Dell VxRail E660
Hyperconverged Infrastructure Platform for Core to Edge Deployment

Overview:

The Everything Platform

Use cases for the VxRail E Series include highperformance computing (HPC), virtual desktop infrastructure, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and in-memory databases.

• Cost-effective solution ideal for remote or space-limited environments.
• Intel Xeon Scalable processors or AMD EPYC processors.
• Optional NVIDIA GPUs for deep learning, AI/ML, data inferencing, and VDI workloads.
• Offload network and security services onto SmartDPU with optional NVIDIA or Pensando SmartDPUs.
• Optional VMware vSAN Express Storage Architecture.

Modernize the data center, accelerate the path to hybrid cloud, and enable cloud native applications with VxRail

Dell VxRail HCI Platform

Your VxRail arrives on-site pre-configured and pre-tested by Dell, in the deployment option of your choosing. Ranging from appliance to integrated rack offerings, with or without networking included, you are empowered to choose the VxRail solution that best fits your needs.

Designed for VMware, with VMware, to enhance VMware

Dell VxRail, the only jointly engineered hyperconverged infrastructure system with VMware, is the easiest and fastest way to extend a VMware environment. Powered by VMware vSANTM and managed through the VMware vCenter interface, VxRail provides existing VMware customers a consistent operating experience. As the foundation for Dell Technologies Cloud, VxRail is the first hyperconverged system fully integrated with VMware Cloud Foundation SDDC Manager to deliver one, complete, automated platform.

VxRail is a distributed system consisting of common modular building blocks powered by the best-in-class VxRail HCI System Software that allows customers to start small and grow, scaling capacity and performance easily and non-disruptively from 2 to 64 nodes in a cluster. Single-node scaling and storage capacity expansion provide a simple, predictable, cost-effective “pay-as-you-grow” approach for future growth as needed.

VxRail HCI System Software ensures workloads are always up and running with intelligent lifecycle management (LCM) that non-disruptively automates upgrades, patches, node additions and node retirement to ensure that VxRail infrastructure maintains a continuously validated state. SaaS multi-cluster management can further enhance operational efficiency by leveraging infrastructure machine learning to aggregate performance metrics and detailed health reports into APEX AIOps Infrastructure Observability, providing a single global view of a customer’s VxRail environment. And, coupled with a broad set of public RESTful APIs, VxRail is uniquely positioned as the platform of choice for greater cloud and IT automation extensibility.

Built on PowerEdge servers with a choice of Intel Xeon Scalable or AMD EPYC processors, VxRail is configurable with multiple compute, memory, storage, network and accelerator options to cover a wide variety of applications and workloads, and is continuously adopting new technologies like NVMe storage, 100 Gb/s networking, and NVIDIA Data Center GPUs to deliver application performance, availability and diversity for the workloads of tomorrow. And with redundancy built in at every opportunity – from the RAID 1 “BOSS”, high-efficiency redundant power supplies, and multiple networking ports – VxRail is designed for 99.9999% high availability.

With the fast adoption of digital transformation and the proliferation of 5G networks, workloads are expanding outside of traditional core data centers, creating an immediate need for a small footprint, low-cost, easy-to-manage infrastructure option. This is especially true for retail, telecommunications, manufacturing and ROBO customers, whose data collection and data processing needs are increasingly happening at the edge. Customers already benefiting from the simplicity and automation that VxRail provides in the core data center can leverage VxRail satellite nodes, a single node deployment option, to extend these same benefits to the edge.

VxRail comes stacked with mission-critical data services at no additional charge. Data protection technologies such as a starter set of licenses for Dell RecoverPoint for VMs is included, with the option of adding Data Protection Suite for VMware and Data Domain Virtual Edition for larger environments that require more comprehensive data protection.

VxRail is backed by Dell Technologies’ world-class support, offering a single point of contact for both hardware and software components and includes Dell Secure Connect Gateway for call-home and proactive two-way remote connection for remote monitoring, diagnosis, and repair to ensure maximum availability.

The VxRail Advantage

Whether you are accelerating data center modernization, deploying a hybrid cloud or creating a developer-ready Kubernetes platform, VxRail delivers a turnkey experience that enables users to automate operations, innovate with seamless technology integration, and accelerate business value.

VxRail, powered by Dell PowerEdge server platforms and VxRail HCI System Software, features next generation technology to future proof your infrastructure and enable deep integration across the VMware ecosystem. VxRail invests in the complete lifecycle, including advanced automation, making it easier for you from day one forward, allowing you to further simplify IT infrastructure and operations.

VxRail is the only fully integrated, pre-configured, and tested HCI system optimized for VMware vSAN and is the standard for transforming VMware environments. VxRail provides a simple, cost effective hyperconverged solution that solves a wide range of your operational and environmental challenges and supports almost any use case, including tier-one applications, cloud native and mixed workloads.

Features:

VxRail HCI System Software

VxRail HCI System Software, a suite of integrated software elements that sits between infrastructure components such as vSAN and VMware Cloud Foundation, delivers a seamless and automated operational experience.

VxRail offers native integration between VxRail Manager and vCenter, all VxRail management is done within the familiar vCenter Server interface. Intelligent lifecycle management (LCM) automates non-disruptive upgrades, patches, node addition or retirement while keeping the VxRail infrastructure in a continuously validated state to ensure workloads are running and clusters are optimized.

VxRail HCI System Software includes cloud-based multi-cluster management and orchestration for centralized data collection and analytics that uses machine learning and AI to help customers keep their HCI stack operating at peak performance and ready for future workloads. IT teams benefit from actionable insights to optimize infrastructure performance and improve serviceability. Plus, experienced customers can utilize the Configuration Portal to self-deploy VxRail on their own timeline.

VxRail on the Latest PowerEdge Servers

VxRail on the latest industry-leading PowerEdge servers offers next generation technologies that accelerate IT transformation and future proof your infrastructure. With multiple configuration options including choice of 4th Generation Intel® Xeon® Scalable processors or AMD EPYC processors, VxRail offers millions of configuration options to optimize the platform for your workload requirements. NVMe drives provide additional caching options to dramatically bolster application response time. Additionally, NVIDIA graphic cards are used for scaling high performance virtual graphics and compute.

Scalability and Networking

VxRail offers flexible deployment options including a rugged and self-contained VD-4000, a single-node satellite node or two-node cluster for the edge, three-node clusters at the core, and entry level four node or standard eight node on-premise cloud with VMware Cloud Foundation on VxRail. For those needing more storage flexibility, VxRail dynamic nodes – compute nodes with full VxRail LCM, can utilize VMware HCI Mesh or external storage arrays to address data centric workloads. There's also an option for an integrated rack deployment with networking flexibility. Mixed generations of hardware in the same cluster, non-disruptive scaling and storage expansion provide a simple, predictable, “pay-as-you-grow” approach for future scale up and out as your requirements evolve. Additionally, enterprise capabilities such as batch node expansion, REST APIs for cloud extensibility, and flexible object renaming, accelerate growth and save time.

Direct Path to Hybrid Cloud

VxRail, the flagship HCI foundation for APEX Hybrid and Private Cloud, is the first hyperconverged system fully integrated with VMware Cloud Foundation SDDC Manager to deliver a simple and direct path to the hybrid cloud with one, complete, automated platform. Full stack integration means VxRail Manager and SDDC Manager have been integrated to allow for an automated and seamless update and upgrade process orchestrated by SDDC Manager. This means the HCI infrastructure layer and VMware cloud software stack lifecycle are managed as one, complete, automated, turnkey hybrid cloud platform, significantly reducing risk and increasing operational efficiencies.

VCF on VxRail enables consistent management and orchestration between private and partner public clouds, allowing organizations to run, manage, connect and secure their entire application portfolio across multiple clouds. VCF on VxRail supports remote clusters, enabling customers to extend existing VCF operational capabilities to the edge.

Data Services, Security and Resiliency

Security is built into every level of the VxRail HCI stack, starting with each processor and PowerEdge server through the VxRail HCI System Software including the integrated VMware software, to efficiently minimize risk and create a secure infrastructure foundation. Enhanced security includes FIPS 140-2 validated cryptography and automated hardening scripts and VxRail Security Technical Implementation Guide (STIG) for customers who want to comply with DISA and STIG requirements.

Industry-leading enterprise data services, including HCI-native data-at rest encryption, in-transit encryption, replication, backup, and file services make VxRail ready for the most demanding application or workload. All flash models can leverage compression, deduplication, and erasure coding for further efficiency. VxRail supports 2-factor authentication (SecurID and CAC), allowing you to avoid limited options and high cost of self-encrypting drives. vSAN encryption is built for compliance requirements and simple key management with support for vSphere compatible KMIP compliant key managers.

Dell VxRail Deployment Flexibility

VxRail with vSAN Express Storage Architecture (ESA)
VMware vSAN ESA is a vSAN architecture optimized for high performing, modern hardware. VxRail deployed with vSAN ESA employs a single-tier, all-NVMe storage architecture whose high performance can parallelize I/Os with low CPU overhead. This in turn offers simplified storage device management that allows for adaptive data resiliency and enables RAID-1 performance at RAID-6 capacity.

VxRail with vSAN Original Storage Architecture (OSA)
VxRail with vSAN OSA describes VxRail deployed with original vSAN architecture, configured as a two-tier diskgroup based storage system comprised of dedicated cache and capacity disks.

VMware Cloud Foundation on VxRail
VMware Cloud Foundation on VxRail delivers a simple and direct path to the hybrid cloud and Kubernetes at cloud scale with one complete, automated platform, supporting simultaneous VM and container-based workloads on industry-leading Dell PowerEdge server and Dell Storage across multiple cloud environments. The platform delivers a set of software defined services for compute (with vSphere and vCenter), storage (with vSAN and Dell Storage), networking (with NSX), security, cloud management (with Aria Suite), End User Computing Services (with VMware Horizon and App Volumes), and container-based cloud native platform services (with VMware vSphere 7 with Kubernetes and Tanzu Kubernetes Grid in both private or public environments, making it an ideal operational hub for hybrid cloud.

VxRail satellite nodes
VxRail satellite nodes enable customers to implement a low-cost single node option and benefit from the same VxRail automation, testing and optimization, unique lifecycle management, and deep VMware integration increasing operational efficiencies and standardization across edge locations, without the use of vSAN.

VxRail dynamic nodes
VxRail dynamic node clusters are compute-only vSphere clusters that allow users to scale compute and storage independently based on workload needs. Since VxRail dynamic nodes do not support internal cache or capacity storage, vSAN is not required. The Dell storage portfolio, including Dell PowerFlex, PowerStore-T, PowerMax, and Unity XT, can be leveraged as external primary storage. VxRail and VCF on VxRail solutions can support dynamic node deployments in a three-tier vSphere architecture to support mission critical data-centric workloads, like financial services and healthcare applications. VxRail dynamic nodes can also extend to VMware vSAN cross-cluster capacity sharing environments where remote vSAN datastores can also be used as primary storage for dynamic node clusters.

Technical Specifications:

Node	VxRail E660	VxRail E660F	VxRail E660N
Chassis	R650 with 10 x 2.5” drive bays	R650 with 10 x 2.5” drive bays	R650 with 10 x 2.5” drive bays
Type	Hybrid	All Flash	All NVMe
CPU	Single or dual Intel Xeon Scalable Gen 3		Dual Intel Xeon Scalable Gen 3
Memory	64 GB to 4096 GB		128 GB to 4096 GB
Storage class memory	256 GB to 8192 GB Intel Optane 200 Series		256 GB to 8192 GB Intel Optane 200 Series
Cache drives	Up to 1600 GB SAS 400 or 800 GB Optane 1600 GB NVMe		400 or 800 GB Optane 1600 GB NVMe
Storage capacity	19 TB SAS	61 TB SAS or 30 TB SATA	123 TB
Onboard networking	Dual or quad 25 GbE or Dual or quad 10 GbE
Networking	Up to 2x: Dual 100GbE or Up to 3x: Dual or quad 25 GbE or Up to 3x: Dual or quad 10 GbE
Fibre channel	Up to 3x QLogic or Emulex dual port 16Gb / 32Gb HBA
GPU	Up to 2x NVIDIA Tesla T4	Up to 2x NVIDIA Tesla T4 Up to 3x NVIDIA A2	Up to 2x NVIDIA Tesla T4

Solutions & Services:

Deployment Services

ProDeploy for Enterprise
Accelerate technology adoption with expert deployment designed for your environment. Includes a site readiness review, 24x7 deployment hours, onsite or remote installation, disposal of packaging materials, remote installation and configuration of system software and information transfer to technical support team.

ProDeploy Plus for Enterprise
Accelerate even the most complex deployments. Includes all the above, plus a designated Support Service Manager, onsite installation & configuration of system software, 30-days post deployment configuration assistance, and training credits for Dell Education Services.

Residency Services
Specialized, certified VxRail experts to help you quickly adopt and integrate VxRail Hyperconverged Infrastructure. Option for onsite, remote, and short-term engagements.

Data Migration for Enterprise
Consistent, repeatable, dependable process to plan and manage data migration projects. Migrate data from existing Dell hardware, from third party hardware, and from onsite or public clouds.

Data Protection services
Implementation of Data Protection Suite for VMware, Configuration for Data Domain Virtual Edition, or Implementation of RecoverPoint for Virtual Machines.

Stretched Cluster services
Implementation of stretched clusters, which provide a redundant system to help prevent data lost due to system failures or catastrophic events.

Top-of-Rack switch
Installation & Implementation for Top-of-Rack switch

Support Services

ProSupport for Enterprise
One source for comprehensive data center hardware and software support. Includes 24x7 remote technical support, next business day or 4hr mission critical onsite support, 3rd party collaborative assistance, access to software updates.

ProSupport Plus for Enterprise
Single source of system-level support. Includes all the above, plus priority access to specialized support experts, predictive detection of hardware failures, 3rd party software support, and assigned service account manager, proactive assessments and recommendations, and proactive systems maintenance.

ProSupport One for Enterprise
Offers flexible site-wide support for large and distributed data centers with more than 1,000 assets. When you choose ProSupport One for Data Center, you’ll get:

• Designated senior ProSupport One technical and field engineers who are trained on your environment and configurations
• Flexible on-site support and parts options that fit your operational model
• A tailored support plan for your operations staff

Optimize for Infrastructure
Year-round guidance on the operational health of your systems. Year-round, in-depth analysis and strategic guidance to keep your systems optimized and configured for continuous peak performance

Keep Your Hard Drive/Keep your Component for Enterprise
Maintain control of your highly sensitive data by retaining possession of failed drives or components when receiving replacements without incurring additional costs

Data Sanitization and Data Destruction for Enterprise
Secure data on retired, returned, or redeployed systems. Data Sanitization renders data unrecoverable through a process of overwriting the data. Data Destruction physically destroys the device.

Technical Account Manager service
TAMs for VxRail can be purchased to help in areas like Infrastructure Guidance and/or Designated Remote Support.

Onsite Diagnosis
Onsite troubleshooting on your behalf by a skilled technician to any site

• Skip phone-based hardware troubleshooting and have a technician dispatched directly to your site
• Save time and resources, let our experts troubleshoot and diagnose hardware issues for you

Avoid the need to reallocate IT staff to satellite locations or unmanned data centers

Hardware Upgrade services
Installation of physical and logical components of hardware upgrades. Includes node expansions (adding nodes to an existing cluster), storage expansions (adding drives to existing VxRail nodes) and hardware expansions (adding hardware components to existing VxRail nodes).

*Availability and terms of Dell Technologies Services may vary by region and by product.

Documentation:

Dell VxRail Datasheet (.PDF)

Dell VxRail Spec Sheet (.PDF)