Stuff about vCloud Automation Center [6.0] (4+5/5)

vCO

• Multiple parallel workflows
• Checkpointing
• Workflows can be interactive
• a lot of (<500) predefined workflows are already implemented
• vCO workflows can to integrated into vSphere Web Client

in vCAC

• Integrated vCO in vCAC Appliance can be used. Good practice is to use a stand-alone vCO Appliance.
• Endpoint necessary.
• Install vCAC plug-in in vCO.
• There are also workflows implemented to configure vCAC (e.g. manage SSL certificates).
• vCAC Hosts have to be added to vCO (using a workflow).
• You can create custom menu operation and assign to a blueprint and its machines (e.g. “Install AV Agent”).

Install integrated vCO

• Start service (using putty): service vco-configuration start
• Log in to vCO Configuration: https://url:8283 (user/PW: vmware/vmware)
• Import SSL certificate for vCenter, Iaas and vCAC Servers/Appliances by “vCenter 5.5 Server” in left panel
• Add vCenter Server
• Install vCenter License
• Check Startup Options
• Add credentials for vCO endpoint in vCAC
• Add vCO endpoint (Link: https://FQDN:8281/vco)
  • do not forget custom property VMware.VCenterOrchestrator.Priority. If you forget this, you get a nice notification which you can use to copy and paste the property.
• Install Orchestrator Client on Windows
• Configure vCenter Orchestrator Plug-Ins (AD, vCAC)
  • Add AD certificates by use of workflow: Library > Microsoft > Active Directory > Configuration > Manage SSL certificates
  • Add AD Domain by use of workflow: Library > Microsoft > Active Directory > ConfigureActiveDirectoryServer
  • Add vCAC certificates by use of workflow: Library > vCloudAutomationCenter > Configuration > Manage SSL Certificates
  • Add vCAC and Iaas Server by use of workflow: Library > vCloudAutomationCenter > Configuration > Add a vCAC host

OPERATIONAL MANAGEMENT

VMware IT Business Management (ITBM)

Overview

• ITBM comes in form of an appliance.
• It is not optimized for WAN connections!
• ITBM accesses data out of a global Reference Database. So it show financial values after the installation.
• For MS Azure and Amazon AWS the system updates actual prices from the provider. These are list prices, no special prices for the specific customer can be considered.
• This DB can be downloaded, so no internet access is necessary afterwards.
• Data in Reference Database comes from ITBM installations.
• A local installation do not have to provide data for the warehouse.
• You can set a specific currency (only one currency).
• By default the system supposes a amortization period of 3 years. This can’t be changes at this time.

MANAGING APPLICATIONS

Application Director

• One single method to deploy an environment, independently of the platform (amazon, Microsoft, VMware, Citrix)
• Application Marketplace

Advanced Service Designer

If you want to use just this feature, you can order the smallest available pack of vCAC Advanced.

Monitoring and Reclamation

Administrators/Manager can start request a reclamation. The owner of the machine has to approve the request to release for reclamation or mark the machine as in use.