How to configure Workload Optimization in vROPs 8.x?

Most of the organizations want to have a control on license cost where host based license is economical vs per OS instance cost but the challenge in such a case is, How to control the VM placement? Due to vSphere DRS load balancing, VM’s will be vmotioned from 1 host to other host for which OS type is not a factor for decision.

That’s why we have option of “WORKLOAD OPTIMIZATION” in vRealize Operations Manager (vROPs) starting from version 7 if i remember correctly.

Using “Business Intent” option under “WORKLOAD OPTIMIZATION” we can restrict a category of VM to a host, group of host or Cluster even.
But vROPs doesn’t work alone in this, it uses vSphere Tags and DRS affinity/anti-affinity rule to perform this amazing function.

Scope of this blog is to show you, how to configure Tags and business intent as well as show it in-action as well.

Step 1: Create category and tags in vCenter server

Step 2: Assign the tag to ESXi and VM, in my case, i have assigned the tag to 1 ESXi and 1 VM which is currently running on non licensed server. In the end we will see, due to configuration, DRS will trigger a vMotion to force the affinity rule created.

Step 3: Configure Business intent in vROPs now. Under Workload Optimization -> Select the Datacenter to which you wish to configure.

Step 4: Configuration Validation: Once the Business intent is ready its going to create DRS rule groups so that required Affinity/Anti Affinity rules can be created.

if their is any VM which is not placed as per the intent, actions will be performed automatically.

In-action: VM was vmotion from untagged host to tagged host due to DRS rules automatically.

Hope this was useful to you.

Samesh Dhankhar
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