VCF Operations UI showing policy definition with "Default Policy" active.

Suppress ESXi Host Alerts in VCF Operations 9 When a Host Enters Maintenance Mode

When a vSphere admin places an ESXi host in vCenter maintenance mode, VCF Operations should automatically suppress host alerts for that object, without pausing metric collection, and then restore alerting when maintenance ends. Why this approach? In VCF 9, you can avoid alert noise during maintenance in two ways: Maintenance Schedules , pause both collection and alerts during a defined window (best for planned maintenance). Policy-based alert suppression (this post) , keep metrics flowing but disable host alert definitions while the host is in maintenance. This is done with a policy attached to a dynamic custom group keyed to the host’s Maintenance Mode property. Note on naming: In VCF 9, VCF Operations is the successor to Aria/vRealize Operations and is part of the unified Cloud Foundation experience. If you’re upgrading from Aria Operations, see Broadcom’s “Upgrade to VCF Operations 9.0.” ...

Suppress ESXi Host Alerts in VCF Operations 9 When a Host Enters Maintenance Mode
VMware Aria Suite Lifecycle Manager 8.18.0 PATCH2 details, including status, type, and download link.

Applying VMware Aria Suite Lifecycle Manager 8.18 Patch 2

Patch 2 prepares Aria Suite Lifecycle Manager (ASLCM) for VMware Cloud Foundation 9.0 migrations. It does not deliver new features or hot-fixes, so only install it if VCF 9.0 (or the new VCF Operations appliance) is on your near-term roadmap. Why Patch 2 Matters Patch 2 updates the appliance-level services that let ASLCM recognize and orchestrate VCF 9.0 components (for example, Aria Operations 9.0). Without it, the 8.18 lifecycle UI cannot import or upgrade those binaries. If you are staying on VCF 5.x/8.x for a while, you can safely defer this patch. ...

Applying VMware Aria Suite Lifecycle Manager 8.18 Patch 2
Cloud Foundation UI showing updates for mgmt-domain version 5.2.1.0.

Upgrading VCF 5.2.1 to VCF 9 Step by Step

With the release of VCF 9 I wanted to get my lab upgraded. The release blog can be found here and the release notes are here Please note that some of the components within the VCF will still need additional upgrading. Please read the release notes for additional details. Planning the Upgrade We can start by going to Inventory -> Workload Domains -> Select the domain -> Updates -> Plan Upgrade. ...

Upgrading VCF 5.2.1 to VCF 9 Step by Step
VMware Cloud Foundation Installer screen shows download and deployment options for a new VCF instance.

Deploy a VCF 9 Instance in an new VCF fleet

In this blog we will go over deploying a VCF 9 instance using existing components. This assumes the VCF Installer appliance is already deployed and configured. Once logged on and binaries downloaded we can go through the Deployment wizard Click Deployment Wizard to bring up the menu Click on VMware Cloud Foundation Because I do not yet have any environments upgraded to the new fleet management this will be a new VCF Fleet. ...

Deploy a VCF 9 Instance in an new VCF fleet
VMware Cloud Foundation Installer login screen with fields for email/username and password, and a 'Log In' button.

Configuring the VCF 9.0 Installer: Depot and Bundle Setup

With the release of VCF 9 (Official What’s New blog can be found here) I wanted to get my lab environment upgraded so I can try out all of the new features. In my previous post we went over the deployment of the appliance. In this post we will be covering the configuration. Configure the VMware Cloud Foundation Installer appliance Once the appliance is deployed we can navigate to https://ip_address/ui or https://hostname/ui of the appliance. If everything is working properly we should be presented with a login screen. ...

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Configuring the VCF 9.0 Installer: Depot and Bundle Setup
VSphere Client interface with options for deploying an OVF template in the 'mgmt-cluster-01' datacenter.

Deploying the VCF 9.0 Installer Appliance in vCenter

With the release of VCF 9 (Official What’s New blog can be found here) I wanted to get my lab environment upgraded so I can try out all of the new features. To get started we need to download the VMware Cloud Foundation Installer from the VMware Cloud Foundation 9.0.0.0 page found here. In this post we will cover only the deployment. The configuration is available in another post. Deploy the VMware Cloud Foundation Installer appliance Once the appliance is downloaded we need to get the ova deployed. ...

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Deploying the VCF 9.0 Installer Appliance in vCenter
VMware Cloud Foundation dashboard showing Aria Operations for Logs details and connected workload domain.

Connecting a VI Workload Domain to VMware Aria Operations for Logs in VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF)

Integrating your VI Workload Domain with VMware Aria Operations for Logs enhances log management and analytics within VMware Cloud Foundation. This guide provides a step-by-step process to establish this connection using the SDDC Manager. Before You Begin Prerequisites: Administrative Access: Ensure you have admin credentials for SDDC Manager. Deployed Components: Both VMware Aria Operations for Logs and the VI Workload Domain should be deployed and operational. Connecting Through SDDC Manager Steps to Connect: ...

Connecting a VI Workload Domain to VMware Aria Operations for Logs in VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF)
VMware Aria Suite Lifecycle dashboard showing environments, datacenters, and options for managing products.

Deploying VMware Aria Operations for Logs in a VCF 5.2.1 Environment: Step-by-Step Guide

In a VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) environment, managing logs effectively is crucial for monitoring, troubleshooting, and ensuring compliance. VMware Aria Operations for Logs (formerly vRealize Log Insight) provides centralized log collection, real-time analytics, and intelligent log correlation, making it an essential tool for proactive infrastructure management. This guide walks you through the step-by-step process of deploying VMware Aria Operations for Logs in a VCF 5.2.1 environment. Before You Begin Prerequisites VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) 5.2.1: Confirm that your VCF environment is operational. Aria Lifecycle Manager (ALCM): Aria Lifecycle Manager 8.18 or compatible version installed and accessible. Network and DNS Configurations: Proper DNS and network settings to allow seamless communication among VMware components. VMware Identity Manager (vIDM): Configured and deployed for unified authentication across VMware products. If needed a guide can be found here. Adding the Product in Aria Lifecycle Manager Step 1: Access Aria Lifecycle Manager Log in to the Aria Lifecycle Manager (ALCM) console with admin credentials. Ensure compatibility between ALCM and VCF 5.2.1 for a smooth deployment. Step 2: Add product in existing environment. Navigate to Lifecycle Operations. Under the existing environment click on the ellipsis. Click Add Product. ...

Deploying VMware Aria Operations for Logs in a VCF 5.2.1 Environment: Step-by-Step Guide
VMware Aria Suite Lifecycle: Create Environment wizard step showing environment details and options.

Deploying VMware Aria Automation in a VCF 5.2.1 Environment: Step-by-Step Guide

Following the deployment of vIDM which can be found here, deploying VMware Aria Automation (formerly known as vRealize Automation) enhances your VCF environment with powerful self-service provisioning, automated operations, and streamlined infrastructure management. This step-by-step guide will walk you through deploying Aria Automation using VMware Aria Lifecycle Manager in a VCF 5.2.1 environment, integrating it seamlessly with vIDM for Single Sign-On (SSO) and access management. Prerequisites VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) 5.2.1 Environment: Ensure VCF 5.2.1 is fully set up and operational. Aria Lifecycle Manager (ALCM) Appliance: Make sure Aria Lifecycle Manager is installed and accessible. Identity Management (vIDM): Deployed and configured to allow SSO across VMware products. DNS and Network Configurations: Validated for reachability and FQDN resolution. Step 1: Access Aria Lifecycle Manager Log in to the Aria Lifecycle Manager (ALCM) console with admin credentials. Ensure your ALCM version aligns with VCF 5.2.1, ensuring compatibility. Step 2: Add an Environment in ALCM In ALCM, navigate to Environments and Add New Environment. Input environment details, such as name and description, to organize deployments within the ALCM. Select a Datacenter for the deployment. Click Next. ...

Deploying VMware Aria Automation in a VCF 5.2.1 Environment: Step-by-Step Guide
VMware Aria Suite Lifecycle Create Environment wizard step, showing environment setup with fields for name, description, password, datacenter, and SDDC manager integration.

Deploying VMware Aria Operations 8.18 in a VCF 5.2.1 Environment: Step-by-Step Guide

Deploying VMware Aria Operations (formerly vRealize Operations) provides deep monitoring, analytics, and insights into your VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) 5.2.1 environment. With Aria Lifecycle Manager (ALCM), the deployment and configuration of Aria Operations 8.18 are streamlined, allowing IT teams to maintain optimal performance, predict and prevent potential issues, and optimize resource utilization. This guide will take you through each step, ensuring Aria Operations is seamlessly deployed and integrated within your VCF environment. ...

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Deploying VMware Aria Operations 8.18 in a VCF 5.2.1 Environment: Step-by-Step Guide