Alexis Kestler
VMware Cloud on AWS (VMC) has emerged as a game-changing hybrid cloud solution, enabling enterprises to seamlessly extend on-premises data centers to the AWS cloud. By deploying a Software-Defined Data Center (SDDC) directly on dedicated AWS infrastructure, organizations can achieve cloud agility and scale while continuing to leverage existing VMware investments.
In this comprehensive guide, we will do a deep dive into everything involved in deploying an SDDC on VMC, including detailed use cases, technical architecture, step-by-step deployment guide, management best practices, cost optimization, and more. Even if you‘re already using VMware Cloud on AWS, you may pick up some helpful tips and insights here!
Why Deploy SDDC on VMware Cloud?
Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let‘s briefly go over the compelling reasons for deploying an SDDC on VMC:
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No re-architecting applications – You can leverage the same VMware tools to manage and migrate workloads to the cloud.
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Flexible capacity – Scale hosts up and down easily to align with business needs.
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Consistent operations – Use familiar Day 2 processes and skills across on-prem and cloud.
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Seamlessly extend VMware environment to AWS – Get a common operating model across sites.
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Leverage AWS services natively – Modernize parts of application stack by integrating with AWS capabilities.
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Eliminate capital expenses – Shift from CapEx to OpEx and reduce hardware costs.
According to Gartner, over 80% of large enterprises will adopt a hybrid infrastructure by 2025 combining on-premises data centers and public cloud. Clearly, VMware Cloud on AWS provides an optimal path for embracing hybrid cloud architectures.
Top Use Cases for Deploying SDDC
SDDC on VMC is flexible enough to support a diverse set of use cases. Here are some of the most popular ways customers leverage this hybrid cloud platform:
Data Center Extension
Probably the most common use case is extending an on-prem VMware environment to the AWS cloud. This helps overcome capacity constraints, deliver business continuity, and sets the foundation for cloud migration. HCX handles workload mobility between sites.
Cloud Migration
Using tools like HCX and vMotion, organizations can gradually migrate VMware-based applications to the cloud without replatforming. You get cloud scale and agility without business disruption.
As per Forrester, 38% of enterprise infrastructure will shift to cloud in 2021 driven by migration use cases.
Disaster Recovery
VMC on AWS makes an ideal DR site to replicate mission-critical systems using VMware Site Recovery Manager. Run disaster recovery drills in the cloud without needing a secondary physical data center.
Hybrid Applications
Build true hybrid applications that span across on-prem data centers and AWS cloud. Seamlessly stretch databases, front door global load balancing, tiered storage, and more.
Development and Test
The elastic infrastructure capacity helps maximize developer productivity by provisioning robust dev/test environments on-demand. Destroy when no longer needed and save on IT costs.
There are certainly many other creative use cases as customers embrace VMware Cloud on AWS for greater agility and innovation. The key is the SDDC serves as an easy on-ramp to AWS native services.
Detailed Architecture Overview
Now let‘s deep dive into the technical architecture and components that make up an SDDC deployment on VMC:
SDDC architecture – Image source: https://mcngmarketing.com/
The foundation consists of the vSphere cluster, running on a cluster of dedicated AWS bare metal servers. Each host runs ESXi hypervisor and vCenter server provides unified management and visibility.
vSAN runs on top, providing high performance shared storage for the cluster by pooling NVMe SSD disks presented directly to vSphere. You get an all-flash disk layer without external SAN hardware.
The NSX-T software-defined networking layer abstracts physical network infrastructure into logical networks and overlays. Micro-segmentation, routing, and end-to-end security policies are all implemented in software.
The management gateway exposes external access to vCenter Server and NSX Manager to facilitate infrastructure administration and monitoring.
Additional AWS native services like Amazon RDS, Amazon S3, and Lambda can be integrated using direct connect and VPC peering. HCX handles workload migration between environments.
The minimum deployment unit is a one cluster SDDC. But the architecture scales out to support multi-cluster, multi-SDDC designs on VMC. You can start small and grow flexibly.
Step-by-Step Deployment Walkthrough
Ready to get hands-on? Let‘s walk through what‘s involved in deploying your first VMware software-defined data center on AWS:
Step 1 – Activate VMware Cloud on AWS
Begin by signing up for VMware Cloud on AWS. You will need a My VMware account associated with your company email.
Accept the terms and conditions to activate VMC for your organization. This creates your global VMware SDDC environment linked to your My VMware ID.
You can now create an Organization within VMC. The Organization serves as a container for your SDDC deployments and users.
Step 2 – Configure AWS Networking
Within your AWS console, create a new VPC with subnets to deploy the SDDC into. I recommend at least a /20 CIDR for the VPC size.
Allocate private IPv4 subnets in each availability zone you intend to deploy the SDDC cluster into. Assign IPs from different blocks.
Make sure VPC has DNS resolution and NTP setup. You can leverage existing VPCs as well.
Step 3 – Launch SDDC
In the VMC console, click on "Create SDDC" to launch the deployment wizard. Select your pre-configured AWS VPC.
Choose the region, number of hosts, host type, and capacity required. Also select the subnet for each AZ node.
Confirm all details and click Deploy. It will take around 2-3 hours to activate the SDDC. Monitor progress from the VMC console.
Step 4 – Post-Deployment Setup
Once deployment completes, log into vCenter Server and NSX-T Manager using credentials from the VMC console.
Configure IP pools, VPNs, network segments, security policies and other networking components in NSX-T.
Use HCX, vMotion or your preferred tool to start migrating VM workloads from on-prem into the SDDC.
Manage hosts, clusters, and virtual infrastructure using familiar vSphere tools. The SDDC is now ready for business!
Step 5 – Day 2 Operations and Management
Monitor capacity usage within the SDDC using vRealize Operations and vCenter tools. Right-size infrastructure.
Use vCloud Usage Insights for visibility into consumption and costs breakdown. Identify areas to optimize.
Extend automation using vRealize Automation, vROps management packs, PowerCLI scripts, and other tools.
Back up workloads, appliy compliance policies and leverage vSphere native capabilities. Maintain security hygiene.
Regularly test failover and disasters recovery processes to ensure availability objectives are met.
Step 6 – Manage Costs
VMC provides great cost transparency – leverage it fully to optimize spending.
Assess storage policies and retention periods to minimize vSAN capacity.
Scale hosts up or down dynamically based on demand patterns using the VMC cost estimator.
Evaluate using Reserved Instances or Savings Plans to reduce steady-state spending.
Set budgets and alerts in AWS Cost Explorer. Continuously refine to eliminate waste.
By deploying systematically and leveraging these management best practices, your SDDC environment will deliver significant business value while keeping cloud spending controlled.
Key Takeaways
Here are some important pointers as you embark on your SDDC journey:
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Evaluate use cases and pick the right configuration using the VMC cost estimator. Size it for future growth.
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Leverage automation and infrastructure-as-code techniques to streamline operations.
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Monitor capacity actively and scale hosts to minimize waste. Turn off dev/test as needed.
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Keep an eye on network performance between on-prem and cloud. Tune VPC routing.
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Take advantage of native AWS services. But start small and validate benefits.
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Focus on driving cloud adoption and usage to demonstrate ROI across the business.
Conclusion
VMware Cloud on AWS offers a robust platform for enterprises to deploy hybrid cloud architectures. By extending data centers with SDDC on AWS, organizations gain the best of both worlds – the agility and innovation of cloud with the security and control of on-prem infrastructure.
This guide covered the complete lifecycle – from use cases, architecture, deployment steps, operations, cost management and key learnings. With the right strategy, VMware Cloud on AWS can deliver tremendous IT and business value.
So don‘t wait – kickstart your hybrid cloud journey today! VMware Cloud on AWS provides an unmatched springboard to make the promise of the cloud a reality while building upon existing investments.
