How to add a VCF Workload Domain

How to add a VCF Workload Domain

1. Using the SDDC Manager, click on Workload Domains on the left.

2. Click on +Workload Domain on the Upper Right to create a new one.

3. Select the Storage Type to be used by the Workload Domain.

4. Select the Virtual Infrastructure Name and SSO Domain information. Click on Next.

5. Specify the name of the Cluster and click on Next. 

6. Enter the information about the new vCenter Server that will control this Workload Domain.

7. Specify the name of all the hosts that will belong to the new cluster.

8. Add the NSX Manager information for that Workload Domain.

9. Specify the vSAN Failures to Tolerate (FTT) option that you want to use and click on Next.

10. Verify the host related information and click on Next. Then select the licenses to use for vSphere, NSX and vSAN and click on Next again.

11. Verify all of the information and click on Next.

12. If everything looks correct, click on Finish.

13. Verify that your tasks succeed and that the domain gets created.

How to configure a VCF Workload Domain

How to configure a VCF Workload Domain

1. Log into the SDDC Manager and select Network Setting to create a Network Pool

2. Name it, specify the type (ex: vSAN or vMotion), add the VLAN Id and the rest of the network information. That includes the MTU, the network, subnet mask and default gateway.

3. Specify the Network Pool IP Ranges for both vSAN and vMotion if using vSAN as your storage. Click on Save at the bottom of the screen.

4. Verify that the Network Pool was created successfully.

5. On the left side, click on Hosts. Click on Commission Hosts. Initially, you will only see the 4 hosts belonging to your Management Domain.

6. Select all the options in the Checklist and click on Proceed.

7. Add the hosts one by one or in group. Here, one host is added initially. Click on Add new, specify the storage type, the network pool and authenticate yourself. Click on Add.

8. Turn on Confirm all Finger prints and click on Validate All after adding the host. Click on Next.

9. Click on Next on the bottom left once the host is validated.

10. Click on Commission on the bottom left.

11. As you see this screen, click on Unassigned Hosts to make sure your host was commissioned successfully.

12. Verify that the the hosts is listed and Active. Now add the remaining hosts repeating steps 5 through 11.

How to start deploying VCF

 Initial deployment of VCF

Before starting, I want to mention that I did NOT include some of the basic steps needed to start. These include performing the installation of 4 esxi hosts (which will host the Management Domain) or the download and installation of the Cloud Builder virtual machine (downloaded from the VMware site and deployed via OFV/OVA elsewhere (not in the 4 hosts mentioned before.  Having said that:

1. Log into the Cloud Builder vm and select the VMware Cloud Foundation option and click on Next.

2. Make sure to read the Prerequisites and Click on "I have reviewed the prerequisites" on the bottom left. Click on Next.

3. Download the Deployment Parameter Workbook, populate it and click on Next.

4. Click on Select  File to upload the modified Parameter Workbook.

5. Find the xml file, click on Open and then on Next

6. Wait for the validation of the uploaded file to complete.

7. Click on Deploy SDDC and wait for the vCenter, 4 node vSAN cluster and NSX Manager to be  deployed.

8. While you wait, pay attention to what happens during the Bringup Process.

9. For example, notice the deployment of the cluster and the distributed switch.

10. Notice the deployment and configuration of the NSX manager.

11. Once completed, click on Finish.

12. Click on Launch SDDC Manager

13. Log in as administrator@vsphere.local

14. Notice the management domain is in place and you have 0 Workload Domains. Notice the Recent Tasks and all of the options on the left side.

How to configure the SRM appliance after the deployment

Step 1: After deploying the appliance, connect to it via port 5480 and log in as the user admin.

2.  Select Summary on the left side and click on Configure Appliance

3. Specify the information of the vCenter Server/PSC and authenticate yourself to it.

4. Specify one of the two vCenters that you plan to use. Do the same for the second SRM appliance. 
 

5. Specify the site name and provide email information 

6. Verify your settings and click on Finish.

7. Connect to your vCenter Server via the vSphere Client.

8. Select Site Recovery 

9. Pair the two sites.

10. Select the other vCenter Server

11. Review the services recognized and the pairing of the sites.

12. Click on Finish should everything look correct.

13. You shoud see the two vCenter Servers. 

Final Note: What is next?  Lots of things, inventory mappings, the deployment of the replication appliances, protection groups and recovery plans.