10 VMware Cloud Foundation 9.0 Enhancements: Simplifying Your Day 2 Operations

Enhancement 1: Network Pool Creation/Expansion/Deletion Enhancement 2: Host Commissioning and Decommissioning for Existing or New Workload Domains Enhancement 3: Workload Domain Deployment Enhancement 4: Cluster Creation and Expansion Enhancement 5: VCF Backup Configuration Enhancement 6: Network Settings Configuration (DNS/NTP) Enhancement 7: Certificate Authority Configuration Enhancement 8: Certificate Management Enhancement 9: Password Management Enhancement 10: Deploying NSX Edge Cluster The Evolution of VCF 9.0 Continues Related Related Articles VCF Breakroom Chats Episode 57: Behind the Code – A Journey from Customer Pain to VCF 9.0 10 VMware Cloud Foundation 9.0 Enhancements: Simplifying Your Day 2 Operations Deploy Distributed LLM Inference with GPUDirect RDMA over InfiniBand in VMware Private AI As organizations prepare to upgrade to VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) 9.0, understanding Day 2 operational changes becomes critical for a successful transition. In previous versions such as VCF 5.2, many administrative tasks—such as network pool creation, host commissioning, and workload domain deployments—were tightly coupled with SDDC Manager and performing them outside of it often led to issues. VCF 9.0 introduces significant enhancements in Day 2 operations, offering greater flexibility by shifting many of these tasks to more familiar tools such as VMware vCenter and VCF Operations. This evolution not only streamlines workflows but also empowers administrators with more direct control. This post highlights 10 key operational changes that organizations should consider when planning and executing an upgrade to VCF 9.0. While not an exhaustive list, these insights are based on recurring themes in customer conversations and real-world upgrade experiences. In VCF 5.2, network pool creation, expansion, and deletion are performed in SDDC Manager. Administration -> Network Settings -> Network Pool In VCF 9.0, these tasks are performed through vCenter. You do not need any additional configuration to act on the Management Domain networks, however you must be using VCF SSO and vCenter Server Linking for Workload Domains. Global Inventory List -> Hosts -> Network Pools In VCF 5.2, host commissioning/decommissioning for existing or new workload domains are done in SDDC Manager. Inventory -> Hosts In VCF 9.0, these tasks are performed through vCenter. Global Inventory List -> Hosts -> Unassigned Hosts In VCF 5.2, Workload Domain deployment is done in SDDC Manager.