Abstract: In a computer-implemented method for managing hosts of a pre-configured hyper-converged computing device, a pre-configured hyper-converged computing device comprising a plurality of hosts is managed, where the plurality of hosts is allocable to workload domains, where unallocated hosts of the plurality of hosts is maintained within a pool of unallocated hosts, and where the plurality of hosts each have an operating system version. An unallocated host of the pool of unallocated hosts is determined as having an operating system version that is outside of a range of supported operating system versions. The operating system version of the unallocated host is updated to an operating system version within the range of supported operating system versions.

Abstract: In a computer-implemented method for provisioning a host of a workload domain of a pre-configured hyper-converged computing device, a pre-configured hyper-converged computing device comprising a plurality of hosts is managed, where the plurality of hosts is allocable to workload domains, and where allocated hosts of a particular workload domain are of a same operating system version. A pool of unallocated hosts is maintained within the pre-configured hyper-converged computing device, where the unallocated hosts of the pool have operating system versions within a range of supported operating system versions.

Abstract: In a computer-implemented method for automating application updates in a virtual computing environment, an update script and a digital signature for the update script are received, where the update script comprises an application update for updating an application installed on the virtual computing environment. The digital signature of the update script is validated using a public key of the virtual computing environment. Provided the digital signature of the update script is validated, the update script is executed to update the application.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for software lifecycle management of a virtual computing environment are disclosed. An example method includes determining, by executing an instruction with a processor, a plurality of software updates to be installed on physical computing resources in the virtual server rack system, the determining based on a manifest file received from a software manager associated with the virtual server rack system, determining, by executing an instruction with the processor, dependency requirements for installing the software updates identified in the manifest file, determining, by executing an instruction with the processor, an order for installation of the software updates to meet dependency requirements, and scheduling, by executing an instruction with the processor, installation of the software updates identified in the manifest file.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for software lifecycle management of a virtual computing environment. An example method includes determining if sufficient computing resources for installing the software are available in a virtual environment in the virtual rack system, when sufficient computing resources are not available in the virtual environment, identifying a spare computing resource that is available for use during installation of the software, adding the spare computing resource to the virtual environment, migrating a workload that is executing on a current computing resource to the spare computing resource, and installing the software on the current computing resource.