What are two considerations of deploying VxRail Cluster with an existing customer-supplied vCenter Server? (Select 2)
When deploying a VxRail Cluster with an existing customer-supplied vCenter Server, two key considerations are:
Supports Enhanced Link Mode with other VxRail-managed vCenter Servers: This allows the existing vCenter Server to link with other VxRail-managed vCenter Servers, providing a unified management interface across multiple vCenter instances, enabling seamless operations and better scalability.
Uses customer-defined procedures for vCenter LCM (Lifecycle Management): Since the vCenter Server is customer-supplied, the procedures for upgrading and maintaining it are defined and managed by the customer, rather than being automatically handled by VxRail's built-in lifecycle management tools.
Dell VxRail Deployment with Existing vCenter Server Guide: VxRail Deployment Guide
SIMULATION
An existing 4-node VxRail standard cluster has to be scaled out with 2 additional nodes and
configured as a stretched cluster. An administrator must prepare a vSAN storage policy that should
have the following:
- vSAN Policy Name: vSAN
Stretched Cluster
- Data protection across the sites
- Local protection: RAID-1 with
FTT=1
- Thick Provisioning
An administrator should be able to provision a VM even if the currently available cluster
resources cannot satisfy the current policy.
Use the simulator to create the required vSAN storage policy.
To create the required vSAN storage policy in the vSphere Client for a VxRail stretched cluster, follow these steps:
Log in to vSphere Client:
Open the vSphere Client.
Enter the username: administrator@vsphere.local.
Enter the password: VMw@r3!123.
Click Login.
Navigate to Storage Policies:
From the home screen, go to Policies and Profiles in the left-hand navigation pane.
Click on VM Storage Policies.
Create a New Storage Policy:
Click Create VM Storage Policy.
Enter the name as vSAN Stretched Cluster.
Click Next.
Configure Policy Rules:
In the Policy Structure section, choose Enable tag-based placement rules if needed.
Click Next.
Add vSAN Rules:
In the Storage Compatibility section, click Add rule and select vSAN.
Configure the following:
Primary level of failures to tolerate (PFTT): 1 failure - RAID 1 (Mirroring)
Secondary level of failures to tolerate (SFTT): 1 failure - RAID 1 (Mirroring)
Failures to Tolerate: 1
Provisioning type: Thick Provisioning
Ensure 'Force Provisioning' is enabled. This allows the VM to be provisioned even if the current resources do not satisfy the policy.
Set Data Services:
Skip the Data Services section if not applicable.
Click Next.
Review and Finish:
Review the policy settings.
Click Finish to create the storage policy.
Apply the Storage Policy to VMs:
Navigate to the VMs section.
Select the VMs that need the new storage policy.
Right-click and select VM Policies > Edit VM Storage Policies.
Choose the vSAN Stretched Cluster policy for the applicable disks.
VMware vSAN Storage Policy Creation Guide: vSAN Storage Policies
=========================
Note: The exact steps may vary slightly based on the version of vSphere Client being used. Make sure to adjust any specific configurations based on the latest guidelines and available features in the interface.
SIMULATION
VxRail administrator got the following warning while on node physical view.
"Health monitoring is currently disabled and information may not be accurate.
Dell recommends that health monitoring is enabled."
Use the simulator to enable the relevant service and resolve the issue.
To resolve the issue of health monitoring being disabled and enable the relevant service, follow these steps:
Log in to vSphere Client:
Open the vSphere Client.
Enter the username: administrator@vsphere.local.
Enter the password: VMw@r3!123.
Click Login.
Navigate to VxRail Manager:
In the vSphere Client interface, expand VxRail-DC and then VxRail-Cluster.
Select VxRail Manager.
Access VxRail Health Monitoring Settings:
Click on the Configure tab.
Under VxRail, select Health.
Enable Health Monitoring:
Find the option for Health Monitoring.
If it is disabled, click Edit or the relevant button to enable it.
Ensure that Enable Health Monitoring is checked.
Click Apply or OK to save the changes.
Verify Health Monitoring Status:
Go back to the Summary tab or the appropriate section in VxRail Manager.
Verify that the health monitoring status is now enabled and shows as healthy.
Steps using the Simulator:
Login to vSphere Client:
Open the simulator and navigate to the vSphere Client interface.
Log in using the credentials:
Username: administrator@vsphere.local.
Password: VMw@r3!123.
Navigate to VxRail Manager:
In the vSphere Client interface, expand VxRail-DC and then VxRail-Cluster.
Select VxRail Manager.
Enable Health Monitoring:
Click on the Configure tab.
Under VxRail, select Health.
Click Edit to modify the health settings.
Check the box for Enable Health Monitoring.
Click Apply or OK to save the changes.
Verify:
Go back to the Summary tab in VxRail Manager.
Ensure that the warning message about health monitoring being disabled is no longer present and that health monitoring is active.
Dell VxRail Administration Guide: VxRail Administration Guide
=========================
By enabling health monitoring in VxRail Manager, you ensure that the system can accurately monitor and report the health status of the nodes, helping to maintain system stability and performance.
What is a consideration when scaling a VxRail cluster?
When scaling a VxRail cluster, it is important to consider that mixing VxRail nodes with different base network speeds is not permitted. This restriction ensures network consistency and performance across the cluster, avoiding potential issues with data flow and latency caused by differing network speeds.
SIMULATION
An administrator must upgrade a VxRail cluster 7.0.x at a dark site.
The credentials for the system are:
VxRail Manager username: root
VxRail Manager password:
VMw@r3!123
vCenter Administrator:
administrator@vsphere.local
vCenter Administrator password:
VMw@r3!123
VCSA username: root
VCSA password: VMw@r3!123
Use the simulator to upgrade the cluster to the latest recommended version.
To upgrade a VxRail cluster to the latest recommended version at a dark site (an environment without internet access), follow these steps:
Log in to VxRail Manager:
Open a web browser and navigate to the VxRail Manager URL.
Log in using the credentials:
Username: root
Password: VMw@r3!123.
Check Current Version and Compatibility:
Once logged in, navigate to the Dashboard to view the current version of VxRail.
Verify compatibility with the target upgrade version by reviewing the VxRail Release Notes or Upgrade Guide for your specific version.
Download Upgrade Bundle:
Since the site is dark, download the necessary upgrade bundle from Dell EMC's support site using another system with internet access.
Save the upgrade bundle to a portable storage device (USB drive, external HDD, etc.).
Upload the Upgrade Bundle to VxRail Manager:
Connect the portable storage device to a local machine within the dark site.
In VxRail Manager, navigate to the Internet Upgrade section.
Select Local Upgrade and browse to the location of the upgrade bundle on your local machine.
Upload the upgrade bundle.
Perform the Upgrade:
After the bundle is uploaded, follow the on-screen prompts to begin the upgrade process.
The upgrade wizard will guide you through pre-upgrade checks, including verifying compatibility and ensuring cluster health.
Monitor the Upgrade Progress:
The upgrade process will take some time. Monitor the progress via the VxRail Manager interface.
Ensure there are no errors or issues reported during the upgrade.
Post-Upgrade Verification:
Once the upgrade is complete, verify that the VxRail Manager and vCenter report the new version correctly.
Check the health and status of the cluster to ensure all components are operational.
Steps using the Simulator:
Login to VxRail Manager:
Open the simulator and navigate to the VxRail Manager interface.
Use the provided credentials to log in:
Username: root
Password: VMw@r3!123.
Navigate to Upgrade Section:
In the VxRail Manager interface, click on Internet Upgrade or Software Upgrade.
Upload the Upgrade Bundle:
Select Local Upgrade.
Click Browse and select the upgrade bundle from your local machine.
Click Upload to start the upload process.
Initiate the Upgrade:
Once the upload is complete, follow the prompts to start the upgrade.
Confirm the pre-upgrade checks and proceed.
Monitor Upgrade Process:
Monitor the upgrade status in the VxRail Manager interface.
Wait for the upgrade to complete and ensure there are no issues.
Verify Upgrade Completion:
After the upgrade, verify the new version in the VxRail Manager dashboard.
Check the health status of the cluster to ensure everything is running smoothly.
Dell VxRail Upgrade Guide: VxRail Upgrade Guide
=========================
Note: This example assumes the use of the VxRail Manager interface. If additional specific steps are needed for your environment, consult the official VxRail Upgrade Guide for detailed instructions tailored to your version and deployment.
Janet
3 days ago