What You Can (and Cannot) Change in a vSAN ESA and vSAN Max ReadyNode™
Article ID: 326717
Updated On:
Products
Issue/Introduction
What is the vSAN Express Storage Architecture?
vSAN Express Storage Architecture (vSAN ESA) is the recommended architecture over vSAN Original Storage Architecture (vSAN OSA), especially for new deployments starting with vSAN 8.0.
vSAN ESA is designed to process and store data with all new levels of efficiency, scalability, and performance. vSAN ESA architecture is optimized to exploit the full capabilities of the very latest in hardware.
So what are vSAN ESA ReadyNodes?
vSAN ESA ReadyNodes are x86 servers, available from all the leading server vendors, that have been pre-configured, tested, and certified for VMware Hyper-Converged Infrastructure Software. Each vSAN ESA ReadyNode™ is optimally configured for vSAN ESA with the required amount of CPU, memory, network and storage NVMe devices.
We have greatly modified our vSAN ESA Compatibility Guide and would like to address some key questions on the usage of this VCG through this document.
What is a vSAN ESA and vSAN Max BOM?
Below is an example of a vSAN ESA ReadyNode™ BOM in the vSAN ESA VCG:
vSAN ESA ReadyNode Model: Star Inc. X710
Environment
Resolution
vSAN ESA Profile Guidance
vSAN ESA Profile information can be found at vSAN ESA ReadyNode Hardware Guidance. We allow changes to certain components(CPU, Storage Device, Memory, NIC, Boot Device) of the vSAN ESA ReadyNode™ configuration.
vSAN ESA ReadyNode™ FAQ:
General Questions
Q:- What are the hardware requirements for vSAN ESA?
Please refer to vSAN ESA ReadyNode Hardware Guidance for hardware requirements.
Q: - Do we need Boot Device Certification?
We do not need to certify the boot device for vSAN. Please follow the guidelines laid out in KB SD card/USB boot device revised guidance
Q:- Will vSAN ESA ReadyNode have support for features like Disk Hotplug and PCIe Switch?
Please check vSAN ESA ReadyNode BOMs and work with server vendors for additional support.
Q:- How does vSAN Sizer work for vSAN ESA?
vSAN Sizer supports vSAN ESA. Please refer to the vSAN Sizer page for more details.
Q:- Is PMem supported for vSAN ESA?
PMem is not supported for vSAN ESA.
Q:- Is Disk Hotplug still supported if I change my drive models?
Disk Hotplug will only be supported with the drive model that is listed in the ReadyNode™ configuration. Please check with your OEM vendor on specifics.
Q:- Can I switch between OEM vendor qualified drives on a different OEM vendor server?
No, switching drive models is only allowed from within the same server OEM. Drives qualified in another OEM's ReadyNode™ are not allowed. For example, OEM1 has ReadyNode1™ with drive A and ReadyNode2™ with drive B. ReadyNode1™ or ReadyNode2™ can be used with either drive (A or B).
Q:- What is the minimum and maximum number of drives supported for vSAN ESA ReadyNode?
- vSAN ESA ReadyNode Minimum # Device/Host: 1
- vSAN Max ReadyNode Minimum # Device/Host: 2
- vSAN ESA and vSAN Max Maximum # Device/Host: 24
The number of Storage Tier devices has an impact on the performance of vSAN ESA. We recommend configuring more for better performance.
Q:- Which ESXi release builds support vSAN Max?
8.0U2 and higher.
Storage Device Questions
Q:- Are there specific device requirements in vSAN ESA?
We support Storage Devices 1 DWPD or higher and Class F or higher for performance. For further details on this, please refer vSAN ESA ReadyNode Hardware Guidance.
We also require a minimum capacity for the device to be 1.6 TB or above.
Q:- Will vSAN ESA support SAS, SATA devices?
There is currently no plan to support SAS and SATA devices for vSAN ESA.
Q: - Can I choose a different make and model of Storage tier drive vSAN ReadyNode™ BOM?
Please choose a drive make and model listed in the vSAN ESA ReadyNode BOM.
Q:- Are 1 DWPD Storage Devices supported in vSAN-ESA-AF-8 profile?
No, 1 DWPD Storage Devices are not supported in the vSAN-ESA-AF-8 profile.
However, starting with vSAN 8.0U1, Storage Devices at 1 DWPD endurance will be supported for vSAN-ESA-AF-0, vSAN-ESA-AF-2, vSAN-ESA-AF-4, vSAN-ESA-AF-6, and vSAN-ESA-AF-HighDensity.
Q:- Can I have Storage Devices at 1 DWPD and 3 DWPD in the same cluster?
We do not recommend mixing Storage Devices at different endurance levels.
Q:- Can I replace a 3 DWPD Storage Device with 1 DWPD Storage Device?
No, this is not allowed. You can replace a 1 DWPD Storage Device with a 3 DWPD Storage Device to use a higher performance/endurance Storage Devices.
The device swap is for the entire cluster and will require a fresh install.
Q:- What Storage Devices are supported for vSAN Max?
vSAN Max supports Read-Intensive (1 DWPD or higher) and Mixed-use (3 DWPD or higher) with Performance Class F or G.
Maximum Storage Device Capacity is 15.36TB.
Q:-How will I know if my Storage Device is 1 DWPD or 3 DWPD?
Please refer to the vSAN VCG.
Networking Questions
Q: - Do we need to certify the NIC in a ReadyNode™ BOM?
There is no separate NIC(TCP/IP) certification required for vSAN. NIC cards qualified under IOVP certification are used for vSAN ESA ReadyNode™ BOM.
Q:- Does vSAN ESA ReadyNode support vSAN certified RDMA NIC cards?
Yes. vSAN ESA certified and listed vSAN RDMA NIC cards can be used to replace a regular NIC in vSAN ESA ReadyNode™.
Q:- What is the minimum networking requirement for ESA?
The minimum networking hardware requirement for vSAN ESA is 10GbE. Please reference the vSAN ESA ReadyNode Hardware Guidance for the respective networking requirements for each ReadyNode profile.
For any questions on vSAN hardware, please reach out to vSAN Hardware PM at [email protected].
To learn more about vSAN ESA, visit vSAN Express Storage Architecture.
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