Updating packages and installing the third party software/agent(s) on VMware NSX appliances

Products

• VMware NSX

Issue/Introduction

This article outlines Broadcom's support stance regarding:

• Installation of third-party software, or agents on VMware NSX appliances.
• Any ad-hoc updates of OS packages.

Environment

• VMware NSX-T Data Center
• VMware NSX

Cause

VMware NSX appliances are delivered as hardened, purpose-built virtual machines with preconfigured services and security settings.

Manual upgrade of packages, or installing a third-party software or agents introduces changes to the operating system that:

• May conflict with NSX services and internal components.
• Can alter system behavior in unpredictable ways.
• Potentially introduce security or stability risks.
• Could block the upgrade processes.
• Will render the system unsupported. 

NSX appliances are considered closed systems, and any modifications—including third-party installations—are unsupported.

Resolution

Upgrades of default packages, and installing third-party software or agents on VMware NSX appliances is not supported.

Broadcom does not recommend or support any modifications to the NSX appliance operating system, including upgrades of packages, installation of additional packages, monitoring agents, antivirus tools, or other third-party software.

The only method to upgrade the packages is through upgrade of NSX (please refer to the NSX Upgrade Guide).

Such modifications may:

• Compromise the stability, security, or performance of the NSX appliance
• Interfere with NSX services or upgrade processes
• Result in the appliance being in an unsupported state

If additional monitoring, logging, or integration is required, it is recommended to use supported APIs or external tools that interact with NSX via official interfaces, without altering the appliance internals.

Additional Information

In the scope of this KB article, VMware NSX appliances are:

• NSX Manager
• NSX Edge (deployed as a Virtual Machine, or as a Bare Metal Server)