DELL EMC VxRAIL vcenter SERVER PLANNING GUIDE

Transcription

1 WHITE PAPER - DELL EMC VxRAIL vcenter SERVER PLANNING GUIDE ABSTRACT This planning guide discusses guidance fr the varius vcenter Server deplyment ptins supprted n VxRail Appliances. Nvember 2017

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Intended Use and Audience... 3 vcenter Server... 3 vcenter Server with an Embedded PSC... 3 vcenter Server with an External PSC... 3 VxRail Appliances... 4 VxRail vcenter Server Optins... 4 VxRail vcenter Server... 5 Use Case... 5 Limitatins... 5 Custmer Supplied vcenter Server... 5 Use Case... 6 Limitatins... 6 Ntes... 6 VMware vsphere Recmmended Tplgies fr vcenter Server... 7 VxRail vcenter Server Deplyment Details VxRail vcenter Server Requirements Custmer Supplied vcenter Server Requirements Cnclusin VxRail vcenter Server Guide 2017 Dell Inc. r its subsidiaries

3 Intended Use and Audience This guide discusses the varius VMware vcenter Server deplyment scenaris supprted t manage yur VxRail Clusters. It is intended fr custmers, Dell EMC Sales Teams and field engineers invlved in selling, planning and installing VxRail, including Dell EMC sales and supprt persnnel. vcenter Server vcenter Server is the centralized platfrm fr managing a VMware envirnment. It is the primary pint f management fr bth server virtualizatin and vsan and is the enabling technlgy fr advanced capabilities such as vmtin, DRS and HA. vcenter scales t enterprise levels where a single vcenter can supprt up t 1000 hsts (VxRail ndes) and 10,000 virtual machines. vcenter supprts a lgical hierarchy f datacenters, clusters, and hsts, which allw resurces t be segregated by use cases r lines f business and allws resurces t mve as needed dynamically. This is all dne frm a single interface. vsphere 6.0 intrduced vcenter Server with embedded Platfrm Services Cntrller (PSC) and vcenter Server with an external Platfrm Services Cntrller. The fllwing cmpnents are included in the vcenter Server installatins: The PSC grup f infrastructure services cntains vcenter Single Sign-On, License service, Lkup Service, and VMware Certificate Authrity. The vcenter Server grup f services cntains vcenter Server, vsphere Web Client, Inventry Service, vsphere Aut Deply, vsphere ESXi Dump Cllectr, VMware vsphere Syslg Cllectr n Windws and VMware Sphere Syslg Service fr the vcenter Server Appliance. vcenter Server with an Embedded PSC The vcenter Server and the Platfrm Services Cntrller are deplyed n a single virtual machine r physical server. vcenter Server with an External PSC The vcenter Server and the Platfrm Services Cntrller are deplyed as separate virtual machines r physical servers. The Platfrm Services Cntrller can be shared acrss several vcenter Server instances. Yu can install a Platfrm Services Cntrller and then install several vcenter Server instances and register them with the Platfrm Services Cntrller. Yu can then install anther Platfrm Services Cntrller, cnfigure it t replicate data with the first Platfrm Services Cntrller, and then install vcenter Server instances and register them with the secnd Platfrm Services Cntrller. Fr details, refer t vsphere Installatin and Setup Guide VMware vsphere 6.5 fr VxRail r vsphere Installatin and Setup Guide Update 2 VMware vsphere 6.0 fr VxRail 3.5 and VxRail 4.0.x. 3 VxRail vcenter Server Guide 2017 Dell Inc. r its subsidiaries

4 Fr day-t-day VM management, custmers manage the VMware stack n the VxRail Appliance directly thrugh vcenter Server. VxRail Appliances VxRail was jintly develped by Dell EMC and VMware and is the nly fully integrated, precnfigured, and tested HCI appliance pwered by VMware Virtual SAN (vsan). Managed thrugh the vcenter Server interface, VxRail prvides a familiar vsphere experience that enables streamlined deplyment and the ability t extend the use f existing IT tls and prcesses. VxRail Appliances are managed using VxRail Manager sftware fr hardware and appliance maintenance tasks as well as sftware lifecycle management. VxRail Manager incrprates ESRS and ther serviceability capabilities. Additinally, VxRail Appliances are discverable and visible in Dell EMC Visin Intelligent Operatins. Fr day-t-day VM management, custmers manage the VMware stack n the VxRail Appliance directly thrugh vcenter Server. The VxRail sftware bundle is preladed and licensed nt hardware and cnsists f the fllwing cmpnents (specific sftware versins nt shwn): VxRail Manager VMware vcenter Server VMware vrealize Lg Insight 1 VMware vsan EMC Secure Remte Supprt (ESRS)/VE Als preladed is VMware vsphere ; hwever, licenses are required and can be purchased thrugh Dell EMC, VMware r yur preferred VMware reseller partner. The VxRail Clusters als includes licenses fr sftware that can be dwnladed, installed and cnfigured: EMC Recver Pint fr Virtual Machines (RP4VM) - 15 Full Licenses per G-series appliance chassis r 5 Full Licenses per all ther single ndes per chassis VxRail series appliances EMC CludArray - 1 TB lcal cache/10 TB clud strage License (per appliance chassis) VxRail is fully cmpatible with ther sftware in the VMware ecsystem, including VMware NSX. Refer t the VMware Prduct Interperability Matrixes fr specific versins f NSX supprted n vsphere specific versins. VxRail vcenter Server Optins The initial releases f VxRail deplyed a vcenter Server Appliance n the VxRail Appliance. The license fr this vcenter Server Appliance was included with VxRail. This vcenter Server deplyment has been referred t as internal vcenter Server r embedded vcenter server. Fr cnsistency, the term used thrughut this guide will be VxRail vcenter Server. VxRail rchestrates the deplyment and lifecycle management f the VxRail vcenter Server. This VxRail vcenter Server can nly manage the VxRail Cluster n which it is deplyed. Beginning with release 3.5, a VxRail Appliance can ptinally jin a cmpatible vcenter Server envirnment i, hsted utside f the VxRail Cluster. This allws fr a central vcenter Server instance t manage multiple VxRail Clusters. Each VxRail envirnment appears within vcenter Server as a cluster f hsts cnfigured with a vsan datastre. This has been referred t external vcenter Server r existing vcenter Server. Fr cnsistency, the term used thrughut this guide will be Custmer Supplied vcenter Server. This instance f vcenter Server must exist befre 1 Lg Insight is a cnfiguratin ptin nly if VxRail vcenter Server is used. 4 VxRail vcenter Server Guide 2017 Dell Inc. r its subsidiaries

5 yu deply the VxRail Appliance and requires a separate custmer prvided license. The Custmer is respnsible fr deplyment, cnfiguratin and lifecycle management f the Custmer Supplied vcenter Server. A VxRail Cluster s virtual infrastructure is managed by a single vcenter Server instance, either VxRail vcenter Server r Custmer Supplied vcenter Server. At this time, when a VxRail Appliance is deplyed the vcenter deplyment type is selected and is very difficult t change. If a custmer wants t make a change, fr VxRail 3.5 and it wuld require a factry reset and all data wuld need t be wiped frm the VxRail appliance and reinstallatin wuld be required. T migrate a VxRail vcenter Server t a Custmer Supplied vcenter requires an RPQ. Starting with VxRail there is a detailed, lengthy migratin prcedure available. 2 VxRail vcenter Server As part f a VxRail deplyment, a vcenter Server instance with an external Platfrm Service Cntrller is cnfigured. The vcenter server and the PSC are separate Linux based virtual machines. Bth the VxRail vcenter Server and PSC are deplyed n the VxRail Appliance cluster it is managing and cannt be mved ff the cluster after deplyment. The VxRail vcenter license is fr the VxRail vcenter Server and is nt transferable t use as a Custmer Supplied vcenter Server. As such, it can be cnsidered a limited r restricted use vcenter Server license as will be seen by the use cases supprted and the list f limitatins belw. Use Case A VxRail vcenter Server is an ideal chice fr: Small cnfiguratins Standalne envirnments Limitatins The VxRail vcenter Server will nly manage a single VxRail Cluster. It cannt manage ther VxRail Clusters. It cannt manage any ther ESXi hsts. It cannt be used as a Custmer Supplied vcenter Server. Enhanced link mde is nt supprted. vsan encryptin is nt supprted. Single Sign-On dmain cannt be custmized and will be vsphere.lcal. Custmer Supplied vcenter Server The Custmer Supplied vcenter Server deplyment can be a physical server r a virtual server running n either a vcenter Server Appliance r in a Windws envirnment with embedded r external PSC. The Custmer Supplied vcenter Server deplyment can be a physical server r a virtual server running n either a vcenter Server Appliance r in a Windws envirnment with embedded r external PSC. 2 This prcedure is fr VxRail vcenter Server t Custmer Supplied vcenter Server nly. 5 VxRail vcenter Server Guide 2017 Dell Inc. r its subsidiaries

6 The figure belw shws an example where multiple VxRail clusters are part f a Custmer Supplied vcenter envirnment. Each VxRail envirnment appears as a separate cluster within vcenter. In additin t centralized management, being part f the same vcenter envirnment allws VMs t be easily migrated int and between vsan envirnments fr ptimal wrklad balance and simplified VxRail Appliance upgrades and expansin. Use Case A Custmer Supplied vcenter Server slutin is required when: Stretched clusters are part f the slutin. Enhanced link mde is desired. vsan encryptin is desired. VxRail is being added t an existing VMware virtualizatin platfrm and a single management instance is desired. Multiple VxRail Clusters will be deplyed and a single management interface is desired. Limitatins The vcenter Server must be cmpatible with the VxRail Release n initial deplyment and in subsequent upgrades: VxRail 3.5 is cmpatible with vcenter Server 6.0 U2 VxRail 4.0 is cmpatible with vcenter Server 6.0 U2 VxRail 4.5 is cmpatible with vcenter Server 6.5 U1 VxRail Manager des nt upgrade the Custmer Supplied vcenter Server. Befre an upgrade f VxRail Appliance sftware, please refer t the release ntes t verify the required vcenter Server release number. It may be necessary t upgrade the Custmer Supplied vcenter Server prir t the VxRail upgrade. The virtual machine name and IP address f the Custmer Supplied vcenter Server and PSC cannt be mdified after VxRail deplyment. Ntes The Custmer is respnsible fr the Custmer Supplied vcenter Server license. Lg Insight is nt activated when using a Custmer Supplied vcenter Server. Only ne public IP address fr the vcenter HA netwrk is supprted. 6 VxRail vcenter Server Guide 2017 Dell Inc. r its subsidiaries

7 VMware vsphere Recmmended Tplgies fr vcenter Server VMware prvides a list f recmmended tplgies fr VMware vcenter Server deplyments. Fr vsphere 6.5, the vcenter Server tplgies are described in VMware KB article Fr vsphere 6.0 the vcenter Server tplgies are described in VMware KB article The fllwing table indicates fr each tplgy whether a VxRail Supplied r a Custmer Supplied vcenter Server culd supprt this tplgy. Recmmended Tplgy VxRail vcenter Server Custmer Supplied vcenter Server Limitatins: Des nt supprt Enhanced Linked Mde Des nt supprt PSC replicatin 1 Single Sign-n dmain 1 Single Sign-n Site 1 vcenter Server with embedded PSC 1 Single Sign-On dmain 1 Single Sign-On site 1 vcenter Server with PSC n a different machine N. If a custmer wants an embedded PSC, they cannt use the VxRail vcenter Server. Nte: there is nly ne vcenter Server *Requires a vcenter Server license A custmer wuld be required t have a Custmer Supplied vcenter Server with an embedded PSC deplyed n a separate hst frm the VxRail Cluster t achieve this tplgy. N. 1 Single Sign-On dmain 1 Single Sign-On site 1 r mre vcenter Server(s) with PSC n a different machine 7 VxRail vcenter Server Guide 2017 Dell Inc. r its subsidiaries

8 N. 1 Single Sign-On dmain 2 r mre Single Sign-On sites 2 r mre external Platfrm Services Cntrllers 2 r mre vcenter Server with external PSCs N. 1 Single Sign-On dmain 1 Single Sign-On site 2 r mre external PSC(s) 1 r mre vcenter Server with external PSCs using 1 third-party lad balancer N. 1 Single Sign-On dmain 2 Single Sign-On sites 2 r mre external PSCs per Single Sign-On Site 1 r mre vcenter Server with external PSC(s) 2 third-party lad balancers (1 per site) 8 VxRail vcenter Server Guide 2017 Dell Inc. r its subsidiaries

9 N 1 Single Sign-On dmain 2 Single Sign-On sites 2 r mre external PSCs per Single Sign-On site 1 r mre vcenter Server with external PSC(s) N Only vcenter Server 6.5, which requires VxRail 4.5.x. NOTE: Only ne public IP address fr the vcenter HA Netwrk is supprted. 1 Single Sign-On dmain 1 Single Sign-On site vcenter Server with PSC n same vcenter Server Appliance 3 vcenter Server Appliances are used (1 Active, 1 Passive, and 1 Witness cnnected t the vcenter HA netwrk). N Only vcenter Server 6.5, which requires VxRail 4.5.x NOTE: Only ne public IP address fr the vcenter HA Netwrk is supprted. 1 Single Sign-On dmain 1 Single Sign-On site 2 r mre external PSCs vcenter Server cnnected t PSC using 1 third-party lad balancer 3 vcenter Server Appliances are used (1 Active, 1 Passive, and 1 Witness cnnected t the vcenter HA netwrk). 9 VxRail vcenter Server Guide 2017 Dell Inc. r its subsidiaries

10 VxRail vcenter Server Deplyment Details The fllwing prvides the high-level details f each deplyment ptin. It is imprtant t understand the prerequisites befre deplyment. This dcument cvers the requirements related t vcenter Server nly. See the Dell EMC VxRail Netwrk Guide fr cmplete VxRail implementatin requirements. VxRail vcenter Server Please nte, the vcenter license included with the VxRail Appliance is fr the use f and with the VxRail vcenter Server nly and is nt transferable fr use as a Custmer Supplied vcenter Server. Requirements This scenari requires: A reserved vcenter Server hstname A reserved IP address fr the VxRail vcenter Server A reserved PSC hstname A reserved IP address fr the new VxRail vcenter Server Platfrm Service Cntrller DNS names t be cnfigured crrectly. Custmer Supplied vcenter Server When deplying a VxRail Appliance int an existing VMware virtualizatin infrastructure, it makes sense t use the Custmer Supplied vcenter Server that is managing the current envirnment t manage the VxRail Appliance. This allws a remte central vcenter Server t manage multiple VxRail clusters in a single management instance. The Custmer Supplied vcenter Server can be: Standalne with an embedded PSC r external PSC A vcenter Server Appliance virtual machine r vcenter Server fr Windws 3 Using enhanced linked mde Requirements Cmpatible VxRail and vsphere versins, either: VxRail 3.5 and vsphere 6.0 U2 VxRail 4.0.x and vsphere 6.0 U3b VxRail 4.5.x and vsphere 6.5 U1a The Custmer Supplied vcenter can NOT be hsted n the VxRail Cluster it is managing. Custmer prvides the vcenter Server license. If yu want VxRail t jin a Custmer Supplied vcenter Server, yu will need t: Knw whether yur Custmer Supplied vcenter Server has an embedded r nn-embedded Platfrm Services Cntrller. If the PSC is nn-embedded, yu will need the PSC FQDN. 3 Starting after vcenter Server 6.5, VMware plans t deprecate vcenter Server fr Windws with the next numbered release (nt update release) f vsphere. 10 VxRail vcenter Server Guide 2017 Dell Inc. r its subsidiaries

11 Knw the Custmer Supplied vcenter Server FQDN. Knw the Custmer Existing Single Sign-n dmain (SSO) (Fr example vsphere.lcal) Create a VxRail management user and passwrd fr this VxRail cluster n the Custmer Supplied vcenter Server. This user must be: Created with n permissins Created with n rles assigned t it If a previus VxRail Cluster has been deplyed n the Custmer Supplied vcenter Server, the VxRail Management User can be re-used if the custmer chses. Create r select a datacenter n the Custmer Supplied vcenter Server fr the VxRail Cluster t jin. Specify the name f the cluster that will be created by VxRail in the selected datacenter when the cluster is built. It will als be the name f the distributed switch. This name must be unique and nt used anywhere in the datacenter n the Custmer Supplied vcenter Server. Verify the custmer DNS server can reslve all VxRail ESXi hstnames befre deplyment. (Optinal) Create a VxRail nn-admin user and passwrd fr VxRail n the Custmer Supplied vcenter Server. The fllwing will be dne by yur Dell EMC Representative: Create tw new rles, VxRail Initial Glbal and VxRail Datacenter Glbal. Assign each f these rles t the new VxRail nn-admin user. It is pssible t deply a Custmer Supplied vcenter Server n an existing VxRail Cluster. This vcenter Server will NOT manage the VxRail Cluster it is deplyed n, but can manage all new VxRail Clusters. Yur Dell EMC service representative can facilitate this deplyment chice. Please nte this still requires a custmer prvide vcenter Server license. Cnclusin During the planning stage f a VxRail Cluster cnfiguratin, careful planning shuld take place t determine the best vcenter Server deplyment tplgy fr yur envirnment. VxRail gives yu the ptin t use a Custmer Supplied vcenter Server s mre tplgies can be supprted. The VxRail vcenter Server has very limited use case applicatin. The decisin fr the tplgy t use is nt changeable after deplyment fr any use case, s planning is essential. Fr further details n the best vcenter deplyment ptins cntact yur Dell EMC sales team r yur VMware representative. Learn mre abut Dell EMC VxRail Appliances Cntact a Dell EMC Expert View mre resurces Jin the with #VxRail 2017 Dell Inc. r its subsidiaries. All Rights Reserved. Dell, EMC and ther trademarks are trademarks f Dell Inc. r its subsidiaries. Other trademarks may be trademarks f their respective wners. Reference Number: H