Cisco HX Release 6.0(x) - Software Requirements

Cisco HX Data Platform Compatibility and Scalability Details - 6.0(x) Releases

Cluster Limits

  • Cisco HX Data Platform supports up to 100 clusters managed per vCenter as per VMware configuration maximums.

  • Cisco HX Data Platform supports any number of clusters on a single FI domain. Each HX converged node must be directly connected to a dedicated FI port on fabric A and fabric B without the use of a FEX. C-series compute only nodes must also directly connect to both FIs. B-series compute only nodes will connect through a chassis I/O module to both fabrics. In the end, the number of physical ports on the FI will dictate the maximum cluster size and maximum number of individual clusters supported in a UCS domain.

  • Using a FEX on uplink ports connecting the Fabric Interconnects to the top of rack (ToR) switches is not supported due to the possibility of network oversubscription leading to the inability to handle HyperFlex storage traffic during failure scenarios.

The following tables provide Cisco HX Data Platform Compatibility and Scalability Details.

Table 1. Cisco HX Data Platform Storage Cluster Specifications for VMware ESXi

Node

VMware ESXi

Stretched Cluster* (Available on ESX Only)

Deployment Type

FI-Connected

Edge

DC-No-FI

FI-Connected

HX Servers (Intel and AMD Servers)

HXAF245C-M6SX

HXAF240C-M6SX

HXAF240C-M6SN

HXAF240C-M5SX

HXAF240C-M5SN

HXAF240C-M5

HXAF225C-M6S

HXAF220C-M6SN

HXAF220C-M6S

HXAF220C-M5SN

HXAF220C-M5

HX245C-M6SX

HX240C-M6SX

HX240C-M5

HX225C-M6S

HX220C-M6S

HX220C-M5

HX240C-M6L

HX240C-M5L

HXAF245-M6SX Edge

HXAF240C M5 Edge Short Depth

HXAF240C M5 Edge Full Depth

HXAF240 M6SX Edge

HXAF225-M6SX Edge

HXAF220C M5 Edge

HXAF220 M6S Edge

HX245-M6SX Edge

HX240C M5 Edge Short Depth

HX240C M5 Edge Full Depth

HX240 M6SX Edge

HX225-M6SX Edge

HX220C M5 Edge

HX220 M6S Edge

HXAF245C-M6SX

HXAF240C-M6SX

HXAF240C-M6SN

HXAF240C-M5SX

HXAF240C-M5

HXAF225C-M6S

HXAF220C-M6SN

HXAF220C-M6S

HXAF220C-M5

HX245C-M6SX

HX240C-M6SX

HX240C-M6

HX240C-M5

HX225C-M6S

HX220C-M6S

HX220C-M6

HX220C-M5

HXAF245C-M6SX

HXAF240C-M6SX

HXAF240C-M6SN

HXAF240C-M5SX

HXAF240C-M5

HXAF225C-M6S

HXAF220C-M6SN

HXAF220C-M6S

HXAF220C-M5SN

HXAF220C-M5

HX245C-M6SX

HX240C-M6SX

HX240C-M5

HX225C-M6S

HX220C-M6S

HX220C-M5

HX240C-M6L

HX240C-M5L

Compute-Only UCS B-Series/C-Series Servers

B200 M6

B200 M5

B480 M5

C220 M6/M5

C240 M6/M5

C480 M5

C225 M6

C245 M6

B200 M6

B200 M5

B480 M5

C220 M6/M5

C240 M6/M5

C480 M5

—

C220 M6

C220 M5

C225 M6

C245 M6

C240 M6

C240 M5

B200 M6

B200 M5

B480 M5

C220 M6/M5

C240 M6/M5

C480 M5

C225 M6

C245 M6

B200 M6

B200 M5

B480 M5

C220 M6/M5

C240 M6/M5

C480 M5

Supported Nodes

 Converged and Compute-only nodes Converged and Compute-only nodes Converged nodes only

Converged and Compute-only nodes

 Converged and Compute-only nodes Converged and Compute-only nodes

HXDP-DC-AD Licensed Node Limits

1:1 ratio of HXDP-DC-AD to Compute only nodes

(Min—Max)

Converged nodes: 3-32 Compute only nodes: 0-32

Compute-only nodes: 0-32

All NVMe PIDs require HXDP-DC-PR License

Converged nodes: 3-16

Compute-only nodes: 0-16

M5 Converged nodes: 2, 3, or 4

Converged nodes: 3-12

Compute-only nodes: 0-12

All NVMe PIDs require HXDP-DC-PR License

N/A

N/A

HXDP-DC-PR Licensed Node Limits

1:2 ratio of HXDP-DC-PR to Compute only nodes

(Min—Max)

Converged nodes: 3-32 Compute only nodes: 0-64 (up to max cluster size)

Compute-only nodes: 0-64(up to max cluster size)

All NVMe PIDs require HXDP-DC-PR License

Converged nodes: 3-16

Compute-only nodes: 0-32

M5 Converged nodes: 2, 3, or 4

Converged nodes: 3-12

Compute-only nodes: 0-24

Required for HXAF220c M6SN

HXAF240c M6SN

HXAF220c M5SN

All NVMe PIDs require HXDP-DC-PR License

Converged nodes: 2-16 per Site

Compute-only nodes: 0-21 per Site (up to max cluster size)

Compute only nodes: 0-64 (up to max cluster size)

Converged nodes: 2-8 per Site

Compute-only nodes: 0-16 per Site (up to max cluster size)
Max Cluster Size

961

48

4

Updated to 4 per input from Shankar Srikanta 5/2/2022 (rickwo)

36

32 per Site/ 64 per cluster

24 per Site/ 48 per cluster

Max Compute to Converged ratio

2:1

2:1

—

2:1

2:1

2:1
Expansion

✔

✔

✔2

✔

✔*

✔*
1 Cluster sizes above 64 nodes require ESXi 7.0 U1 or later.
2 Edge cluster expansion with 1G network topology is not supported

FI/Server Firmware - 6.0(x) Releases

If you are installing new cluster(s), or upgrading existing clusters and require guidance on UCS FI/Server firmware versions, see Choosing UCS Server Firmware Versions.

If you are installing or upgrading HyperFlex clusters with All NVMe nodes, please see the Note below.

Table 2. FI/Server Firmware Versions for M5/M6 Servers

Release

M5 Qualified FI/Server Firmware

M6 Qualified FI/Server Firmware

6.0(1x)

4.2(1n), 4.2(3d), 4.2(3e), 4.2(3g), 4.2(3h), 4.2(3j)

4.2(1n), 4.2(3d), 4.2(3e), 4.2(3g), 4.2(3h), 4.2(3j)

Important FI/Server Firmware Notes:


Restriction

HXAF240-M5 Clusters using Samsung SSDs with 3.8Tb and 7.6Tb capacities:

Do not install or upgrade to UCS versions 4.2(3) for HXAF240-M5 Clusters using Samsung SSD drives with PID HX-SD76T61X-EV or HX-SD38T61X-EV (UCS-SD76T61X-EV or UCS-SD38T61X-EV). The Highest UCS A/B/C versions used should be 4.2(1n). For more information, see CSCwf93621.

  • Fabric Interconnect 6400: If your environment (or deployment) is a Fabric Interconnect 6400 connected to VIC 1455/1457 using SFP-H25G-CU3M or SFP-H25G-CU5M cables, only use UCS Release 4.0(4k), or 4.1(2a) and later. Do not use any other UCS version listed in the table of qualified releases. Using a UCS Release that is not UCS Release 4.0(4k), or 4.1(2a) and later may cause cluster outages.

    Refer to Release Notes for UCS Manager, Firmware/Drivers, and Blade BIOS for any UCS issues that may affect your environment.

    Use the following upgrade sequence ONLY for Fabric Interconnect 6400 connected to VIC 1455/1457 using SFP-H25G-CU3M or SFP-H25G-CU5M cables:

    • Upgrade the UCS server firmware from HX Connect

    • Upgrade the UCS Infrastructure

    • Upgrade HXDP

    • Upgrade ESXi

    If you have the described hardware and software combination, the combined upgrade of UCS server firmware is not supported. However, combined upgrade of HXDP and ESXi is supported after UCS server firmware and UCS infrastructure firmware upgrade is completed.

    If the current UCS F/W version is later than 4.0(4k) or 4.1(2a), then combined upgrade of UCS server firmware, HX and ESXi is supported.

  • Intersight Edge Servers: Intersight edge servers running a CIMC version before 4.0(1a), HUU is the suggested mechanism to update the firmware.

M6 Specific Notes:

  • If you are using PCIE-Offload cards with M6 servers, use server firmware version 4.2(3g) and later.

  • HX225 and HX245 M6 AMD nodes require minimum server firmware version 4.2(1n) or later.

General Notes:

The HX components—Cisco HX Data Platform Installer, Cisco HX Data Platform, and Cisco UCS firmware—are installed on different servers. Verify that each component on each server used with and within an HX Storage Cluster are compatible.

  • Verify that the preconfigured HX servers have the same version of Cisco UCS server firmware installed. If the Cisco UCS Fabric Interconnects (FI) firmware versions are different, see the Cisco HyperFlex Systems Upgrade Guide for steps to align the firmware versions.

    • M5: For NEW hybrid or All Flash (Cisco HyperFlex HX220C-M5SX, HX240C-M5SX, HXAF220C-M5SX, HXAF240C-M5SX) deployments, verify that the qualified UCS firmware version is installed.

    • M6: For NEW hybrid or All Flash (Cisco HyperFlex HX220C-M6SX, HX240C-M6SX, HXAF220C-M6SX, HXAF240C-M6SX, HXAF225C-M6S, HXAF245C-M6SX, HX225C-M6S, HX245C-M6SX) deployments, verify that Cisco UCS Manager 4.2(1i) or later is installed.

    • To reinstall an HX server, download supported and compatible versions of the software. See the Cisco HyperFlex Systems Installation Guide for VMware ESXi, Release 6.0 for the requirements and steps.

HyperFlex Edge/DC-No-FI and Firmware Compatibility Matrix for 6.0(x) Deployments

Cisco HX Data Platform, Release 6.0(x) based Deployments

Confirm the M5/M6 component firmware on the server meets the minimum versions listed in the following table.

Table 3. M5 and M6

Component

Qualified Firmware Version - HXDP 6.0(x)

*Review all notes at the beginning of this section.

Host Upgrade Utility (HUU) Version

4.2(1n), 4.2(2g), 4.2(3d), 4.2(3e), 4.2(3g), and 4.2(3j)

Download Software for 220

Download Software for 240

Then click on the UCS Server Firmware link to download the desired HUU version.

Note

 

All NVMe nodes are not supported for HX edge deployments.

Note

HX Edge M6 nodes require minimum server firmware version 4.2(1i) or later

Software Requirements for VMware ESXi - 6.0(x) Releases

The software requirements include verification that you are using compatible versions of Cisco HyperFlex Systems (HX) components and VMware vSphere, VMware vCenter, and VMware ESXi.

  • Verify that all HX servers have a compatible version of vSphere preinstalled.

  • Verify that the vCenter version is the same or later than the ESXi version.

  • Clusters running ESXi version 7.0 U2 and earlier, need to perform a combined upgrade to HXDP 6.0(1a) with ESXi 7.0 U3 or later.

  • Verify that the vCenter and ESXi versions are compatible by consulting the VMware Product Interoperability Matrix. Newer vCenter versions may be used with older ESXi versions, provided both ESXi and vCenter are listed as supported in the software requirements tables in this section.

  • Verify that you have a vCenter administrator account with root-level privileges and the associated password.

The following tables apply to VMware vSphere Editions: Enterprise, Enterprise Plus, Standard, Essentials Plus, ROBO. All other licensed editions of VMware, including the Essentials Edition are not supported.

Table 4. Software Requirements for VMware ESXi

Version

VMware ESXi Versions for M5 Servers

VMware ESXi Versions for M6 Servers

6.0(1b)

7.0 U3, 8.0 U1, 8.0 U2

7.0 U3, 8.0 U1, 8.0 U2

6.0(1a)

7.0 U3, 8.0 U1, 8.0 U2

7.0 U3, 8.0 U1, 8.0 U2
Table 5. Software Requirements for VMware vCenter

Version

VMware vCenter Versions for M5 Servers

VMware vCenter Versions for M6 Servers

6.0(1b)

7.0 U3, 8.0 U1, 8.0 U2

7.0 U3, 8.0 U1, 8.0 U2

6.0(1a)

7.0 U3, 8.0 U1, 8.0 U2

7.0 U3, 8.0 U1, 8.0 U2

HX Data Platform Software Versions for HyperFlex Witness Node for Stretch Cluster - 6.0(x) Releases

New Stretch Clusters installed using HXDP 6.0(1a) will auto-configure an Invisible Cloud Witness for site arbitration. Invisible Cloud Witness automatically runs the latest version, user maintenance of this component is not required. Stretch Clusters upgraded from previous HX releases, will continue to work with existing 3rd site witness VM.


Note

Stretch Clusters upgraded from previous HXDP Releases (HXDP Release 5.0(x) and earlier), will continue to work with existing 3rd site witness as described in the Cisco HyperFlex Systems Stretch Cluster Guide, Release 5.0 and the Cisco HyperFlex Systems Upgrade Guide for VMware ESXi, Release 5.0. The following table provides the latest supported witness VM version.

HXDP Software Versions for Legacy HyperFlex Witness for Stretch Cluster HXDP 5.0(x) and earlier

  • Witness Node Version : 1.1.3


    Note

    Older versions of witness VMs are supported when the cluster is upgraded to the latest HXDP version.

Browser Recommendations - 6.0(x) Releases

Use one of the following browsers to run the listed HyperFlex components. These browsers have been tested and approved. Other browsers might work, but full functionality has not been tested and confirmed.

Table 6. Supported Browsers

Browser

Cisco Intersight

Cisco UCS Manager

HX Data Platform Installer

HX Connect

Microsoft Internet Explorer

NA

11 or later

11 or later

11 or later

Google Chrome

62 or later

57 or later

70 or later

70 or later

Mozilla Firefox

57 or later

45 or later

60 or later

60 or later

Apple Safari

10 or later

9 or later

NA

NA

Opera

NA

35 or later

NA

NA

Notes

  • Cisco HyperFlex Connect:

    The minimum recommended resolution is 1024 X 768.

  • VMware local plugin architecture: Support is limited to vSphere versions 6.5, 6.7, and 7.0. For more information, see the vSphere Client Local plugins are deprecated (87880) article on the VMware site.

  • Cisco UCS Manager:

    The browser must support the following:

    • Java Runtime Environment 1.6 or later.

    • Adobe Flash Player 10 or later is required for some features.

    For the latest browser information, see the Cisco UCS Manager Getting Started Guide for your deployment Cisco UCS Manager Getting Started Guide.