DO I need a vSphere Lic ? for new Dell ready Node for vSphere cluster

[BiosMaster0x000]

Hello,

I have a question that might not be the proper spot for it so please forgive me.  I'm new to VMware and have taken the responsibility for all vSphere environments.  At the moment we have 3 nodes that are running on a cluster with HA. I want to deploy a new node because we are running out of resources from what I can see in vCenter. So the question is if I buy a ready node and deploy it to vSphere do I need to buy an additional license to add it to our cluseter? I want to make sure I do it right the last thing I want to do is buy a node and then when ready to add it I will have to turn back around and ask for more budget to buy a license now.

Thank you!

[TheBobkin]

@BiosMaster0x000 , Yes it would require both an ESXi license (per 32-core CPU) the same edition as the other hosts in the cluster and also vSAN license (also the same as currently used).

Do check what you are purchasing though - ReadyNodes can come with vSphere and vSAN licenses included in price.

[IRIX201110141]

As one which sell  Dell/VMware Ready Nodes i can say the answer from above is 100% right.

You should tell us what kind of vSphere ESXi/vCenter edition you use because when you run a Essentials Plus which is unlikely but not impossible you will hit the 3 node limits for example. Assuming you have vCenter Foundation(4 Hosts) or vCenter Standard (unlimited) than there is no problem adding a 4th node.

If possible take a look to the old Dell order document to find out if VMware licensing coming WITH the Hardware or not. If nothing is listet you may have bought directly from VMware/Partner.

Keep in mind...

1. Windows licensing
2. Backup
3. Otherstuff like LogInsight, vRealize

Regards,
Joerg

[BiosMaster0x000]

here are the specs of the PO.

• VSAN Ready Node R640 - [AMER_VSAN_R640_12947_VI_VP]
  Estimated delivery if purchased today:
  Nov. 10, 2021
  $21,501.00 1 $21,501.00
  Description SKU Unit Price Quantity Subtotal
  R640,VSAN-RN,HYB Server 210-APMI - 1 -
  PowerEdge R640 MLK Motherboard 329-BEIJ - 1 -
  No Trusted Platform Module 461-AADZ - 1 -
  2.5 Chassis with up to 10 Hard Drives and 3PCIe slots 321-BCQL - 1 -
  PowerEdge R640 Shipping 340-BKNE - 1 -
  PowerEdge R640 x4 and x10 Drive Shipping Material 340-COPR - 1 -
  PowerEdge R640 CE, CCC, BIS Marking 389-DSVE - 1 -
  Intel Xeon Gold 6226 2.7G, 12C/24T, 10.4GT/s, 19.25M Cache,
  Turbo, HT (125W) DDR4-2933 338-BTSO - 1 -
  Intel Xeon Gold 6226 2.7G, 12C/24T, 10.4GT/s, 19.25M Cache,
  Turbo, HT (125W) DDR4-2933 338-BTSO - 1 -
  Additional Processor Selected 379-BDCO - 1 -
  DIMM Blanks for System with 2 Processors 370-ABWE - 1 -
  Standard 1U Heatsink 412-AAIQ - 1 -
  Standard 1U Heatsink 412-AAIQ - 1 -
  3200MT/s RDIMMs 370-AEVR - 1 -
  Performance Optimized 370-AAIP - 1 -
  No RAID 780-BCDI - 1 -
  HBA330 12Gbps SAS HBA Controller (NON-RAID), Minicard 405-AAJU - 1 -
  BOSS controller card + with 2 M.2 Sticks 240G (RAID 1),LP 403-BCHI - 1 -
  VMware ESXi 6.7 U3 Embedded Image (License Not Included) 634-BRIO - 1 -
  No Media Required 421-5736 - 1 -
  iDRAC9,Enterprise 385-BBKT - 1 -
  iDRAC Group Manager, Disabled 379-BCQY - 1 -
  SFP+, SR, Optical Transceiver, Intel, 10Gb-1Gb 407-BBVK - 1 -
  SFP+, SR, Optical Transceiver, Intel, 10Gb-1Gb 407-BBVK - 1 -
  Intel X710 Dual Port 10GbE SFP+ & i350 Dual Port 1GbE, rNDC 555-BCKO - 1 -
  iDRAC,Legacy Password 379-BCSG - 1 -
  Riser Config 2, 3x16 LP 330-BBGN - 1 -
  IDSDM and Combo Card Reader 385-BBLE - 1 -
  Page 3
  Dell Marketing LP. U.S. only. Dell Marketing LP. is located at One Dell Way, Mail Stop 8129, Round Rock, TX 78682
  OpenManage Integration for VMware vCenter - 1 host increment, 3
  year license - Digitally Fulfilled 634-BJBD - 1 -
  Redundant SD Cards Enabled 385-BBCF - 1 -
  16GB microSDHC/SDXC Card 385-BBKG - 1 -
  16GB microSDHC/SDXC Card 385-BBKG - 1 -
  No Internal Optical Drive 429-AAIQ - 1 -
  8 Performance Fans for R640 384-BBQI - 1 -
  Dual, Hot-plug, Redundant Power Supply (1+1), 1100W 450-ADWM - 1 -
  Dell EMC Ready Nodes 1U Standard Bezel 325-BCZO - 1 -
  Luggage Tag for x10, VSAN RN R640 350-BBQT - 1 -
  Quick Sync 2 (At-the-box mgmt) 350-BBKC - 1 -
  UEFI BIOS Boot Mode with GPT Partition 800-BBDM - 1 -
  ReadyRails Sliding Rails With Cable Management Arm 770-BBBL - 1 -
  No Systems Documentation, No OpenManage DVD Kit 631-AACK - 1 -
  US Order 332-1286 - 1 -
  IDM/ Personality Module for VSAN RN R640 350-BBQU - 1 -
  Basic Next Business Day 36 Months 709-BBFM - 1 -
  Prosupport Plus and 4Hr Mission Critical Initial, 36 Month(s) 865-BBNF - 1 -
  ProDeploy Plus Add-On: VMware vSAN (Requires ProDeploy Plus) 815-4077 - 1 -
  ProDeploy Plus Dell Server R Series 1U/2U - Deployment 804-6750 - 1 -
  ProDeploy Plus Dell Server R Series 1U/2U - Deployment Verification 804-6751 - 1 -
  ProDeploy Plus Training Credits 300 Redeem at
  education.dellemc.com Expires 1Yr from Order Date 812-4005 - 1 -
  32GB RDIMM, 3200MT/s, Dual Rank 16Gb BASE 370-AGDS - 12 -
  3.84TB SSD SAS Mixed use 12Gbps 512e 2.5in Hot-Plug PM5-V
  Drive, 3 DWPD, 400-BCOV - 2 -
  2.4TB 10K RPM SAS 12Gbps 512e 2.5in Hot-plug Hard Drive 400-AVEZ - 4 -
  Intel X710 Dual Port 10GbE SFP+ Adapter, PCIe Low Profile 555-BCKN - 1 -
  Power Cord - C13, 3M, 125V, 15A (North America, Guam, North
  Marianas, Philippines, Samoa, Vietnam) 450-AALV - 2 -
  Virtual SAN Ready Node,3 Years 815-9081 - 1 -

[IRIX201110141]

This PO doesnt show that any kind of VMware vSphere licenses are included.

The node comes with a factory installed ESXi 6.7 on the BOSS-S1 card and starts with the usual 60 Days evaluation time when powering on the server the first time. Thats it.

Some thoughts

• QuickSnyc2
• IDSDM(Dual SD Card) together with BOSS(Dual M.2SSD RAID1)

are two option which doesnt add great benefit or doesnt make sense at all. For sure you want do have the BOSS solution.

I dont want to discuss the sizing with CPU/MEM and 2 Diskgroup with a large Cache Disk and 2 spinning Capacity drives but we often see that nodes with just a single CPU (higher Core Count for sure but stay under 32) returns in huge saving when it comes to VMware licensing costs which gives us the possibility to add  one or two more nodes to the cluster. (i dont like 3 node vSAN Cluster 🙂
But every environment is different and every customer have different needs.

To be sure about your vSphere licenses just talk to your Dell Sales prep.

Regards,
Joerg

[BiosMaster0x000]

Will do.  Thank you all.  I will see to get my vSphere liceasnse and check to see what version is it.

Will post soon

[BiosMaster0x000]

Hello,

here is what I have from the last PO before I took over.  Please let me know if this license is still required. 

[IRIX201110141]

If your Cluster with the ReadyNodes only contains a VDI workload than most likely the vSphere 6 Desktop and vSAN for Desktop are in use and you dont need to buy any additional licenses as long as not having more than the 120 concurrent user.

To be 100% sure you can compare the license codes from your my.vmware.com with the licenses in vCenter (Management->Licenses->Assets Hosts|vCenter)

Regards,
Joerg