Service providers can significantly benefit from the newly released VMware vSphere 6.5, which offers a multitude of features and improvements that can help them improve their infrastructure as a service (IaaS) offerings. This article will explore some of the key features and enhancements in vSphere 6.5 and how they can benefit service providers.
Enhanced VCSA:
One of the most significant updates in vSphere 6.5 is the enhanced version of the vCenter Server Appliance (VCSA). The installer process has been overhauled, providing a smoother and more streamlined experience than previous versions. Moreover, the VCSA now supports more operating systems and surpasses the Windows version in terms of features and capabilities.
Native HA:
Service providers can now enjoy native high availability (HA) with vSphere 6.5. This feature is exclusively available for the VCSA and consists of active, passive, and witness nodes that are cloned from the existing vCenter Server instance. The HA cluster can be enabled, disabled, or destroyed at any time, providing service providers with more flexibility and control over their infrastructure.
Migration Tool:
The VCSA Migration Tool is another valuable feature for service providers. This tool allows them to migrate from Windows-based vCenters to the 6.5 VCSA, which can help reduce costs and improve manageability. Additionally, the enhanced features that have only been released for the VCSA will make this migration an attractive option for service providers.
vCD and NSX Compatibility:
When discussing service provider platforms, VMware product compatibility is a crucial aspect. Unfortunately, vSphere 6.5 is not compatible with vCloud Director SP or NSX-v, which means that service providers running a hybrid cloud cannot use these products with the latest version of vSphere. Therefore, it’s essential for service providers to wait until interoperability matrices are updated before upgrading their production IaaS platforms.
Upgrade Known Issues:
As with any new software release, there are known issues and upgrade considerations that service providers should be aware of. These include issues such as the inability to deploy vCenter Server Appliance (VCSA) with a custom DNS server, the potential for performance degradation when using Linked Clones, and more. It is crucial for service providers to carefully review all known issues before upgrading their infrastructure.
In conclusion, VMware vSphere 6.5 offers numerous features and enhancements that can significantly benefit service providers running hybrid clouds. From the enhanced VCSA to native HA and improved compatibility with other VMware products, this release has much to offer. However, it’s crucial for service providers to carefully review all known issues and wait until interoperability matrices are updated before upgrading their production IaaS platforms.
Please stay tuned for our next post in this vSphere 6.5 for Service Providers series, where we will delve deeper into more vCenter features as well as ESXi enhancements and what’s new in Core Storage.