Deploy Dell PowerFlex v3.6.x

Prepare the ESXi hosts

Use the vSphere PowerFlex plug-in to prepare the ESXi hosts for PowerFlex deployment.

This procedure is a prerequisite for deploying a new PowerFlex system, and in some cases for extending an existing system.

Preparing the ESXi hosts includes the following:

Install SDC on the host.
This is required for every ESXi host that will be included in the system, and it is strongly recommended to enable this for every host that might be part of the system in the future.
Configure DirectPath
Enables the SVM to take control of ESXi devices. If the host has multiple controllers, you must configure DirectPath on that host manually, not with the PowerFlex plug-in. After that is done, you can use the PowerFlex plug-in to deploy PowerFlex on that host and to add devices to it.

When DirectPath is configured, all servers in the system must use DirectPath. For VxFlex Ready Node systems, this can be configured with the PowerFlexPowerFlex plug-in. For other servers, use the vSphere client to configure each ESXi host manually.

From the Basic tasks section of the Dell PowerFlex screen, click Pre-Deployment Actions.

The Pre-Deployment Actions screen appears, showing all the ESXi hosts on all the connected vCenters.
Select the ESXi hosts, and select the settings required for each.

NOTE:
For the Install SDC option, it is highly recommended to select all ESXi hosts that may be included in an ESXi system, even if only in the future.
Type the ESX root password for each host.
All changes or entries made at the vCenter level will be applied to all servers in the cluster.

The Select the SDC driver file you want to install dialog box is displayed.
Select the required SDC driver file, and click OK.
The SDC driver is installed on the selected nodes.
Click Run.
The status appears in the dialog.
When finished, click Finish.
Restart each ESXi host.

NOTE: You must restart the ESXi hosts before proceeding.

After rebooting, a RAID controller that was configured with DirectPath will be displayed in the vSphere client Configure tab, on the DirectPath I/O PCI Devices Available to VMs screen.
When using all-SSD chassis, perform this step.
Sometimes the ESXi nodes in an all-SSD chassis do not identify the node disks as Standard Parallel SCSI devices. If so, you must enable the Force RDM on device with unknown RDM support option.
1. In the VxFlex OS screen, click Advanced Settings to display the settings options.
2. Select the Enable RDMs on non Parallel SCSI Controller option and click OK.

After finishing this task, the results of your selections are displayed after reopening the Pre-Deployment Actions screen.

Proceed with the PowerFlex deployment.