Requirements for deploying VCF Operations for Networks in a new Data Center

Products

• VCF Operations for Networks

Issue/Introduction

Requirements for deploying VCF Operations for Networks in a new Data Center

In this KB article, we will assume that you have an existing VCF Operations for Networks deployment, and you wish to begin collecting data related to workloads that are running in a new vCenter that is not included in the existing data sources configured in your existing deployment. 

If you do not have an existing VCF Operations for Networks deployment, please start by reviewing the documentation at VMware Aria Operations for Networks Installation Process

NOTE:  VCF Operations for Networks was formerly named Aria Operations for Networks (AON), and prior to that was named vRealize Network Insight (vRNI).

Environment

VCF Operations for Networks

Resolution

GENERAL PRINCIPLES:

1. The way flow data gets into VCF Operations for Networks, is via IPFIX packets.
   
   
2. When you have vCenter as a Data Source, the IPFIX packets will flow from the ESXi hosts to the VCF Operations for Networks Collector Node
   
   
3. You should be able to add a new Collector node to your existing VCF Operations for Networks deployment, and then add the new vCenter as a data source 

 

STEPS:

1. Determine the Networks (IP address + Netmask) used by the Management vmkernel adapters in the ESXi hosts managed by the new vCenter, that will be running virtual machine (VM) workloads for which you wish to collect data in your existing VCF Operations for Networks deployment.
   
   
2. Add a new Collector node to your existing VCF Operations for Networks deployment that has an IP address + Netmask that can be reached by a vmkping command from the Management vmkernel adapters in the ESXi hosts.  (Reference:  Deploy Additional Collector to an Existing Setup)
   
   
3. Add the new vCenter as a new data source using the instructions at Adding a Data Source in VMware Aria Operations for Networks
   
   
4. After a period of at least 30 minutes, you should begin to see flow data appearing in the VCF Operations for Networks GUI for the new Collector node.