How to create a Tanzu Kubernetes Cluster using vRealize Automation

Purpose of this article

In our environment we are currently using VMware Tanzu in combination with vSphere 7. As we do not use the cloud-based product Tanzu Mission Control to roll out new Tanzu Kubernetes cluster, it should be possible to automatically deploy and, in future configure, Tanzu Kubernetes cluster. Therefore I have created a Cloud Template in vRealize Automation (version 8.8), which allows users to be able to request Tanzu Kubernetes cluster out of the Service Broker catalog.

Disclaimer: In our environment we do have vRealize Automation 8.8, so it is still vRealize Automation (vRA). vRA in general was rebranded to VMware Aria Automation starting with version 8.10.

This article will describe the necessary steps, that need to be taken to integrate Tanzu into vRealize Automation, as well as create the Cloud Template in Cloud Assembly and publish the cloud Template to Service Broker to make it requestable for users.