A workstation/laptop with a web browser for the VxRail user interface is required to perform the initialization process. It must be plugged into the top-of-rack switch, or be able to logically reach the VxRail external management VLAN from elsewhere on your network; for example, a jump server (Jump Server Description). Once the VxRail initialization process is complete, the switch port or jump host is no longer required to manage VxRail.

Note: Do not try to plug your workstation/laptop directly into a VxRail server node to connect to the VxRail management interface for initialization. It must be plugged into your network or switch, and the workstation/laptop must be logically configured to reach the necessary networks.

A supported web browser is required to access VxRail management interface. The latest versions of Firefox, Chrome, and Internet Explorer 10+ are all supported. If you are using Internet Explorer 10+ and an administrator has set your browser to “compatibility mode” for all internal websites (local web addresses), you will get a warning message from VxRail.

To access the VxRail management interface to perform initialization, you must use the temporary, preconfigured VxRail initial IP address: 192.168.10.200/24. This IP address will automatically change during VxRail initialization to your desired permanent address, and assigned to VxRail Manager during cluster formation.

Your workstation/laptop must be able to reach both the temporary VxRail initial IP address and the permanent VxRail Manager IP address (Row 26 from Appendix A: VxRail Network Configuration Table). VxRail initialization will remind you that you might need to reconfigure your workstation/laptop network settings to access the new IP address.

It is best practice to give your workstation/laptop or your jump server two IP addresses on the same network port, which allows for a smoother experience. Depending on your workstation/laptop, this can be implemented in several ways (such as dual-homing or multi-homing). Otherwise, change the IP address on your workstation/laptop when instructed to and then return to VxRail Manager to continue with the initialization process.

If you cannot reach the VxRail initial IP address, Dell Technologies support team can configure a custom IP address, subnet mask, and gateway on VxRail Manager before initialization.

Note: If a custom VLAN ID will be used for the VxRail management network other than the default “Native VLAN”, ensure the workstation/laptop can also access this VLAN.