[VCF 9.0.2] VMware Cloud Foundation Installer and Depot Configuration

🚀 Kickstarting VCF 9: From Download to Depot Configuration

Below is a quick how-to guide on some critical steps to get your VCF Installer appliance and the initial bootstrap process up and running quickly and easily (at Day 0).

The Workflow:

1. DOWNLOAD (The Broadcom Portal)
Since the transition, locating the binary is the first challenge.

Log in to the Broadcom Support Portal.
Navigate to "My Downloads" -> type "VMware Cloud Foundation"(1) into "Search Product Name" (1) and hit "Show Results" (2) botton. Click "VMware Cloud Foundation"(3)
Click on "VMware Cloud Foundation 9" to expand and select the desired releases (in my case 9.0.2.0).
Agree both "Terms and Conditions"(1) and "Compliance Reporting Terms and Conditions"(1) then flag the check box (2). Click on "View Group" in the row corresponding to "VMware Cloud Foundation Installer"
Download the VCF Installer Appliance OVA "VCF-SDDC-Manager-Appliance-9.0.2.0.25151285.ova" (approx. 2.03GB) (1)

2. DEPLOY (The OVF Wizard)
Deploying the appliance is standard, but accuracy is key for the automation engine to work later (detailed steps on how to distribute an OVA are beyond the scope here).

Open your existing vSphere Client.
Right-click Cluster -> Deploy OVF Template.
Upload the OVA.
Crucial Inputs: Provide the Name of the VM, a strong password, valid DNS, NTP, a Static IP and so on.
Result: Power on the appliance. Wait for the services to initialize (approx. 10-15 mins).

3. CONFIGURE DEPOT (Hydrating the BOM)
This is where VCF 9 shines with its decoupled architecture. Once the appliance is up, you need to populate it with the software Bill of Materials (BOM).

Access the Appliance UI via browser (https://<appliance-ip>).
Log in by entering the credentials provided during the previous deployment phase
Click on "DEPOT SETTINGS AND BINARY MANAGEMENT".
Choose one of the two DEPOT configuration options (Online - Offline).
- Option A (Online): Enter your Broadcom Support credentials (Token). The appliance will sync the manifest and download the required bundles (ESXi, NSX, SDDC Manager services) automatically.
- Option B (Offline): If you are in an air-gapped environment, use the Bundle Transfer Utility to upload the bundles manually.
In our case we will connect to the online depot clicking on "CONFIGURE".
Connecting to the online depot requires generating a Token which can be obtained from the Broadcom Support Portal. On how to generate the token, see KB 390098
Insert the Token and click "AUTHENTICATE"
If the token entered in the previous step is correct, onces choosen the desired version (in our case, 9.0.2.0) we can download the binaries of the components we need.
Select the desired packages, click "DOWNLOAD" and wait for the download to complete.