Reference Guide
Table Of Contents
- Dell EMC HCI Solutions for Microsoft Windows Server: Managing and Monitoring the Solution Infrastructure Life Cycle Operations Guide
- Introduction
- Day 0 Operations
- Introduction
- Azure onboarding for Azure Stack HCI OS
- Licensing for Azure Stack HCI for Windows Server 2016 and 2019
- Creating virtual disks
- Managing and Monitoring Azure Stack HCI Cluster using Windows Admin Center
- Installing Windows Admin Center
- Adding the HCI cluster connection
- Accessing the HCI cluster
- Viewing server details
- Viewing drive details
- Managing and monitoring volumes
- Enabling data deduplication on Storage Spaces Direct
- Monitoring and managing VMs
- Managing virtual switches
- Dell EMC OpenManage Integration with Windows Admin Center
- Firmware updates using Dell EMC OpenManage Integration for Microsoft System Center for System Center Virtual Machine Manager
- Firmware and driver updates using the manual method
- Expanding the Azure Stack HCI cluster
- Extending volumes
- Performing AX node recovery
- Operating system recovery
Figure 13. Virtual switches
Dell EMC OpenManage Integration with Windows Admin Center
Dell EMC OpenManage Integration with Windows Admin Center enables IT administrators to manage the hyperconverged
infrastructure (HCI) that is created by using Dell EMC HCI Solutions for Microsoft Windows Server. OpenManage Integration
with Windows Admin Center simplifies the tasks of IT administrators by remotely managing the AX nodes and clusters
throughout their life cycle.
For more information about the features, benefits, and installation of OpenManage Integration with Windows Admin Center,
see the documentation at https://www.dell.com/support/home/product-support/product/openmanage-integration-microsoft-
windows-admin-center/docs.
NOTE:
For Storage Spaces Direct Ready Node, if you want to use the "Cluster Aware Update" premium feature to update
the cluster using the Dell extension you should contact a Dell sales representative to get an Azure Stack HCI license. See
the "Firmware and driver updates using the manual method" section.
Prerequisites for managing AX nodes
Prerequisites for managing AX nodes are:
● You have installed Windows Admin Center version 2103 and are logged in as a gateway administrator.
● You have installed the Dell EMC OpenManage Integration with Microsoft Windows Admin Center extension version 2.0.0. For
more information about the installation procedure, see the Dell EMC OpenManage Integration Version 2.0.0 with Microsoft
Windows Admin Center Installation Guide.
● You have added the HCI cluster connection in Microsoft Windows Admin Center.
● Ensure that you can access the Windows Admin Center remotely using domain administrator credentials. Otherwise, use
local administrator credentials to access the Windows Admin Center locally. For more information, see What type of
installation is right for you?
● Ensure that you have installed the Microsoft Cluster Creation Extension version 1.506.0 release or above.
● Ensure that you have installed the Microsoft failover cluster extension version 1.243.0 release or above.
● Ensure that a OMIWAC Premium License is installed on each AX node.
Installing the Azure Stack HCI license (Ready Nodes only)
AX nodes have a preinstalled Azure Stack HCI license. Storage Spaces Direct Ready Nodes require the installation of an After
Point of Sale (APOS) license.
Steps
1. Log in to iDRAC.
Day 0 Operations
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