VCF on VxRail provides a way to automate the deployment of a VMware PKS platform within a workload domain. This helps accelerate deployment and access of Kubernetes infrastructure in private, public, and hybrid cloud environments so that application development teams can start deploying container-based applications faster.
The PKS WLD deploys VMware Enterprise PKS which is built on upstream Kubernetes and delivered as an integrated solution. The integration within VCF features automated and centralized life cycle management and operations of the underlying WLD clusters. It includes integrated container networking and network security with NSX-T, is easily scalable, and includes automated deployment and configuration.
The PKS WLD architecture is based from VVD-compliant best practices designs. Like the Horizon WLD, a PKS WLD is built on top off pre-provisioned VxRail VI WLD. However, PKS requires the WLD to be NSX-T based due to its tight integration with NSX-T. SDDC Manager fully automates the deployment of PKS components, including PCF Ops Manager, BOSH Director, PKS Control Plane, and optionally, the Harbor Enterprise Container Registry. These management components get deployed on the VxRail NSX-T VI WLD cluster. The NSX-T Edge VMs must be manually deployed and configured before starting the PKS WLD deployment. The following diagram illustrates the component layout for a VCF PKS WLD deployment.
Figure 5. PKS WLD component layout
There are several prerequisites that must be met before starting the VCF PKS WLD deployment. An NSX-T VI WLD must first be created within VCF. The NSX-T Edge components must then be manually deployed and configured to allow the PKS components to use the network virtualization features and capabilities that are built into NSX-T, like NorthSouth routing, NAT, and Load Balancing. Following is the list of prerequisites:
For additional details on the prerequisites, see the VCF Admin guide PKS Prerequisites.
Lifecycle Management of the PKS components is accomplished using the native LCM capabilities that are built into the PKS platform. VxRail VI WLD infrastructure LCM is accomplished using SDDC Manager along with the integration that exists with VxRail Manager.