Prepare the data center to implement VxRail | Dell VxRail Network Planning Guide | Dell Technologies Info Hub

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Prepare the data center to implement VxRail

Prepare the data center to implement VxRail

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VxRail is an entire SDDC in a cluster form factor. Administrative activities, including initial implementation and initialization, configuration, capacity expansion, online upgrades, and maintenance and support are handled within VxRail management.

When the VxRail is installed in your data center which is connected to your network and the physical components that are powered on, the VxRail management system automates the full implementation of the final software-defined data center based on your settings and input. Before getting to this phase, several planning and preparation steps must be undertaken with the data center network to ensure a seamless integration of the final product into your data center environment. The decisions that are made in addressing these topics and performing these tasks drive the capability and functionality of the VxRail cluster

Be attentive to data center network planning and preparation topics to ensure that the VxRail cluster when deployed meets your business and operational requirements.
- Prepare external network connectivity for VxRail
  VxRail depends on access to web services outside the customer data center for certain features and functionality to work.
- Prepare service connectivity for VxRail
  VxRail supports network connectivity to Dell Customer Support, enables health monitoring, real-time analytics, event notification, and remote support when necessary.
- Prepare for VMware vSphere+ subscription licensing
  This section is only relevant if your VMware licensing is going to be subscription-based and require connectivity to the VMware cloud for these services.
- Prepare data center routing services
  The VxRail external management network and any external-facing networks that are configured for VxRail must have routing services that support connectivity to external services and applications, and end users.
- Prepare for multirack VxRail cluster
- Prepare for VMware vSAN HCI mesh topology
  This section is relevant only in situations for sharing vSAN data store resources over the network.
- Prepare external FC storage for dynamic clusters
  Perform this task if you plan to use FC storage as the primary storage resource for a VxRail dynamic cluster.
- Prepare for VxRail custom uplink assignments
  During the initial build of the cluster, you have flexibility in how to assign uplinks to the VxRail networks.
- Prepare data center network MTU
  During the initial build of the cluster, select the MTU size to assign to the VMware VDS. This allows you to configure the switch ports supporting the VxRail cluster to match the MTU setting on the VMware VDS, and reduce the potential for network fragmentation.
- Prepare for LAG of VxRail networks
  LAG for specific VxRail networks is supported starting with VxRail 7.0.130.
- Plan LAG on switch port pairs
  For each pair of ports on each node that is supporting a VxRail network to be enabled for LAG, configure the corresponding pair of switch ports they are connected to for LAG.
- Prepare certificate authority server for VxRail
  VxRail Manager is deployed with a self-signed certificate by default that is likely to be triggered as untrusted by most web browsers, depending on security settings
- Identify isolation IP addresses for VMware vSphere High Availability
  The VMware vSphere High Availability feature is configured by default when the VxRail cluster is built.