It struck me that for those of you that are either exploring VMware Cloud on AWS (from here on out referred to as VMC) or currently using it, you may want a list of references for where to find information. Having done this for a few years now, I figured I could share my collection of public bookmarks.
Without fanfare, here they are with some descriptions:
We always start with this for sizing. You will better define the sizing once you engage your vendor but to get a sense of how many hosts and which hosts work for your size workload, this is the definitive tool we use.
2. VMware on AWS Documentation
This is the official documentation for VMC, meaning what’s written here is what we support and provide. If you are wondering if we offer it and it’s not listed here, we don’t. I’m not talking about exceptions, beta’s, special stuff, etc.
3. VMware Cloud on AWS Release Notes
Is the new one here yet? Do you have this? What’s the status of this feature? Please review the release notes because if you ask me, I’ll be using this link.
4. VMware Cloud Services Status Page
Is your ________ down? IDK. Look it up. Seriously. And subscribe to updates if you want more email.
5. VMware Cloud on AWS Reference Architectures
Do you have a diagram for this? Has this been done and documented? Can I get a copy? Yes, and here it is. They are very pretty.
6. Hybrid Linked Mode Prerequisites
I don’t use this as much nowadays but if you’re management needs to be impressed by seeing both your on prem and cloud VMware instances in one H5 console, this will do it.
7. Connectivity Options for VMware Cloud on AWS Software Defined Data Centers
This may be a little dated but if you’re doing a review of the connectivity options, AWS has a great page on it.
8. VMware Cloud on AWS Migration Guide
This only works if you already have an account to log into VMware’s cloud services and the VMC tile. Sorry to the rest of you.
9. Introduction to VMware Cloud on AWS Video
Matt and Samir did a bang up job way back when VMC first started. It’s still really good if you are just starting out and need to get an overview.
10. VMware Cloud YouTube Channel
Did you know we had an entire YouTube Channel? Yeah, I was surprised when I found it too. Many of my teammates have invested their time to teach you about VMC so do take advantage and check it out!
11. VMware Cloud on AWS Community on VMTN
The VMware field teams gathered many of the VMC resources here and several of my colleagues are the moderators so it’s a great place to poke around and ask a quick question that will be answered by not only the community but VMware staff.
12. VMware Cloud on AWS PERMISSIONS/PACSI
What are the roles available to me in the VMC solution? What are the granular permissions? Start here.
Configuration Maximums for VMC
We here use this frequently so it became a bookmark for me. I know it’s a shocker to people that I don’t know this cold but my memory short circuits at the worst times.
Many folks wonder what is the integration between VMware Cloud on AWS and AWS itself look like and what can you actually do?
Did you know that you can look up who is certified to work with VMC? Yep, check to make sure you select the correct version of VMC when searching for Data Protection providers.
Admittedly, I don’t use this much but I do reference it from time to time to see whose been working with us from a third party standpoint. Use it with a grain of salt.
18. VMC Alerts with vRealize Log Insight
Thank you to Michael for writing this up. This is a great example of using the two products together to do something. We often use Log Insight to view logs from VMC.
19. Using vRNI(vRealize Network Insight) on VMC
Nico is da boss when it comes to networking and he’s my go to when I have questions about VMC networking. This is the link I use when I need to a brush up on vRNI.
20. Official VMware Blog Series on standing up VMC
The business unit did you a solid one when they wrote up this start up series on standing up VMC. If you want to stand it up yourself, this is the place to get educated.
Don’t laugh at me. I can’t remember how to cut up subnets. Plus I’m bad at math. I need this. You may too. I won’t tell anyone. Promise. But whatever you do, DO NOT OVERLAP IP ADDRESS SPACE so use this.
22. VMware Cloud on AWS Onboarding
The VMware field team created this and it will walk you step by step on all the common standup processes. I use this all the time! Thanks, team.
23. Correlating VMware Cloud on AWS with Component Releases
So what version of vSphere does VMC Mx.xx actually run? What about NSX version? Here you go.
And I can’t believe it but those are the most common links I use to look up VMC information. Next time, I’ll do HCX!