VxRail/vSAN

Discover & Add DellEMC VxRail Host into Existing 4.7 Cluster via Plug-in in vCenter

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If you have worked with VxRail as long as I have then you know it is inevitable to relocate a host from one cluster to another to support other projects.  Also, it is likely you’ve had a couple hosts laying around in the datacenter awaiting install.  I thought I would put together this quick how to configure the VxRail host to be discovered via VxRail Manager and add the host via vCenter.

In case you need to also know how to remove a host from a cluster please see my other blog article:

How to remove a VxRail 4.7 Node from it’s Cluster

The How To Process

Machine generated alternative text: Integrated Remote Access Controller g Enterprise Dashboard System v Storage v Configuration v Maintenance v iDRAC settings v Enable Group Manager Dashboard O Power On System O Identifry System More Actions Health Information System Health Healthy Recent Logs e SYSTEM IS HEALTHY Details> Storage Health Healthy i System Information Power State Model Host Name Operating System Details Operating System Version Service Tag version iDRAC Firmware Version iDRAC MAC Address License OFF vxaail PS70F node-1 561 g 4WDZDW2 248 ce:12 Enterprise Edit view all Virtual Console I? Notes NO Signal view all Settings + add note

First log into the iDRAC and Power on System if it isn’t already

Machine generated alternative text: e Success Power operation is initiated successfully. 0k

Click OK

Machine generated alternative text: Virtual Console Settings

Launch Virtual Console

Machine generated alternative text: File View Macros TCHJls Power Next8cHJt Virtual Media Help VxRaiI P570F BIOS Version: 2.4.8 DQLEMC Configuring Memory.

Be patient and wait for boot

Machine generated alternative text: PSNT: Service Tag: Phys ical Men: IP Address : Hostname : VMuare ESX i : VxRail P570F Appl i ance DE300192005541 4WDZDN2 766.5 GB o.o.ß.o node-15619. 6.7.o Instal lat ion Status: VxRAIL Appl iance Instal lat ion Successful Completed . L i cense : Support Per i Support Start : Evaluat ion N/A N/A TO Conf i gure System To System

F2 to configure

Machine generated alternative text: Authent icat ion Required Enter an author ized log in name and password for node-15619.. Conf Keyboard (US Default) Login Name: as sLdord : [ root <Enter> OK <Esc> Cance I

Root/Passw0rd!

Machine generated alternative text: Susten Customizat ion Conf i gore Passuord Conf igure Lockdoun onf i qwe Management Network Restart Management Network Test management Netuork Network Restore Opt ions Conf i gore Keyboard ing Opt ions View Susten Logs V ieu Support Informat ion Reset Susten Conf igurat ion Conf i gore management Network Hostname : node —15613 IPv4 Address : Not set IPv6 Addresses : fe80 : :250 :56ff :fe6c .•æ3e/64 To view or nod ifu this host's nanagenent network sett ings in detail, press <Enter> More <Esc> Log Out

First go to Configure Mangement Network

Machine generated alternative text: Conf i gore management Network etuork Adapters VLAN (opt ional) IPv4 Conf igurat ion IPv6 Conf igurat ion DNS Configurat ion Custom DNS Suff ixes <Up/Doun> Select Network Adapters vmnicO (NICI) vmn ic1 (NIC2) vnnic2 (NIC3) vmnic3 (NIC4) The adapters I isted here prov ide the default network connect ion to and fron this host . When two or more adapters are used, cnnnect ions uill be fault-tolerant and outgoing traff ic will be load-balanced. <Enter> Change <Esc> Exit

IPv4 Configuration

Machine generated alternative text: IPv4 Configurat ion This host can obtain network sett ings automat icallg if your network includes a DHCP server. If it does not, the fol louing sett ings must be spec if ied : (o) Disable IPv4 conf igurat ion for management network ( ) use dynamic IPv4 address and network conf igurat ion ( ) Set stat ic IPv4 address and network conf igurat ion: IPv4 Address Subnet mask Default Gateuag Se lect o.ß.o.o o.ß.o.o [ o.o.o.o (Space) Mark Selected (Enter) OK Cance I

Confirmed Disable IPv4 configuration for management network

Machine generated alternative text: Conf i gore management Network Netuork Adapters LAN (opt ional) IPv4 Conf igurat ion IPv6 Conf igurat ion DNS Conf igurat ion Custom DNS Suff ixes <Up/Doun> Select VLA" (opt ional) 3933 A VLAH is a virtual netuork Within a phys ical network. Because several VLANs can co-ex ist on the same phys ical network segment, VLAN conf igurat ion and part it ioning is often more flex ible, better isolated, and less expensive than flat networks based on tradit ional phys ical topology . If gou are unsure hou to conf igure or Use a VLAN, it is safe to leave this opt ion unset . <Enter> Change Exit

Now select VLAN (optional)

Machine generated alternative text: VLAN (opt ional) If you are unsure how to conf igure or use a VLAN, leave this opt ion unset . LAN ID (1-4034, or 4095 to access all VLANs): it (Enter) OK is safe to <Esc> Cancel

Enter the VLAN for your ESXi Management Network

Machine generated alternative text: Conf i gore management Network Netuork Adapters VLAN (opt ional) IPv4 Conf igurat ion IPu6 Conf igurat ion DNS Conf igurat ion Custom DNS Suff ixes <Up/Doun> Select IPv4 Conf igurat ion None IPv4 Address: Not set Subnet Mask: Not set Default Gateway: Not set This host can obtain an IPv4 address and other networking parameters autonat icallg if gour network includes a DHCP server. If not, ask gour network adm inistrator for the appropriate sett ings . <Enter> Change <Esc> Exit

Click <Esc> to Exit

Machine generated alternative text: Conf igure Management Network: Conf irm You have made changes to the host 's management network . Apply ing these changes nag result in a brief network outage , d isconnect remote nanagenent softuare and affect runn ing v irtual machines. In case IPv6 has been enabled or disabled this will restart your host . App I g Yes changes and restart nanagenent network? No <Esc> Cancel

Click <Y> Yes

Machine generated alternative text: Susten Customizat ion Conf i gore Password Conf igure Lockdoun onf i gore Management Network Restart management Network Test management Netuork Network Restore Opt ions Conf i gore Keyboard Troubleshoot ing Opt ions Vie" Susten Logs V ieu Support Informat ion Reset Susten Conf igurat ion Conf i gore management Network Hostname : node-15613 IPv4 Address : 163.254.153.70 IPv6 Addresses : fe80 : :250 :56ff :fe65 :243e/64 To view or nod ifu this host's nanagenent network sett ings in detail, press (Enter). <Enter> More <Esc> Log Out

You should see now the host has a IPv4 IP randomly generated

Machine generated alternative text: Susten Customizat ion Conf i gure Passuord Conf i gore Lockdoun Conf igure management Network Restart Management Network Test management Netuork Network Restore Opt ions Conf i gore Keyboard Troubleshoot ing Opt ions View Susten Logs V ieu Support Informat ion Reset Susten Conf igurat ion Troubleshoot ing Opt ions To view various troubleshoot ing node opt ions I ike Enable ESXi Shell, Enable SSH and Restart Agents . <Enter> More <Esc> Log Out

Scroll down to Troubleshooting Options and enter

Machine generated alternative text: Troubleshoot ing mode Opt ions noble ESXi Shell Enable SSH Modify ESXi Shell and SSH timeouts mod ifg DCUI idle timeout Restart Management Agents <Up/Doun> Select ESXi Shell ESXi Shell is Disabled Change current state of the ESXi Shel I <Enter> Change <Esc> Exit

Enable ESXi Shell and Enable SSH then Esx to exit

Machine generated alternative text: PSNT: Service Tag: Phys ical Men: IP Address : Hostname : VMuare ESX i : VxRail P570F Appl i ance 4WDZDN2 766.5 GB 169.254 .153.70 node-15619. 6.7.o Installat ion Status: VxRAIL Appl iance Instal lat ion Successful lu Completed . L i cense : Support Per i Support Start : Evaluat ion N/A N/A TO Conf i gure System To System

Return to the main screen and Alt-F1 to open a virtual console window to the host

Machine generated alternative text: ESXi 6.7.0 lit tp:/ /LIL.1Ld . .col'l Copyright (c) 2007-2013 VMuare, Inc. node—15619 _

Log in as Root

Machine generated alternative text: File View Macros Tcn)ls -15619 -15619•.-] Power Next Virtual Media Help date Mon May 11 UTC 2020 dalpIdvxrmgt02 : /home/myscic # [rootßnode non mag 11 [rootßnode date UTC 2020

Enter the date command to get the current date & time of the host and compare it against the VxRail Manager date & time to confirm they are close in time.

****If not then please see my blog on changing the time on a ESXI host

ESXCLI to Check & Change Time on VMWare ESXi Host
Machine generated alternative text: [rcjot@node-15613 esxcl i Nane Management Network Pr ivate management Network Pr ivate VM Network V" Network iDRAC Network [rcn)tßnode-15619:—] esxcl i [rootßnode-15613:—] esxcl i netuork vsu itch Virtual Sta itch vSuitchO vSu i tch0 vSu i tchß vsuitchß standard portgroup Act ive Cl ients I ist VLAH 1 1 1 1 1 ID 55 vSu i tch i DRACvusb network itch standard portgroup network vsta itch standard portgroup 3933 set —p 'Management Network" -v 55 set -p Network" -v 55 [rootßnode-15619:-•] [etc/ init .d/ loudmouth restart watchdog—loudmouth: Tern inat ing watchdog with PID 2104863 recei'v'ing message of length 55 Sent : b'quit' Received: 2ff), "message": "Term inated.", "result" Loudmouth successful lg stopped . Loudmouth started . Register ing MARVIN serv ice. L istening for _vmuare ._tcp services.

Double check the Management VLAN that your other VxRail Hosts are located on.

#esxcli network vswitch standard portgroup list
#esxcli network vswitch standard portgroup set -p “Management Network” -v <Your_VLAN_ID>
#esxcli network vswitch standard portgroup set -p “VM Network” -v <Your_VLAN_ID>
#/etc/init.d/loudmouth restart

Machine generated alternative text: Summary Monitor host upuons Host Profile I/O Filters More Alarm Definitions Scheduled Tasks vSAN Services Disk Management Fault Domains VxRail System Updates Certificate Market Add VxRail Hosts Hosts Support Networking Health Monitoring Troubleshooting Configure permissions Hosts VMS Datastores Networks updates Add VxRail Hosts The following VxRaiI hosts have been discovered within your environment. Cluster and new hosts must have compatible software and firmware versions c o ADD HOST ADD PROXY Cluster Name: PROD Cluster Size: 3 hosts Service Tag 4WD3FW2 1 hosts discovered 64 hosts allowed per cluster. Appliance ID DE300192005547 Model VxRaiI P570F Compatible @ Compatible

Finally, log into vCenter and go to Host & Clusters > Cluster > Configure > VxRail > Add VxRail Hosts > ADD HOST
**be patient – can take up to 5 minutes for VxRail Manager to discover the new host

Machine generated alternative text: c o ADD HOST

Click Add host

Machine generated alternative text: VxRail Hosts 1 Discovered Hosts 2 User Credentials 3 Host IP Address 4 ESXi Credentials 5 Maintenance Mode 6 Validate Discovered Hosts Select the VxRail host(s) to add to the cluster In an external vCenter, it needs to flush the DNS cache prior to reusing a hostname ot the removed host. Refer to KB52S600 for more details. Hosts Cluster Name: PROD Service Tag 4WD4 2 4WD3FW2 4WDZDW2 Cluster Size :3 hosts Appliance ID DE300192005542 0800192005547 DE300192005541 Model VxRail P570F VxRail P570F VxRail P570F 3 hosts discovered. 64 hosts allowed per cluster _ Compatible @ Compatible @ Compatible @ Compatible CANCEL NEX-

Select the host you want to add.  

Machine generated alternative text: VxRail Hosts 1 Discovered Hosts 2 User Credentials 3 Host IP Address 4 ESXi Credentials 5 Maintenance Mode 6 Validate User Credentials To add the hosts, enter the vSphere username and password. username: Password: * field is required CANCEL BACK NEX-

Now enter your username/password

Machine generated alternative text: VxRail Hosts 1 Discovered Hosts 2 User Credentials 3 Host IP Address 4 ESXi Credentials 5 Maintenance Mode 6 Validate Host IP Address Assign IP Addresses to the hosts Verify new IP Addresses have been added to the DNS lookup records. ESXi Management IP Pools 3 used / 3 Total Starting IP Address vSphere vMotion IP Pools 3 used / 3 Total Starting IP Address Ending IP Address Ending IP Address Count Count Action VLAN ID: 55 subnet Mask: 255.255_255.0 VLAN ID! 53 subnet Mask: 255.255_255.0 Action CANCEL BACK

Next you will need to put the next IP in your original reserved pool for ESXi Management, vMotion, and vSAN.

Machine generated alternative text: VxRail Hosts ESXi Credentials 1 Discovered Hosts Enter the ESXi root and management credentials. 2 User Credentials Verify new IP Addresses have been added to the DNS lookup records. 3 Host IP Address Root Account 4 ESXi Credentials 5 Maintenance Mode username 6 Validate Password: * Password: * rcH3t Management Account Management username Password: * CANCEL BACK

Next comes entering your different credentials for your environment.

Machine generated alternative text: VxRail Hosts 1 Discovered Hosts 2 User Credentials 3 Host IP Address 4 ESXi Credentials 5 Maintenance Mode 6 Validate Maintenance Mode Select whether hosts are to be in maintenance mode. Once done servicing hosts, make sure to exit maintenance mode. Put Hosts in Maintenance Mode? CANCEL BACK NEXT

You can choose whether or not to put host in maintenance mode

Machine generated alternative text: VxRail Hosts 1 Discovered Hosts 2 User Credentials 3 Host IP Address 4 ESXi Credentials 5 Maintenance Mode 6 Validate Validate If the information is correct, click Validate to verify the configuration and network. VxRail Cluster Put Hosts in Maintenance Mode: Yes Appliance ID 0&300192005541 Model VxRail PS70F Hostname dalprdvxr104_freemancocom 1 hosts to be added. Displaying items 1 - 1 ESXi IP Address 10.17_55.164 CANCEL vSphere vMotion IP BACK vSAN IP 10.1757164 VALIDATE

The good old summary and validate page.

Summary:
As you can see there are a lot of working parts here but it is well worth it.  I hope I made this easy to follow.  As always, I hope y’all found this helpful.

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