VxBlock Central Workflow Automation architecture encompasses three tightly coupled building blocks—VxBlock Central, VxBlock Central Orchestration Services, and VMware vRealize Orchestrator—that provide end-to-end automation assurance. The combination of these components allows for the delivery of not just individual workflows, but a holistic experience that is consistent, repeatable, and robust.
- VxBlock Central provides a single unified interface and access point for CI operations. It provides the foundation for our VxBlock Central Orchestration and Automation operations by collecting all the required data from each individual VxBlock System component and passing it along for consumption by VxBlock Central Orchestration Services.
- VxBlock Central Orchestration Services works as a centralized authentication and database server by integrating with VMware vRO and VxBlock Central server. It hosts the micro services which are responsible for communicating with the end devices and provides the relevant data VMware vRO required to build the orchestration layer.
- VMware vRealize Orchestrator is a process and development automation platform that enables users to create and run automated, configurable processes to manage both VMware and third-party technologies. vRealize Orchestrator is also packaged and licensed with VMware vCenter Server and requires no additional cost to customers. VxBlock Central Workflow Automation uses vRealize Orchestrator and its workflow engine to intelligently configure, automate, and orchestrate the delivery of storage, network, and compute at the virtual infrastructure layer and the physical layer based on customer requirements. Integration of VxBlock Central Workflow Automation with vRealize Orchestrator keeps the operating environment simple, extensible, and consistent.
The following figure illustrates how the components of VxBlock Central Workflow Automation integrate and align with the overall VxBlock Central software landscape:

Figure 8. VxBlock Central Workflow Automation architecture