The management agent helps to collect support and telemetry log information through a cluster collection process. The management agent is automatically installed as a part of deployment in every IaaS node. The management agent pings the CAFÉ appliance via port 5480 every three minutes to check whether any work item (telemetry information or a log bundle collection) is pending. If a work item is pending, it will execute the work item and send back the response. So even if the vCAC server service in the CAFÉ appliance has been stopped, the management agent will be able to function.
The roadmap for the management agent in the upcoming releases of vRA will be the following:
Enable vRealize Automation to automate the installation of IaaS components (Windows-based)
Can be installed via command line or UI