VMware HCI

VMware HCI manages the configuration of hyper-converged compute, storage, and network resources for a cluster, as a collection of identically configured ESXi hosts. This unified approach simplifies cluster configuration, offering a way to configure all resource types as a group, using a single interface.

VMware HCI clusters are ideal for newly established datacenters. Only conformant hosts are allowed to be a part of the HCI cluster. They must have the same CPU design and contain the minimum number of physical NICs specified in DvsProfile. Network settings are wiped to a clean state before configuration. Non-management port groups in standard switches are migrated to a virtual distributed switch.

The ConfigureHCI_Task method configures a VMware HCI (hyper converged infrastructure) cluster. The ExtendHCI_Task method expands and reconfigures a VMware HCI cluster. Before and after HCI cluster configuration, you can run the ValidateHCIConfiguration method to check that the ClusterComputeResourceHCIConfigSpec is correct.

The BatchAddHostsToCluster_Task method adds more hosts as needed to a VMware HCI cluster, but cannot change cluster configuration.

These configure, extend, and host add methods are composite tasks. That is, they perform multiple operations in a single task. For example, ConfigureHCI_Task can:

Set up cluster services such as DRS, HA, and vMotion
For an HCI cluster, verify that all hosts have same CPU vendor
Add new standalone hosts and set state (lockdown)
Move all hosts into the HCI cluster
Configure vSAN datastore
Configure virtual distributed switch and port groups

Automatic remediation of failed hosts is not attempted. The administrator must intervene to correct issues before attempting to place hosts back in the cluster. Remediated hosts must be ready to participate in the vSAN datastore.