I remember the first time I logged into vRealize Infrastructure Navigator (VRIN) at my old job. It felt like opening a treasure chest—you could see every virtual machine, every application dependency, all neatly mapped out. For a while, it was perfect. Then came the whispers: “VRIN is reaching end of life.” At first, I didn’t think much of it. But the more I looked into it, the more I realized this was going to change how we managed our VMware environment completely.
If you’re working with VMware and suddenly see the same message, you’re not alone. Many IT teams are now facing the reality that vRealize Infrastructure Navigator is being retired, and it’s time to make a plan.
What Does “End of Life” Really Mean?
When VMware declares a product end of life, it doesn’t just mean no more updates. It means:
- No official support: If something breaks, you can’t just call VMware and expect a quick fix.
- No security patches: Over time, this can become risky, especially if your environment is connected to external networks.
- Compatibility issues: Newer versions of vSphere or other VMware tools might not work properly with VRIN.
For many companies, this isn’t an immediate disaster. But if you ignore it, small issues can snowball into real headaches.
Why Organizations Are Feeling the Impact
I’ve talked to a few IT teams lately, and the reactions vary. Some are calm—they’ve already started looking at replacements. Others are panicking because their infrastructure relies heavily on VRIN maps. The problem isn’t just missing support; it’s the loss of visibility. Knowing which apps connect to which VMs is huge for troubleshooting, migrations, and security audits. Without it, you’re flying blind.
Your Options Moving Forward
So, what can you do now that VRIN is ending? Here are the practical choices.
1. Switch to vRealize Operations
This is the obvious choice. vRealize Operations (vROps) is VMware’s current flagship for monitoring, analytics, and performance. It’s more powerful than VRIN in some ways:
- Offers application dependency mapping through integration
- Provides performance monitoring and predictive analytics
- Centralizes visibility across hybrid environments
The catch? It has a steeper learning curve, and it’s not a one-to-one replacement. You’ll need some planning and training.
2. Explore Third-Party Tools
There are tools like Dynatrace, SolarWinds, and Turbonomic that can provide dependency mapping and infrastructure insights. I’ve tried a few of these in past projects. Some are excellent for large enterprises, others are better for smaller setups. The key is to test them in your environment before fully committing.
3. Maintain VRIN Temporarily
If you’re not ready to switch immediately, you can continue using VRIN in a limited capacity. It won’t get updates, but for teams that just need legacy visibility, it’s a temporary solution. Just be aware that it’s not future-proof.
4. Build Your Own Mapping
Some advanced IT teams use scripts or custom dashboards to map applications manually or semi-automatically. This is labor-intensive, but for organizations with very specific compliance or reporting needs, it works. I won’t lie—it’s not for the faint of heart.
Tips for a Smooth Transition
- Document everything: Make sure you capture all existing dependency maps before retiring VRIN.
- Test replacements: Don’t assume new tools will automatically cover all VRIN functionality.
- Train your team: Even a powerful tool fails if no one knows how to use it.
- Plan in stages: Move gradually rather than all at once, especially in critical production environments.
Final Thoughts
End of life announcements always feel like a punch in the gut. You get comfortable with a tool, and suddenly it’s gone. But the reality is, change can be a good thing. It pushes us to adopt better tools, automate smarter, and rethink processes.
I’ve seen teams who panicked at first end up with more reliable monitoring and deeper visibility than ever before. It takes some effort, but it’s worth it.
If your VRIN dashboards are about to go dark, take a breath, plan carefully, and you’ll come out ahead. The goal isn’t just replacing a tool—it’s making your infrastructure smarter and more resilient.
FAQs
What happens if I keep using VRIN after it reaches end of life?
You can continue using it temporarily, but you won’t get updates, support, or security patches. Eventually, compatibility issues may arise.
Is vRealize Operations a full replacement for VRIN?
Not exactly. vROps offers broader monitoring and analytics and can integrate application dependency mapping, but there are some features that work differently. Planning and training are necessary.
Can I use third-party tools instead of VRIN?
Yes. Solutions like Dynatrace, SolarWinds, or Turbonomic can handle dependency mapping, sometimes with additional insights. Choose based on your environment size and complexity.
How should I prepare my team for this change?
Document all current maps, test replacements, and provide hands-on training. Gradual migration works best to avoid disruption.
