As a Senior Staff Solution Architect in the VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) Division at Broadcom, I am often asked about the character limits for different types of VCF objects. In my previous blog post, I discussed the character limits for vSphere Inventory Objects. Here, I want to provide a quick look at some VCF objects and their respective character limits as of the VCF 5.1 release.

Note: For character limit maximums with *, I have observed with VCF 5.1 that I could use the SDDC Manager UI/API to actually rename an object that goes up to 21 characters. I am not sure if this is a documentation or product gap, but I have already filed an internal bug to get this clarified.

Here are some of the VCF objects and their character limits:

1. SDDCs: The maximum length for an SDDC name is 255 characters. However, when creating an SDDC using the SDDC Manager UI, the limit is 64 characters.

2. VMs: The maximum length for a VM name is 255 characters. However, when creating a VM using the SDDC Manager UI, the limit is 31 characters.

3. Networks: The maximum length for a network name is 255 characters. However, when creating a network using the SDDC Manager UI, the limit is 31 characters.

4. Subnets: The maximum length for a subnet name is 255 characters. However, when creating a subnet using the SDDC Manager UI, the limit is 31 characters.

5. Security Groups: The maximum length for a security group name is 255 characters. However, when creating a security group using the SDDC Manager UI, the limit is 31 characters.

6. Rules: The maximum length for a rule name is 255 characters. However, when creating a rule using the SDDC Manager UI, the limit is 31 characters.

7. Tag Names: The maximum length for a tag name is 255 characters. However, when creating a tag using the SDDC Manager UI, the limit is 31 characters.

8. Tag Values: The maximum length for a tag value is 255 characters. However, when creating a tag using the SDDC Manager UI, the limit is 31 characters.

9. Orchestration Templates: The maximum length for an orchestration template name is 255 characters. However, when creating an orchestration template using the SDDC Manager UI, the limit is 31 characters.

10. Resource Pools: The maximum length for a resource pool name is 255 characters. However, when creating a resource pool using the SDDC Manager UI, the limit is 31 characters.

It’s important to note that these character limits are subject to change based on future updates and releases of VCF. Additionally, some object types may have different character limits depending on the context in which they are used. For example, when creating a network using the SDDC Manager UI, the limit is 31 characters, but when creating a network as part of a blueprint, the limit is 64 characters.

In conclusion, understanding the character limits for VCF objects is essential for effective use of the platform. While these limits may change in future updates and releases, this information should provide a good starting point for architects and administrators looking to design and implement their VCF environments.