Overview
APEX Private Cloud and APEX Hybrid Cloud clusters are orderable as instance types. Instances deliver standardized combinations of compute, memory, storage, and networking resources on which a VM can run. All APEX instance types use specific configurations of the VxRail appliance as the underlying hardware.
APEX Private Cloud and APEX Hybrid Cloud instance types
There are several different instance types available for APEX Private Cloud and APEX Hybrid Cloud. The instance types are optimized for virtualized and containerized workload requirements, ranging from small (4 GB) to extra-large (32 GB) memory-to-CPU core ratios. Additionally, there are special purpose instance types with GPUs from NVIDIA to address applications such as Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML) and VDI.
The following figure shows scenarios where the different instance types are applicable.
For standard VDI desktops without GPU acceleration, the “Memory-optimized” instance type delivers fast performance and provides a high memory-to-core ratio that is necessary for the compute and memory capacity aspects of VDI workloads. This instance type is expected to provide the best scaling capabilities when increasing the number of supported users in your environment.
The “VDI-optimized” instance is considered to be most suitable for VDI desktops with GPU acceleration because it is specifically designed for this purpose.
VxRail appliance
The VxRail HCI appliance is available in 1U or 2U rack building blocks. It is built on VMware vSAN technology and further enabled with Dell Technologies software. The following figure shows the components of the VxRail appliance:
VxRail appliance platforms are equipped with 3rd Generation Intel Xeon Scalable processors. You can deploy a cluster with as few as three nodes, providing an ideal environment for small deployments. A 32-instance, 2-node configuration is the minimum for APEX Private Cloud. To achieve full vSAN high availability (HA), the recommended starting block is a minimum of 64 instances when choosing a 16-instance per node configuration. The VxRail appliance can support storage-heavy workloads with storage-dense nodes, graphics-heavy VDI workloads with GPU hardware coupled with virtual GPU software, and entry-level nodes for remote and branch office (ROBO) environments.
The APEX Private Cloud and APEX Hybrid Cloud "VDI-optimized" instance type for graphics uses the VxRail V670F as the underlying hardware. The APEX Private Cloud and APEX Hybrid Cloud "Memory-optimized" instance type without graphics uses the VxRail E660F as the underlying hardware.
APEX Private Cloud and APEX Hybrid Cloud Nodes (VxRail V670F) front and rear viewsThe following figures show the VxRail V670F front view with cache and the capacity storage tiers rear view with network, I/O, and GPU options:
APEX Private Cloud and APEX Hybrid Cloud Nodes (VxRail E660F) front and rear viewsThe following figures show the VxRail E660F front view with cache and capacity storage tiers and the rear view with network and I/O options:
Choosing APEX instances
Before choosing the APEX instances per host, customers must select an instance type (In the APEX console: Instance type > Instances per host > Instance quantity > Storage).
Instance types are standardized combinations of compute and memory resources defined by a fixed physical memory to physical core ratio and powered by Dell VxRail. They are optimized for your workload requirements, ranging from small (4 GB/Core) to extra-large (32 GB/Core) memory-to-CPU core ratios. Only one instance type can be selected per subscription. VDI-optimized and Memory-optimized instance types are recommended for the VDI use case.
Choose the number of instances, or physical CPU cores installed in each host from the APEX console. Memory-optimized hosts can use 16, 32, or 64 processor cores and the VDI-optimized instance type is only available with 64 instances per host.
The instance quantity selected determines the number of physical hosts ordered. This selection will also determine the storage capacity choices that are available and the number of hosts in your subscription. The following tables show all of the available configuration options:
NVIDIA GPUs
The APEX Private Cloud and APEX Hybrid Cloud VDI-optimized instance features the use of NVIDIA GPUs for hardware acceleration, which is ideal for graphic intensive workloads. Each node contains two NVIDIA A16 GPU double width, full height (DW/FH) cards.
NVIDIA A16 GPUs combined with NVIDIA Virtual PC (vPC) or NVIDIA RTX Virtual Workstations (vWS) software enables remote desktops and workstations with the power and performance to tackle any project from anywhere. Purpose-built for high-density, graphics-rich VDI and leveraging the NVIDIA Ampere architecture, A16 provides twice the user density compared with the previous generation, while ensuring the best possible user experience.
Physical network components
Dell Validated Designs for VDI on appliances enable flexibility in networking selections. VDI validations have been successfully performed with the following hardware, although several other choices are available:
- Dell Networking S4048-ON (10 GbE ToR switch)—The S4048-ON switch optimizes your network for virtualization with a high-density, ultra-low-latency top of rack (ToR) switch that features 48 x 10 GbE SFP+ and 6 x 40 GbE ports (or 72 x 10 GbE ports in breakout mode) and up to 720 Gbps performance. The S4048-ON switch also supports ONIE for zero-touch installation of alternate network operating systems.
- Dell Networking S5248F-ON (25 GbE ToR switch)—The S5248F-ON switch provides optimum flexibility and cost-effectiveness for demanding compute and storage traffic environments. This ToR switch features 48 x 25 GbE SFP28 ports, 4 x 100 GbE QSFP28 ports, and 2 x 100 GbE QFSP28-DD ports. The S5248F-ON switch also supports ONIE.
For more information about these switches, see Dell PowerSwitch S Series 10GbE and Dell PowerSwitch S Series 25/40/50/100 GbE Switches.
Management domains (APEX Hybrid Cloud only)
APEX Hybrid Cloud gives the option to choose a dedicated management domain to run management functions on a separate cluster.
The architecture of the VMware Cloud Foundation separates the management and workload functionalities. Depending on whether you need a separate management domain or not, the management and workload functionality may operate in a single domain (consolidated architecture), or separate domains (standard architecture).
A dedicated management domain is a fixed configuration where the VCF management infrastructure will run separately from user workloads. With the standard architecture model, management functionality runs on a dedicated management domain, and user workloads are deployed in separate virtual infrastructure (VI) workload domains.
Each workload domain is managed by a separate vCenter Server instance, which provides for scalability and allows for autonomous licensing and lifecycle management.
Storage options
The option to select No VSAN storage is also available for APEX Private Cloud and APEX Hybrid Cloud. This option allows for the connection of external storage options. Choose No vSAN when you need to use shared storage from other vSAN-enabled clusters (HCI Mesh) or for data-centric workloads that require external storage arrays that can scale independently.
APEX compute clusters require Dell storage. PowerFlex, PowerStore-T, PowerMax, and Unity XT storage arrays are supported. A storage administrator must be involved in the service activation to configure a Fibre Channel switch, map LUNs, create datastores or mount storage targets during deployment.
Storage connectivity options for APEX Private Cloud and APEX Hybrid Cloud include HCI Mesh, iSCSI, NFS, and Fibre Channel. Fibre channel connectivity is not available for configurations with 16 or 32 instances per host.
More information on each storage option, see the following product websites:
Data center infrastructure
Enterprise equipment requires power to operate, racks to enable streamlined management, and cooling to maintain reliable operations.
APEX Private Cloud offers the option to use a pre-defined integrated rack from Dell or to use the customer's rack for deployment of the solution. Dell provides users with VxRail nodes, two ToR switches, a management switch, and four power distribution units (PDUs) pre-installed in a 42U datacenter rack. The integrated rack is configured, tested, and shipped to the customer site or co-location facility fully integrated.
In the case of a customer rack the customer must ensure that the rack equipment in their data center meets the requirements specified by Dell to ensure successful deployment of the APEX Private Cloud solution. These requirements are defined during the APEX Private Cloud ordering process from the APEX console.
Another consideration when ordering APEX Private Cloud or APEX Hybrid Cloud is the power supply phase type to the rack or racks hosting the solution and the instance quantity. The maximum instance quantity for single-phase power is 832. The maximum instance quantity for three-phase power is 1,536. This is lower for VDI-optimized and AI/ML-optimized instance types and for subscriptions that have a standalone management cluster.