You can expand an existing workload domain by adding a VxRail cluster using the SDDC Manager UI.

Use the SDDC Manager UI to add a VxRail cluster if you have a single system vSphere Distributed Switch (vDS) used for both system and overlay traffic.

Prerequisites

  • Create a local user in vCenter Server as this is an external server deployed by VMware Cloud Foundation. This is required for the VxRail first run.
  • Image the workload domain nodes. For information on imaging the nodes, refer to Dell EMC VxRail documentation.
  • Perform a VxRail first run of the workload domain nodes using the vCenter Server for that workload domain. For information on VxRail first run, refer to the Dell EMC VxRail documentation.

Procedure

  1. In the navigation pane, click Inventory > Workload Domains. The Workload Domains page displays information for all workload domains.
  2. In the workload domains table, hover your mouse in the VxRail workload domain row.
    A set of three dots appears on the left of the workload domain name.
  3. Click these three dots. Click Add VxRail Cluster.
  4. On the Discovered Clusters page, the VxRail cluster in the vCenter is discovered. Click Next.
  5. On the Discovered Hosts page, enter the SSH password for the discovered hosts and click Next.
  6. On the VxRail Manager page, enter the Admin and Root user names and passwords.
  7. On the Thumbprint Verification page, click Confirm fingerprint icon to confirm the SSH thumbprints for VxRail Manager and the ESXi hosts.
  8. On the Networking page, enter the NSX-T host overlay (Host TEP) VLAN of the management domain
  9. Select the IP allocation method, provide the required information, and click Next.
    Note: You can only use a static IP pool for the management domain and VI workload domains with uniform L2 clusters. For L3 aware or stretch clusters, DHCP is required for Host Overlay Network TEP IP assignment.
    Option Description
    DHCP With this option VMware Cloud Foundation uses DHCP for the Host Overlay Network TEPs.
    Static IP Pool With this option VMware Cloud Foundation uses a static IP pool for the Host Overlay Network TEPs. You can re-use an existing IP pool or create a new one.
    To create a new static IP Pool provide the following information:
    • Pool Name
    • Description
    • CIDR
    • IP Range.
    • Gateway IP
    Make sure the IP range includes enough IP addresses for the number of hosts that will use the static IP Pool. The number of IP addresses required depends on the number of pNICs on the ESXi hosts that are used for the vSphere Distributed Switch that handles host overlay networking. For example, a host with four pNICs that uses two pNICs for host overlay traffic requires two IP addresses in the static IP pool.
    Note: You cannot stretch a cluster that uses static IP addresses for the NSX-T Host Overlay Network.
  10. Enter the license keys for NSX-T Data Center and VMware vSAN. Click Next.
  11. Review the details and click Next.
  12. On the Validation page, wait until all of the inputs have been successfully validated.
    If validation is unsuccessful, you cannot proceed. Use the Back button to modify your settings and try again.
  13. Click Finish.
    The add VxRail cluster task is triggered.