We are about to deploy a new DELL R730 VMware Host Server running vSphere standard ESXi 5.5.0 U3B. We would like to add this server to our existing cluster of vSphere Standard ESXi 5.5.0 servers. Here are the specs of the new Host Server:
- R730 with a single Intel Xeon processor (E5-2630 v3 2.4Ghz)
- 1 socket, 8 cores per socket
- 196GB RAM
- vSphere standard ESXi 5.5.0 Express Patch 10 (3568722)
- No EVC mode
And here are the specs for our existing HA cluster with DRS
- (1) Dell R710 with (2) Intel Xeon processors (E5-620 2.4Ghz)
- 2 sockets, 4 cores per socket
- 196GB RAM
- vSphere standard ESXi 5.5.0 GA
- EVC = "Westmere"
- (2) Dell R720 host servers with Intel Xeon E5-2680 v2 2.8GHZ processors (each server)
- 2 sockets, 10 cores per socket (each server)
- 393GB RAM (each Server)
- vSphere standard ESXi 5.5.0 GA (each server)
- EVC = "Westmere"
Cluster settings:
- HA enabled
- DRS enabled (manual mode)
- EVC Mode = "Westmere"
Our vCenter Server is running 5.5.0 U3D (3721164)
My questions are:
- Can I integrate the new server into my existing cluster as is?
- Should I integrate the new server into the existing cluster?
- If I integrate into the existing cluster, must I first upgrade the existing hosts to ESXi 5.5.0 U3B or can this be done after?
- If I do not integrate the new server into my existing HA cluster, should I create a new cluster (without HA) with just this server initially in anticipation of adding another R730 single socket server soon?
- What are the iSCSI SAN based datastore access ramifications if I do not integrate the new host server into the existing cluster? Can it safely access the same LUNs and datastores if I add it to the existing "host group" on the iSCSI SAN?
A lot of questions, and I am sure there are numerous ways to skin this cat. What I am looking for is a balance between expedience and optimized design. That probably sounds contradictory, but I have a need to start using this server's resources while minimizing the disruption to our existing virtual servers.
Recommendations?