In this video, you'll learn about using VxRail Configuration Portal for generating a JSON file to configure your VxRail cluster. In the VxRail Configuration Portal a cluster defines a configuration's settings and networking for a VxRail cluster.
You configure a cluster configuration by assigning the configuration with an existing project and defining the cluster settings. A cluster configuration includes cluster settings and network settings that describe your cluster.
Note that VxRail configuration should only be performed by qualified, experienced personnel. The top level tasks you must complete to generate a VxRail configuration JSON file are shown in this infographic.
Steps that you must complete on the portal are demonstrated here after. Note, before beginning any VxRail configuration, carefully review all planning material.
It is critical to understand the VxRail cluster requirements and options before configuring your cluster. To begin the process of creating a cluster, on the VxRail configuration portal page, click "My Clusters," and then click "Create."
From the VxRail Version drop down menu, select the VxRail software version that your cluster must run on, and then click "Create Cluster Configuration."
Before you create a cluster, ensure that a project is created to associate the cluster with that project. On the cluster name page, enter the cluster name and then select the project from the project name-drop down menu.
If available, enter the cluster location and then click "Next." On the Solution Type page, select the solution type, cluster type, and storage type. The available options change based on the cluster type you select.
For deploying standard clusters, select VxRail. Note, at the time of releasing this video, VxRail standard cluster is the only option that is self-deployable by our customers.
The Configuration Portal supports Standard clusters of three to six VxRail nodes. You can add additional nodes to your cluster after the initial deployment.
Click "Next." On the resources page, from the Host Model drop down menu, select the host model. Enter the serial number for each host. To add a host, click "Add Host."
From the NDC drop down menu, select a card. If necessary, you can add PCIe cards by clicking "Add PCIe Card." Read the Alert message and click "Add." From the PCIe drop down menu, select the card type and then click "Next."
On the Discovery Settings page, to allow the VxRail Loudmouth service to automatically discover ESXi hosts, by using the internal VxRail Management network, select "Automatic Discovery."
To manually enter ESXi host management IP addresses, click "IP Address Discovery." During the deployment, the management IP addresses are verified and used to discover ESXi hosts.
Click "Next" to configure your cluster switch settings. On the Switch Settings page, click "Disabled" to disable the SmartFabric Service feature.
The switch settings control how the VxRail cluster top-of-rack switches are configured. Note, carefully review and understand top-of-rack switch, that is ToR switch, requirements and options before selecting these switch settings.
Before continuing, review the VxRail Network Planning Guide to understand network requirements and options. If you use a DellOS10 switch, you can enable SmartFabric Services.
If this is enabled, VxRail uses SmartFabric Services to discover VxRail nodes and Dell switches on your network, perform zero-touch configuration of the switch fabric to support VxRail deployment, and create a unified switch network fabric. Click "Next."
On the Configuration Method page, select the configuration method to define how you will input the configuration details about your cluster.
To manually enter setting details, select the step-by-step user input option. Or, to upload an existing configuration file to simplify the process, select the "Upload a configuration file" option.
Configuration files are JSON files that contain the configuration settings. You can upload an existing configuration file and the wizard will update options with the settings defined in that file.
For this demonstration purpose, we will select step-by-step user input. Click "Next." On the Global Settings page, specify your Top Level Domain, vCenter Server type, DNS Server type, and NTP Server, and Syslog Servers.
Enter VxRail. local as a Top Level Domain that will be used for all VxRail Managed resources. Including VxRail Manager, ESXi Hosts, and any VxRail provided servers.
Select the VxRail vCenter server as a vCenter server that you will use for deploying VxRail. This licensed version is provided along with your VxRail Appliance.
Make sure that your VxRail server supports the VxRail version you are installing. Carefully understand all about this option before deployment because it is difficult to change later.
To join an existing server, select "Join an existing vCenter Server." Next, choose either the Internal DNS Server that comes with your VxRail Appliance, or select "External" to use a DNS Server of your own.
Enter an IP address if you select an External DNS Server. This is the DNS Server for all the VxRail Managed resources, including vCenter, ESXi Hosts, and VxRail Manager.
Enter the IP addresses for the NTP Servers you want to use. Enter the IP addresses for the Syslog Server you want to use. The Syslog server logs the VxRail cluster event messages.
Click "Next." On the vSphere Distributed Switch Settings page specify the VDS settings that will be applied to the hosts in the VxRail cluster.
The vCenter server type that you selected earlier is displayed. To let VxRail specify the VDS configuration settings select "Pre-Defined." To specify your own settings, select "Custom."
To direct all traffic through a single VDS, select "One." To split the traffic between two VDS in tandem, select "Two." In the MTU box, select or enter the maximum MTU value.
Select the number of hosts NIC's. Based on the number of NIC's, select the NIC uplinks. In the VDS Port Group Teaming and Failover section, select the different uplinks that act as either Active or Failover for handling network traffic network types such as Discovery, vSAN, and vMotion. Click "Next."
On the vCenter Server settings page, enter the vCenter server settings for your VxRail cluster. The vCenter server type you selected earlier is displayed.
Select "Yes" to automatically accept the vCenter Server trusted root CA certificates, and then enter the vCenter details. Click "Next." On the Host Settings page, specify the ESXi host settings for your VxRail cluster.
To automatically define the hosts names, choose a host configuration method by selecting "Autofill." To provide unique names and non-consecutive IP addresses for the hosts, select "Advanced."
Next select or enter data about the ESXi hosts and host location. Click "Next." On the VxRail Manager Settings page, enter the VxRail Manager settings for your VxRail cluster.
In the VxRail Manager host name box, enter the name of the VM that will host the VxRail Manager. Next, enter the VxRail Manager IP address, credentials, and then click "Next."
On the Virtual Network Settings page, enter the network settings for the management network, vSAN network, vSphere vMotion network, vM Guest networks, and the vCenter server network.
Note, it is important to understand the VxRail cluster network requirements before you begin entering the virtual network settings. VxRail uses predefined logic networks to manage and control traffic within and outside of a cluster.
Refer to the VxRail Network Planning Guide to carefully review and understand network requirements and options before providing settings.
Your virtualization and network teams should plan the VxRail cluster and network architecture and provide settings that align with the requirements of your organization.
Enter the subnet mask for the VxRail Management component IP addresses. Enter the management gateway IP address. The VxRail management gateway is a pathway to a firewall, router, or layer three services, on a switch that is deployed and configured before your VxRail cluster is deployed.
Enter the Management VLAN ID and specify the port binding method you want to use. Next, verify the host names and enter the IP addresses for vSAN and vMotion networks.
Enter the VM Guest Network name and VLAN IDs if you're using them. And then select the vCenter server network Port binding. Click "Next." On the Validate Configuration File page, click "Validate Configuration" to validate the configuration data you have provided.
The VxRail Configuration Portal will analyze your cluster configuration and list any errors or warnings. Edit the configuration to resolve any issues. To download a configuration JSON file, click "Download Configuration File." When you're done, click "Finish."
For more information about VxRail, visit: Dell.com/Support.
