Table of Contents
VMware vSAN™ is a software-defined storage product that pools direct-attached storage devices across a VMware vSphere server virtualization cluster to create a distributed, shared data store.
Hewlett Packard Enterprise supports, certifies, and offers VMware vSAN ReadyNode™ configurations based on HPE ProLiant servers through the use of Smart Templates and CTO Menus on HPE One Config Advanced website. These easy-to-order configurable bundles are built on HPE ProLiant servers and are certified under the HPE vSAN ReadyNode profile specifications, and multiple Build-Your-Own (BYO) vSAN Certified configurations available for vSAN Original Storage Architecture.
Overview
All options available for our Smart Template base configurations are tested, certified, and listed in the Broadcom Compatibility Guide, eliminating the guesswork from building vSAN ReadyNode configurations. These HPE configurations are based on the published VMware vSAN ReadyNode Profiles. HPE offers Smart Template configurations for all currently shipping ProLiant systems with VMware vSAN Express Storage Architecture, as well as options for all-flash SAS, SAS/SATA, and SATA SSDs. HPE also has configurations optimized for either virtualization, data management and processing, accelerated infrastructure, or data warehousing, to provide ideal performance based on the customer’s workload.
Notes: The use of Smart Templates does not enforce rules on changes to devices or options that the user could make. Any changes must be validated against the Broadcom Compatibility Guide. Please review CLIC warnings for further verification.
A complete list of supported and certified ProLiant servers is available either in the Hewlett Packard Enterprise support matrix at http://www.hpe.com/servers/vmwarecert or in the Broadcom Compatibility Guide (“BCG”).
For vSAN Original Storage Architecture ReadyNodes please visit: this link for HPE Servers.
For vSAN Express Storage Architecture ReadyNodes please visit this link for HPE Servers.
What's New
- – Broadcom has released an updated compatibility guide with new “Simplified BOM” for vSAN ReadyNodes.
- – HPE has added multiple new server platforms and NVMe devices to the vSAN Express Storage Architecture (ESA) list.
- – vSAN Tracking SKUs (2) for both “OSA” and “ESA” Architecture.
- – Reference Builds are now called “Smart Templates” – In One Config Advanced (OCA) there is a new section for locating best-use vSAN ReadyNode configurations. While in OCA go to “Select From Smart Template”, look for “Compute” and “Hyperconverged” and then search for available UCIDs.
- – New vSAN Express Storage Architecture (“ESA”) builds for all new HPE ProLiant Compute Gen12 servers including HPE ProLiant Compute DL320 Gen12, HPE ProLiant Compute DL325 Gen12, HPE ProLiant Compute DL340 Gen12, HPE ProLiant Compute DL345 Gen12, HPE ProLiant Compute DL360 Gen12, and HPE ProLiant Compute DL380 Gen12.
- – HPE ProLiant Compute Gen12 Servers will not support vSAN Original Storage Architecture.
- – HPE ProLiant Servers for vSAN ESA do not support the use of Multi-Vendor Mainstream NVMe SKUs for either Read Intensive (RI) or Mixed Use (MU). The use of these SKUs will create an unsupported configuration.
At A Glance
HPE vSAN ReadyNodes provide customers with the fastest path to optimized workloads, delivered on platforms that provide broad scalability and flexibility for each unique environment. The end-to-end solutions are covered by HPE Tech Care support and can be sourced entirely from Hewlett Packard Enterprise. Key features and benefits include:
- – HPE now offers Smart Template configurations that target mainstream use cases and forward-looking technology such Express Storage Architecture (“ESA”) as higher-bandwidth networking and NVMe for next-gen storage. HPE maintains the list of supported platforms and devices on the Broadcom Support Compatibility Matrix.
- – Optimized solutions – vSAN ReadyNode offerings are optimized to provide ideal performance on the from a range of workloads including VDI, SQL, and more.
- – Custom and scalable build - All nodes default to a configuration optimized for both cost and performance; however, each has a full suite of options to upgrade. The customer can tailor each server to fit their specific environment.
- – All Smart Templates use HPE NS204i as boot source (also available with the newer SED options).
- – Factory built -The hardware is assembled and configured in the HPE factory using extensively tested configuration guidelines.
- – Solution-level support - Hewlett Packard Enterprise offers its HPE 4-hour 24x7 Tech Care Service as base support, with options for Tech Care Advanced as well as Complete Care. This solution-level support experience is designed to accelerate time to resolution and is delivered by an HPE Center of Excellence capable of supporting the complete solution, including the HPE hardware, software, VMware software, and Microsoft software. HPE solution support experts are well versed in all aspects of the offering. Customers also have the ability to select from various service level options such as HPE 6-Hour Call-to-Repair Hardware Support, or options for defective media retention.
- – Tracking SKUs for OSA and ESA servers (AMD and Intel). For HPE ProLiant Compute Gen12 Servers there will be only the vSAN ESA tracking SKU.
- – Current Gen11 HBA Controllers available for vSAN:
Notes:
1. These controllers are only to be used in Gen11 Servers if you are building OSA ReadyNodes or BYO. This is unsupported in HPE ProLiant Compute Gen12 Servers with vSAN OSA.
2. The use of Tri-Mode controllers attached to NVMe devices is NOT supported by vSAN – DO NOT use the below controllers with NVMe devices as NVMe SSD is only allowed via direct attach. See “VMware by Broadcom Web Sites” section below for more information.
– HPE MR416i-p Gen11 16 Internal Lanes/8GB Cache SPDM PCI Plug-in Storage Controller P47777-B21
– HPE MR416i-o Gen11 16 Internal Lanes/8GB Cache SPDM OCP Storage Controller P47781-B21
– HPE MR216i-p Gen11 16 Internal Lanes/No Cache SPDM PCI Plug-in Storage Controller P47785-B21
– HPE MR216i-o Gen11 16 Internal Lanes/No Cache SPDM OCP Storage Controller P47789-B21
– HPE MR408i-o Gen11 8 Internal Lanes/4GB Cache SPDM OCP Storage Controller P58335-B21
– HPE SR932i-p Gen11 32 Internal Lanes/8GB Wide Cache SPDM PCI Plug-in Storage Controller P47184-B21
– HPE SR416ie-m Gen11 x16 Lanes 4GB Cache SPDM Mezzanine Storage Controller P39959-B21
HPE Web Sites
- – Alliance page: https://www.hpe.com/us/en/alliance/vmware.html
- – Support Matrix: http://www.hpe.com/servers/vmwarecert
VMware by Broadcom Web Sites
- – “BCG”:
Standard Features
Supported Media for vSphere 8/vSphere 9
Acquire your choice of Hewlett Packard Enterprise supported and qualified media. Please note that all devices will need to be imaged for vSphere 8 / vSphere 9:
- – Any HPE hard drive.
- – HPE NS204i-p x2 Lanes NVMe PCIe3 x8 OS Boot Device.
- – HPE NS204i-p v2 x2 Lanes NVMe PCIe3 x8 OS Boot Device.
- – HPE NS204i-u Gen11 NVMe Hot Plug Boot Optimized Storage Device.
- – HPE NS204i-d Gen11 Synergy Gen11 Boot Controller.
Service and Support
For the most up-to-date information on HPE Services, please refer to the HPE Services – Supplemental QuickSpecs, which provides a comprehensive and regularly updated overview of available services.
Configuration Information
How to order
Customers can purchase VMware vSAN ReadyNodes directly from Hewlett Packard Enterprise or through Hewlett Packard Enterprise authorized resellers. There is a dedicated VMware vSAN solutions catalog within our Hewlett Packard Enterprise sales and authorized partner ordering tool One Config Advanced (OCA). Within the catalog, customers can use vSAN Ready Node Solution menus for vSAN ESA from the OCA catalog and all profiles and workload-optimized solutions are listed within ‘Smart Templates’.
Notes: The use of vSAN Ready Node Solution menus for vSAN ESA from the One Config Advanced (OCA) catalog uses rules controls (for profile sizing) and certified NVMe devices (from the Broadcom Compatibility Guide) only. The use of Smart Templates is a reference starting point, and can be modified although it does not enforce rules controls or restrict to only certified devices (always refer to BCG for updated component list if using this build option).
Technical Specifications
| Description | vSAN-ESA-AF-0 | vSAN-ESA-AF-2 | vSAN-ESA-AF-4 | vSAN-ESA-AF-6 | vSAN-ESA-AF-8 | vSAN-ESA-AF-HighDensity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Node Capacity (TB) (Min) | 1.6 | 10 | 20 | 40 | 60 | 100 |
| CPU (#cores) per Node (Min) | 16 | 24 | 32 | 48 | 56 | 48 |
| Memory (GB) (Min) | 128 | 256 | 512 | 768 | 1024 | 768 |
| Network (GbE) (Min) | 10 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 100 | 50 |
| Device Endurance | 1 DWPD or higher | 3 DWPD | 1 DWPD or higher | |||
Device Guidance
- – Type (NVMe TLC): Read Intensive (1DWPD) or Mixed-Use Devices (3DWPD)
- – Minimum Capacity: 1.6TB
- – Performance Class: Class F or higher
- – Endurance Class: Class D or higher (1DWPD or higher)
VMware vSAN ReadyNode Profiles for ESA
Notes:
– These are base default specifications for each server and match the VMware defined vSAN ReadyNode profile minimums. Processor, memory, storage, network interface controllers [NIC], and power supplies are configurable options but must meet or exceed minimums.
– AF-2 minimum requirements: CPU: 24 total cores; Memory: 256GB; Single tier total capacity: 10Tb or more (2 total drives minimum), NIC: 25GB or more.
– Not all ESA nodes are listed here, please visit the below links for more configurations.
– Boot sources must be IOVP and are not specifically limited to NS204i, for example.
– For more detail on vSAN profiles please see this URL.
– For more detail on vSAN ESA allowable changes please visit this URL.
Environment-friendly Products and Approach End-of-life Management and Recycling
Hewlett Packard Enterprise offers end-of-life product return, trade-in, and recycling programs in many geographic areas.
For trade-in information, please go to http://www.hpe.com/info/recycle.
To recycle your product, please go to http://www.hpe.com/info/recycleor contact your nearest Hewlett Packard Enterprise sales office. Products returned to Hewlett Packard Enterprise will be recycled, recovered, or disposed of in a responsible manner.
The EU WEEE directive (2002/95/EC) requires manufacturers to provide treatment information for each product type for use by treatment facilities. This information (product disassembly instructions) is posted on the HPE website at http://www.hpe.com/info/recycle.
These instructions may be used by recyclers and other WEEE treatment facilities as well as HPE OEM customers who integrate and resell HPE equipment.
Summary of Changes
| Date | Version History | Action | Description of Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21-Sep-2026 | Changed | QuickSpecs maintenance updates. | |
| 22-Sep-2025 | Changed | Overview section was updated. | |
| Added | HPE ProLiant Compute Gen12 details and ESXi 9.0 Support. | ||
| 09-Jun-2025 | Changed | Overview section was updated. At-A-Glance, and How To Order sub-sections were updated. | |
| 17-Mar-2025 | Changed | Overview and Standard Features sections were updated. (Web Sites, Profiles, HPE ProLiant Compute Gen12 Servers and DL145 Gen11). | |
| 02-Dec-2024 | Changed | Overview, Standard Features, Configuration Information and Technical Specifications. | |
| 12-Jan-2024 | Changed | Service and Support and Configuration Information sections were updated. SKU Changes and Obsolete SKUs were removed | |
| 20-Nov-2023 | Changed | HPE Services Rebranding. | |
| 02-Oct-2023 | Changed | Read Intensive NVMe allowed, AF-0 Profiles added. | |
| 10-Jul-2023 | Changed | Overview and Configuration Information sections were updated. | |
| 01-May-2023 | Changed | OSA/ESA Gen11 Tracking SKUs, SY480 Gen11 ESA node added, Gen11 HY certification for Broadcom HBA controllers. | |
| 20-Feb-2023 | Changed | Overview, Standard Features, Configuration Information, and Technical Specifications sections were updated with ESXi 8.0 and Gen11 server information. | |
| 14-Nov-2022 | Changed | Overview, Standard Features, Configuration Information, and Technical Specifications sections were updated. | |
| 04-Apr-2022 | Changed | Overview and Technical Specifications sections were updated. Added ReadyNodes with more controller options, changes to SAS drives. | |
| 07-Mar-2022 | Changed | Overview, Configuration Information, Service and Support and Technical Specifications sections were updated. | |
| 15-Nov-2021 | Changed | Service and Support section was updated. | |
| 01-Jun-2020 | Changed | Overview, Standard Features, Configuration Information, and Technical Specifications sections were updated. | |
| 30-Jul-2019 | Changed | Overview, Standard Features, Configuration Information, Service and Support and Technical Specifications sections were updated. | |
| 01-Jul-2019 | New | New QuickSpecs |
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