Research Abstract

Deploying and Managing VMware vSAN™ Clusters Can
Be Simple with Lenovo® ThinkAgile™ VX HCI Solutions
Evaluating what it takes to deploy and manage a hyperconverged infrastructure(HCI) vSAN cluster using Lenovo ThinkAgile VX.

Companies are attracted to hyperconverged infrastructure (HCI)

Prowess Labs tested the ThinkAgile VX Deployer tool to evaluate

offerings such as VMware HCI, but the difficulty of setting

how well it works, how easy it is to use, and how long it takes

up and maintaining such systems can be off-putting. Creating

to perform the key operations of creating a new cluster andclusters and adding nodes to them can be complex and time-extending a new cluster with an additional node. We also tested

consuming. Keeping infrastructure up to date while maintaining

to validate that VMware vCenter was able to perform a successful

compliance has historically been a highly manual task, often

remediation—including the firmware-update process—of a cluster

requiring separate specialized tools to update each tier ofcreated with ThinkAgile VX Deployer.

®

the infrastructure.
The results of our testing validated that ThinkAgile VX Deployer
Lenovo partners with VMware to address these challenges andperformed as expected and was straightforward to use. Our test

make it easier to deploy and maintain VMware HCI clusters

results provide insights into how long different operations canon Lenovo® ThinkAgile™ VX integrated systems. The Lenovo

require to complete, and where the bulk of time is spent.

ThinkAgile VX Deployer tool aims to let users deploy and expand
clusters quickly and easily using a single tool. It also aims tosimplify cluster updates and to enhance hardware lifecycle
management within the VMware vCenter® management console
via Lenovo® XClarity® Integrator.

Key findings
1.

The Lenovo® ThinkAgile™ VX Deployer tool was easy to use with an intuitive process flow.

2.

Time to deployment was fast, and for most of that time, no user action was needed.

3.

The configuration file feature reduced repetitive input and made for a repeatable deployment.

4.

Integration into VMware vCenter® was seamless for viewing topology and remediating the cluster in a single interface.

Research Abstract | Deploying and Managing VMware vSAN™ Clusters Can Be Simple with Lenovo® ThinkAgile™ VX HCI Solutions

Evaluating the Lenovo ThinkAgile VX Deployer ToolThinkAgile VX Deployer uses a web-based user interface (UI) to simplify and automate the deployment of Lenovo ThinkAgile VX
systems within VMware vSAN™ clusters. We tested and evaluated four different scenarios using ThinkAgile VX Deployer:
1.

Install a new cluster of three nodes from scratch using the ThinkAgile VX Deployer wizard interface.

2.

Repeat the installation of a new cluster using a configuration file created during the first scenario.

3.

Extend the cluster to include a fourth node using the ThinkAgile VX Deployer wizard interface.

4.

Repeat the cluster extension using a configuration file created during the third scenario.

Our test methodology included recording the amount of time spent on each screen in the ThinkAgile VX Deployer wizard prior toclicking the Deploy button, in addition to how long that deployment took to complete after it was started.

Validating ThinkAgile VX Deployer in VMware vCenter®
As part of deploying a new cluster, the ThinkAgile VX Deployer installs Lenovo XClarity Integrator as the hardware support manager
used by vCenter for firmware upgrades. We tested vCenter to verify the integration was complete, and VMware vCenter® Lifecycle
Manager™ was able to perform a remediation of the cluster—that is, upgrading the firmware in each of the nodes in the cluster. We
found that all the pieces were in place for the remediation to be completed as expected.

Learn MoreGet the full story by reading our research report, “Deployment, Operations, and Management of VMware® HCI with Lenovo®
ThinkAgile™ VX Deployer HCI Solutions.”
To learn more please visit: www.lenovo.com/us/en/servers-storage/vmware-hci/.

The analysis in this document was done by Prowess Consulting andcommissioned by Lenovo.

Prowess and the Prowess logo are trademarks of Prowess Consulting, LLC.

Results have been simulated and are provided for informational purposes only.

Copyright © 2022 Prowess Consulting, LLC. All rights reserved.

Any difference in system hardware or software design or configuration may

Other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

affect actual performance.

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