HyperFlex Edge Cluster questions

[SIMMN]

Hi, 

I am trying to refresh my knowledge of the HX Edge cluster, like sizing and scalability etc. But here are some of my confusion that hope get some insights here.

1. I was not aware of "DC-no-FI" cluster until I read the link below. But it does not seem like the DC-no-FI cluster the same as edge cluster? If so, what would be the difference?

https://www.intersight.com/help/saas/resources/expand_cisco_hyperflex_clusters_in_intersight#prerequisites_when_creating_a_mixed_m4/m5_cluster

2. Document shows HX Edge cluster supports up to 4-node. But can compute-only nodes work with HX Edge cluster? If so, what is truely the max number of nodes in a HX Edge cluster with 10/25Gbps connectivity?

[RedNectar · Accepted solution]

Hi @SIMMN ,

1. I was not aware of "DC-no-FI" cluster until I read the link below. But it does not seem like the DC-no-FI cluster the same as edge cluster?

Correct. "the DC-no-FI cluster IS the same as edge cluster". Documentation is scarce, but this tell you a little and this is the ordering guide 

If so, what would be the difference?

I'd need to check - but I think the larger (4-8 nodes) requires a higher licence

2. Document shows HX Edge cluster supports up to 4-node. But can compute-only nodes work with HX Edge cluster?

NO

[SIMMN]

Thanks for the info. But if "DC-no-FI" cluster is the same as Edge cluster, why they even introduced the term...

[RedNectar]

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@SIMMN wrote:

Thanks for the info. But if "DC-no-FI" cluster is the same as Edge cluster, why they even introduced the term...

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LOL. I'm sure you know the answer = "Different Market", but the thing I find amazing is that they couldn't find a decent term to describe it.  For a while it was referred to as "BYO Switch" (Bring You Own Switch) - but clearly that didn't go to press.

But "DC-no-FI" ? - what a mouthful!

[SIMMN]

Yeah…I vaguely remember someone from Cisco mentioned “Bring You Own Switch”…

[Venkatesh poreddy]

Expansion of an existing Cisco HyperFlex Edge cluster beyond 4 nodes converts the cluster to Cisco HyperFlex DC-No-FI.

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/collateral/hyperconverged-infrastructure/hyperflex-hx-series/hyperflex-dc-no-fabric-interconnect-solution.html

[Riaan van Niekerk]

Despite being somewhat off a neologism, I prefer DC-no-FI, since it is a lot more descriptive than HyperFlex for Edge Environments (it indicates not having FIs in the architecture). Edge also has the connotation of deployment in a smaller DC or network equipment cabinet. DC-no-FI can be deployed in the core DC, or on the edge. With the perception/stigma of an Edge solution not being core DC ready or appropriate, DC-no-FI solves all the issues created by HX Edge as a concept.