In our first program, we used the VCF to provide searches for our clients, then we opened our service to the public, so we changed from VCF to a VC and VCB program. We have an infrastructure software data center that we need to manage and handle all our clients' requests.
We use PCD and vCenter. On top of that, we provide the PCD as a service for our clients. We give them a portal to access the resources they request. The services include site recovery, policy updates, etc.
The most crucial feature of vCenter is its scalability. We can use it to expand our network, so we don't have to report our client devices. The network configuration features are also helpful because we can migrate entire networks.
For example, we have a disaster recovery site that stores all our network configurations, so our clients can move from one site to another. We can use load balancing for the same problem. If the server or hypervisor is fully loaded, we can easily move some devices or VMs to another site.
We use the VLS Orchestrator with vCenter and create templates, allowing our clients to access and collect administration for their services. They manage the IT-critical stuff they implement, so we can provide them with pre-built solutions and templates.
VMware tools would benefit from more automation. When installing our devices and servers, we often need to install the VMware tools manually. This process should be automated during the VM installation process.
We've been using Orchestrator for seven or eight months.
Orchestrator is stable, but we have some problems with access. There are some performance issues when we use the VMs. For example, there is some latency when I access the management device, but the device itself is stable and working very well.
I rate VMware support four out of five.
VMware is the first virtual solution, system, or ecosystem that we used.
The installation process was smooth except for a few complications with DNS and the certificate, but you typically need a lot of staff to help you install it. We don't need a dedicated person to perform maintenance. When a problem happens, we can call support to fix it, or we do it ourselves remotely if we have experience.
We used a third-party consultant to help us implement the solution.
The licensing module is somewhat complex. Calculating the cost is complicated. Many of our clients are unclear about the billing system and the traffic metering. I think we pay for revenue sharing on the VCB program, but we had a VCF program in the beginning. I don't have enough information about licensing. But when we converted from the VCF to the VCB program, the licensing module changed to revenue sharing.
I rate vCenter Orchestrator nine out of 10. It's a great solution that can help any starting company that needs to provide vCloud to their customers. It's scalable, stable, technical, and responsive. If you're deploying vCenter, you need to understand the infrastructure.