One of the key reasons Hyper Converged Infrastructure (HCI) powered by VMware vSAN is so successful with customers is that it gives them the choice of a wide range of supported hardware platforms and choice of the latest technologies—both of which do not simply happen by chance. This week we spoke with two key members of the vSAN ReadyLabs team, Sr Product Manager Biswa Bhattacharjee and Engineering Director for vSAN, Kathryn Vandiver.

Introduction to VMware vSAN ReadyLabs

vSAN ReadyLabs engineering is responsible for ensuring that the ReadyNode hardware meets the demands of vSAN without compromising data availability, data integrity and product performance; that vSAN algorithms leverage the latest technological advancements in the hardware space; that development efforts go hand in hand in joint planning with all major OEM partners; and finally, that the vSAN engineering team leverages cross-OEM’s relationships to drive the resolution of hardware related issues while building future ReadyNode roadmaps for vSAN.

Every ReadyNode is unique based on the combination of firmware, driver, and devices. The vSAN ReadyLabs team partners with OEM vendors to outline the latest hardware trends and roadmaps. Together we do risk assessment, create tests, debug issues, perform root cause corrective action of certification failures, and guide development of vSAN capabilities accordingly. Once a ReadyNode is through this exhaustive process and fully certified, it is ready for mission-critical use by customers and chances of hitting potential issues have been minimized.

This allows customers to purchase and deploy a vSAN ReadyNode with confidence knowing that it has gone through the certification process of vSAN ReadyLabs and that they can call VMware support should they face any issues with a certified system.

Show Related Links

• A look into vSAN ReadyLabs
• vSAN ReadyNode
• What you can (and cannot) change in a vSAN ReadyNode
• vSAN ReadyNode sizer
• Intel Purley Platform Day 0 readiness for vSAN

Catch Kathryn’s VMworld session

• STO2705BU Redefine vSAN Deployments with Next Generation Intel® Xeon® processor, Intel® Optane™ and Intel® 3D NAND SSDs

Catch Pete and John in the following VMworld sessions

• STO2446BU Virtual Volumes Technical Deep Dive
• STO3276GU vSAN Networking and Design Best Practices
• STO2047BU What’s New in vSAN 6.6: Technical Deep Dive
• STO2095BU vSAN ReadyNode and Build Your Own Hardware Guidance
• PAR4398BCU VMware Technical Solutions Professional – Hyper-Converged Infrastructure (VTSP-HCI, formerly VTSP-SDS)
• PAR4367BU What’s New in vSAN 6.6 – A Deep Dive
• STO1926BU vSAN 6.6: A Day in the Life of an I/O

The Virtually Speaking Podcast

The Virtually Speaking Podcast is a weekly technical podcast dedicated to discussing VMware topics related to storage and availability. Each week Pete Flecha and John Nicholson bring in various subject matter experts from VMware and within the industry to discuss their respective areas of expertise. If you’re new to the Virtually Speaking Podcast check out all episodes on vSpeakingPodcast.com.