Troubleshooting VMC on AWS with VMware Aria Operations for Networks

In this blog post, I will explore how VMware Aria Operations for Networks can be used for troubleshooting VMware Cloud on AWS environments, with real-world examples and scenarios to demonstrate its value.

VMware Cloud on AWS Overview

VMware Cloud (VMC) on Amazon Web Services (AWS) is a powerful hybrid cloud solution, combining the flexibility of the public cloud with the capabilities of on-premises VMware infrastructure. However, as with any technology, issues can arise, making it crucial to have the right tools for effective troubleshooting.

VMware Aria Operations for Networks Overview

VMware Aria Operations for Networks is a network and security analysis tool that provides end-to-end visibility into the virtual and physical infrastructure. It offers deep insight into application and infrastructure dependencies, allowing IT administrators to identify and resolve network and security issues quickly. VMware Aria Operations for Networks integrates with VMware Cloud on AWS, providing a comprehensive view of the hybrid cloud environment for efficient troubleshooting.

VMware Aria Operations for Networks VMC on AWS Dashboard — VMware Aria Operations for Networks VMware Cloud on AWS Dashboard.

Troubleshooting Scenarios with VMware Aria Operations for Networks

Network Connectivity Issues

One of the most common issues faced in VMware Cloud on AWS environments is network connectivity problems between workloads running in the cloud and on-premises data centers. With VMware Aria Operations for Networks, IT administrators can quickly identify the root cause of such issues.

Example: An application running in the VMware Cloud on AWS environment is experiencing intermittent connectivity issues with a database hosted in the on-premises data center. Using VMware Aria Operations for Networks, the IT administrator can view detailed flow data and topology maps to trace the connectivity path, identify misconfigurations, and resolve the issue.

Hybrid Application Overview between VMware Cloud on AWS and On-Premises Data Center.

Firewall Rule Misconfigurations

Managing firewall rules across a hybrid cloud environment can be challenging, leading to misconfigurations and security vulnerabilities. VMware Aria Operations for Networks offers a centralized view of firewall rules, enabling IT administrators to pinpoint and correct misconfigurations efficiently.

Example: After a security audit, the IT team discovers unauthorized traffic between two virtual machines (VMs) in the VMware Cloud on AWS environment. Using VMware Aria Operations for Networks, they can analyze the flow data, identify the specific firewall rules allowing the traffic, and quickly update the firewall rules to close the security gap.

Security Planning VMC on AWS Application — Security Planning Flow Visibility.

Recommended Firewall Rule for Flow Between VMC on AWS VM's — Recommended Firewall Rule for Flow Between VMware Cloud on AWS Virtual Machines.

Performance Bottlenecks

VMware Aria Operations for Networks provides detailed metrics and analytics to help identify and resolve performance bottlenecks in VMware Cloud on AWS environments.

Example: A business-critical application hosted in the VMware Cloud on AWS environment is experiencing slow response times. Using VMware Aria Operations for Networks performance dashboard, the IT team can analyze traffic patterns, identify the specific network segments experiencing congestion, and take corrective measures to optimize performance.

Guided Network Troubleshooting Dashboard Indicating Anomalies on NSX T0 Router Interface used by VM within a VMC on AWS Hosted Application — Guided Network Troubleshooting Dashboard Indicating Anomalies on NSX T0 Router Interface used by VM within a VMware Cloud on AWS Hosted Application.

Security and Compliance Audits

VMware Aria Operations for Networks offers built-in compliance reports and security analytics to help organizations meet regulatory requirements and maintain a secure VMware Cloud on AWS environment.

Example: As part of a compliance audit, an organization must demonstrate that specific data remains within a designated geographical region. The IT team can easily prove compliance by showing data flow within the specified region using VMware Aria Operations for Network’s geographical flow visualization.

Application View Showing Communication With 3 Countries. — Application View Showing Communication with 3 Countries.

Expanded View of the 3 Countries with Flows Communicating with Application Members.

Conclusion

VMware Aria Operations for Networks is an invaluable tool for troubleshooting and maintaining VMware Cloud on AWS environments. VMware Aria Operations for Networks enables IT administrators to quickly identify and resolve issues, optimize performance, and maintain security and compliance by providing end-to-end visibility and actionable insights. By leveraging VMware Aria Operations for Networks, organizations can maximize the value and reliability of their VMware Cloud on AWS deployments.