Transcription
LDELL EMC VXRAIL APPLIANCEGENERAL FAQTable of ContentsWHAT’S NEW WITH VXRAIL?2VXRAIL ON 14TH GENERATION POWEREDGE SERVERS3VXRAIL 4.54VXRAIL 1015ORDERING5VXRAIL TECHNOLOGY 1016MANAGEMENT7VMWARE AND G AND COMPETITION11HYPER-CONVERGED INFRASTRUCTURE MARKET12SUPPORT12 2018 DELL EMC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.DELL EMC CONFIDENTIAL
WHAT’S NEW WITH VXRAIL?Q: What’s new with VxRail?ADell EMC and VMware are continuing to help customers accelerate their IT transformations and software- defined data center (SDDC) adoption.Our VxRail updates address the ability of our HCI solutions to help customers from the edge to core datacenters to the cloud with a strongfoundation for the path to a multi-cloud operating model. VxRail is a cloud platform - fully engineered systems for turnkey IaaS solutions andfoundational infrastructure for PaaS solutions to run your applications on premises or off premises. Additionally, VxRail is future proofed for nextgeneration VMware Cloud technologies.Unmatched flexibility at the edge Greater density at the edge with the VxRail G560 2U/4N appliance built on PowerEdge 14th generation servers. The G560 is upgraded,bringing our latest 14th generation PowerEdge servers to this entry class of VxRail appliances. These new appliances offer greater density ina 2U form factor that outperforms the previous Dell EMC VxRail G Series with up to 1.75X more cores; up to 100% increase in processingpower; up to 4X more memory; and up to 3X capacity increase improvement in the boot device.Innovate and optimize the core Synchronous releases between VMware vSAN and VxRail ensure customers get the latest VMware updates and fixes as quickly aspossible—within 30 days of vSAN updates--to help them continuously innovate at the edge, in the core, and in the cloud, and stay ahead ofthe curve. The Dell EMC Networking Fabric Design Center, which now includes VxRail, offers wizard-based network design capabilities for fastertime to production, right-sized for the environment, and interoperable in the existing infrastructure. Enable IT certainty with the Dell EMC Future-Proof Loyalty Program and the Network Fabric Design Center, now both available for the firsttime on VxRail, designed to protect the customer’s investment and simplify deployment.Illuminate the path to a multi-cloud operating model VxRail Marketplace integration for VMware Cloud Assembly - the new software-as-a-service (SaaS) based cloud management solutioncomponent of VMware Cloud Services speeds time-to-value in the next VMware Cloud Services release, also being announce by VMware onAug 27. Dell EMC build guides and VVD enhancements feature new, enhanced options for customers to easily architect, implement and operate acomplete Software Defined Data Center (SDDC) with reduced risk.Q: Is VxRail included in the Future Proof Loyalty Program?AYes.Q:A.Where can I find more information and resources on the Future-Proof Program?The following links will provide additional information, suitable for direct, partner or customer audiences. Future-Proof Inside Dell page: https://inside.dell.com/docs/DOC-285351 Future-Proof Knowledge Center: oyalty-Program.htm#/search/cPage 1:lr en-us:numP 1:product 43648-4367945262:query :resultPerPage 21:searchScan null Future-Proof Program FAQ: https://inside.dell.com/docs/DOC-297280 Customer-facing Future-Proof page: -data-storage-loyalty-program.htm#scroll offQ.AWho do I contact if I have additional question regarding VxRail and the Future Proof Program?Contact FutureProof@dell.comQ: What is the Dell EMC Networking Fabric Design Center and what are the benefits for VxRail customers?AThe Dell EMC Networking Fabric Design Center, now supporting VxRail, offers wizard-based network design capabilities for faster time toproduction, right-sized for the environment, and interoperable in existing infrastructures.Q: What is VMware Cloud Assembly?AFor customers who prefer to consume VMware components from the cloud and reduce their on-premises infrastructure footprint, VMware CloudAssembly offers combined deep support for VMware-based private and hybrid clouds including VMware Cloud on AWS with support for nativeAWS and Azure public clouds. VMware Cloud Assembly, the new software-as-a-service (SaaS) based cloud management solution component ofVMware Cloud Services, will feature unique integration with VxRail to speed time-to-value. Once generally available, Dell EMC VxRail will have asynchronized release and be the first and only HCI appliance jointly developed to provide integrations that seamlessly work with VMware CloudServices.Q: What are some other innovations Dell EMC has added to VxRail lately?AWith the Q1 release, Dell EMC, together with VMware leveraging vSAN and vSphere, boosted VxRail’s performance to support even moredemanding workloads and applications with: 800 GB and 1.6 TB NVMe cache drive options that support enhanced performance from fast-caching technology. 25 GbE NDC and PCIe NICs that deliver up to 25% more onboard networking connectivity and 50% more network expansion options – the mostaggregate networking of any HCI appliance on the market. Intel Xeon Scalable Processors with high memory configurations that support up 2x more memory (3 TB RAM) using 128 GB LRDIMMs. 2018 DELL, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.DELL EMC CONFIDENTIAL2
Enhanced security includes new automated hardening scripts and VxRail Security Technical Implementation Guide (STIG) to harden thestorage, virtualization, and networking infrastructure components that VxRail manages. NVIDIA Tesla P40 GPUs supports up to 3TB server RAM for high-end graphics use cases such as those needed by CAD developers anddesigners.VXRAIL ON 14TH GENERATION POWEREDGE SERVERSQ: What are the advantages of VxRail on 14th Generation PowerEdge servers?AVxRail is designed for today’s mission critical workloads. Built on 14th Generation PowerEdge servers based on Intel Xeon Processor ScalableFamily, VxRail offers higher core counts, faster clock frequency, more memory channels, and faster memory. Together with the latest from VMwarevSAN, VxRail now delivers more powerful and predictable performance to meet any HCI workload requirement with up to 2X more IOPS and over2X better response times.VxRail on 14th Generation PowerEdge will literally have millions more configuration options, delivering the best fit across the widest range ofapplications. With more processor options, new SATA SSDs, more additional network connectivity options, more GPU expansion, you can moreclosely match a VxRail to your customers’ requirements. Dell EMC HCI and VxRail are the most flexible, most configurable, most able to matchyour customers exact workload requirements. No over provisioning here, customers can buy what they need, when they need it.Q: When did VxRail on 14th Gen PowerEdge servers become available?AVxRail on 14th gen PowerEdge servers were orderable in November 2017. It became generally available in December 2017.Dell EMC reps can find more information regarding VxRail general lead times at https://inside.dell.com/docs/DOC-243851. Partners, please workwith your Dell EMC partner reps to inquire about lead times. Once an order is placed, lead time for that specific order can found using MyOrders.Q: Where can I find detailed specs on the new models?APlease consult the VxRail on 14th Generation PowerEdge server Specification Sheet that can be found on the VxRail Enablement Center athttp://vxrail.is/everything.Q: Can customers mix 13th and 14th generation servers in a cluster?APlatforms running VxRail 4.5 software are cluster compatible when upgraded to VxRail software version 4.5.150.Current cluster (G410/F and/or 13G servers) can be upgraded to 4.5.150 and can continue to add nodes of down rev hardware (G410/F and/or13G servers).Current cluster (G410/F and/or 13G servers) can be upgraded to 4.5.150 and add 14th gen nodes. Post-upgrade, only 14th gen nodes can beadded.Current cluster (14G servers) can be upgraded to 4.5.150. Post-upgrade, only 14th gen node can be addedQ: Can customers add 14th Generation servers to an existing cluster?AYes, but cluster must first be upgraded to 4.5.150. Post-upgrade, only 14th gen nodes can be added.Q: What version(s) of VxRail software run on 14th Gen PowerEdge servers?A14th Gen servers with VxRail will require a minimum software version of 4.5. Refer to ESSM for install and upgrade code level information. Initialfactory code will be 4.5.100. VxRail 4.0.x is not supported on 14G hardware.Q: What is the difference between 13th Gen and 14th Gen PowerEdge servers?AThe VxRail technical presentation (tech deck) provides generational comparison slides for between the 13th Gen and 14th Gen for each modeltype. Find the tech deck at the VxRail Enablement Center at http://vxrail.is/everythingQ: What power supply options are available on 14th Gen PowerEdge servers?AThe 14th Gen PowerEdge server family has higher power supply options. This is necessary to handle the more performant processors. The abilityto utilize the (default) 1100W power supply still exists but may not be recommended depending on the configuration of the P and V seriesappliances that may be configured with CPUs with power ratings of 165W. Using 1100W power supplies may throttle performance.Q: What is the difference between the new flash SATA and the SAS SSD drives that are part of the announcement?AThe new SATA SSD cards are available in the same sizes as SAS capacity drives and are available for all all-flash PowerEdge nodes. Using SATASSD’s for capacity drives can lower the cost of a node by 30%.Q: Are VxRail on 13th Generation PowerEdge servers still available?AYes. 13th generation PowerEdge servers are available with VxRail 4.5 software. They are scheduled to go end of sale in May 2018.Q: Is VxRail available in my country? 2018 DELL, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.DELL EMC CONFIDENTIAL3
AVxRail on 14th generation PowerEdge servers is available in countries where 13th gen platforms are available today. There is no additional phasedroll-out plan. G560 VxRail Appliances are available in tier 1 countries only. Refer to the How to Sell VxRail presentation on the VxRail EnablementCenter (http://vxrail.is/everything) for a detailed country roll-out list.Q: Which models of VxRail support NVMe cache drives?AVxRail G560, as well as the E and P series models will be NVMe capable for both hybrid and all flash configurations for nodes delivered from thefactory with version 4.5.200 or greater. These cache devices are 800GB and 1.6TB in size. Hybrid nodes will also support NVMe using cache driveslots.Q: Can a customer upgrade to NVMe cache drives?AOnly nodes shipped from factory after 4.5.200 factory release on April 10, 2018 can support NVMe.Q: When will 14th generation PowerEdge support the Intel Scalable ‘M’ processor?AVxRail 4.5.200 offers the support of the high memory processor types, designated by an ‘M’. Seven additional M processors are available acrossthe E/P/V/S series VxRail appliances.Q: What is the memory capacity of the new M designated processors?AEach processor can support 1.5TB of memory, double the 768GB supported by the other processor options. The dual M processors support up to3TB RAM using 128GB LRDIMMsVXRAIL 4.5Q: What features are included with VxRail 4.5?AVxRail 4.5 brought many new features to the table including support for vSphere 6.5u1 and vSAN 6.6u1 features. VxRail 4.5 provides simplifiedscalability with batch node deployment functionality, enhanced security features via Data at Rest Encryption (DARE), management at scale withREST-based APIs for delivering cluster-wide software upgrades, and much more!VxRail, v 4.5.200 delivers: further simplification of deployment, management, and serviceability enhancements that include:Enhanced management experience with VxRail Manager Events now viewable in vCenter, the known familiar VMware tool for day-to-dayoperational managementExpanded RESTful API capabilities across system (health status, heartbeat, node view), eServices (open SR, link to chat with support, KB articles,community messages), and Support (get logs, add/change/remove support account).Customer-upgradeable 3-node clustersFor more information on the product set, visit the VxRail Enablement Center at http://vxrail.is/everythingQ: When did VxRail 4.5.200 become available? What about upgrades to VxRail on 14th generation PowerEdge Servers?AUpgrades became orderable and new software (v4.5.200) started shipping with new factory orders on April 10, 2018.Q: Is there anything related to licensing/ordering that I need to know for 4.5?AVxRail 4.5 is for net new clusters only. It is available on both 13th and 14th generation based servers.Q: What upgrade path is supported for 4.5?AAn upgrade path is now available for 4.5. Please refer to the VxRail Appliance software 4.5.x release notes that can be found at;https://support.emc.com/products/39970 VxRail-Appliance-Series/Documentation/Q: Can my customer add a G410/F node to a cluster once they upgrade to 4.5 software?AYes. After an upgrade to 4.5, it is recommended that no 14th gen based nodes are added. Once a 14th generation server node is added to thecluster, only 14th generation nodes can be added going forwardQ: With DARE in VxRail 4.5, do VxRail Appliances address customer encryption and compliance needs?AYes, with VxRail 4.5, vSAN now includes Data at Rest Encryption, or DARE. vSAN’s version of DARE is native to HCI and is set at the cluster levelfor broad protection. Alternatively, vSphere Encryption can be used for VM level encryption.Q: Can customers use both vSAN and vSphere Encryption?AYes, but it is not recommended. Customers should choose between the two. vSAN is a better option for concerns of media theft, and it allows datareduction to be applied. vSphere Encryption is a better option for concerns of rogue admin, and does not allow much (if any) data reduction to beapplied.Q: Does VxRail support file storage?AYes. VxRail supports Dell EMC Isilon SD Edge, software-defined scale out NAS for enterprise edge. It uses the vSAN datastore and scales up to36TB of file storage capacity. It provides SMB, NFS, HDFS, and OpenStack Swift protocols, and is managed with standard VMware tools. 2018 DELL, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.DELL EMC CONFIDENTIAL4
VXRAIL 101Q: What are Dell EMC VxRail Appliances?AVxRail Appliances are a family of a hyper-converged appliances exclusively from Dell EMC and VMware, and are the easiest and fastest way tostand up and extend a fully virtualized VMware SDDC environment.Q: What are the benefits of VxRail Appliances?AVxRail Appliances provide a simple, cost-effective hyper-converged solution for a wide variety of applications and workloads. With VxRailAppliances, IT organizations can start small and easily scale capacity and performance by non-disruptively adding appliances to the cluster withoutthe investment or up-front planning required with traditional infrastructure. VxRail Appliances seamlessly integrate into customers’ existing VMwaredata centers, workflows, and tools.Q: How are VxRail Appliances exclusive to VMware and Dell EMC?AVxRail Appliances are jointly developed by Dell EMC and VMware. They leverage VMware vSAN and include propriety automation and Dell EMCsoftware not available from other vendors.Q: Is there a demo available for VxRail Appliances?AYes, see the VxRail enablement center for an interactive demo of VxRail. (http://vxrail.is/everything)Q: Where do I go for additional resources and questions?ASelling resources are on the VxRail Appliance enablement center (http://vxrail.is/everything). For other information and questions see the VxRailAppliance InsideDell community (http://bit.ly/EverythingVxRail).ORDERINGQ: When did VxRail 4.5.200 become orderable?AUpgrades to VxRail 4.5.200 became generally available for new customers and factory shipments on April 10, 2018. VxRail 4.5.210 will beavailable via Web download post-GA to support upgrades for existing systems and component upgraded (with the exception of SSD/HDD andGPUs).For internal Dell EMC more information regarding VxRail general lead times, please visit https://inside.dell.com/docs/DOC-243851. For partners,please work with your Dell EMC partner reps to inquire about lead times. Once an order is placed, lead time for that specific order can found usingMyOrders.Q: Is there a sizing tool available for VxRail Appliances?AYes, see the VxRail enablement center for a sizing tool for Virtual Machines and Virtual Desktop. Is it posted on the VxRail Enablement Center(http://vxrail.is/everything)Q: When should I upgrade capacity with additional drives versus adding additional nodes?AHyper-converged appliances scale best when adding compute and storage together and this should be the primary way of scaling VxRailAppliances as they add both storage capability and the ability to support additional workloads. Capacity-only upgrades on hybrid configurations canbe used to add capacity when there is no need to support additional or expanded working sets.Q: Is there a best practice for ordering an appliance when the customer plans to later add additional drives?AYes, configure the appliance with maximum capacity in the cache tier if you plan on upgrading capacity later. This allows you to support expandedor additional working sets as needed.Q: Can I order VxRail Appliances without Maintenance?ANo, at least one year of maintenance is required when a customer purchases a VxRail appliance.Q: Are vRealize Automation, vRealize Operations, the EMC Data Protection Suite for VMware or Data Domain Virtual Edition included withVxRail?ANo, these qualified solutions are sold separately from VxRail and customers looking to use them must order them in addition to VxRail Appliances.See the Ordering and Configuration Guide on the enablement center for details.Q: What is RecoverPoint for Virtual Machines and how do I learn more about it?ARecoverPoint for Virtual Machines (or RP4VM) delivers best-in-class local and remote hypervisor-based replication, continuous data protection forper-VM recovery to any point in time, and built-in automated disaster recovery orchestration. It replicates VMs (VMDK and RDM) to any type ofstorage supported by VMware (i.e., FC, FCoE, iSCSI, NAS, and DAS) referenced in the VMware Hardware Compatibility List. For more informationsee nt-for-virtual-machines.htmQ: How many RecoverPoint for VM licenses are included with VxRailAVxRail Appliances with single node form factors (E, V, P, and S Series) ship with 5 RP4VM licenses per node. 2U4N VxRail Appliances (G Series)ship with 15 licenses per chassis.Q: How do I order additional RecoverPoint for VM licenses? 2018 DELL, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.DELL EMC CONFIDENTIAL5
AOrder additional licenses from the standard ordering paths.Q: Do VxRail Appliances support file storage capabilities?AYes. VxRail supports Dell EMC Isilon SD Edge for up to 36TB of file storage per instance.Q: What GPU options are available and supported for VxRail?AV570 and V570F can be ordered with a 0 GPU option. As always, the GPU software and drivers are sold separately and only the NVIDIA TeslaM10 and M60 will be supported.VxRail V series models will support a max of 2 Tesla M10 GPU cards and 3 Tesla M60 or P40 GPUs. The P40 GPU can support up to 3TB ofmemory.The new NVIDIA Tesla P40 GPU card is available for the V570/F and delivers up to 2X the graphics performance, and supports up to 50% moreusers. The Tesla P40 is a replacement for the M60 however, the Tesla M10 remains the preferred choice for high VDI density.Q: Where do I get the NVIDIA software license for the GPU cards that are supported in the VxRail V-Series Appliances?AYou need to purchase the license from a
2018 dell,
