We recently updated the SLA requirements for Stretched Clusters in VMware Cloud on AWS as part of our more substantial optimizations that began with the previously announced price reduction. After monitoring the deployed fleet, observed failure rates and our time to recovery are well within tolerances. Therefore, we have decided to remove the 2 Failure toleration requirement for large stretched clusters.
What Changed
The requirements for Stretched Clusters workloads to qualify for SLA credits. Any workload with a Site disaster tolerance of Dual Site Mirroring and 1 Failure To Tolerate (Raid-1 or Raid-5) will be eligible regardless of instance type or cluster size.
Why the Change?
While our caution was initially warranted, we have sufficient data to lighten the requirement without compromising service delivery. By decreasing the minimum requirement, we potentially increase usable capacity on larger clusters by up to 14%. When combined with our previous optimizations these changes continue to make the decision of which SDDC type to deploy one of application requirement’s instead of budgetary constraints.
Customers, of course, may continue to utilize whatever policy they deem necessary. We’ve just updated the minimum for Stretched Clusters. Existing customers who wish to take advantage of this change can easily do so thanks to vSAN and Storage Policy Base Management.
Customers may choose to use 2+ Failure resilient policies to reduce availability interruptions. Or selectively pin a VM and its data to a particular AZ, waiving the SLA and accepting the potential interruption. The ability to mix and match mission-critical and ephemeral workloads is a defining feature of Stretched Clusters.
Summary
We will continue to listen, learn, and improve the VMware Cloud on AWS Service. Whenever possible, passing those improvements on to our customers either directly through code, or indirectly through policy. If it’s been a while since you’ve checked out the service; now’s a great time to get a pilot and see for yourself.
Availability
To view the latest status of features for VMware Cloud on AWS, visit https://cloud.vmware.com/vmc-aws/roadmap.
Resources
- Read our credit card payment FAQs and single host SDDC FAQs
- You can learn more about our VMware Cloud on AWS service at the VMware Cloud on AWS website or by viewing the VMware Cloud on AWS: Overview video
- Learn about the features and capabilities of VMware Cloud on AWS in this Evaluation Guide
- Follow us on Twitter @vmwarecloudaws and at @VMwarevSANand give us a shout with #VMWonAWS
- Watch informative demos, overview videos, webinars and hear from our customers: VMware Cloud on AWS on YouTube
- Try the VMware Cloud on AWS Hands-on Lab for a first-hand immersive experience
- Read our latest VMware Cloud on AWS blogs
- Obtain the VMware Cloud on AWS Solution Brief and VMware Cloud on AWS TCO 1-pager
- Follow the VMware Cloud on AWS release notes on continuing updates
- Connect with me on Twitter at @glnsize
