VxRail HCI system software is the foundation for the value differentiating the capabilities of VxRail. From an infrastructure stack perspective, the management software runs as a virtual machine on top of the VMware software and the PowerEdge server to allow VxRail to act as a singular unified system.

Digitally signed lifecycle management

VxRail lifecycle management upgrade packages include digital signatures. Digital signatures create a virtual fingerprint that is unique to packages. The use of digital signatures provides a secure way to ensure that the upgrade package is authentic and valid. VxRail lifecycle management bundle is calculated using the SHA384 hashing algorithm and stored in a manifest file which is digitally signed, thus ensuring the integrity of the lifecycle management upgrade package and assurance that the source is Dell Technologies. The customer can follow a SolVe procedure to validate the digital signature and message digests in the manifest.

Files that cannot be cryptographically signed, such as firmware, should be verified using the SHA256 hashing algorithm. 

Figure 5. VxRail HCI system software key services

Continuously Validated States: VxRail runs on pre-tested and validated software and firmware for the entire VxRail stack, including the VMware software and PowerEdge server components. In addition, VxRail lifecycle management capabilities ensure that VxRail clusters are running in that known good state throughout its entire lifecycle as the cluster goes through continuous changes to take advantage of the latest VMware software innovation, security, or recovery. The term “Continuously Validated States" encapsulates the configuration stability delivered by VxRail clusters through the lifecycle management process.

Electronic Compatibility Matrix: With all these different software and hardware components in the stack, the VxRail team is continuously testing and validating against the entire stack so that whatever preferred state the user determines from the VMware compatibility matrix has been validated in a Continuously Validated State. In addition, VxRail uses this matrix to ensure the cluster configuration stays in compliance. These benefits drastically reduce the testing effort and resources that a customer would have to invest while also giving the customer the peace of mind required to predictably and securely evolve their VxRail clusters without impacting application workloads.

Ecosystem connectors: To build an extensive Electronic Compatibility Matrix, VxRail has to communicate with ecosystem members in the stack, including vSphere, vSAN, vCenter, and the PowerEdge server and multiple hardware components within. The connectors allow VxRail to know the software and firmware versions running in each component and lifecycle manage those components. In addition, the automation and orchestration capabilities enable VxRail to be managed as a singular unified system.

VxRail Manager: The primary management user interface for VxRail is the vCenter plugin-in called VxRail Manager. Providing a fully integrated vCenter experience, VxRail users perform all VxRail activity through this interface.