The VMware Cloud Foundation deployment process is referred to as bring-up. You specify deployment information specific to your environment such as networks, hosts, license keys, and other information in the deployment parameter workbook and upload the file to the VMware Cloud Builder appliance to initiate bring-up.

During bring-up, the management domain is created on the ESXi hosts specified in the deployment parameter workbook. The VMware Cloud Foundation software components are automatically deployed, configured, and licensed using the information provided.

The following procedures describe how to perform bring-up of the management domain using the deployment parameter workbook. You can also perform bring-up using a custom JSON specification. See the VMware Cloud Foundation API Reference Guide for more information.

Some use cases are only available using a custom JSON specification. For example, using custom CA-signed certificates for ESXi hosts. See Deploy the Management Domain Using ESXi Hosts with External Certificates.