2. Using the vCAT Documentation Set
   
2. Using the vCAT Documentation Set
The vCloud Architecture Toolkit provides a set of documents to support the design of complex, integrated, reference architectures for architects, operators, and consumers. The documents are shown in Figure 1 and are briefly described in Table 1.
Figure 1. VMware vCloud Architecture Toolkit Document Map
In the following table, you can click a video icon to view a brief presentation (<10 minutes) about a document and topic area.
Table 1. VMware vCloud Architecture Toolkit Documents
Video
Document
Description
Audience
 
Release Notes
Information about the VMware Architecture Toolkit, toolkit packages, how to use the documentation center, and information about changes since the vCAT 3.0 release.
All
Introduction
This document covers the following topics:
*A brief summary of vCAT documents.
*Suggested reading order depending on audience or role.
*Introduction to cloud computing and basic cloud computing requirements and definitions
All
Service Definitions
Service definition lifecycles, including specific considerations for private, public, and hybrid vCloud instances, and examples of service offerings designed to help you create service definitions that meet specific business objectives.
All
Architecting a VMware vCloud
Design considerations for architecting and building a VMware vCloud, including the basis for a reference architecture and guidance on requirements for implementing a VMware vCloud infrastructure.
Architects, IT Operations
Operating a VMware vCloud
Introduction to high-level operational areas and the evolution to support vCloud dynamics. Provides information about the operational procedures, roles, and responsibilities, setup, management, and monitoring of a vCloud. Also covers VMware management tools that support vCloud operations.
Architects, IT Operations
Consuming a VMware vCloud
Answers to consumer questions, such as the following:
*How do I handle the application lifecycle in a vCloud?
*How do I protect my workloads?
*How do I guarantee workload resource requirements are met?
*Provides the consumer’s perspective.
Architects, IT Operations, Consumers,
end users
Implementation Examples
Provides examples of how to build a vCloud.
Architects
Workflow Examples
Provides a description of useful scripts and workflows for VMware vCenter™ Orchestrator™. Other examples are given that use technologies such as PowerCLI. References to where these scripts can be found are included.
Architects, IT Operations
Software Tools
Information about software that can benefit architects and operators. Provides information about freely available technologies that have been created and used to assist in vCloud design, deployment, and operations. Also includes information about several powerful tools that are available only as part of a service engagement with VMware Professional Services or a VMware partner.
Architects,
IT Operations
Cloud Bursting
Provides the theory behind auto-scaling an enterprise cloud environment by using multiple cloud locations, including those owned by an enterprise and/or a service provider. This theory leverages VMware technologies but applies to other cloud technologies as well. This material is based on VMware field experience with customers and service providers.
Architects
 
The following typographical conventions are used in all vCAT documents.
Table 2. Document Typographical Conventions
Emphasis
Emphasis (italics) is used to emphasize information, introduce new terms, and for document and workflow names.
Command
System commands, file names, and registry keys use this font.
Code
This font is used for code snippets and scripts.
User Interface
UI objects such as tabs, buttons, and field labels are in bold text.
Hyperlink
Blue, underlined text indicates an active link (URL).
Note, Caution
Notes contain information related to the topic that is of possible interest to the reader.
Caution is used to highlight important information that describes potential problems or actions that might cause unexpected results. A Caution alerts the user, and may indicate the possibility of significant data loss.