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Dell VxRail Network Planning Guide
Introduction Planning Your Data Center Network for VxRail VxRail Cluster Types
Introduction
Cluster with vSAN storage
Dynamic cluster
vSAN stretched cluster
2-Node cluster
Satellite nodes
VxRail Feature-Driven Decision Points VxRail Hardware and Switch Selection Decision Points Preparing Data Center for VxRail Implementation Planning the VxRail Cluster Implementation Planning for VxRail Satellite Nodes Configuring the Network for VxRail Preparing to Build the VxRail Cluster VxRail Network Considerations After Implementation

2-Node cluster

2-Node cluster

  • VxRail supports a solution specifically for small-scale deployments with reduced workload and availability requirements, such as those in a remote office setting. The solution is fixed to two VxRail nodes only, and like the stretched cluster solution, requires a witness for monitoring purposes.

    If you plan to deploy 2-node VxRail clusters, note the following:

    • The minimum VxRail software version for the 2-Node cluster is 4.7.100.
    • The deployment is limited to a pair of VxRail nodes.
    • Verify that your workload requirements do not exceed the resource capacity of this small-scale solution.
    • You cannot expand to three or more nodes unless the cluster is running version 7.0.130 or later.
    • Only one top-of-rack switch is required.
    • Four Ethernet ports per node are required. Supported profiles:
    • 4x10 Gb
    • 4x25 Gb
    • 2x1 Gb with 2x10 Gb or 2x25 Gb
    • If 1 Gb connectivity is selected, the vSAN network must reside on the higher speed Ethernet ports
    • Two network topologies are supported for inter-cluster VxRail traffic:
    • All four network ports connect to the top-of-rack switch
    • A pair of network cables connect to create two links between the physical nodes, and the other two network ports connect to the top-of-rack switch
    • A customer-supplied external vCenter is required. The customer-supplied external vCenter cannot reside on the 2-Node cluster.
    • The Witness is a small virtual appliance that monitors the health of the 2-Node cluster. A Witness is required for the 2-Node cluster.
    • An ESXi instance is required at the Witness site.
    • Up to 64 2-node clusters can share a witness, provided the VxRail version is 7.0.100 or later. There is a 1:1 ratio of Witness per 2-Node cluster for previous versions.
    • Witness can be deployed at the same site as the data nodes but not on the 2-Node cluster.
    • For instances where there are more than one 2-Node clusters deployed at the site, the Witness can reside on a 2-Node cluster it is not monitoring. This configuration requires a VMware RPQ.
    • The top-of-rack switch must be able to connect over the network with the Witness site.

    DiagramDescription automatically generated

    Figure 22.    2-Node Cluster Topology with direct connections between nodes

    Like the vSAN stretched cluster feature, the small-scale solution has strict networking guidelines, specifically for the WAN that must be adhered to for the solution to work. For more information about the planning and preparation for a deployment of a 2-node VxRail cluster, see the Dell vSAN 2-Node Cluster Planning and Preparation Guide.