Master everything from VxRail architecture and deployment planning through hardware installation, cluster initialization, vSAN configuration, upgrades, scale-out, and REST API troubleshooting.
From VxRail architecture fundamentals through network validation, cluster initialization, vSAN, upgrade/expansion, and REST API troubleshooting.
Module 01
Introduction to VxRail
›VxRail use cases and business value — start-small HCI, seamless scale-out, simplified IT operations; positioning in converged vs. hyperconverged landscape
›VxRail models and form factors — E, P, V, S series; 1U/2U chassis; GPU-ready variants; node selection guide for compute-heavy vs. storage-dense workloads
›VxRail management options — VxRail Manager (embedded orchestration), VxRail Plugin for vCenter Server, VxRail REST API for automation
›VxRail licensing — VMware vSAN license, vSphere license, VxRail support subscription; licensing models and differences between bundled and BYOL
Module 02
VxRail Deployment Planning
›vCenter Server options — embedded vCenter (internal mode), external vCenter (custom mode), VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) mode; selection criteria and trade-offs
›Physical switch requirements — supported TOR switch models; 10GbE vs. 25GbE uplinks; LACP LAG configuration; recommended switch firmware versions
›NIC configuration — NIC teaming with active/active LACP or active/standby; VMkernel port groups for vSAN, vMotion, management; VDS vs. VSS
›DNS requirements — A and PTR records for all node management IPs, vCenter FQDN, PSC; importance for VxRail First Run Wizard success
›VxRail node discovery options — automatic DHCP-based discovery within the First Run Wizard; manual node entry; pre-deploy verification checklist
Module 03
Using VxRail Configuration Tools
›VxRail Configuration Tools purpose — browser-based tool to pre-create cluster configurations before physical deployment; reduces on-site provisioning time
›Create VxRail projects — input cluster details (nodes, network config, vSAN disk group layout, vCenter mode); validate configuration for completeness
›Review and export completed configuration — generate implementation procedure document; export config file for import into VxRail First Run Wizard; review checklist before install day
Module 04
VxRail Hardware Installation and Initialization
›VxRail racking and cabling — install rail kits; cable 25GbE/10GbE data NICs to TOR per cabling diagram; cable iDRAC dedicated port to OOB management switch; connect power cables
›Configure VxRail node iDRAC — access iDRAC at factory default IP; set static management IP, gateway, DNS; configure iDRAC network; verify hardware health (green) on iDRAC system summary
›Configure System Time — set NTP server on iDRAC; verify system clock synchronized; time skew between nodes can cause cluster formation failures
Module 05
Network Environment Requirements and Initialization
›Configure VxRail network settings — set VDS port group VLAN IDs; configure vSAN VMkernel MTU 9000 (jumbo frames); set vMotion VMkernel IP addresses; define management VLAN
›Validate the network environment manually — ping reachability between all node iDRAC IPs; verify DNS resolution for all FQDNs; confirm NTP accessibility; VLAN tagging verification on TOR switches
›Validate using the Network Validation Tool (NVT) — deploy VxRail NVT; run pre-deployment validation checks; interpret NVT report (PASS/WARN/FAIL for each test); resolve FAIL items before running First Run Wizard
Module 06
Deploying the VxRail Cluster
›Generate the implementation procedure — use SolVe Online to create step-by-step deployment procedure for specific VxRail model and software versions
›VxRail initialization with internal vCenter — access First Run Wizard; input cluster config (or import from Config Tool); monitor embedded vCenter and VxRail Manager bootstrap; review cluster health post-init
›VxRail initialization with external vCenter — pre-configure vCenter datacenter/cluster; run First Run Wizard in Custom mode; register VxRail Manager to external vCenter; verify vCenter inventory
›Post-installation validation — run vSAN health check service in vCenter; verify all nodes appear in cluster; validate storage policies; confirm VxRail Manager cluster status; update DNS/IPAM records
›vSAN configuration post-deploy — configure deduplication and compression policy; set default storage policy FTT; enable vSAN performance service; review disk balance
›Configure native backups — set up VxRail file-based backup for VxRail Manager VM; define retention schedule; store backup externally
›VxRail upgrade and scale-out — LCM upgrade bundle process; rolling upgrade sequence; node expansion prerequisites and expansion workflow using VxRail Manager
Module 07
VxRail Troubleshooting
›VxRail log collection — use VxRail Manager log bundle feature; collect logs from specific nodes; collect vCenter and ESXi host logs; upload to Dell EMC support
›VxRail troubleshooting resources — SolVe Online for procedure generation; VxRail Knowledge Base; PowerEdge hardware support articles; VMware KB for vSAN and ESXi issues
›Troubleshoot using vSAN tools — vSAN health service categories (network, storage, cluster); vSAN performance charts; vSAN proactive rebalance; vSAN skyline health
›Use VxRail REST API — access Swagger UI on VxRail Manager; GET /cluster for status; GET /hosts for node list; GET /lcm/upgrade/status; run API tasks for day-2 operations and automation
Technologies You Will Master
VxRail HCI
VMware vSAN
vSphere
VxRail Manager
iDRAC9
NVT Tool
VDS
LCM Bundles
First Run Wizard
SolVe Online
REST API
vSAN Policies
Node Expansion
Config Tools
FC Zoning
vCenter Integration
VxRail HCI
VMware vSAN
vSphere
VxRail Manager
iDRAC9
NVT Tool
VDS
LCM Bundles
First Run Wizard
SolVe Online
REST API
vSAN Policies
Node Expansion
Config Tools
FC Zoning
vCenter Integration
Full Curriculum
7-Module D-VXR-DY-23 Programme
›VxRail use cases, architecture, models, software stack
›Management: VxRail Manager, Plugin, REST API
›Licensing: vSAN, vSphere, support subscription models
Earn the D-VXR-DY-23 Dell Proven Professional certification and prove your VxRail HCI deployment expertise — from planning and installation through cluster initialization and lifecycle management.