VxRail nodes are available with different compute power, memory, and cache configurations to closely match the requirements of new and expanding use cases. As requirements grow, the system easily scales out and scales up in granular increments. 

Dell delivers top of the line HCI portfolio purpose-built for HCI with the newest Dell PowerEdge server platform. This portfolio delivers tailor-made performance and reliability powerful enough for any workload, which is combined with an advanced approach to intelligent deployment and operations that simplify and accelerates IT. Dell HCI on next-generation PowerEdge servers provides the ideal foundation for software-defined data center initiatives.

With up to 150 integrated customer HCI requirements, PowerEdge servers are designed for and tailored to HCI workloads that depend on servers and storage. This results in a more consistent, predictable, and reliable high-performing HCI that can meet any use case. With a comprehensive portfolio, Dell can deliver the best fit for organization-specific HCI needs—from workload requirements, to customer environment, to deployment preferences.

Dell Technologies leads in hyperconverged sales with over 30 percent market share according to IDC.[2]

VxRail environments are configured as a cluster, with each node containing internal storage drives (VxRail with vSAN node cluster) or connected to an external storage (VxRail dynamic node cluster). VxRail systems are delivered with the software loaded, ready to attach to a customer-provided network. The system can be configured to match unique site and networking requirements by using a simple wizard at the time of install.

VxRail with vSAN node cluster

VxRail nodes are enclosed in a one-node, single-server system, with each node having one, two, or four multi-core processors and either all-flash solid-state disks (SSDs) or a hybrid mix of flash SSDs and hard disk drives. The nodes form a networked cluster with a minimum of two or three nodes for scale-out clusters with a maximum of 64 nodes.

VxRail dynamic node cluster

VxRail dynamic nodes are VxRail systems that are compute-only nodes used to form a vSphere cluster. Dynamic node clusters rely on external storage resources for their primary storage. External storage resource types can be remote datastores from vSAN clusters using VMware vSAN HCI Mesh or datastores from storage on Dell storage arrays such as PowerStore-T, PowerMax, Unity XT, and PowerFlex.

Dynamic node clusters further extend the workload types that VxRail can address. Customers can deploy VxRail for workloads that might require enterprise storage-level data protection and resiliency or that can benefit from independent scaling of compute and storage for better cost economics. Customers can continue to store the workloads on an enterprise array while benefitting from the VxRail simplified LCM. For applications that might be compute-intensive or storage-intensive, with VMware vSAN HCI Mesh, customers can use a mix of compute clusters and vSAN clusters that can result in better resource utilization and optimized license costs. When VxRail is used to form vSphere and vSAN clusters, customers can benefit from a common operating model with VxRail HCI System Software.

VxRail dynamic nodes are compute-only nodes running ESXi. Internal storage is not supported, so a vSAN license is not required. VxRail HCI System Software is responsible for the LCM of the node. LCM of the storage array is separate. VxRail dynamic nodes are available with the E660F, P670F, and V670F VxRail models. All configuration options that come with these models, except for cache and capacity drives, are available.

All Dell VxRail systems offer a choice of Dell PowerEdge servers, powered by new Intel® Xeon® Scalable and AMD EPYC processors, variable RAM, and storage capacity, allowing customers to make immediate purchases based on their specific needs. Single-node scaling and storage capacity expansion provide a predictable, “pay-as-you-grow” approach for future scale up and out as business and user requirements evolve.

Figure 17 shows the comprehensive set of options available across the PowerEdge family. Customers can be assured that their VxRail system is configured to best match their workload requirements, with millions of possible configuration combinations in the VxRail model series family. Available configuration options are different between standard VxRail nodes and VxRail dynamic nodes. For more information about VxRail hardware configurations, see the Dell VxRail System TechBook.

Figure 17.    Component options available across the VxRail System

VxRail automated life cycle management enables scale out where new nodes can be added nondisruptively and different models can be mixed within a VxRail cluster. By adding the latest technology nodes into existing clusters and decommissioning aging nodes, an evergreen HCI environment can be obtained which removes necessity of costly SAN data migrations. Flexible storage options also allow a node to start with a few drives and add drives as capacity requirements grow. Nodes may also be scaled-up where the VxRail nodes can be nondisruptively upgraded with additional memory, GPU, NIC cards, cache SSD, and capacity drives to meet changing requirements.