Aria Operations

Basic Information

VMware Aria Operations is an AI-powered IT operations management platform designed for private, hybrid, and multi-cloud environments. It offers continuous performance optimization, efficient capacity and cost management, intelligent remediation, and integrated compliance.

• Model: VMware Aria Operations (formerly vRealize Operations)
• Latest Stable Version: VMware Aria Operations 8.18.5.
• Release Date (8.18.5): September 29, 2025.
• Minimum Requirements: Deployment as a virtual appliance (OVA format). Requires available resources for successful operation. Analytics cluster nodes must be uniform in CPU, memory, and disk size.
• Supported Operating Systems: VMware Aria Operations supports monitoring various platforms and application combinations. For OS metrics and custom monitoring actions, Photon OS is supported. It also supports guest operating systems on virtual and physical machines for 32-bit and 64-bit where applicable.
• End of Support Date:
  • VMware Aria Operations 8.16.x and 8.17.x (8.16.0 to 8.17.2): October 31, 2025.
  • VMware Aria Operations 8.10.x: March 31, 2025.
  • Specific management packs for Aria Operations have reached End of Life (EOL) or End of General Support (EOGS) on December 31, 2023, and October 1, 2024, respectively.
• End of Life Date: Specific management packs reached EOL on December 31, 2023.
• Auto-Update Expiration Date: Not explicitly defined as a single expiration date for the product; updates are managed through software update mechanisms. Auto-refresh intervals can be configured for entity pages and dashboards.
• License Type: Supports multiple license keys, including Universal, Advanced, and VMware SD-WAN licenses. Starting with version 8.16, it supports vSphere 8 License Keys for vSphere Foundation and VMware Cloud Foundation, entitling to Advanced or Enterprise editions. Centralized license management is available.
• Deployment Model: Primarily deployed as a virtual appliance (OVA) for on-premises installations. It can be deployed in evaluation mode. Supports deployment through VMware Aria Suite Lifecycle. It supports VMware Cloud on AWS, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud Platform, Microsoft Azure, and vSphere-based on-premises private clouds.

Technical Requirements

VMware Aria Operations is deployed as a virtual appliance, and its technical requirements are primarily based on the sizing of its cluster nodes. All analytics cluster nodes must have identical CPU, memory, and disk sizing.

• RAM: Varies significantly based on the size and complexity of the monitored environment. Nodes are sized as small, medium, large, or extra-large, with corresponding memory allocations. For Continuous Availability, a witness node requires 8GB of memory.
• Processor: Varies based on node sizing. The reservation for CPU speed must be 100% of the specified value. A witness node requires 2 vCPUs.
• Storage: Varies based on node sizing. All analytics nodes must be deployed with the same disk size on storage of the same type. If disk usage exceeds 95% capacity, the UI may become inaccessible.
• Display: Not a direct requirement for the appliance itself, but a web browser is needed to access the management UI.
• Ports: Specific network ports are required for communication between cluster nodes, cloud proxies, and monitored endpoints. Network latency between platform nodes should be less than 500ms, with optimal performance at up to 3ms.
• Operating System: The virtual appliance runs on a Photon OS base.

Analysis of Technical Requirements

The technical requirements for VMware Aria Operations are highly scalable and depend on the size and performance needs of the monitored environment. The architecture emphasizes uniformity across analytics cluster nodes for optimal performance and stability. The use of a virtual appliance simplifies deployment, abstracting underlying hardware. Network latency is a critical factor for performance, especially in distributed deployments or those utilizing Continuous Availability. The system is designed to monitor a wide range of objects, with collector nodes supporting varying capacities based on their sizing.

Support & Compatibility

VMware Aria Operations offers broad compatibility with VMware products and various third-party technologies, with support managed through regular updates and defined end-of-support dates.

• Latest Version: VMware Aria Operations 8.18.5.
• OS Support: Supports monitoring of various operating systems, including Photon OS for OS metrics and custom actions. It also supports 32-bit and 64-bit guest operating systems on virtual and physical machines.
• End of Support Date: End of support dates vary by specific minor versions. For example, versions 8.16.x and 8.17.x reach end of support on October 31, 2025. VMware Aria Operations 8.14 is the last release supporting remote collectors; subsequent versions require cloud proxies.
• Localization: Information on specific localization options is not readily available in the provided data.
• Available Drivers: As a software appliance, it does not typically require user-installed hardware drivers. It integrates with various systems through adapters and APIs.

Analysis of Overall Support & Compatibility Status

VMware Aria Operations demonstrates robust compatibility with the VMware ecosystem, including vSphere, vSAN, NSX-T, and VMware Cloud Foundation. It also supports integration with numerous third-party products and their operating systems, such as Arista EOS, Check Point GAiA, Cisco IOS/NX-OS, Dell Networking OS, and OpenShift. The transition from remote collectors to cloud proxies in newer versions (8.16 and later) indicates an evolution in its data collection architecture. Users should regularly consult the VMware Product Interoperability Matrices for detailed compatibility information. The phased end-of-support for older versions and management packs necessitates a proactive upgrade strategy to maintain full support.

Security Status

VMware Aria Operations incorporates various security measures and provides guidance for secure configurations.

• Security Features: Includes functionalities for securing the console, managing SSH access, setting boot loader authentication, monitoring user accounts and groups, and configuring NTP. It supports TLS for data in transit.
• Known Vulnerabilities: Specific CVEs resolved in updates are typically detailed in release notes.
• Blacklist Status: No information indicates a general blacklist status for the product itself.
• Certifications: Supports FIPS 140-2 activation. Compliance packs for CIS ESXi and DISA are available and upgraded to support recent versions.
• Encryption Support: Supports TLS for data in transit.
• Authentication Methods: Integrates with vCenter Single Sign-On.
• General Recommendations: Best practices include hardening the deployed software infrastructure, reviewing installed and unsupported software, and consulting VMware Security Advisories and Patches. Disabling UAC on endpoint VMs before installing the Telegraf agent is recommended, with workarounds available for security restrictions.

Analysis on the Overall Security Rating

VMware Aria Operations emphasizes a secure operational posture through built-in features and recommended practices. The support for FIPS 140-2 and compliance packs for industry standards like CIS and DISA highlight its commitment to security. Regular updates address known vulnerabilities, and the platform provides tools for secure configuration and management of access. The shift towards cloud proxies for data collection also implies a more secure and streamlined approach to endpoint management. Users are advised to follow hardening guides and stay current with patches to maintain a strong security posture.

Performance & Benchmarks

Performance of VMware Aria Operations is directly tied to its sizing and deployment configuration, with guidelines provided for optimal operation.

• Benchmark Scores: Not explicitly provided as standardized benchmark scores in the search results. Performance is typically measured by its ability to collect, process, and analyze data from a large number of objects and metrics efficiently.
• Real-World Performance Metrics: The system supports a maximum of 10 concurrent users per node when operating at maximum object/metric levels. Collector nodes can support a total number of objects ranging from 3,000 (small) to 44,000 (extra-large) in multi-node clusters. Network bandwidth requirements are provided between nodes and Cloud Proxies.
• Power Consumption: As a software solution deployed on virtualized infrastructure, its direct power consumption is not a standalone metric. It contributes to the overall power consumption of the underlying hardware.
• Carbon Footprint: Similar to power consumption, its carbon footprint is indirect, stemming from the energy usage of the hardware it runs on. No specific carbon footprint metrics are available for the software itself.
• Comparison with Similar Assets: VMware Aria Operations replaces multiple monitoring systems, offering a comprehensive solution. Its capabilities include continuous performance optimization and efficient capacity management, suggesting a focus on resource utilization.

Analysis of the Overall Performance Status

The performance of VMware Aria Operations is highly dependent on proper sizing and adherence to deployment best practices. The platform is designed for scalability, supporting large-scale environments with numerous objects and metrics. Key performance considerations include uniform node sizing, adequate resource reservations (CPU and RAM), and low network latency between cluster components. Snapshots can negatively impact performance, and Continuous Availability deployments have specific sizing and fault domain requirements. The system's ability to handle a high volume of data collection and analysis, coupled with its optimization features, positions it as a robust tool for managing complex IT infrastructures.

User Reviews & Feedback

User reviews and feedback generally highlight VMware Aria Operations as a powerful and comprehensive monitoring and management solution for virtualized and cloud environments.

• Strengths:
  • Unified, AI-powered operations management.
  • Comprehensive solution for deploying, configuring, managing, and upgrading VMware Aria Suite products.
  • Replaces multiple monitoring systems.
  • Available with every VMware subscription.
  • Monitors logs, metrics, events, and business services.
  • Provides continuous performance optimization, efficient capacity and cost management, intelligent remediation, and integrated compliance.
  • Streamlines IT operations and reduces overhead through centralized license management.
• Weaknesses:
  • End-of-support for certain management packs may require users to create their own, which can be time-consuming.
  • The transition from remote collectors to cloud proxies requires an upgrade path and migration effort for existing deployments.
  • Licensing add-ons and additional licenses can be a pain point in pricing.
• Recommended Use Cases:
  • Monitoring and managing private, hybrid, and multi-cloud environments.
  • Performance optimization and capacity management.
  • Log, metric, event, and business service monitoring.
  • Compliance management.
  • Deployment and management of other VMware Aria Suite products.

Summary

VMware Aria Operations is a robust, AI-driven enterprise asset management solution designed for comprehensive IT operations across diverse cloud environments. Its strengths lie in its unified approach to performance optimization, capacity management, and compliance, offering a single pane of glass for monitoring logs, metrics, and events. The platform's ability to integrate with a wide array of VMware and third-party products ensures broad compatibility.

However, the product's evolving lifecycle, marked by varying end-of-support dates for different versions and management packs, necessitates careful planning for upgrades and potential migration efforts, such as the transition from remote collectors to cloud proxies. Licensing complexity, particularly with add-ons, can also be a consideration.

Technically, Aria Operations is highly scalable, deployed as a virtual appliance with configurable node sizing to meet specific environmental demands. Adherence to sizing guidelines and network latency recommendations is crucial for optimal performance. Security features, including FIPS 140-2 support and compliance packs, contribute to a strong security posture, provided users follow best practices and stay current with updates.

Overall, VMware Aria Operations is a powerful tool for organizations seeking to centralize and automate their IT operations management, particularly those with complex virtualized and multi-cloud infrastructures. Its comprehensive feature set and continuous development make it a valuable asset for maintaining operational efficiency and compliance.

Please note: The information provided is based on publicly available data and may vary depending on specific device configurations. For up-to-date information, please consult official manufacturer resources.