VMware vRealize Automation 8.6.1: Enhancements and New Features
On November 19, 2021, VMware released vRealize Automation 8.6.1, providing several enhancements and new features to improve the overall experience of users. This latest release includes significant onboarding and deployment enhancements, as well as improvements in extensibility and TKG (Toolkit for Kubernetes). Additionally, SaltStack and Carbon Black integration has been added to provide more options for automation and security.
Enhancements and New Features
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### Onboarding and Deployment Enhancements
vRealize Automation 8.6.1 includes several onboarding and deployment enhancements, making it easier for users to get started with the platform. Some of the key features include:
* Improved user experience: The onboarding process has been streamlined, providing a more intuitive and user-friendly experience.
* Enhanced workflows: New workflows have been added to help users automate their deployments, including deployments of Kubernetes clusters.
* Increased scalability: vRealize Automation 8.6.1 can now handle larger environments, making it more suitable for enterprise-level deployments.
### Extensibility and TKG Improvements
VMware has continued to improve the extensibility of vRealize Automation with each release. In version 8.6.1, users can expect the following enhancements:
* New API endpoints: Several new API endpoints have been added, making it easier for developers to integrate vRealize Automation with other tools and systems.
* Improved TKG support: TKG (Toolkit for Kubernetes) is now better supported in vRealize Automation, allowing users to more easily deploy and manage Kubernetes clusters.
### SaltStack and Carbon Black Integration
Two new integrations have been added to vRealize Automation 8.6.1: SaltStack and Carbon Black. These integrations provide users with additional options for automation and security.
* SaltStack integration: SaltStack is a popular open-source automation tool that can be used to automate the deployment and management of infrastructure. With the new integration in vRealize Automation 8.6.1, users can now use SaltStack to automate their deployments.
* Carbon Black integration: Carbon Black is a security solution that provides advanced threat detection and response capabilities. The integration with vRealize Automation 8.6.1 allows users to more easily integrate Carbon Black into their environments, providing an additional layer of security.
API Changes
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Several API changes have been made in vRealize Automation 8.6.1, including:
* New endpoint for creating and managing Kubernetes clusters: The new `POST /api/automation/v1/kubernetes-clusters` endpoint allows users to create and manage Kubernetes clusters.
* Improved support for TKG: The `GET /api/automation/v1/toolkit-for-kubernetes` endpoint has been updated to provide improved support for TKG.
Resolved Issues
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VMware has resolved several issues in vRealize Automation 8.6.1, including:
* Resolved issue with the previous version of vRealize Orchestrator not being able to deploy certain configurations.
* Resolved issue with the TKG integration causing errors when trying to deploy Kubernetes clusters.
* Resolved issue with the Carbon Black integration causing errors when trying to deploy Carbon Black instances.
Additional Information
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For more information on vRealize Automation 8.6.1, users can refer to the following links:
* [VMware vRealize Automation 8.6.1 Release Notes](https://www.vmware.com/support/releasenotes/2021/vc-automation-861-rn.html)
* [VMware vRealize Orchestrator 8.6.1 Release Notes](https://www.vmware.com/support/releasenotes/2021/vco-orchestrator-861-rn.html)
Conclusion
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VMware vRealize Automation 8.6.1 provides several enhancements and new features that improve the overall experience of users. With improved onboarding and deployment capabilities, better extensibility, and new integrations with SaltStack and Carbon Black, this release is a must-have for anyone using vRealize Automation. Additionally, resolved issues and improved support for TKG make this release even more compelling.