TL;DR
- Dell EMC VxRail E660 was a cornerstone HCI platform built for VMware environments.
- As of 2025, Dell Technologies has shifted focus toward Dell Private Cloud solutions (source).
- VxRail remains supported for existing installations, but newer deployments are rare.
- Architects planning refreshes should evaluate migration paths to Dell APEX or Dell Private Cloud.
- Choosing between VxRail, PowerFlex, and Private Cloud Foundation depends on workload density and lifecycle strategy.
What’s New or Important Now
In 2025, Dell EMC VxRail E660 continues to exist in many enterprise datacenters, but Dell Technologies no longer actively promotes the model. The company’s current strategy centers on a broader cloud operating model emphasizing Dell APEX and its Dell Private Cloud portfolio. This shift aligns with the market’s pivot toward integrated consumption and hybrid-cloud management frameworks.
The VxRail line was co-engineered with VMware to simplify hyper-convergence with deep integration across vSAN, vSphere, and vCenter. However, following Broadcom’s acquisition of VMware (source), Dell began promoting solutions more autonomous from VMware licensing models, expanding its ecosystem to support additional hypervisors.
VxRail E660 Highlights
The VxRail E660 is a 1U form factor node based on Dell PowerEdge servers—commonly the R660 platform—offering 3rd or 4th Gen Intel Xeon Scalable processors. Typical configurations include:
- Up to 32 cores per CPU socket with support for DDR5 memory
- Multiple NVMe and SAS drive options (up to 12 drives per node)
- Integrated vSAN ReadyNode certifications
- Lifecycle automation through VxRail HCI System Software
- VMware Cloud Foundation on VxRail integration (historically supported)
Current Position of VxRail in 2025
While VxRail still receives lifecycle and technical support, Dell has gradually reduced front-line marketing for this lineup. Instead, the company’s messaging emphasizes private cloud infrastructure and consumption-based services. Organizations maintaining E660 clusters can continue supported operations, but future planning should include consideration of Dell APEX Cloud Platform for VMware or multicloud interoperability options.
According to Dell documentation (source), firmware and VxRail software updates will remain available through standard product lifecycle timelines.
Buyer and Architect Guidance
Use Cases
- Virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) leveraging consistent VMware environments.
- Edge deployments needing compact yet scalable compute.
- Datacenter modernization for simplified lifecycle management.
Sizing Considerations
When right-sizing, consider the following:
- Match CPU cores to performance workloads; E660 supports dual-socket Intel Xeon processors.
- Minimum three-node cluster recommended for vSAN redundancy.
- Evaluate NVMe storage tiers for I/O intensive workloads versus hybrid configurations for cost efficiency.
Trade-offs
- Pros: Tight VMware integration, streamlined operations, proven hardware stability.
- Cons: Limited future roadmap, dependency on VMware licensing, less flexibility for hybrid cloud extensions compared with Dell Private Cloud.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Dell EMC VxRail E660 | Dell PowerFlex | Dell Private Cloud on APEX | VMware Cloud Foundation (Standalone) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Platform Focus | VMware vSAN-based HCI | Software-defined storage and compute scale-out | Managed private cloud with on-prem cloud control | Integrated VMware stack only |
| Form Factor | 1U node (PowerEdge-based) | 2U/4U configurations | Multi-form with hybrid scalability | Software-only |
| Hypervisor Support | VMware vSphere | VMware / Red Hat / Kubernetes | Broad hypervisor support | VMware only |
| Lifecycle Automation | VxRail HCI System Software | PowerFlex Manager | APEX Console Automation | VMware Lifecycle Manager |
| Future Viability | Maintenance phase | Active development | Strategic growth solution | Dependent on VMware direction |
Mini Implementation Guide
Prerequisites
- VMware vCenter and vSAN licenses (existing or transition plan).
- Network readiness: dual 25GbE or 10GbE fabric for vSAN and management.
- DNS/NTP infrastructure and IP allocations for management and vMotion.
Deployment Steps
- Rack and cable each E660 node, ensuring firmware parity across hardware.
- Launch the VxRail Manager for initial configuration and discovery.
- Connect to vCenter and integrate cluster resources.
- Define storage policies within vSAN for workload tiers.
- Validate HA and DRS cluster configurations before production workloads.
Common Pitfalls
- Underestimating data reduction impact—factor in compression when sizing storage.
- Failure to align firmware baselines with VMware compatibility matrix.
- Overlooking networking redundancy causing cluster partition symptoms.
Cost and ROI
VxRail historically commanded a premium due to its VMware licensing and system software bundle. ROI for existing deployments remains positive when operational simplicity offsets administrative overhead. For new environments, Dell Private Cloud or APEX platforms can provide more predictable economics through as‑a‑service billing and integrated lifecycle management. Budget-conscious operators should model three- and five-year TCO, factoring hardware refresh intervals and vSAN licensing costs.
FAQs
Is Dell still selling the VxRail E660 new?
No, new units are generally only available through resellers with remaining inventory. Dell Technologies now promotes Dell Private Cloud solutions.
Will existing E660 clusters continue receiving support?
Yes, support continues per Dell’s standard lifecycle policy, including firmware and security updates.
Can VxRail E660 nodes integrate with Dell APEX?
Indirectly. Integration requires reconfiguration and conversion to compatible management frameworks rather than native onboarding.
What are alternatives if I plan a refresh?
Dell PowerFlex or Dell Private Cloud on APEX provide contemporary approaches for scale-out storage and hybrid management.
Is VxRail still a good long-term investment?
For small clusters tied to VMware, yes—provided lifecycle support is acceptable. For new builds, transitioning to Dell Private Cloud ensures better future alignment.
Can non-VMware hypervisors run on VxRail nodes?
Technically possible but outside Dell’s validated configuration matrix, thus unsupported.
Conclusion
The Dell EMC VxRail E660 remains a respected hyper-converged building block, particularly within VMware-centric infrastructures. Yet, as the industry moves toward flexible consumption and diverse hypervisor ecosystems, Dell’s future strategy clearly gravitates toward Dell APEX and Private Cloud. Architects maintaining E660 clusters should plan proactive migration strategies while leveraging continued support from Dell. To explore modern Dell infrastructure education and certification paths, visit LearnDell.