The Microsoft Azure Stack HCI operating system comes pre-installed with the AX nodes from the Dell factory. After the initial rack and stack activities, a simple deployment workflow in OMIMSWAC will automatically create the cluster. The Auto Cluster Creation feature uses OpenManage Integration snap-in that enables update of AX nodes while creating the cluster. This helps in hardware configurations compliance of selected nodes with Dell recommended hardware configurations. For optimal cluster performance, the OpenManage Integration performs a solution symmetry check to ensure the homogeneity of all cluster nodes before the deployment is initiated. This integration can also apply hardware solution updates, such as for BIOS, firmware, and drivers, at the same time as operating system updates, as part of cluster creation -- all with just a single reboot. To summarize the benefits of automated cluster creation, here are a few points:
- Save time and reduce risk associated with manual deployment efforts.
- Optimal cluster configuration using a consistent, repeatable, and guided process.
- Hardware compatibility and symmetry checks ensure that hardware configurations are validated against Dell HCI Configuration Profile.
- Perform hardware updates for connected or edge/disconnected nodes.
- Compliance report of operating system, BIOS, firmware, and drivers.
- Remediation before cluster build.