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Deploying a vSAN cluster with the VX Deployer

The ThinkAgile VX Deployer is a GUI-based wizard that guides you through the deployment of ThinkAgile VX systems within vSAN clusters. It installs ESXi on one or more target hosts and deploys the hosts to a vSAN cluster.

The VX Deployer installs and configures the following software:

  • VMware ESXi. Installed on each of the hosts in the vSAN cluster.

    Release 3.1.0 of the VX Deployer supports the installation and setup of one of the following versions:

    • VMware ESXi 7.0 Update 3p, build 23307199 for Sustaining products

    • VMware ESXi 7.0 Update 3n, build 21930508 for Legacy products

    • VMware ESXi 8.0 Update 2b, build 23305546 for Sustaining products

    • VMware ESXi 8.0 Update 2, build 22380479 for Legacy products

  • VMware vCenter. Manages the vSAN cluster.

    Release 3.1.0 of the VX Deployer supports the installation and setup of one of the following versions:

    Note
    If you choose to install ESXi 7.0 on the hosts, you must choose to install vCenter Server 7.0 as well. You cannot mix ESXi 8.0 with vCenter 7.0.

    • VMware vCenter Server 7.0 Update 3p, build 22837322

    • VMware vCenter Server 8.0 Update 2c, build 23504390

  • Lenovo XClarity Integrator (LXCI). Used with VMware Lifecycle Manager (vLCM) to manage firmware and software updates for ThinkAgile VX systems.

    Release 3.1.0 of the VX Deployer installs and configures LXCI 8.4.0, build 151.

The ThinkAgile VX Deployer is pre-loaded on the following ThinkAgile VX systems.

  • VX2330

  • VX3330

  • VX3530-G

  • VX3575-G IS

  • VX5530

  • VX5575 IS

  • VX7330-N

  • VX7530

  • VX7575 IS

  • VX7820

  • VX630 V3 IS

  • VX650 V3 IS

  • VX645 V3 IS

  • VX665 V3 IS

  • VX2375 IS

  • VX3375 IS

  • VX3530-G Appliance

  • VX7375-N IS

  • VX635 V3 IS

  • VX655 V3 IS

  • VX665 V3 IS

  • VX630 V3 IS

  • VX650 V3 IS

Note

  • For assistance in the deployment of a vSAN cluster on ThinkAgile VX systems, contact Lenovo Support.

  • Deployer is not preloaded on DPU-based CTOs.

Complete the following steps to deploy a ThinkAgile VX series vSAN cluster using the VX Deployer.

TaskDescriptionFor more information
Prepare for the deployment

  1. Review disk configuration considerations.

  2. Fill out the deployment worksheet.

  3. Install the hardware in a rack.

  4. Cable the network.

  5. Configure DNS entries for the cluster.

Preparing for the deployment
Deploy the cluster
To deploy a new cluster:

  1. Set up the VX Deployer.

  2. Run the VX Deployer to deploy the vSAN cluster.

  3. Validate the cluster deployment.

Deploying the vSAN cluster
To add a node to an existing cluster:

  1. Run the VX Deployer to deploy the vSAN cluster.

Adding a node to an existing cluster
Update the vSAN cluster

  1. Update LXCI.

  2. Update firmware, device drivers, and ESXi.

Updating a vSAN cluster

Upgrading LXCI for VMware vCenter

ThinkAgile VX Best Recipe

Note
On the Best Recipe page, click the appropriate Best Recipe release. Then, click Solution Stack Guidelines. From that page, click the Cluster remediation nodes using vLCM document for instructions about updating firmware, device drivers, and ESXi.

If you need to open a Support ticket with Lenovo, see Getting help.

  • Known issues
    Review the known issues related to the ThinkAgile VX Deployer.
  • Preparing for the deployment
    Prepare for the vSAN deployment by reviewing security considerations, disk considerations, filling in the deployment worksheet, installing the ThinkAgile VX appliances in a rack, cabling the appliances to the network, and adding entries to the DNS server.
  • Deploying the vSAN cluster
    To deploy the vSAN cluster using the VX Deployer, set up the VX Deployer, and then run the VX Deployer. When the deployment is complete, validate that the deployment was successful.
  • Adding a node to an existing cluster
    To add one or more nodes to an existing vSAN cluster using the VX Deployer, set up the VX Deployer, and then run the VX Deployer. When the deployment is complete, validate that the deployment was successful.
  • Working with configuration files
    When you use the VX Deployer to create a new vSAN cluster or to add a node to an existing vSAN cluster, you have the option to save the configuration into a .JSON file. Then, you can use the configuration file to populate the VX Deployer for the next deployment.