VMware launched the latest version of vROps last week….. (to little fanfare).

I’ve not yet deployed it in my labs, but from reading the Release Notes there are a few minor enhancements:

• Enhanced Distributed Resource Scheduler (DRS) Integration
  vRealize Operations now offers enhanced integration with the vCenter Distributed Resource Scheduler (DRS) when making and executing workload placement recommendations. The vRealize Operations Manager analytics determine cross-cluster placement opportunities, while vCenter Distributed Resource Scheduler determines the best destination within clusters. The enhanced integration uses all DRS rules, constraints, and enterprise-class capabilities.
• New Workload Utilization Dashboard
  The Workload Utilization Dashboard enables you to see the object workload utilization for Cluster, DataCenter, and Custom DataCenter containers. The new dashboard incorporates an updated Utilization widget, capable of operating in either a capacity or workload utilization mode.
• Ability to Import Single Sign-On Users
  As an Administrator, you can now add and authorize new users for vRealize Operations Manager by importing them from a Single Sign-On source.
• Telemetry Enablement on Upgrade
  This release includes a one-time dialog after you upgrade that allows you to participate in the VMware Customer Experience Improvement Program. This program collects anonymous product configuration and usage data to enhance future versions of vRealize Operations.
• Portable Licensing
  The portable licensing feature adds the ability for customers to license use of the product in vSphere as well as non-vSphere environments.

https://pubs.vmware.com/Release_Notes/en/vrops/62/vrops-62-release-notes.html

It seems that vROps has been enhanced to include a form of “Intelligent Workload Placement” where vROps can use historical information to predict workload trends in order to distribute the workload across your VMware estate. It will then report to you the best form of action to take in order to rebalance the workload across your resources – once you click on the recommended re-mediation action, vROps will then work with DRS to resolve potential contentions by moving the workloads around.

In addition, you get a new dashboard that visually shows you how your workloads are being utilised across the data centre, cluster and hosts.

TBH, I’m surprised this was launched prior to the big announcements coming out next week at the “Digital Enterprise” event: http://www.vmware.com/digitalenterprise. I wonder what else is in store for the launch event (bar VSAN 6.2 which everyone knows is being launched!!)