Importing Brownfield Environments with VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) 5.2

 VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) 5.2 introduces a major enhancement: the ability to import existing 'brownfield' environments into SDDC Manager. This significant update simplifies the onboarding process, enabling seamless integration of existing vSphere and vSAN environments into a comprehensive private cloud platform.

Key Features of VCF 5.2 Import

Deploying SDDC Manager as an OVA

One option to utilize the new import feature is to deploy SDDC Manager as an OVA (Open Virtual Appliance). This process involves deploying the OVA and converting an existing cluster into a Management Domain. This setup allows users to leverage SDDC-based automation for their existing environments.

Importing vSphere Infrastructure as a Workload Domain

Another option is to import an existing vSphere Infrastructure into a pre-existing VMware Cloud Foundation instance as a VI workload domain. This is accomplished using a command line (CLI) tool, a self-contained Python script that encompasses all necessary components for the import process.

Topologies Supported by VCF Import

Supported Topologies:

vSphere Infrastructure environments with FiberChannel storage.

vSphere Infrastructure environments with NFS storage.

vSphere Infrastructure environments with vSAN storage.

Unsupported Topologies:

vSphere Infrastructure with NSX environments.

vSphere Infrastructure environments with LACP (Link Aggregation Control Protocol) configurations.

Advantages of VCF Import

One of the most notable benefits of VCF 5.2 is the decoupling of SDDC Manager from the entire Bill of Materials (BOM) when managing the lifecycle of the VCF environment. This update enhances flexibility by allowing independent updates to SDDC Manager as new releases become available. This means users can benefit from the latest features and improvements in SDDC Manager without needing to update the entire VCF environment simultaneously.

In summary, VCF 5.2's import capabilities mark a significant advancement in the simplification of integrating existing vSphere and vSAN environments into a fully automated private cloud infrastructure. By offering flexible deployment options and supporting various storage topologies, VCF 5.2 empowers organizations to modernize their data centers with ease.