According to the VMware Cloud Foundation 9.0 Product Support Notes there are several VMware features deprecated! All of deprecated features will be removed in a future vCenter release. And some features has already been removed in version 9.0 because deprecated in previous versions.
Deprecation of vSphere Clustering Service (vCLS):
VMware vCenter 9.0 deprecates vCLS and also deprecates the requirement for vCLS to be active on clusters and recommends vCLS to be switched to retreat mode to avoid the redundant usage of resources. Deactivating vCLS does not impact the operation of vSphere DRS and vSphere HA services.
Deprecation of VMware vVols (Virtual Volumes):
VMware vSphere Virtual Volumes (vVols) capabilities will be deprecated beginning with the release of VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) version 9.0 and VMware vSphere Foundation (VVF) version 9.0 and will be fully removed in VCF/VVF 9.1. As a result, all vVol certifications for VCF/VVF 9.0 will be discontinued effective immediately.
Support for vVols (critical bug fixes only) will continue for versions vSphere 8.x, VCF/VVF 5.x, and other older supported versions until end-of-support of those releases.
Limited-time support may be considered on a case-by-case basis for customers desiring vVols support in VCF/VVF 9.0. Such customers should contact their Broadcom representative or Broadcom support for further guidance.
Deprecation of vCenter Enhanced Linked Mode (ELM):
With vCenter 9.0, ELM, which allows unified view and administration of multiple vCenter instances, is deprecated and will be removed in a future release. ELM is supported in vCenter 9.0 to allow smooth upgrade of existing infrastructure to VCF, but the recommended alternative is the grouping capability under VCF Operations. Group admins can enable alternatives for each ELM capability, such as VMware Single Sign-On, consolidated licensing, vCenter roles and privileges sync, vCenter tags replication, and vCenter single API endpoint.
Deprecation of vSphere Host Profiles:
The vSphere Host Profiles capability is deprecated in vCenter 9.0 and will be removed in a future release. Instead of Host Profiles, you can use vSphere Configuration Profiles to manage configurations at a cluster level.
Deprecation of VMware Aria Operations for Logs
VMware Aria Operations for Logs is now deprecated, with version 8.18 being the final release, and will remain supported until its designated end-of-life date. However, VCF Operations 9.0 does not support integration with VMware Aria Operations for Logs 8.18. Existing VMware Aria Operations for Logs 8.18 instances can still forward logs to VCF Operations 9.0.
Deprecation of SDDC Manager UI
SDDC Manager UI is now deprecated, to be removed in a future major release.
Deprecation of SDDC Manager APIs for Identity Configuration
SDDC Manager APIs for identity configuration are deprecated and will be removed in a future major release. The functionality is now replaced by VCF Operations.
End of Support of Cloud Builder Appliance:
The VCF Installer appliance now replaces the Cloud Builder appliance.
Removal of Integrated Windows Authentication (IWA):
vCenter 9.0 discontinues support for Integrated Windows Authentication. To ensure continued secure access, migrate from IWA to Active Directory over LDAPS or to Identity Federation with Multi-Factor Authentication.
Removal of vSphere Lifecycle Manager baselines:
Managing clusters with vSphere Lifecycle Manager baselines and baseline groups (legacy vSphere Update Manager (VUM) workflows) is no longer supported in vCenter 9.0. Instead of using baselines and baseline groups, you can use vSphere Lifecycle Manager images to perform tasks at a cluster level, for example, you can install a desired ESX version on all hosts in a cluster, install and update third-party software, update, and upgrade ESX or firmware, generate recommendations, and use a recommended image for your cluster.
Deployment Parameter Worksheet:
The VCF Installer appliance UI and JSON input functionality now replace the Deployment Parameter Worksheet.
SDDC Manager UI to Deploy Application Virtual Network:
SDDC Manager UI to deploy Application Virtual Network is removed and replaced by API functionality to deploy VCF Operations and VCF Automation on NSX Segments.
SDDC manager UI and API to Deploy VMware Aria Suite:
VCF Installer and VCF Operations now replace SDDC manager UI and API to deploy VMware Aria Suite components.
SDDC Manager Life Cycle Management Capabilities:
SDDC Manager no longer provides life cycle management API (/v1/system/precheck). SDDC Manager’s life cycle management capabilities are now moved to VCF Operations.
SDDC Manager Bring-Up APIs:
The VCF Installer appliance updates or replaces previous bring-up APIs.
VMware Update Manager Download Service (UMDS) becomes part of the VMware Cloud Foundation Download Tool:
With vCenter 9.0, the VMware Update Manager Download Service (UMDS) becomes part of the VMware Cloud Foundation Download Tool, formerly known as Offline Bundle Transfer Utility (OBTU). With the combined functionality of UMDS and OBTU, you can download all binaries of VMware Cloud Foundation components. The standalone UMDS tool is deprecated and will be removed in a future vCenter release.
