Concentrate on HyperFlex: Sizing A New Cluster Utilizing the Sizer and Profiler Instruments

March 9, 2022

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On this ‘Concentrate on HyperFlex’ weblog, we’ll zero-in on totally different features of the Cisco HyperFlex (‘HX’) hyperconverged system and methods to make HX work finest for you and your group. This version will illustrate on easy methods to dimension a cluster whenever you may not have all the main points of the workload labored out. On this scenario, HyperFlex Profiler is the suitable method to be taught extra concerning the workloads.

Throughout my time in gross sales, groups typically requested me to dimension a HyperFlex cluster and supply a buyer quote. It was customary to have many extra questions than the group or buyer might reply concerning the utility. Usually, they would offer me with an Excel sheet with some CPU and reminiscence values. That may be a nice begin, and it gave me deep perception into the client’s utility. Nonetheless, an utility profile isn’t solely about averages of CPU and reminiscence. There are a number of extra parameters wanted, together with the efficiency and latency peaks. With the client’s permission, I might run a HyperFlex Profiler of their atmosphere to achieve extra details about their utility. Earlier than putting in the OVA on their vCenter, I might clarify what HyperFlex Profiler is and the way it helps with sizing their new HyperFlex atmosphere.

HyperFlex Profiler

If there isn’t a historic perception into the potential clustered utility atmosphere, then begin with HyperFlex Profiler. HyperFlex Profiler will collect information on the vCenter atmosphere and consolidate that mass of information to a single, simply digestible file. This file will shortly dimension the cluster after importing it into the HyperFlex Sizer device and paint a clearer image of the atmosphere and workloads.

Nonetheless, profiling the atmosphere isn’t a fast hit in a brief time period. The most effective method is to run the HyperFlex Profiler for at the very least seven days or, ideally, 30 days. An extended measuring interval ensures you seize information when “finish of the month reviews” are run. After all, don’t simply measure the atmosphere throughout a weekend when there may be little visitors! You’ll want to seize at the very least one logical enterprise cycle for that utility.

The HyperFlex Profiler is an OVA put in on a VMware atmosphere. The one configuration is to offer (read-only) entry to the vCenter atmosphere and outline which servers the HyperFlex Profiler will monitor. A number of servers and/or clusters may be chosen. For environments working several types of workloads, it is suggested to isolate them by deciding on the servers of their environments – as an illustration, the VDI or the SQL atmosphere. After all, deciding on all servers and workloads can also be an possibility. Needless to say you should have extra overhead this manner.

When it’s monitoring the atmosphere, you will notice the next:

Extra particulars concerning the atmosphere may be proven in different tables and graphics, that may be exported in pdf format.

It’s important to see the peaks of the atmosphere. This fashion, you may make certain the brand new HyperFlex designed cluster can deal with the workload, and guarantee there may be room for growth.

There are totally different graphs within the HyperFlex Profiler. Right here you may see the metrics of the storage reads. Right here, you may have extra perception into the incessantly used block-size of the atmosphere. That is certainly one of them:

The following step is to make use of the ability of the HyperFlex ProFiler to create a invoice of fabric out of all the data from vCenter. The information of the HyperFlex Profiler may be manually or mechanically downloaded and uploaded to the HyperFlex Sizer.

HyperFlex Sizer

The HyperFlex Sizer is an internet device (https://hyperflexsizer.cloudapps.cisco.com/) accessible to each companions and prospects. With this device, you may add your private, mostly used workloads to a HyperFlex cluster and have the sizing device resolve the best choice. HyperFlex Sizer takes the HyperFlex finest practices into consideration when calculating the optimum resolution.

Moreover, you may customise the sizing device, utilizing solely the popular parts the client needs to see within the new HyperFlex atmosphere. Completely different components, like CPU, reminiscence, varieties and sizes of drives, and extra, may be custom-made.

Importing the information of the HX Profiler to the HX Sizer is fully simple. After claiming the HX Profile into the HX Sizer, the device will produce a sensible Invoice of Supplies that may be the baseline of a dialogue together with your companion about the most effective resolution on your functions.

Here’s a screenshot of the HyperFlex Sizer the place a HyperFlex cluster is calculated with the requested workload:

A variation of HyperFlex clusters could also be suggested. That is attainable whenever you wish to have totally different workloads, every with their traits.

It reveals the quantity of HyperFlex or compute nodes, what kind of nodes and contains all of the elements which are wanted to create the answer. This fashion, you don’t need to configure the whole lot manually, eliminating human errors.

Create an estimate

As soon as you recognize the whole dimension of the brand new HyperFlex cluster, companions or Cisco consultants can simply add the Invoice of Materials to Cisco Commerce Workspace (CCW) and estimate the HyperFlex cluster.

In CCW, the estimate may be transformed to an order.

Abstract

At any time when there may be little to no details about the workloads that may run on a newly designed HyperFlex cluster, begin with the HyperFlex Profiler. Start gathering information, together with essential CPU, a storage profile and reminiscence measurements.

After working the HX Profiler for the beneficial minimal of seven days, you may add the report back to the web HyperFlex Sizer device and begin sizing a brand new HyperFlex cluster with that information. Then, the HyperFlex Sizer creates a helpful bill-of-material. After mechanically importing it to CCW, the companion or Cisco groups could make an correct and environment friendly estimate of the cluster sizing wants.