Install and Configure vRealize Operations Manager 8.2 Part 1

In the next set of post’s we will be going through installing and configure vRealize Operations manager (vROps). I haven’t had to install or configure vROps in a few years so want to go back over it before we replaced our existing deployment.

vROps is a application from VMware that can be used to monitor, optimize and manage VMware management tools like vCentre, ESXi..

There are 3 different editions of vROps.

Standard: Allows management of vSphere only.

Advanced: Adding VMware cloud (AWS / Azure), Operating system monitoring and dashboards.

Enterprise: Give all the advanced features but also allows for application / database monitoring and third party management packs.

vROps Editions: Series Overview – VMware Cloud Management

We will be using Enterpirse edition.

vRops can be used for performance monitoring, over or under provisioned VM’s, capacity planning and trend analysis.

In this post we will be going through the initial virtual appliance deployment.

First step is to check what size appliance is going to be required.

We can use the sizing guidelines to select the right appliance size for the environment.

vRealize Operations 8.2 Sizing Guidelines (80893) (vmware.com)

Or use the VMware sizing tool

vRealize Sizing Tool (vmware.com)

Select the version you are installing and then add in the number of vCenter, host, datastores and VM that will have data collected and this will then give you the recommended sizing for your vROps deployment.

In my case it was extra small deployment.

What I always do before deploying any VMware appliance is create a static DNS record. This makes it easier to connect to the appliance after it’s deployed and for some appliance (like vCenter server its a requirement or the deployment will fail.)

To download the required vROps appliance go to my VMware and select the required version.

Download VMware vSphere – My VMware

To deploy the OVA create a new VM in VMware and select deploy VM from OVF or OVA file.

Give the appliance a Name and either drag and drop the OVA file or browse to the location and select.

Select a datastore

Agree to the end user license agreement.

Select a network, deployment type size, disk provisioning (thin or thick) and if VMware will be powered on automatically. Since this is only a single vCenter setup we will be using a small deployment type.

Set the timezone and network IP, gateway, netmask and domain name

Review the settings and complete.

The VM will start to deploy.

Once the deployment is completed, connect to either the IP or FQDN of the appliance to start the setup.

Select either express or new installation. We will be using the express installation as we only have one vCenter.

Set the admin password.

Complete the install

When the deployment completed the vROps logon page should show.

Logon and completed the installation.

Accept the End user agreement.

Enter your product key or use the evaluation.

You can join customer experience or untick to not take part.

Click finish to complete.

vROps is now installed.

In the next post we will go through connecting to vCenter Server, configure Active directory integration and build out some dashboards.