In my previous blog post, we explored VCF Operations and its key components, a foundational topic for understanding the future of VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF). Now, as we continue preparing for the upcoming VCF release, let’s dive into VCF Operations Fleet Management—a new concept that many are still getting familiar with, as it was introduced only a few months ago!
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What is VCF Operations Fleet Management?
VCF Operations Fleet Management, previously known as SDDC Manager, is a management appliance deployed during the VCF bring-up process. It is deeply integrated into VCF Operations, enabling automated workflows for:
✅ Scaling VCF resources
✅ Lifecycle management of key components
✅ Operational tasks such as upgrades, patching, and system health checks
With Fleet Management, the installation and lifecycle management of VCF components like vSphere, vSAN, and NSX are fully automated, reducing manual effort and operational overhead.
How Does Fleet Management Work?
During deployment, VCF Fleet Management plays a crucial role in provisioning and maintaining the environment. For example:
- When you create a new Workload Domain, Fleet Management automatically deploys a new vCenter Server.
- When you run or schedule a lifecycle management operation, Fleet Management patches and upgrades vSAN, NSX, and vCenter Server to keep your VCF environment up to date.
- Password and certificate management are also handled by Fleet Management, ensuring security and compliance across the platform.
Why is Fleet Management Important?
As VMware Cloud Foundation evolves, Fleet Management will be at the core of simplifying operations, enforcing compliance, and supporting multi-cloud strategies. With its automation capabilities, you gain greater control and visibility over your entire VCF environment, reducing complexity and improving efficiency.
In the next post in this series, I’ll dive deeper into best practices for VCF Fleet Management and how you can integrate it into your existing operations. Stay tuned!