Dell EMC XC640 Doc SupportMatrix

The Dell XC640 Series Hyper-Converged Appliance and the Dell XC Core System, manufactured by Dell Inc., deliver a hyper-converged infrastructure platform engineered for virtualization environments and software-defined storage requirements. These systems support Intel Xeon processors spanning Skylake, Cascade Lake, and Cascade Lake Refresh L architectures, with specific processor models including the 3106 and 8280L available to provide scalable core counts and performance levels for distinct workload profiles. Memory subsystems accommodate RDIMM and LRDIMM modules in capacities of 16GB, 32GB, 64GB, and 128GB, running at memory speeds up to 2933MT/s or downclocking from 3200MT/s based on the selected processor tier. Storage options utilize a 2.5-inch form factor housing SAS HDDs with capacities up to 2.4TB, SATA SSDs reaching 3.84TB, and SAS SSDs extending to 7.68TB, while the XC Core System configuration additionally supports NVMe drives for high-performance tiers.

Network expansion capabilities are facilitated by a comprehensive selection of Intel, Mellanox, and Broadcom Network Daughter Cards and Interface Cards enabling 1GbE, 10GbE, and 25GbE connectivity through chipsets such as the X710, XXV710, and CX4LX. Deployment guidelines strictly mandate the use of Intel-branded SFP+ optical modules for fiber connections to maintain port functionality, while twinax cables provide supported copper alternatives, allowing administrators to configure redundancy and throughput via standardized expansion slots. Management infrastructure relies on Dell iDRAC firmware updates and Nutanix Lifecycle Controller for system administration, with future compatibility updates managed primarily through Nutanix LCM protocols rather than static firmware listings in the support matrix.

Operational versatility is achieved through extensive hypervisor compatibility, supporting VMware ESXi versions up to 8.0U1, Microsoft Windows Server editions with Hyper-V integration, and the Acropolis Hypervisor AHV starting from version 5.1, all manageable via Nutanix Prism and compatible Dell management software. Security implementations include hardware SED encryption for SAS drives, though buyers must observe critical constraints such as the prohibition on mixing encrypted and non-encrypted drives within a cluster unless encryption remains disabled, and the complete exclusion of NVMe drives from SED encryption support. This solution addresses buyer needs for integrated HCI deployments by requiring verification of exact software version dependencies, adherence to encryption key removal procedures via Prism before drive formatting, and utilization of Dell resources like the Quick Resource Locator for comprehensive setup documentation and technical references during implementation.