Dell Technologies APEX Cloud Platform Deployment

Michael Wells, Tech Marketing Engineer will give us a hands-on look at Dell’s multicloud platforms for Microsoft Azure and Red Hat OpenShift, including deployment, configuration, management integration, Lifecycle Management and scaling operations.

Wells begins with a detailed overview of Dell's APEX Cloud Platforms for Microsoft Azure and Red Hat OpenShift. He demonstrates the deployment process for both platforms, emphasizing their similarities and the unified approach to node configuration and network settings. Michael also explains the different cloud operating experiences and the fully configured clusters that result from the deployment process, such as Azure Stack HCI clusters and OpenShift clusters with Dell storage solutions.

He discusses the integration levels with Microsoft and the capabilities built on top of Azure Stack HCI, such as specialized workflow extensions in Windows Admin Center. Michael also mentions the upcoming support for VMware solutions and the availability of these platforms.

The presentation includes a walkthrough of the management experience, showcasing how infrastructure management is integrated into the cloud OS management experience, allowing cluster admins to manage the underlying infrastructure without leaving their management console. Michael demonstrates the lifecycle management process, including updates for hardware firmware, OpenShift software, and the APEX Cloud Platform Foundation software, all conducted within the cloud OS interface.

Additionally, he covers scalability and cluster expansion, showing how new nodes can be added to the clusters through the Cloud Platform Foundation software. The session concludes with discussions about the benefits of running OpenShift on bare metal and the future roadmap for the APEX Cloud Platforms.