About VI Workload Domains

When deploying a workload domain, you specify the name, compute, and networking details for the VI workload domain. You then select the hosts and licenses for the VI workload domain and start the workflow.

The workflow automatically:

• Deploys a vCenter Server Appliance for the new VI workload domain within the management domain. By using a separate vCenter Server instance per VI workload domain, software updates can be applied without impacting other VI workload domains. It also allows for each VI workload domain to have additional isolation as needed.
• Configures networking on each host.
• Configures vSAN storage on the ESXi hosts.
• For the first VI workload domain, the workflow deploys a cluster of three NSX Managers in the management domain and configures a virtual IP (VIP) address for the NSX Manager cluster. The workflow also configures an anti-affinity rule between the NSX Manager VMs to prevent them from being on the same host for high availability. Subsequent VI workload domains can share an existing NSX Manager cluster or deploy a new one.
• By default, VI workload domains do not include any NSX Edge clusters and are isolated. To provide north-south routing and network services, add one or more NSX Edge clusters to a VI workload domain. See NSX Edge Cluster Management.

Note: You can only perform one VI workload domain operation at a time. For example, while you are deploying a new VI workload domain, you cannot add a cluster to any other VI workload domain.