If you’re working with VMware Cloud Foundation 9.0 (VCF 9) — whether in a data centre, lab, or preparing for certification — you’ll hear people talk about Day 1 and Day 2 operations. These terms sound fancy, but they’re actually quite straightforward once you understand the flow.
Let’s break it down in simple, practical language.
Day 1 – Setup and First Boot
Day 1 is all about getting your environment ready. You’re laying the foundation — from BIOS settings to full stack deployment. Day 1 is about precision and planning. If you get this part right, Day 2 becomes much smoother.
Step-by-Step Breakdown
- BIOS Preparation
Before installing ESX 9.0, make sure:
- VT-x or AMD-V is enabled (for virtualization)
- Hyperthreading is turned on (optional, workload-dependent)
- Secure Boot is disabled (unless your image supports it)
- USB boot is enabled
- Legacy Boot is available (if UEFI causes issues)
These settings are basic but critical. If you skip this, ESX might not install properly or perform as expected.
- Install ESX 9.0 on Hosts
Use the official ISO and a bootable USB tool like Rufus. ESX 9.0 now uses image-based lifecycle only — no baselines. - Host Commissioning
In VCF 9, this is done directly in vCenter 9.0, not SDDC Manager. You add hosts to inventory and prepare them for domain creation. - Network Pool Setup
VLANs, IP pools, and uplinks are configured in vCenter. This replaces the older SDDC Manager workflow. - Deploy Management Domain
Use Cloud Builder 9.0 to deploy:- vCenter Server 9.0
- NSX 9.0
- SDDC Manager
- VCF Operations and Automation
- vSAN cluster (if applicable)
- Identity Integration
Connect to Active Directory or other identity sources for role-based access.
Day 2 – Lifecycle, Expansion, and Automation
Day 2 is where you manage and grow your environment. .
What You Do in Day 2
- Patch and Upgrade
Use VCF Operations to update:- ESX 9.0 (via vLCM image)
- NSX 9.0 (bundled VIBs)
- vCenter 9.0
- Aria Suite 9.0 (includes Operations, Automation, and Log Insight)
- Expand Domains
Add clusters, stretch domains, or deploy new workload domains. All done via vCenter and VCF Operations. - Deploy NSX Edge Nodes
This is now handled through vCenter — no need to go through SDDC Manager. - Monitor and Tune
Use Aria Operations to track performance, health, and capacity. Helps you stay ahead of issues. - Automate Provisioning
Use VCF Automation, Terraform, or APIs to deploy workloads and infrastructure. - Secure the Environment
Rotate certificates, audit user roles, and use NSX-T’s distributed firewall for microsegmentation. - Backup and Restore
Configure SFTP backups via VCF Operations. Test restores regularly — don’t just assume they’ll work.
Quick Comparison Table for VCF Exam Prep
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