How to Customize the VxRail Initial IP Address

 When deploying a VxRail cluster, there are scenarios where you may need to customize the initial IP address of the VxRail Manager before completing the full configuration. This is common in environments with strict IP management policies, preassigned VLANs, or lab setups where the default addressing must be changed.

Below, we’ll cover four practical methods to set or change the initial IP address, ranging from direct CLI commands to automated deployment scripts.

Method 1: Executing Commands from the Host CLI (ESXi Shell)

This method is ideal when you have direct access to the ESXi shell of the VxRail node hosting the VxRail Manager VM.

1. Find running VMs on the VxRail node:
   

   esxcli network vm list{codeBox}

   Run this command on each node to identify which one is hosting the elected VxRail Manager VM.
2. If no VM is running, select the node you want to make primary and check if the VM exists but is powered off:
   

   vim-cmd vmsvc/getallvms{codeBox}

3. Power on the VxRail Manager VM if found:
   

   vim-cmd vmsvc/power.on <VMID>{codeBox}

4. Set the network configuration for the VxRail Manager VM:
   

   python /opt/vxutils/data/vxrail-primary --config --vxrail-address <IP> --vxrail-netmask <Netmask> --vxrail-gateway <Gateway> --vlan --no-roll-back --verbose{codeBox}

   
   

   Note: This command works only with VxRail 8.0.300 or later.{alertInfo}

    

Method 2: Using Windows PowerShell Module

For admins working from a Windows workstation, this method uses the VxRail.API.Network PowerShell module to configure the IP.

1. Assign IP addresses to the iDRAC of the nodes.
2. Connect your PC to the same network as the iDRACs and verify connectivity with ping.
3. Download the VxRail.API.Network PowerShell module from Dell Support.
4. Move module folder to the path "C:\Program Files\WindowsPowerShell\Modules"
5. Open PowerShell as Administrator and import the module:
   

   Import-Module VxRail.API.Network{codeBox}

6. Confirm the module loaded:
   

   Get-Module{codeBox}

7. Set the VxRail Manager IP:
   

   Set-VxRailManagerNetworkAddr -Server <iDRAC_IP> -Username root -Password calvin -IP <VxRail_Manager_IP> -Netmask <Netmask> -Gateway <Gateway> -VlanID <Management_VLAN>{codeBox}

    

Method 3: Executing Commands from Inside the VxRail Manager VM

You can access the VxRail Manager VM directly, and set the IP from within the OS.

1. Connect from your PC to the ESXi hosting the VM.
2. Power on the VxRail Manager VM.
3. Log in using the default username "root" and password "Passw0rd!"
4. Stop the vmware-marvin service:
   

   systemctl stop vmware-marvin{codeBox}

5. Change the IP address:
   

   /opt/vmware/share/vami/vami_set_network eth0 STATICV4 <New_IP> <Netmask> <Gateway>{codeBox}

6. Restart services:
   

   systemctl start vmware-marvin
   systemctl restart vmware-loudmouth{codeBox}

    

Method 4: Using NIM Autorun node-image.conf File

This method is useful during automated node imaging with VxRail NIM Autorun tool (Node Image Management).

1. Prepare a VxRail NIM autorun ISO on a USB drive using Rufus.
2. Create a text file with the following content:
   

   [global]
   vxm_ip=20.13.192.200
   vxm_netmask=255.255.255.0
   vxm_gateway=20.13.192.1
   management_vlan=100
   private_management_vlan=3939
   vm_vlan=200{codeBox}

   Replace these with your actual network details.
3. Save the file as "node-image.conf".
4. Copy the file to the root directory of the prepared USB drive.
5. Boot the VxRail node from this USB to start imaging as described in How to Image a VxRail Node Using NIM Autorun.

Conclusion

By following one of these four methods, you can successfully customize the VxRail initial IP address before cluster configuration, ensuring a smoother deployment and alignment with your network policies.