML blueprint inputs for user-defined disks Cloud-init with PowerShell to configure drives Handling drive letter and label assignment dynamically Ensuring all disks are initialized and formatted properly Step 1: Define Inputs for Additional Disks In your Aria Automation blueprint YAML, start by defining an input array that allows users to specify up to 4 additional disks, including their desired SCSI unit number, disk size, drive letter, and volume label. ...

Repeated ApiGwServicePrincipal expired-token warnings in apigw.log are a known vCenter Server 8.0 issue. Broadcom identifies a possible Security Token Service (STS) condition that causes an endless loop in the vsphere-ui service. The permanent resolution is to upgrade to vCenter Server 8.0 Update 3e or a later supported release. An earlier version of this article recommended changing the rsyslog imfile severity assigned to apigw.log. That does not stop the messages, reduce how often vCenter writes them, or correct the STS/UI loop. The procedure has been removed. ...

Current update: This March 2025 article is retained as historical context. Its original version incorrectly said patches were not yet available, but Broadcom’s initial advisory already included fixed versions. Use VMSA-2025-0004: Current Remediation and Fixed Versions for current, remediation-first guidance. Broadcom released VMSA-2025-0004 on March 4, 2025. The advisory covers serious vulnerabilities in VMware ESXi, Workstation, and Fusion, plus products that consume ESXi such as VMware Cloud Foundation and VMware Telco Cloud Platform. Fixed versions were available in the advisory’s response matrix at publication. ...

Upgrading Aria Operations (formerly VMware vRealize Operations) is a crucial task to ensure you’re using the latest features, security patches, and performance improvements. In this guide, we’ll walk through the step-by-step process of upgrading Aria Operations using a .pak file. If you manage your environment with Lifecycle Manager instead, I covered upgrading Aria Operations to 8.18.3 via Aria Suite Lifecycle separately. Preparing for the Upgrade Prerequisites Before starting the upgrade, ensure the following prerequisites are met: ...

If you’re a system administrator or IT professional working with VMware Aria Suite Lifecycle Manager, you might have hit a roadblock when trying to import a VMware Aria Operations for Networks instance. The error in question? LCMVRNICONFIG90115. Here’s what it looks like: Error Code: LCMVRNICONFIG90115 Invalid credentials provided for Console user. Please retry with correct console password. Invalid credentials provided for Console user. Please retry with correct console password. On the surface, this error screams “wrong password!” But even if you’re certain the credentials are spot-on, the issue might persist. Spoiler alert: the fix lies in enabling FIPS mode on the Aria Suite Lifecycle appliance. In this blog post, I’ll break down why this error happens, how FIPS mode resolves it, and provide a step-by-step guide to get you back on track. ...

In today’s fast-paced IT landscape, managing infrastructure efficiently is a top priority. Configuration management tools like SaltStack Config and Ansible Tower empower IT teams to automate server provisioning, software deployment, and system maintenance. But how do these two solutions compare, and which one is the best fit for your organization? In this detailed comparison of SaltStack Config vs Ansible Tower, we’ll explore their key features, use cases, strengths, and weaknesses. Whether you’re searching for scalability, ease of use, or seamless integrations, this guide will help you decide which tool aligns with your automation needs. ...

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. ...