Automation

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  • 1.  Automated VM Deployment workflow

    Posted May 16, 2023 01:08 AM

    Hi, I'm trying to eval Aria Automation for automated VM deployments.  I've installed the vRealize Aria Automation Config, but it doesn't look like what I was expecting.

    So... what do I need to install for this?  There's Orchestrator, vRA, vRA+Config, etc.  Any help would be much appreciated.



  • 2.  RE: Automated VM Deployment workflow

    Posted May 16, 2023 11:52 AM
    https://mylearn.vmware.com/gw/mylearn/course/course-details/100447 is a good starting point for this HUGE open question


  • 3.  RE: Automated VM Deployment workflow

    Posted May 16, 2023 12:11 PM

    Thanks, a course will probably be something in the near future. But for now, I'm just looking for what pieces are required for doing a VM deployment workflow.  Is just vRA required, or are there other pieces that are required for doing something like this?



  • 4.  RE: Automated VM Deployment workflow

    Posted May 16, 2023 12:18 PM
    Aria (vRealize Automation) is a huge product with many components. Just installing it requires a lot of knowhow. If you go with the Cloud only version then it should be configured to some extent for you. Getting to the stage where you are ready to deploy a VM is not a one paragraph answer You would need to learn how to create a template, add a cloudzone, create a project, assign resources, create a blueprint for the said template and depending on the level of customization (i.e. for network, name, domain join etc...) you will need to create custom vRO workflows and configure plugins. You might also want to attach an external orchestrator such as AWX or connect to gitlab to expand on version control. Aria is an ecosystem, not a click and deploy solution


  • 5.  RE: Automated VM Deployment workflow

    Posted May 16, 2023 12:25 PM
    Maybe try VMware Hands on Lab first to get a feeling for it: Aria Automation Lightning Lab (HOL-2201-92-CMP) https://labs.hol.vmware.com/HOL/catalogs/catalog/1936


  • 6.  RE: Automated VM Deployment workflow

    Posted May 16, 2023 05:18 PM

    I'm assuming you have a vCenter and ESX hosts already available to consume.  If so you need to download the easy installer https://docs.vmware.com/en/VMware-Aria-Automation/8.12/installing-automation-easy-installer/GUID-CEF1CAA6-AD6F-43EC-B249-4BA81AA2B056.html .  This will install LCM, Identity Manager, and vRA which includes vRO.  You'll have everything you need to create the deployment workflows but as has been mentioned getting all of this online is not trivial.



  • 7.  RE: Automated VM Deployment workflow

    Posted May 17, 2023 04:58 PM

    Thanks, yes we have the LCM, IDM and vRA installed, however the only vRA version available was the "config" version, which is basically the SaltStack piece.  The regular vRA isn't available for eval.  



  • 8.  RE: Automated VM Deployment workflow

    Posted May 26, 2023 10:58 PM

    I'm surprised you would have access to install SaltStack and not vRA.  Usually you need an advanced license of vRA to unlock SaltStack.  Good luck.