Management Pack content
When extensibility was first introduced into vCenter Operations, the only thing initially provided was an adapter. This adapter was a piece of code that would connect to the object to be managed and collect metric data.
Over time, this has improved substantially and Management Packs now have the following capabilities built in:
Adapters: There is still an adapter in the Management Pack. This will generally connect to the management interface of an object type to be managed. For example, HP's Storefront Analytics Management Pack connects to HP 3PAR or HP StoreVirtual systems.
The adapter collects metrics, properties, and events at a regular interval, usually every 5 minutes. The adapter also collects the information required to allow vRealize Operations to understand the relationships between different object types from different Management Packs.
Not all adapters are collectors. In some cases, the object being managed will push the metrics and properties to the vRealize...
