Vmware Cloud Foundation as Code… Part 2. Importantly! Introduction. Transparency and code reuse. SDDCconceptDiagramV2. Draw-VisioDiagram. Conceptual Architecture of a SDDC as Code V2. Bill Of Materials. Brief Summary.

Posted on April 26, 2020 by airra

Importantly!

The series of articles “Vmware Cloud Foundation as Code…” are organized and digitized notes from the author’s paper diary. Russian hybrid military aggression and invasion prevented the timely publication of the collected and processed material. The author’s military service, the evacuation of his home mini-data center and blog away from the fighting, and later problems with power supply due to the destruction of infrastructure by Russian missiles, all this forced this activity to be suspended.

Now we are all used to and adapted to living in these difficult times, and I am returning to this work. For the opportunity to write and publish this article, I am indebted to many fallen comrades! Eternal memory to them!

The publication date of the article in the title is based on the original entries in the author’s diary.

Final revision of the material of this article: September 11, 29 and December 5, 2024.

Introduction

Hello to all readers of the blog about IT Architecture and Education.

We continue the series of articles “Vmware Cloud Foundation as Code…”.

This series of publications aims to reflect the author’s approach to working with the components of the Vmware Cloud Foundation ecosystem versions 4.x, 5.x and necessary third-party services throughout the entire lifecycle of a cloud solution using only code.

In the previous post, we looked at the initial steps of the author’s approach to the storyline “Vmware Cloud Foundation as code…”.

We reminded ourselves of the understanding of the life cycle of any IT solution. The PSVisio Powershell script module was described, which will be actively used to visualize various architectural levels of the VMware Cloud Foundation ecosystem and third-party systems necessary for its operation.

We have completed the first step: creating a visual diagram of the conceptual architecture of a software-defined data center using code.

It is clear that this approach when using this code example has a significant drawback – it is a large number of parameters that form the properties of the diagram objects among the code functions. This creates a problem with code transparency and reusability.

Therefore, in this publication of the series “Vmware Cloud Foundation as code…” we will first focus on this point.

Transparency and code reuse

We will start optimizing the code for transparency and ease of use by transforming SDDCconceptDiagram.ps1, which was described in the previous part of this series of articles. Let me remind you that it was written to create a Conceptual Architecture of a Software-Defined Data Center Visio diagram using PowerShell code.

First, we will output a description of all Visio diagram objects and their parameters into an XML variable, which will be passed to the input of the Draw-VisioDiagram.ps1 function, the task of which is to create the desired Visio diagram. Then, by manipulating only the input parameters, which are much easier to understand and change, we achieve the appropriate level of code purity.

SDDCconceptDiagramV2

The result of the transformation is displayed in the following code:

$DiagramParameters = [xml]@'
<Diagram Name = "SDDC Conceptual Architecture">
    <Stensils>
	<Stensil Name="Basic" File="BASIC_M.vss" AlternativePath="false"/>
        <Stensil Name="VMware" File="vmw_Icons.vssx" AlternativePath="true"/>
        <Stensil Name="VMwareVCO" File="VMware_vCenter_Orchestrator_Shapes.vssx" AlternativePath="true"/>
    </Stensils>
    <MasterItems>
        <MasterItem Stensil="Basic" Item="Rectangle"/>
        <MasterItem Stensil="VMware" Item="Public Cloud"/>
        <MasterItem Stensil="VMware" Item="vRealize Automation"/>
        <MasterItem Stensil="VMware" Item="vRealize Orchestrator"/>
        <MasterItem Stensil="VMware" Item="VM Server"/>
        <MasterItem Stensil="VMware" Item="Resource Pool"/>
        <MasterItem Stensil="VMware" Item="vCenter Server"/>
        <MasterItem Stensil="VMware" Item="Rack Server"/>
        <MasterItem Stensil="VMware" Item="Datastore"/>
        <MasterItem Stensil="VMware" Item="Physical NIC"/>
        <MasterItem Stensil="VMware" Item="Calendar"/>
        <MasterItem Stensil="VMware" Item="vRealize Operations"/>
        <MasterItem Stensil="VMware" Item="vRealize log Insight"/>
        <MasterItem Stensil="VMware" Item="VMware Cloud Solution"/>
        <MasterItem Stensil="VMware" Item="vCloud Availability"/>
        <MasterItem Stensil="VMware" Item="Site Recovery"/>
        <MasterItem Stensil="VMware" Item="Data Protection"/>
        <MasterItem Stensil="VMware" Item="VR"/>
        <MasterItem Stensil="VMware" Item="Secure State"/>
        <MasterItem Stensil="VMware" Item="Identity"/>
        <MasterItem Stensil="VMware" Item="Book"/>
        <MasterItem Stensil="VMware" Item="License"/>
        <MasterItem Stensil="VMwareVCO" Item="OK"/>        
    </MasterItems>
    <Items>
        <Item Type="General" Master="Rectangle" X="7.3125" Y="7.2733" Width="14.125" Height="7.0467" FillForegnd="RGB(255,255,255)" LinePattern="0" Text="Software Defined Data Center Conceptual Diagram" VerticalAlign="0" ParaHorzAlign="0" CharSize="30 pt" CharColor="RGB(0,112,192)"/>
        <Item Type="Line" BeginX="0.25" BeginY="10.229" EndX="14.25" EndY="10.2294" LineWeight="1 pt" LineColor="RGB(0,112,192)"/>
        <Item Type="General" Master="Rectangle" X="2.8675" Y="9.0947" Width="5.2344" Height="1.9801" FillForegnd="RGB(152,203,225)" LinePattern="0"/>
        <Item Type="Text" X="1.1043" Y="9.7391" Width="1.7085" Height="0.6912" Text="Cloud Automation" CharSize="18 pt" CharStyle="17" LinePattern="0" FillForegndTrans="100%"/>
        <Item Type="General" Master="Rectangle" X="1.125" Y="8.8089" Width="1.5" Height="1.1804" FillForegnd="RGB(255,255,255)" LinePattern="0"/>
        <Item Type="General" Master="Public Cloud" X="1.1043" Y="9.047" Width="0.5612" Height="0.5612"/>
        <Item Type="General" Master="vRealize Automation" X="0.7436" Y="8.5256" Width="0.4531" Height="0.4531"/>
        <Item Type="General" Master="vRealize Orchestrator" X="1.3621" Y="8.5256" Width="0.4531" Height="0.4531"/>
        <Item Type="General" Master="Rectangle" X="3.6749" Y="9.7286" Width="3.3828" Height="0.5174" FillForegnd="RGB(152,203,225)" LinePattern="1" Text="Service Catalog" VerticalAlign="1" ParaHorzAlign="1" CharSize="18 pt" LineWeight="1 pt"/>
        <Item Type="General" Master="Rectangle" X="3.6749" Y="9.1083" Width="3.3828" Height="0.5174" FillForegnd="RGB(152,203,225)" LinePattern="1" Text="Self-Service Portal" VerticalAlign="1" ParaHorzAlign="1" CharSize="18 pt" LineWeight="1 pt"/>
        <Item Type="General" Master="Rectangle" X="3.6749" Y="8.4769" Width="3.3828" Height="0.5174" FillForegnd="RGB(152,203,225)" LinePattern="1" Text="Orchestration" VerticalAlign="1" ParaHorzAlign="1" CharSize="18 pt" LineWeight="1 pt"/>
        <Item Type="General" Master="Rectangle" X="2.8675" Y="6.9564" Width="5.2344" Height="1.9801" FillForegnd="RGB(58,158,207)" LinePattern="0"/>
        <Item Type="Text" X="1.1043" Y="7.6008" Width="1.7085" Height="0.6912" Text="Virtual Infrastructure" CharSize="18 pt" CharStyle="17" CharColor="RGB(255,255,255)" LinePattern="0" FillForegndTrans="100%"/>
        <Item Type="General" Master="Rectangle" X="1.125" Y="6.6648" Width="1.5" Height="1.1804" FillForegnd="RGB(255,255,255)" LinePattern="0"/>
        <Item Type="General" Master="VM Server" X="1.1043" Y="6.9285" Width="0.5612" Height="0.5612"/>
        <Item Type="General" Master="Resource Pool" X="0.7436" Y="6.356" Width="0.4531" Height="0.4531"/>
        <Item Type="General" Master="vCenter Server" X="1.3621" Y="6.3565" Width="0.4531" Height="0.4531"/>
        <Item Type="General" Master="Rectangle" X="3.6748" Y="7.5903" Width="3.3828" Height="0.5174" FillForegnd="RGB(58,158,207)" LinePattern="1" Text="Hypervisor" VerticalAlign="1" ParaHorzAlign="1" CharSize="18 pt" LineWeight="1 pt" CharColor="RGB(255,255,255)" LineColor="RGB(255,255,255)"/>
        <Item Type="General" Master="Rectangle" X="3.6748" Y="6.97" Width="3.3828" Height="0.5174" FillForegnd="RGB(58,158,207)" LinePattern="1" Text="Pools of Resources" VerticalAlign="1" ParaHorzAlign="1" CharSize="18 pt" LineWeight="1 pt" CharColor="RGB(255,255,255)" LineColor="RGB(255,255,255)"/>
        <Item Type="General" Master="Rectangle" X="3.6748" Y="6.3386" Width="3.3828" Height="0.5174" FillForegnd="RGB(58,158,207)" LinePattern="1" Text="Hypervisor" VerticalAlign="1" ParaHorzAlign="1" CharSize="18 pt" LineWeight="1 pt" CharColor="RGB(255,255,255)" LineColor="RGB(255,255,255)"/>
        <Item Type="General" Master="Rectangle" X="2.8625" Y="4.8378" Width="5.2344" Height="1.9801" FillForegnd="RGB(0,105,143)" LinePattern="0"/>
        <Item Type="Text" X="1.1043" Y="5.4822" Width="1.7085" Height="0.6912" Text="Physical Infrastructure" CharSize="18 pt" CharStyle="17" CharColor="RGB(255,255,255)" LinePattern="0" FillForegndTrans="100%"/>
        <Item Type="General" Master="Rectangle" X="1.125" Y="4.5462" Width="1.5" Height="1.1804" FillForegnd="RGB(255,255,255)" LinePattern="0"/>
        <Item Type="General" Master="Rack Server" X="0.8125" Y="4.8583" Width="0.5612" Height="0.1837"/>
        <Item Type="General" Master="Rack Server" X="1.4694" Y="4.8583" Width="0.5612" Height="0.1837"/>
        <Item Type="General" Master="Datastore" X="0.789" Y="4.375" Width="0.4531" Height="0.4531"/>
        <Item Type="General" Master="Physical NIC" X="1.4375" Y="4.375" Width="0.4531" Height="0.4531"/>
        <Item Type="General" Master="Rectangle" X="3.6748" Y="5.4717" Width="3.3828" Height="0.5174" FillForegnd="RGB(0,105,143)" LinePattern="1" Text="Compute" VerticalAlign="1" ParaHorzAlign="1" CharSize="18 pt" LineWeight="1 pt" CharColor="RGB(255,255,255)" LineColor="RGB(255,255,255)"/>
        <Item Type="General" Master="Rectangle" X="3.6748" Y="4.8514" Width="3.3828" Height="0.5174" FillForegnd="RGB(0,105,143)" LinePattern="1" Text="Storage" VerticalAlign="1" ParaHorzAlign="1" CharSize="18 pt" LineWeight="1 pt" CharColor="RGB(255,255,255)" LineColor="RGB(255,255,255)"/>
        <Item Type="General" Master="Rectangle" X="3.6748" Y="4.22" Width="3.3828" Height="0.5174" FillForegnd="RGB(0,105,143)" LinePattern="1" Text="Network" VerticalAlign="1" ParaHorzAlign="1" CharSize="18 pt" LineWeight="1 pt" CharColor="RGB(255,255,255)" LineColor="RGB(255,255,255)"/>
        <Item Type="General" Master="Rectangle" X="6.9729" Y="6.9684" Width="2.7531" Height="6.2451" FillForegnd="RGB(226,232,241)" LinePattern="0"/>
        <Item Type="Text" X="6.9859" Y="9.7286" Width="1.9719" Height="0.2878" Text="Cloud Operations" CharSize="18 pt" CharStyle="17" LinePattern="0" FillForegndTrans="100%"/>
        <Item Type="General" Master="Rectangle" X="6.9674" Y="8.6529" Width="2.5312" Height="1.1808" FillForegnd="RGB(255,255,255)" LinePattern="0"/>
        <Item Type="General" Master="Calendar" X="6.9688" Y="8.7695" Width="0.9375" Height="0.8359"/>
        <Item Type="General" Master="OK" X="7.4375" Y="8.375" Width="0.4363" Height="0.4363"/>
        <Item Type="General" Master="Rectangle" X="6.97" Y="7.3064" Width="2.5312" Height="1.0825" FillForegnd="RGB(226,232,241)" LinePattern="1" LineWeight="1 pt"/>
        <Item Type="General" Master="Rectangle" X="6.1352" Y="7.3064" Width="0.5937" Height=" 0.5937" FillForegnd="RGB(255,255,255)" LinePattern="0"/>
        <Item Type="General" Master="vRealize Operations" X="6.1333" Y="7.3064" Width="0.4708" Height="0.4708"/>
        <Item Type="Text" X="7.2812" Y="7.3064" Width="1.3725" Height="0.2878" Text="Monitoring" CharSize="18 pt" LinePattern="0" FillForegndTrans="100%"/>
        <Item Type="General" Master="Rectangle" X="6.97" Y="5.8955" Width="2.5312" Height="1.0825" FillForegnd="RGB(226,232,241)" LinePattern="1" LineWeight="1 pt"/>
        <Item Type="General" Master="Rectangle" X="6.1352" Y="5.8955" Width="0.5937" Height="0.5937" FillForegnd="RGB(255,255,255)" LinePattern="0"/>
        <Item Type="General" Master="vRealize log Insight" X="6.1333" Y="5.8788" Width="0.4708" Height="0.5102"/>
        <Item Type="Text" X="7.2812" Y="5.8955" Width="1.3725" Height="0.2878" Text="Logging" CharSize="18 pt" LinePattern="0" FillForegndTrans="100%"/>
        <Item Type="General" Master="Rectangle" X="6.97" Y="4.4952" Width="2.5312" Height="1.0825" FillForegnd="RGB(226,232,241)" LinePattern="1" LineWeight="1 pt"/>
        <Item Type="General" Master="Rectangle" X="6.1352" Y="4.524" Width="0.5937" Height="0.5937" FillForegnd="RGB(255,255,255)" LinePattern="0"/>
        <Item Type="General" Master="Public Cloud" X="6.1347" Y="4.5453" Width="0.5431" Height="0.5102"/>
        <Item Type="General" Master="Rectangle" X="6.1438" Y="4.3984" Width="0.3682" Height="0.0781" FillForegnd="RGB(255,255,255)" LinePattern="0"/>
        <Item Type="General" Master="VMware Cloud Solution" X="6.1408" Y="4.4053" Width="0.3214" Height="0.3105"/>
        <Item Type="Text" X="7.2969" Y="4.5227" Width="1.7813" Height="0.5102" Text="Life Cycle Management" CharSize="18 pt" LinePattern="0" FillForegndTrans="100%"/>
        <Item Type="General" Master="Rectangle" X="9.9231" Y="6.9741" Width="2.7531" Height="6.2451" FillForegnd="RGB(29,62,125)" LinePattern="0"/>
        <Item Type="Text" X="9.8831" Y="9.7286" Width="1.2663" Height="0.5174" Text="Business Continuity" CharSize="18 pt" CharStyle="17" CharColor="RGB(255,255,255)" LinePattern="0" FillForegndTrans="100%"/>    
        <Item Type="General" Master="Rectangle" X="9.9208" Y="8.6529" Width="2.5312" Height="1.1808" FillForegnd="RGB(255,255,255)" LinePattern="0"/>
        <Item Type="General" Master="vCloud Availability" X="9.9677" Y="8.7447" Width="0.956" Height="0.8166"/>
        <Item Type="General" Master="Rectangle" X="9.9232" Y="7.3064" Width="2.5312" Height="1.0825" FillForegnd="RGB(29,62,125)" LinePattern="1" LineWeight="1 pt" LineColor="RGB(255,255,255)"/>
        <Item Type="General" Master="Rectangle" X="9.1094" Y="7.3064" Width="0.5937" Height="0.5937" FillForegnd="RGB(255,255,255)" LinePattern="0"/>
        <Item Type="General" Master="Site Recovery" X="9.1104" Y="7.3007" Width="0.4708" Height="0.4708"/>
        <Item Type="Text" X="10.3125" Y="7.3192" Width="1.6875" Height="0.9875" Text="Fault Tolerance & Disaster Recovery" CharSize="18 pt" CharColor="RGB(255,255,255)" LinePattern="0" FillForegndTrans="100%"/>
        <Item Type="General" Master="Rectangle" X="9.9232" Y="5.8955" Width="2.5312" Height="1.0825" FillForegnd="RGB(29,62,125)" LinePattern="1" LineWeight="1 pt" LineColor="RGB(255,255,255)"/>
        <Item Type="General" Master="Rectangle" X="9.1094" Y="5.8955" Width="0.5937" Height="0.5937" FillForegnd="RGB(255,255,255)" LinePattern="0"/>
        <Item Type="General" Master="Data Protection" X="9.1227" Y="5.8822" Width="0.4708" Height="0.4708"/>
        <Item Type="Text" X="10.3404" Y="5.9019" Width="1.3725" Height="0.5102" Text="Backup & Restore" CharSize="18 pt" CharColor="RGB(255,255,255)" LinePattern="0" FillForegndTrans="100%"/>    
        <Item Type="General" Master="Rectangle" X="9.9232" Y="4.5227" Width="2.5312" Height="1.0825" FillForegnd="RGB(29,62,125)" LinePattern="1" LineWeight="1 pt" LineColor="RGB(255,255,255)"/>
        <Item Type="General" Master="Rectangle" X="9.1094" Y="4.5227" Width="0.5937" Height="0.5937" FillForegnd="RGB(255,255,255)" LinePattern="0"/>
        <Item Type="General" Master="VR" X="9.1083" Y="4.5227" Width="0.4708" Height="0.4708"/>
        <Item Type="Text" X="10.3737" Y="4.5215" Width="1.3725" Height="0.2878" Text="Replication" CharSize="18 pt" CharColor="RGB(255,255,255)" LinePattern="0" FillForegndTrans="100%"/>    
        <Item Type="General" Master="Rectangle" X="12.8734" Y="6.9741" Width="2.7531" Height="6.2451" FillForegnd="RGB(100,177,69)" LinePattern="0"/>
        <Item Type="Text" X="12.8512" Y="9.7286" Width="1.4225" Height="0.5174" Text="Security and Compliance" CharSize="18 pt" CharStyle="17" CharColor="RGB(255,255,255)" LinePattern="0" FillForegndTrans="100%"/>    
        <Item Type="General" Master="Rectangle" X="12.8734" Y="8.6529" Width="2.5312" Height="1.1808" FillForegnd="RGB(255,255,255)" LinePattern="0"/>
        <Item Type="General" Master="Secure State" X="12.8863" Y="8.7447" Width="0.956" Height="0.8166"/>
        <Item Type="General" Master="Rectangle" X="12.8607" Y="7.3064" Width="2.5312" Height="1.0825" FillForegnd="RGB(100,177,69)" LinePattern="1" LineWeight="1 pt" LineColor="RGB(255,255,255)"/>
        <Item Type="General" Master="Rectangle" X="12.0544" Y="7.3064" Width="0.5937" Height="0.5937" FillForegnd="RGB(255,255,255)" LinePattern="0"/>
        <Item Type="General" Master="Identity" X="12.0505" Y="7.3062" Width="0.4708" Height="0.3668"/>
        <Item Type="Text" X="13.2012" Y="7.3192" Width="1.6875" Height="0.9875" Text="Identity and Access Management" CharSize="18 pt" CharColor="RGB(255,255,255)" LinePattern="0" FillForegndTrans="100%"/>     
        <Item Type="General" Master="Rectangle" X="12.8607" Y="5.8955" Width="2.5312" Height="1.0825" FillForegnd="RGB(100,177,69)" LinePattern="1" LineWeight="1 pt" LineColor="RGB(255,255,255)"/>
        <Item Type="General" Master="Rectangle" X="12.0544" Y="5.8955" Width="0.5937" Height="0.5937" FillForegnd="RGB(255,255,255)" LinePattern="0"/>
        <Item Type="General" Master="Book" X="12.0521" Y="5.8947" Width="0.4708" Height="0.4708"/>
        <Item Type="Text" X="13.2291" Y="5.9019" Width="1.3725" Height="0.5102" Text="Industry Regulations" CharSize="18 pt" CharColor="RGB(255,255,255)" LinePattern="0" FillForegndTrans="100%"/>    
        <Item Type="General" Master="Rectangle" X="12.8607" Y="4.5227" Width="2.5312" Height="1.0825" FillForegnd="RGB(100,177,69)" LinePattern="1" LineWeight="1 pt" LineColor="RGB(255,255,255)"/>
        <Item Type="General" Master="Rectangle" X="12.0544" Y="4.5227" Width="0.5937" Height="0.5937" FillForegnd="RGB(255,255,255)" LinePattern="0"/>
        <Item Type="General" Master="License" X="12.0625" Y="4.5227" Width="0.4708" Height="0.4708"/>
        <Item Type="Text" X="13.2513" Y="4.5215" Width="1.3725" Height="0.5102" Text="Security Policies" CharSize="18 pt" CharColor="RGB(255,255,255)" LinePattern="0" FillForegndTrans="100%"/>    
    </Items>
</Diagram>
'@
.\Draw-VisioDiagram.ps1 -VCFasCodeHomeFolder "D:\VCFasCode" -DiagramFileName "SDDCConceptDiagramV2.vsd" -DiagramParameters $DiagramParameters

Draw-VisioDiagram

The code for the Draw-VisioDiagram.ps1 function is given below:

<#
.SYNOPSIS
    Microsoft Powershell functions for generate Visio Drawing from xml variable parameters.

.DESCRIPTION
    Microsoft Powershell functions for generate Visio Drawing from xml variable parameters.
    Using PSVisio.ps1 script functions and input parameters for create and rendering Visio Drawing.

.PARAMETER VCFasCodeHomeFolder
    Folder Path for VCF as Code scripts and others artefacts.

.PARAMETER DiagramFileName
    Name of Visio Diagram file.

.PARAMETER DiagramParameters
    XML Variable Parameters for create and rendering Visio Drawing.
  
.NOTES
    Version:        0.1
    Author:         Andrii Romanenko
    Website:        blogs.airra.net
    Creation Date:  28.09.2007
    Purpose/Change: Initial script development
    
...

    Version:        3.2
    Author:         Andrii Romanenko
    Website:        blogs.airra.net
    Creation Date:  07.09.2022
    Purpose/Change: Begin Reorganize script.

...
   
.EXAMPLE

    Generate Visio Drawing with xml variable and others parameters: 

    .\Draw-VisioDiagram.ps1 -VCFasCodeHomeFolder "D:\VCFasCode" -DiagramFileName "SDDCConceptDiagramV2.vsd" -DiagramParameters $DiagramParameters
#>

Param ( 
    [Parameter(Mandatory)]
    [string]$VCFasCodeHomeFolder,
        
    [Parameter(Mandatory)]
    [string]$DiagramFileName,
    
    [Parameter(Mandatory)]
    [xml]$DiagramParameters        
)

# Step 1.
# Set Location
# Load Script Functions
Set-Location $VCFasCodeHomeFolder
. .\PSVisio.ps1 # Warning! Running scripts must be enabled on your system.

# Step 2.
# Create Visio Application
# Create Document from Blank Template
# Set Active Page
New-VisioApplication | Out-Null
New-VisioDocument | Out-Null
Set-VisioPage | Out-Null

# Step 3.
# Add All Visio Stensils
$StensilsNodes = $DiagramParameters.Diagram.Stensils.ChildNodes
ForEach ($StensilNode in $StensilsNodes) {

    If ($StensilNode.Attributes['AlternativePath'].value -eq 'true') {

        $StensilFilePath = $VCFasCodeHomeFolder + "\" + $StensilNode.Attributes['File'].value
        Add-VisioStensil -Name $StensilNode.Attributes['Name'].value -File $StensilFilePath
    }
    
    Else {
   
        Add-VisioStensil -Name $StensilNode.Attributes['Name'].value -File $StensilNode.Attributes['File'].value
 
    }

}

# Step 4.
# Set Masters Items
$MasterItemsNodes = $DiagramParameters.Diagram.MasterItems.ChildNodes
ForEach ($MasterItemsNode in $MasterItemsNodes) {
 
        Set-VisioStensilMasterItem -Stensil $MasterItemsNode.Attributes['Stensil'].value -Item $MasterItemsNode.Attributes['Item'].value

}

# Step 5.
# Draw items
$ItemsNodes = $DiagramParameters.Diagram.Items.ChildNodes
ForEach ($ItemNode in $ItemsNodes) {

    Switch ($ItemNode.Attributes['Type'].value) {

        "General" { 
                
            Draw-VisioItem -Master $ItemNode.Attributes['Master'].value `
                -X $ItemNode.Attributes['X'].value `
                -Y $ItemNode.Attributes['Y'].value `
                -Width $ItemNode.Attributes['Width'].value `
                -Height $ItemNode.Attributes['Height'].value `
                -FillForegnd $ItemNode.Attributes['FillForegnd'].value `
                -LinePattern $ItemNode.Attributes['LinePattern'].value `
                -Text $ItemNode.Attributes['Text'].value `
                -VerticalAlign $ItemNode.Attributes['VerticalAlign'].value `
                -ParaHorzAlign $ItemNode.Attributes['ParaHorzAlign'].value `
                -CharSize $ItemNode.Attributes['CharSize'].value `
                -CharColor $ItemNode.Attributes['CharColor'].value `
                -LineColor $ItemNode.Attributes['LineColor'].value
        }

        "Line" { 
                
            Draw-VisioLine -BeginX $ItemNode.Attributes['BeginX'].value `
                -BeginY $ItemNode.Attributes['BeginY'].value `
                -EndX $ItemNode.Attributes['EndX'].value `
                -EndY $ItemNode.Attributes['EndY'].value `
                -LineWeight $ItemNode.Attributes['LineWeight'].value `
                -LineColor $ItemNode.Attributes['LineColor'].value 
                
        }
                
        "Text" { 
                
            Draw-VisioText -X $ItemNode.Attributes['X'].value `
                -Y $ItemNode.Attributes['Y'].value `
                -Width $ItemNode.Attributes['Width'].value `
                -Height $ItemNode.Attributes['Height'].value `
                -Text $ItemNode.Attributes['Text'].value `
                -CharSize $ItemNode.Attributes['CharSize'].value `
                -CharStyle $ItemNode.Attributes['CharStyle'].value `
                -CharColor $ItemNode.Attributes['CharColor'].value `
                -LinePattern $ItemNode.Attributes['LinePattern'].value `
                -FillForegndTrans $ItemNode.Attributes['FillForegndTrans'].value 
                
        }
    }

}

# Step 6.
# Resise Page To Fit Contents
Resize-VisioPageToFitContents | Out-Null

# Step 7.
# Save Document
$SaveDiagramFileName = $VCFasCodeHomeFolder + "\" + $DiagramFileName
Save-VisioDocument -File $SaveDiagramFileName | Out-Null

# Step 8.
# Quit Application
Close-VisioApplication | Out-Null

Since the creation of the module in 2007 and until today, the code has hardly changed, only cosmetic changes have been made. You are free to use any fragments of this code in your activity.

The current version of the code is available on the GitHub resource at this link: Draw-VisioDiagram.ps1

Conceptual Architecture of a SDDC as Code V2

Based on the previous work, we will recreate a visual diagram of the Conceptual Architecture of the Software-Defined Data Center V2 using the code:

Figure 1: The result of visualization of the Conceptual Architecture of a Software-Defined Data Center V2 using Powershell code and Microsoft Visio.

As we can see, the result fully meets our expectations. Later, of course, we will need to optimize the logic of the Draw-VisioDiagram.ps1 script, but for now, let’s focus on other tasks.

Bill Of Materials

During the work on this article was used:

  • Dell Vostro 3500 notebook with Microsoft Windows 10 Pro version 22H2 Operating system, 64 bit;
  • Software: Microsoft Visio 2021 MSO (Version 2407 Build 16.0.17830.20166) 64-bit;
  • Task automation and configuration management scripting language: Powershell 5.1.19041.4780;
  • Powershell script module: PSVisio v3.7;
  • Powershell script module: Draw-VisioDiagram.ps1 v3.2;
  • Code for creating the diagram Conceptual Architecture of a Software Defined Data Center: SDDCconceptDiagramV2.ps1;
  • Visio stensils icon libraries: vmw_icons.vssx and VMware_vCenter_Orchestrator_Shapes.vssx files.

All used artifacts are located on the VCFasCode GitHub resource.

Brief Summary

The main theses of this article and the previous one were the initial steps of the author’s approach to the storyline “Vmware Cloud Foundation as code…”.

We optimized the first step: re-created the visual diagram of the Conceptual Architecture of the Software-Defined Data Center using the code SDDCconceptDiagramV2.ps1 and using the new Powershell script module: Draw-VisioDiagram.ps1.

The goal of this step is to optimize the code to achieve transparency and ease of use.

Building on previous work, in the next publications of the “Vmware Cloud Foundation as Code…” series, we will focus on the following topics:

  • VCF Architecture Diagram: Management and Workload Domains as Code;
  • Architecture diagram of the third-party services required to build the VCF solution, as code;
  • Architecture diagram of the initial lab environment model for deploying VCF solution services, as code;
  • Deploying and configuring the initial lab environment components using code;
  • etc.

Follow the news until the meeting is on air in a few days.
Sincerely, AIRRA.

Posted in Architecture, Cloud, Code, Microsoft, Programming, Technology, VMware | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

VMware Training. Year 2023. Part 18. Introduction. Authorized Training: Virtual Cloud Network: VMware HCX. Brief Summary.

Posted on October 11, 2023 by airra

Introduction

Hello to all readers of my blog!

In the previous article of the series “VMware Training. Year 2023″ we considered a list of training programs in the direction of Virtual Cloud Network: vRealize Network Insight.

Today we will talk about the main training programs in the field Virtual Cloud Network: VMware HCX.

VMware HCX

VMware HCX is an application mobility platform designed for simplifying application migration, rebalancing workloads, and optimizing disaster recovery across data centers and clouds.

Key current VMware HCX technology training programs are:

● VMware HCX: Management and Operations

  • Duration: 4 days.
  • Level of difficulty: Intermediate (L300).
  • Target audience:
    • System administrators;
    • System engineers;
    • Migration engineers;
    • Migration architects.
  • Prerequisites: This course has the following prerequisites:
    • VMware NSX-T: Install, Configure, Manage [V3.0] or equivalent strong networking experience;
    • VMware vSphere: Install, Configure, Manage [V7];
    • Disaster recovery and business continuity fundamentals.

This four-day course gives you knowledge and practical exercises sufficient to manage VMware HCX and to migrate virtual machines using VMware HCX. The course focuses on configuration and management of VMware HCX. The course equips system administrators with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to achieve competence in migrating virtual machines.

● VMware HCX: Deploy, Configure, Manage

  • Duration: 3 days.
  • Level of difficulty: Intermediate (L300).
  • Target audience: System administrators, system engineers, migration engineers, and migration architects.
  • Prerequisites: This course has the following prerequisites:
    • VMware NSX: Install, Configure, Manage [V4.0] or equivalent strong networking experience;
    • VMware vSphere: Install, Configure, Manage [V8];
    • Disaster recovery and business continuity fundamentals.

This three-day training course provides you with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to achieve competence with VMware HCX. This course teaches you how to deploy the different architectural components of HCX, and perform the tasks required to migrate and rebalance workloads across data centers and clouds.

Brief Summary

In this article, we got acquainted with the main training programs in the field of Virtual Cloud Network: VMware HCX.

In the next publication of the cycle “VMware Training. Year 2023″ we will talk about training programs in the field of Anywhere Workspace: Horizon 8.

Follow the news until the meeting is on air in a few days.
Sincerely, AIRRA.

Posted in Cloud, Education, Technology, Training, Virtualization, VMware | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Anything as Code: Check Uploaded File Hash. Introduction. Function Check-UploadedFileHash. Brief Summary.

Posted on October 1, 2023 by airra

Introduction

Hello to all readers of the SDDC and Architecture, Solution, Implementation and Operations as Code blog.

Today, I will continue to talk about such a conceptual approach as Operations as Code as a component of the Anything as Code strategy.

In the previous post, Anything as code: Upload File to ESXi Datasore, I talked about the function that performs the task of uploading a file to the ESXi datasore. Functions are passed to the input the necessary parameters in the form of a variable, changing which you can also use a code reuse strategy.

Today we will take the next step and consider the following situation: The file is uploaded to the datastore of the hypervisor, but during operation we observe some errors. So I want to be sure that the file was uploaded correctly. To do this, you need to calculate the hash of the file and compare it with the correct one.

Moreover, for the efficiency of the work process, this action should be performed on the hypervisor side with the appropriate built-in tools.

So, for your attention, the PowerShell function Check-UploadedFileHash.

Check-UploadedFileHash

So let’s look at the code for the Check-UploadedFileHash function:

Function Check-UploadedFileHash {

<#
.SYNOPSIS
    Check file Hash Uploaded to ESXi datastore.  

.DESCRIPTION
    Check file Hash Uploaded to ESXi datastore. 

.PARAMETER Target
    Name or IP Address of the VMware ESXi.

.PARAMETER File
    Name of file.

.PARAMETER Datastore
    Name of ESXi Datastore.

.PARAMETER Folder
    Name of ESXi Datastore Folder.

.PARAMETER Algorithm
    Algorithm for calculate Hash.

.PARAMETER Hash
    Reference File Hash.

.NOTES
    Version:        0.1
    Author:         Andrii Romanenko
    Website:        blogs.airra.net
    Creation Date:  10.08.2023
    Purpose/Change: Initial script development

    Version:        0.2
    Author:         Andrii Romanenko
    Change Date:    02.01.2024
    Purpose/Change: Purpose/Change: Reorganize Function. Add Workflow Time Measuring External Function: Get-CalculateWorkingTime.
                                                         Add ValidateSet $Algorithm in Input Parameters
                                                         Add Case Algorithm Command and Output
    Version:        0.3
    Author:         Andrii Romanenko
    Change Date:    08.01.2024
    Purpose/Change: Purpose/Change: Reorganize Function. Rename function name to Check-UploadedFileHash and some variables.

.EXAMPLE

    $Parameters = @{
        Target    = $ESXiHost
        Datastore = $ISODatastore
        Folder    = "ISO\"
        File      = "en_windows_8_1_x64_dvd_2707217.iso"
        Algorithm = "SHA256"
        Hash      = "23DCCB255FA73CE6E93B12FEFEEFB7204C1681B9A343B51126D3D79F3A34BCD3"
    }
    Check-UploadedFileHash @Parameters

    $Parameters = @{
        Target    = $ESXiHost
        Datastore = $ISODatastore
        Folder    = "ISO\"
        File      = "en_windows_8_1_x64_dvd_2707217.iso"
        Algorithm = "MD5"
        Hash      = "f104b78019e86e74b149ae5e510f7be9"
    }
    Check-UploadedFileHash @Parameters

    $Parameters = @{
        Target    = $ESXiHost
        Datastore = $ISODatastore
        Folder    = "ISO\"
        File      = "en_windows_8_1_x64_dvd_2707217.iso"
        Algorithm = "SHA1"
        Hash      = "bc2f7ff5c91c9f0f8676e39e703085c65072139b"
    }
    Check-UploadedFileHash @Parameters

    $Parameters = @{
        Target    = $ESXiHost
        Datastore = $ISODatastore
        Folder    = "ISO\"
        File      = "en_windows_8_1_x64_dvd_2707217.iso"
        Algorithm = "SHA512"
        Hash      = "25446f98ea6cf35e95ecb0cb3ff9584e67c252d78ca0ac98f08e97d9aa62ddf537ea9c55f6e730abfa09b5759c16d4d2a6ad64ff356a62db914495f203b92807"
    }
    Check-UploadedFileHash @Parameters
#>

param ( 
    [Parameter(Mandatory)][string]$Target,
    [Parameter(Mandatory)][string]$File,
    [Parameter(Mandatory)][string]$Datastore,
    [Parameter(Mandatory)][string]$Folder,
    [Parameter(Mandatory)][ValidateSet('SHA1','SHA256','SHA512','MD5')][string]$Algorithm,
    [Parameter(Mandatory)][string]$Hash
)

# Get start time of the Check File Hash operation
$StartTime = Get-Date           
$Message = "Begin Check Hash: "  + $Image + " on Datastore: " + $Datastore + " on Target:" + $Target + "."
Write-Host -ForegroundColor Green $Message

# Check if SSH service on ESXI is running
$SSHServiceStatus = Get-VMHost | Get-VMHostService | Where { $_.Key -eq "TSM-SSH" }
If ($SSHServiceStatus.Running -eq "True")
{
$Message = "SSH Service is running. Nothing To Do."
Write-Host -ForegroundColor Green $Message
}
Else
{
$Message = "SSH Service is NOT running. Starting Service"
Write-Host -ForegroundColor Red $Message
Get-VMHost | Get-VMHostService | Where { $_.Key -eq "TSM-SSH" } | Start-VMHostService
}

# Open SSH session
$Message = "Open SSH Session to host: " + $Target + "."
Write-Host -ForegroundColor Green $Message
$SSHSession = New-SSHSession -ComputerName $Target –AcceptKey -Credential $Script:ESXISessionCredentials

# Check File Hash
$Message = "Begin Calculate Hash of file: " + $File + " on Datastore: " + $Datastore + "." 
Write-Host -ForegroundColor Green $Message

# Get Datasore ID
$DataStoreID = (Get-VMHost | Get-Datastore -Name $Datastore)
$DataStoreID = $DataStoreID.ID.Substring(10)

# Case AlgoritmCommand
Switch ($Algorithm) {
    "SHA1" { $AlgorithmCommand = "sha1sum"}
    "SHA256" { $AlgorithmCommand = "sha256sum"}
    "SHA512" { $AlgorithmCommand = "sha512sum"}
    "MD5" { $AlgorithmCommand = "md5sum"}
}

$SSHCommand = $AlgorithmCommand
$SSHCommand += ' /vmfs/volumes/'
$SSHCommand += $DataStoreID
$SSHCommand += '/'
$SSHCommand += $Folder.Replace("\", "/")
$SSHCommand += $File

$Result = Invoke-SSHCommand -SSHSession $SSHSession -Command $SSHCommand
#Write-Host $Result.Output

# Case Algoritm Output
Switch ($Algorithm) {
    "SHA1" { $HashResult = $Result.Output.Substring(0,40)}
    "SHA256" { $HashResult = $Result.Output.Substring(0,64)}
    "SHA512" { $HashResult = $Result.Output.Substring(0,128)}
    "MD5" { $HashResult = $Result.Output.Substring(0,32)}
}

$Message = "End Calculate Hash of file: " + $File + " on Datastore: " + $Datastore + "." 
Write-Host -ForegroundColor Green $Message

# Check Result
$Message = "Begin Check Hash of file: " + $File + "." 
Write-Host -ForegroundColor Green $Message

$Result=$HashResult.ToUpper().Equals($Hash.ToUpper())

If ($Result -eq "True")
{
$Message = "Hash Valid"
Write-Host -ForegroundColor Green $Message
}
Else
{
$Message = "Hash Not Valid"
Write-Host -ForegroundColor Red $Message
}
$Message = "End Check Hash of file: " + $File + "." 
Write-Host -ForegroundColor Green $Message

# Remove SSH Session
$Message = "Close SSH Session to host: " + $Target + "."
Write-Host -ForegroundColor Green $Message
Remove-SSHSession $SSHSession | Out-Null

# Get end time of the operation
$EndTime = Get-Date

# Calculate Elapsed Time of the operation
Get-CalculateWorkingTime -StartTime $StartTime -EndTime $EndTime
}

The function accepts the following mandatory parameters as input in the form of the @Parameters variable:

  • Target – Name or IP Address of the VMware ESXi;
  • File – Checked File Name;
  • Datastore – Name of ESXi Datastore;
  • Folder – Name of ESXi Datastore Folder;
  • Algorithm – Algorithm for calculate Hash;
  • Hash – Reference File Hash.

At the beginning of work, the start time is fixed in the form of the $StartTime variable.

The function will use the Posh-SSH Powershell module for its work to connect to the ESXi hypervisor and execute commands in the SSH environment. Therefore, the next step is to check whether this service is running on the hypervisor side, and if not, to start it.

This action is performed by standard PowerCLI cmdlets Get-VMHost, Get-VMHostService, Start-VMHostService.

Next, open an SSH session to the ESXi host New-SSHSession. This cmdlet is already from the Posh-SSH module.

For the algorithm to calculate the hash of the file, you will need to specify the path to the location of the file on the ESXi datastore. To do this, you should get a datastore identifier:

$DataStoreID = (Get-VMHost | Get-Datastore -Name $Datastore)

$DataStoreID = $DataStoreID.ID.Substring(10)

Different algorithms can be used to calculate the hash of a file. Their list is limited to the input variable $Algorithm and contains the following values: ‘SHA1′,’SHA256′,’SHA512′,’MD5’.

Depending on the value of the variable, the appropriate command will be used: sha1sum, sha256sum, sha512sum, md5sum. The Switch ($Algorithm) Powershell structure helps in this.

The $SSHCommand variable forms a command that should be sent to the SSH session. The result of the SSH Command goes into the $Result variable.

Depending on the hash calculation algorithm, the variable will contain a text fragment of different lengths. Therefore, depending on the $Algorithm variable, the required number of characters will be allocated. What will correspond to the calculated hash: sha1sum – Substring(0.40), sha256sum – Substring(0.64), sha512sum – Substring(0,128), md5sum – Substring(0,32).

Finally, the calculated hash is compared with the reference value from the $Hash variable. The result is displayed as Hash Valid or Hash Not Valid in green and red, respectively.

At the end of the work, we delete the SSH Session and calculate the duration of work with the Get-CalculateWorkingTime function, which I talked about in the previous post.

The result of the function is shown in the following figure:

Figure 1. The result of the execution of the Check-UploadedFileHash Powershell function

Brief Summary

So, in today’s post, I’ve shared with you some code snippets that demonstrate the strategy and practice of Operations as Code.

I note that you can use this code at your discretion, adding there, for example, verification codes and handling of exceptional situations, etc.

Also, don’t forget that the function requires the presence of the VMware PowerCLI and Posh-SSH.

That’s all for today. Follow the next publications of this direction.

Follow the news until the meeting is on air in a few days.
Sincerely, AIRRA.

Posted in Code, Programming, Technology, Virtualization, VMware | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

VMware Training. Year 2023. Part 17. Introduction. Authorized Training: Virtual Cloud Network: VMware vRealize Network Insight. Brief Summary.

Posted on September 23, 2023 by airra

Introduction

Hello to all readers of my blog!

In the previous article of the series “VMware Training. Year 2023″ we considered a list of training programs in the direction of Virtual Cloud Network: VMware SD-WAN.

Today we will talk about the main training programs in the field Virtual Cloud Network: vRealize Network Insight.

vRealize Network Insight

vRealize Network Insight is a network monitoring tool that helps you build an optimized, highly available and secure network infrastructure across your cloud environments including NSX, VMware SD-WAN, vSphere, VMware Cloud on AWS and Kubernetes deployments.

Key current VMware vRealize Network Insight technology training programs are:

● VMware vRealize Network Insight: Install, Configure, Manage [V6.1]

  • Duration: 2 days.
  • Level of difficulty: Intermediate (L300).
  • Target audience: Network professionals and who design, build, operate, manage, and troubleshoot software-defined networking and security, and application owners who need visibility across multi-cloud environments.
  • Prerequisites: Students taking this course should have general networking concepts including TCP/IP service and protocols, security knowledge and familiar with NSX architecture.
    • Before taking this course, students are recommended to take the following courses or have equivalent knowledge and experience:
      • VMware NSX-T Data Center: Install, Configure, Manage.

This two-day, hands-on course gives you the skills to deploy and use VMware vRealize Network Insight to ensure an optimized, highly available, and secure infrastructure for your applications. You will learn the features, components, architecture, and benefits of vRealize Network Insight and how to use it to simplify daily operation and troubleshooting tasks.

WARNING! This course was removed from the catalog, and replaced by the following course: VMware Aria Operations for Networks: Install, Configure, Manage.

The courses of the VMware Aria direction will be considered in one of the following publications of this cycle.

Brief Summary

In this article, we got acquainted with the main training programs in the field of Virtual Cloud Network: VMware vRealize Network Insight.

In the next publication of the cycle “VMware Training. Year 2023″ we will talk about training programs in the field of Virtual Cloud Network: VMware HCX.

Follow the news until the meeting is on air in a few days.
Sincerely, AIRRA.

Posted in Education, Monitoring, Network, Technology, Training, Virtualization, VMware | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Anything as Code: Upload File to ESXi Datasore Introduction. Function Upload-FileToDatastore. Get-CalculateWorkingTime. Brief Summary.

Posted on September 19, 2023 by airra

Introduction

Hello to all readers of the SDDC and Architecture, Solution, Implementation and Operations as Code blog.

Today we will talk about such a conceptual approach as Operations as Code, which is an integral part of the Anything as Code: strategy. I, as an Architect and Engineer in the field of cloud technologies, have been trying to adhere to this strategy as much as possible for the last ten years.

Today I want to share with you my small developments, which fit nicely into the Operation as Code approach.

Probably, we all constantly face the situation when we need to upload some file to the VMware Virtual Infrastructure Datastore, for example, the installation image of the operating system in order to mount it to the virtual machine.

I wrote a small Powershell function that performs the task of uploading a file to the ESXi datastore. Functions are passed to the input the necessary parameters in the form of a variable, changing which you can also use a code reuse strategy.

Upload-FileToDatastore

So let’s look at the code for the Upload-FileToDatastore function:

Function Upload-FileToDatastore {

<#
.SYNOPSIS
    Upload file to ESXi datastore.

.DESCRIPTION
    Silent deploy the specified file to ESXi datastore.

.PARAMETER Target
    Name or IP Address of the VMware ESXi.

.PARAMETER Path
    Path to source file.

.PARAMETER Source
    Name of source file.

.PARAMETER Datastore
    Name of destination ESXi Datastore.

.PARAMETER Folder
    Name of destination ESXi Datastore Folder.

.NOTES
    Version:        0.1
    Author:         Andrii Romanenko
    Website:        blogs.airra.net
    Creation Date:  12.05.2022
    Purpose/Change: Initial script development

    Version:        0.2
    Author:         Andrii Romanenko
    Change Date:    28.09.2022
    Purpose/Change: Add Work Time Measuring.

    Version:        0.3
    Author:         Andrii Romanenko
    Change Date:    30.12.2023
    Purpose/Change: Reorganize Function. Add Workflow Time Measuring External Function: Get-CalculateWorkingTime.

.EXAMPLE

    $Parameters = @{
        Target    = $ESXiHost
        Path      = "c:\!\"
        Source    = "en_windows_server_2019_x64_dvd_4cb967d8.iso"
        Datastore = $ISODatastore
        Folder    = "\ISO"
    }
    Upload-FileToDatastore @Parameters
#>

param ( 
    [Parameter(Mandatory)][string]$Target,
    [Parameter(Mandatory)][string]$Path,
    [Parameter(Mandatory)][string]$Source,
    [Parameter(Mandatory)][string]$Datastore,
    [Parameter(Mandatory)][string]$Folder 
)

# Get start time of the Upload ISO operation
$StartTime = Get-Date           
$Message = "Begin Upload: "  + $Source + " to Datastore: " + $Datastore + " on Target:" + $Target + "."
Write-Host -ForegroundColor Green $Message

# Upload ISO
$ds = Get-VMHost -Name $Target | Get-Datastore $Datastore
New-PSDrive -Location $ds -Name DS -PSProvider VimDatastore -Root "\" > $null
Copy-DatastoreItem -Item $Path$Source -Destination "DS:/$($Folder)"
Remove-PSDrive -Name DS -Confirm:$false

Write-Host -ForegroundColor Green "Upload Finished!"

# Get end time of the Upload ISO operation
$EndTime = Get-Date

# Calculate Elapsed Time of the operation
Get-CalculateWorkingTime -StartTime $StartTime -EndTime $EndTime
}

The function accepts the following mandatory parameters as input in the form of the @Parameters variable:

  • Target – Name or IP Address of the VMware ESXi;
  • Path – Path to source file;
  • Source – Name of source file;
  • Datastore – Name of destination ESXi Datastore;
  • Folder – Name of destination ESXi Datastore Folder.

At the beginning of work, the start time is fixed in the form of the $StartTime variable.

Next, the Datastore parameters of the ESXi Host are entered into the $ds variable.

To access the Datastore for the copy operation, the standard New-PSDrive Powershell commandlet is used. The copy operation is performed by the Copy-DatastoreItem command from VMware PowerCLI.

At the end of the operation, the PSDdrive object is deleted and the copying $EndTime is fixed.

The calculation of the duration of the copying operation is carried out by calling the external function Get-CalculateWorkingTime, which receives the parameters of the start and end of the operation.

The result of the function is shown in the following figure:

Figure 1. The result of the execution of the Upload-FileToDatastore Powershell function.

Get-CalculateWorkingTime

The code for the Get-CalculateWorkingTime function is below.

Function Get-CalculateWorkingTime {

<#
.SYNOPSIS
    Calculate working time of workflow.

.DESCRIPTION
    Calculate working time of workflow.

.PARAMETER StartTime
    Begin Time of Workflow.

.PARAMETER EndTime
    End Time of Workflow.

.NOTES
    Version:        0.1
    Author:         Andrii Romanenko
    Website:        blogs.airra.net
    Creation Date:  22.03.2023
    Purpose/Change: Initial script development

    Version:        0.2
    Author:         Andrii Romanenko
    Website:        blogs.airra.net
    Creation Date:  14.08.2023
    Purpose/Change: Add time measuring format in hours.

.EXAMPLE
    
    Get-CalculateWorkingTime -StartTime $StartTime -EndTime $EndTime 

#>

param ( 
    [Parameter(Mandatory)][datetime]$StartTime,
    [Parameter(Mandatory)][datetime]$EndTime 
)

# Calculate Elapsed Time of the workflow operation
$ElapsedTime = $EndTime-$StartTime
$ElapsedTime = '{0:hh} h. {0:mm} min. {0:ss} sec.' -f $ElapsedTime 
Write-Host 'Total Operation Duration:'  $ElapsedTime -ForegroundColor Green 
}

Brief Summary

So, in today’s post, I’ve shared with you some code snippets that demonstrate the strategy and practice of Operations as Code.

I note that you can use this code at your discretion, adding there, for example, verification codes and handling of exceptional situations, such as whether there is a connection to the ESXi host or a file with the same name is present, etc.

Also, don’t forget that the function requires the presence of the VMware PowerCLI.

That’s all for today. But in the next publication, I will tell about the function that will help check the already copied file on the datastore for the checksum.

Follow the news until the meeting is on air in a few days.
Sincerely, AIRRA.

Posted in Code, Programming, Technology, Virtualization, VMware | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

VMware Training. Year 2023. Part 16. Introduction. Authorized Training: Virtual Cloud Network: VMware SD-WAN. Brief Summary.

Posted on September 15, 2023 by airra

Introduction

Hello to all readers of my blog!

In the previous article of the series “VMware Training. Year 2023″ we considered a list of training programs in the direction of VMware NSX Advanced Load Balancer.

Today we will talk about the main training programs in the field Virtual Cloud Network: VMware SD-WAN.

VMware SD-WAN

SD-WAN is the application of software based network technologies that virtualize WAN connections. SD-WAN decouples network software services from underlying hardware to create a virtualized network overlay.

Key current VMware SD-WAN technology training programs are:

● VMware SD-WAN: Deploy and Manage [V4.x]

  • Duration: 2 days.
  • Level of difficulty: Intermediate (L300).
  • Target audience:
    • Experienced system administrators, network administrators, and system integrators responsible for designing and implementing networking solutions;
    • Network and security professionals who work with enterprise and data center networks.
  • Prerequisites: Extensive knowledge of routing and switching is required.
    • You should also have the following understanding or knowledge:
      • Good understanding of TCP/IP services and protocols;
      • Knowledge and working experience of computer networking, including:
        • Switching and routing technologies (L2-L3);
        • Network and application delivery services (L4-L7);
        • Basic understanding of IaaS, SaaS, and public and private cloud.
    • The VMware Certified Professional – Network Virtualization (2020) certification is recommended.

This two-day, hands-on training course provides you with the knowledge, skills, and tools to achieve competency in deploying and managing the VMware SD-WAN by VeloCloud environment. In this course, you are introduced to workflows of various software-defined WAN constructs along with several operational tools that help you deploy and manage VMware SD-WAN by VeloCloud.

● VMware SD-WAN by VeloCloud: Design and Deploy [V3.x]

  • Duration: 3 days.
  • Level of difficulty: Advanced (L400+).
  • Target audience: Any Managed Service Provider who is designing VMware SD-WAN solutions or managing SD-WAN networks for their customers.
  • Prerequisites:
    • Deep understanding of routing and switching technologies;
    • Deep understanding of security solutions, including VPN technologies;
    • Completion of the VMware SD-WAN VTSP Accreditation;
    • Completion of the VMware SD-WAN by VeloCloud: Deploy and Manage course.

Customers demand a scalable, secure, and manageable VMware SD-WAN by VeloCloud. To deliver a successful solution you must understand VMware SD-WAN architecture, know how the features can solve customer use cases, and be able to design a VMware SD-WAN that can be easily deployed, managed, and expanded.

● VMware SD-WAN for Service Providers [V4.x]

  • Duration: 3 days.
  • Level of difficulty: Intermediate (L300).
  • Target audience:
    • Service providers who are designing or using VMware SD-WAN solutions or managing SD-WAN networks for customers;
    • Service providers looking to deliver a managed hybrid WAN with MPLS service;
    • Service providers transforming their MPLS networks for direct access to cloud services and increased network agility.
  • Prerequisites: Before taking this course, you should have completed the following course:
    • VMware SD-WAN: Deploy and Manage;
    • You should also have the following understanding or knowledge:
      • Good understanding of SD-WAN architectures;
      • Experience of operating Linux servers, especially Ubuntu;
      • Knowledge and working experience of computer networking;
      • Experience with routing and switching technologies;
      • Experience with security solutions, including VPN technologies.
    • The VMware SD-WAN VTSP accreditation is recommended.

This three-day, hands-on training course provides you with the advanced knowledge, skills, and tools to achieve competency in operating and troubleshooting the VMware SD-WAN™ environment for service providers.

In this course, you focus on deploying and managing VMware SD-WAN for a service provider, including troubleshooting common issues.

Brief Summary

In this article, we got acquainted with the main training programs in the field of Virtual Cloud Network: SD-WAN.

In the next publication of the cycle “VMware Training. Year 2023″ we will talk about training programs in the field of Virtual Cloud Network: vRealize Network Insight.

Follow the news until the meeting is on air in a few days.
Sincerely, AIRRA.

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