Installing and Configuring vRealize Operations Manager 6.0 (vROM) AKA vCenter Operations Manager

I am deploying vRealize Operations Manager 6.0 which is completely different from all its previous versions. The configuration is completely changed, looks very simple and light. I am setting up single vROM, meaning the master node must also perform data collection and analysis because it is the sole node, and the only place where vRealize Operations Manager adapters are installed. For distributed or multi-node  installation those roles could designated to different nodes.

1. Master Node: Required node in the cluster which performs all the actions.
2. Data Node: (Optional) - which has adapters installed to perform collection and analysis. Suitable for larger Deployments.
3. Replica Node: (Optional) - Replica of Master Node for High Availability. Suitable for larger Deployments.

4. Remote Collector Node: (Optional) - Distributed deployments might require a remote collector node that can navigate firewalls, interface with a remote data source. Only gathers objects for inventory and doesn’t store or perform any analysis. Suitable for Distributed Installation.

vROM sizing calculator could be found here

kb.vmware.com/kb/2093783

vROM could be installed and configured on

1. As an Vmware Appliance (From vCenter not through ESXi Host)

2. Windows Operating System

3. Linux Operation System.

Check the below guide for installing on Windows or Linux Operating System, I am deploying as an Appliance using .ova file.

http://pubs.vmware.com/vrealizeoperationsmanager-6/topic/com.vmware.ICbase/PDF/vrealize-operations-manager-60-linux-windows-install-guide.pdf

Deploy the vROM Appliance:

1. Connect to vCenter Server, click on File and select deploy from OVF Template and locate the ova file and select next.
   
2.  Accept the License and give the name for vRealize Operations Manager Appliance.  Select the appropriate Cluster, Host and Datastore.
3. Select the appropriate deployment Configuration and complete the wizard to start the deployment.
   
4. Select appropriate Network Mapping and complete the network configuration details. It is always static IP for Master and Replica Node.
   

Additional nodes as mentioned above could be deployed following the same above steps. I am setting up this solution for smaller environment so I would only use single Master Node.

Master Node Configuration:

1. Enter the FQDN or IP of the appliance in browser. You are presented with 3 options as mentioned below, the getting started tab for each of the option has very nice flow diagram which gives you a high level idea how its going to work

1. Express Installation
   

2. New Installation
   
3. Expand Existing Installation
   

I am going with the New Installation, so I would be creating a new vRealize Operations Manager cluster with this node as the master node. 

2. Set the Administrator Password and click on Next.
   
3. I am using the default certificates which came with vROM. If you have server certificate of your own to be used for secure communication, you may upload here.
   
4. Enter the name for Master Node and NTP server details. Click on Next and then Finish to complete the configuration.
   
5. Now you can add more nodes or enable services for data collection on master node.
   

Import Data from Existing vCenter Operations Manager or Configure to collect data from environment

Existing vCenter Operations Manager can be imported to new deployment and when you turn off the earlier deployment, monitoring of the inventory and data is done solely by the new version of vRealize Operations Manager.

1. I would choose "New Environment" option to monitor my other solutions.
   

This how it goes if you choose "Import Environment" option.

2. Accept the License Agreement, enter the License Key and Click on Finish to complete the configuration.
   

Add Solutions to be managed by vRealize Operations Manager

1. Click on Solutions, and then Configure. I'm adding 2 vCenter details here.
   
2. IN the next step you define what all needs to monitored, I am going with all default options.
   
3. Click on Finish to complete the configuration.

It would take some time to collect the performance Data from added vCenter Server. This concludes the configuration, the new version of Operations Manager is smooth and works like a charm. You just need one 1 IP to setup the Single Node environment, I hope this post was informative.