- The Dell EMC VxRail S570 remains a leading 2U hyper-converged infrastructure (HCI) platform optimized for data-heavy workloads.
- Supports up to 16 drives, balancing NVMe and SAS capacity for high-performance storage configurations.
- End-of-life (EOL) announced for September 30, 2027—strategic refresh planning should begin now.
- Ideal for analytics, VDI, and unstructured data use cases needing scalable, software-defined storage.
- Includes latest VxRail HCI System Software updates enhancing lifecycle management and security.
What’s New or Important Now (2025 Update)
In 2025, Dell Technologies continues positioning the VxRail S570 as its storage-heavy choice within the VxRail family for organizations managing large data pools, such as genomics, media, and analytics environments. The model’s planned end-of-life date of September 30, 2027 underscores the importance of lifecycle strategy and potential transition planning toward newer PowerEdge-based VxRail nodes or mixed clusters using dynamic node architectures. (Dell VxRail official overview)
Recent release notes for VxRail HCI System Software highlight improvements in cluster awareness, compliance reporting, and automated firmware updates—critical for maintaining performance and security in dense storage nodes like the S570.
Buyer and Architect Guidance
Use Cases: The VxRail S570 suits environments where capacity and throughput dominate, including backup repositories, big data analytics, AI training data stores, and digital content archiving. Its 16-drive chassis offers flexible configurations for SATA, SAS, and NVMe caching tiers.
Sizing Considerations: Typical configurations pair dual Intel Xeon Scalable processors with 768 GB–2 TB of memory and dual 25GbE network interfaces. Storage architects often combine high-capacity drives for bulk data with smaller NVMe volumes for metadata and cache acceleration. Ensure rack power and cooling are rated appropriately for sustained disk IO loads.
Trade-Offs: The S570 prioritizes capacity over compute density. Compared to smaller all-flash nodes (e.g., E660F), its performance per watt is lower, but total storage cost per GB is favorable. Cluster mix can offset compute limitations by adding balanced nodes for VM hosting.
Comparison Table
| Model | Form Factor | Drive Bays | Focus | Best Fit Workload |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VxRail S570 | 2U | Up to 16 | Storage-heavy | Data analytics, backup, archive |
| VxRail E660F | 1U | All-flash (×10 drives) | Performance | VDI, transactional databases |
| VxRail P670F | 2U | All-flash (×16 drives) | Compute and storage balanced | General virtualization |
| VxRail D560 | 2U (rugged) | Up to 12 | Edge-optimized | Edge and remote office deployments |
Mini Implementation Guide
Prerequisites
- Validated network configuration for vSAN and management VLANs
- VMware vCenter and VxRail Manager licenses
- Rack space with sufficient cooling (approx. 1200W typical draw per node)
- Dell Services account access for automated lifecycle and support
Implementation Steps
- Plan cluster topology: number of nodes, disk tiering, and redundancy level.
- Connect network uplinks for management and vSAN traffic.
- Deploy initial node using the VxRail Manager wizard to auto-discover and configure.
- Integrate VMware vCenter and perform validation checks.
- Apply most recent VxRail HCI System Software update for compliance.
- Run initial benchmarks to confirm storage throughput.
Common Pitfalls
- Underestimating cooling requirements; ensure airflow design for dense disk arrays.
- Mixing drive types without performance tier awareness can lead to uneven results.
- Ignoring the 2027 EOL timeline may cause delayed migration planning—review roadmap annually.
Cost and ROI Notes
Compared to pure SAN alternatives, the S570 delivers strong ROI through software-defined consolidation. Its upfront cost per terabyte is often lower due to commodity drive scalability. However, operational ROI depends on workload accuracy: over-allocating cache or compute increases licensing and power costs unnecessarily. Align node count to storage growth projections and use Dell’s HCI sizing tools for realistic estimates. (Dell VxRail sizing guide)
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What distinguishes the S570 from other VxRail models?
It’s purpose-built for capacity-driven workloads, supporting up to 16 drives and emphasizing economics per terabyte.
2. Can it mix drive types?
Yes, with supported configurations combining SAS, SATA, and NVMe devices for optimized performance tiers.
3. Is the model still supported beyond 2025?
Yes, Dell’s official end-of-life is September 30, 2027, with full support until that date.
4. What operating software versions are recommended?
VxRail HCI System Software 8.x with VMware vSphere 8.x ensures compatibility, lifecycle automation, and security fixes.
5. Can clusters mix S570 with other node types?
Yes—mixed clusters are supported using similar CPU generation models, though performance alignment is advised.
6. What’s the typical deployment time?
Initial cluster setup averages under two hours with automation, assuming preconfigured networking.
Conclusion
The Dell EMC VxRail S570 continues to offer compelling storage density within HCI frameworks for enterprises facing exponential data growth. With three years remaining until its EOL, now is the right moment to optimize existing nodes or plan refresh cycles. For deeper technical learning, architecture labs, and best-practice guides, visit LearnDell Online.