- Mandatory VxRail 8.0 Code Currency upgrade by September 30, 2025 for security and performance improvements.
- VxRail E660 ideal for VMware vSphere and vSAN integrated workloads.
- Flexible sizing for edge, core, and cloud deployments with all-NVMe options.
- Watch for compatibility and network prerequisites before upgrading.
- Small-to-mid data centers and VDI benefit most from E660 configurations.
- Plan lifecycle budgets—8.0 brings value but requires downtime planning.
What’s new or important now
As of 2025, Dell recommends that all Dell EMC VxRail E660 clusters be upgraded to 8.0 Code Currency by September 30, 2025. This proactive update addresses known security vulnerabilities and unlocks enhancements in system stability, vSAN performance, and lifecycle management. Official guidance and upgrade procedures are detailed in Dell Support documentation. Skipping the deadline could leave your HCI nodes exposed to unpatched threats and compatibility drift in VMware-integrated environments (VMware core resources).
Buyer and Architect Guidance
The Dell EMC VxRail E660 is a 1U hyper-converged platform offering tight VMware integration, ideal for workloads where operational simplicity and standardized lifecycle management are key. Designed for vSphere/vSAN, it enables a plug-and-play experience with native Dell/VMware features.
Primary Use Cases
- Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI): Lower latency and predictable scalability for hundreds to thousands of seats.
- ROBO / Edge: Compact form factor with centralized management via VxRail Manager.
- Private Cloud Core: Consistent VMware experience across hybrid topologies.
- Database Virtualization: Especially suited for transactional and analytics DBs that benefit from NVMe acceleration.
Sizing Considerations
- Start with defined workload profiles—CPU, memory, storage IOPS/throughput goals.
- Consider all-NVMe configurations for intensive workloads; hybrid for cost efficiency.
- Account for vSAN capacity overhead and vSphere HA requirements.
- Leave expansion headroom for at least 1–2 years of growth.
Trade-Offs
- Pros: Seamless VMware integration, lifecycle automation, dense compute/storage per rack unit.
- Cons: Vendor lock-in potential; requires alignment to Dell release cycles; higher acquisition cost than whitebox.
Feature and Spec Comparison
| Model | Form Factor | CPU Options | Storage | Ideal Workloads |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VxRail E660 | 1U | Intel Xeon Scalable (3rd Gen) | All-NVMe or Hybrid vSAN | VMware-centric, VDI, DB |
| VxRail P670 | 2U | Intel Xeon Scalable (up to 28 cores) | High-capacity all-NVMe | Heavy analytics, large DB |
| VxRail E560 | 1U | Intel Xeon Scalable (entry-mid) | Hybrid vSAN | ROBO, Dev/Test |
Mini Implementation Guide
Prerequisites
- Cluster health check via VxRail Manager.
- Backup of configuration and critical workloads.
- Validation of network fabric—10/25GbE switch support.
- VMware vSphere and vSAN licensing aligned with upgrade target.
Steps
- Review Dell EMC official upgrade procedure.
- Stage the 8.0 composite upgrade bundle in VxRail Manager.
- Run pre-upgrade health and compatibility checks.
- Schedule maintenance window; inform stakeholders.
- Execute the automated upgrade sequence per node.
- Validate cluster status post-upgrade; test workloads.
Common Pitfalls
- Overlooking firmware/BIOS prerequisites can cause upgrade halts.
- Ignoring vSAN capacity overhead may prolong upgrade times.
- Skipping backups—rollback from failed upgrades can be time-consuming.
Cost and ROI Notes
While the acquisition cost for VxRail E660 nodes is higher than commodity servers, the savings appear in operational expense—lifecycle management automation reduces admin hours, and tight VMware integration reduces third-party support costs. Typical ROI cycles are 2–4 years depending on workload density and consolidation strategy. Budget for periodic software/hardware refreshes aligned to Dell’s release cadence to preserve support and performance gains.
FAQs
Q1: Can I run VxRail E660 without VMware?
A1: It is engineered for VMware; non-VMware use is unsupported and would negate lifecycle management benefits.
Q2: How long does an 8.0 upgrade take?
A2: Depending on cluster size, schedule between 1–3 hours per node, plus validation time.
Q3: Is 8.0 required for vSphere 8.x support?
A3: Yes, the 8.0 code baseline ensures compatibility with latest vSphere and vSAN builds.
Q4: Are there any hardware changes for the 8.0 upgrade?
A4: Generally no, but some older NIC or storage components may require firmware updates.
Q5: What’s the minimum cluster size?
A5: VxRail requires at least three nodes for standard vSAN deployments, though 2-node ROBO is supported with a witness appliance.
Q6: Will 8.0 affect my licensing?
A6: No changes to licensing terms, but you need licenses compatible with the target VMware versions.
Conclusion
The Dell EMC VxRail E660 remains a robust choice for data centers committed to VMware’s ecosystem in 2025. With the mandated 8.0 upgrade deadline approaching, now is the time to plan, budget, and execute your update for security and performance continuity. For more detailed learning paths and solution design insights, visit LearnDell Online.