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Using OneIQ in Dark-Site or Air-Gapped Environments

Options for using OneIQ when the customer environment has no internet connectivity

Written by Support Kappa

Overview

Some customers operate in dark-site, air-gapped, or network-restricted environments where outbound internet connectivity is not available. This article explains how OneIQ can be used in these scenarios and the options available for getting infrastructure data into the OneIQ Portal.

Can OneIQ Pulse Run Offline?

No. OneIQ Pulse requires an active outbound connection to OneIQ Central (hosted in Azure) in order to transmit collected telemetry data. Pulse cannot operate in a fully disconnected mode where data is collected locally and uploaded later.

If the environment has restricted but not completely blocked internet access, see OneIQ Pulse with a Proxy for instructions on routing Pulse traffic through a proxy server.

Recommended Alternative: RVTools Import

For dark-site or air-gapped environments, the recommended approach is to use an RVTools export as an offline data collection method.

RVTools is a VMware utility that can run inside the air-gapped environment with no internet connectivity required. The resulting export file can then be transferred out of the restricted environment (via approved media or data transfer processes) and imported into OneIQ.

Steps

  1. Run RVTools inside the air-gapped environment, connected to the VMware vCenter or ESXi hosts. RVTools does not require internet access.

  2. Export the data in .xlsx format.

  3. Transfer the .xlsx file out of the restricted environment using the customer's approved data transfer process (for example, secure USB, one-way data diode, or approved file transfer gateway).

  4. Import the file into OneIQ using the RVTools import feature. See RVTool Imports for detailed instructions.

RVTools Requirements for OneIQ Import

  • RVTools version 4.1.3 or later

  • Export format must be .xlsx (not .csv)

  • The export file must be original and unmodified. Do not remove or rename columns, delete rows, or edit the file before importing.

  • If multiple vCenters are involved, combine the exports into a single file using the RVTools file combine utility before importing.

Limitations of the RVTools Approach

RVTools import provides a point-in-time snapshot of the VMware environment. Compared to a full OneIQ Pulse deployment, the following features are not available with RVTools imports:

  • Continuous or historical performance data (timeline views)

  • Cost and Insights analysis

  • Multi-platform discovery (RVTools is VMware only)

  • IP address or hostname scrambling

  • Network flow monitoring

Despite these limitations, an RVTools import provides enough data to populate infrastructure inventory, support Design Automation sizing, and generate an Infrastructure Snapshot export. This makes it a practical option for initial assessments in restricted environments.

Hybrid Approach

In some cases, customers may be able to temporarily allow outbound connectivity for a defined data collection period. If this is possible, deploying OneIQ Pulse for even a short window (for example, 7 days) will provide significantly richer data than an RVTools import, including performance metrics and rightsizing insights. After the collection window, the Pulse VM can be removed and the Workspace will retain the collected data as a Frozen Workspace.

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