Administration Tasks: Standard VMware vs. VxRail Ecosystem

When performing an administrative task on a VxRail, one of the most frequent questions we get asked in class is whether to perform the task using typical VMware procedures or leverage the VxRail ecosystem. The VxRail ecosystem includes, but is not limited to:

• Solve Online for VxRail: https://solveonline.emc.com/solve/home/51
• The VxRail Administration Guide which provides an overview of typical administrative tasks
• The Dell EMC Support site: https://www.dell.com/support/ (Software, Documents, KBs, Advisories)
• Common VxRail user interfaces:
  • VxRail Manager plugin for vCenter
  • The REST API (https:// /rest/vxm/… )
  • VxRail onboard API documentation (https:// /rest/vxm/api-doc.html )
  • VxRail API PowerShell Modules
  • Ansible Modules for Dell EMC VxRail
  • Scripts on the VxRail Manager systems referenced by SolVe procedures, KBs, etc.

Generally, leverage the VxRail ecosystem in the following circumstances:

1. Replacing VxRail hardware components.
2. Adding hardware components to a VxRail.
3. Software upgrades such as ESXi, vCenter (if managed by VxRail), and VxRail components.
4. Firmware upgrades for VxRail PowerEdge components.

 

Still not sure? Check SolVe Online (https://solveonline.emc.com/solve/home/51) for the latest list of available customer facing procedures. The procedures are customized based the model, version, and configuration of a VxRail, and are continually updated. These ideas might provide a nice compliment to your runbook.

 

Want to know more about the VxRail ecosystem? Checkout the VxRail Administration course (ID: ES124CPX00078)

 

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