Dell Private Cloud deploying Red Hat OpenShift is a software subscription that ties together your Dell infrastructure with Red Hat OpenShift, using the Dell Automation Platform as the control plane.

It brings three main elements into one experience:

• Storage: Use your existing Dell storage or invest in new systems. You can choose:
  • Platform-integrated storage – tightly integrated with automation and lifecycle workflows (deployment, updates, etc.).
  • Platform-compatible storage – validated for Dell Private Cloud but managed independently.
• Compute: Run on Dell 16G and 17G PowerEdge servers, either new or existing, to optimize performance for modern workloads.
• Dell Automation Platform: A no-cost control plane and orchestrator that automates deployment and management of both hardware and software.

By integrating with Red Hat OpenShift, Dell Private Cloud helps you:

• Accelerate deployments and cluster expansion.
• Simplify day-to-day operations with automation and blueprints.
• Scale for modern containerized workloads while relying on Dell hardware and support.

The result is an appliance-like experience with the flexibility of disaggregated infrastructure, so you can adapt as workloads and business requirements change.

Dell Automation Platform is the engine behind Dell Private Cloud. It acts as a centralized orchestrator for deployment, lifecycle management, and ongoing operations.

Key capabilities include:

• Blueprint-driven automation:
  • Uses Dell-validated blueprints (TOSCA-based YAML files) that describe your environment.
  • Automates cluster deployment, cluster expansion, node removal, and Dell PowerStore updates.
  • Minimizes risk by using pre-tested, validated workflows.
• Intelligent lifecycle management:
  • Automates full-stack lifecycle management for Dell hardware (compute and storage) and the private cloud software stack.
  • Covers patching, updating, expansion, and component replacement.
  • Lets you define a desired state (hypervisor OS image, Dell Private Cloud software, PowerEdge firmware) and continuously checks compliance.
  • Supports controlled, documented version drift when urgent security patches are needed before a new validated state is published.
• Day-2 operations made easier:
  • Cluster updates (firmware, software, OS) automated via blueprints and the orchestrator.
  • Cluster expansion or node removal handled centrally, with automated mapping/unmapping of resources.
  • Storage system updates managed centrally, avoiding cluster-specific manual steps.
  • Compliance and health checks integrated into all workflows.
  • Ability to quickly re-provision, repurpose, or decommission infrastructure as needs change.
• Dynamic licensing:
  • Automatically applies licenses from Dell Digital Locker to cluster deployments.
  • Removes the need to manually download license files or paste keys.

All of this is surfaced through familiar tools. Dell Private Cloud extends its capabilities directly into the Red Hat OpenShift UI, giving you integrated physical and virtual views, lifecycle workflows, and serviceability features in one place.

Dell Private Cloud deploying Red Hat OpenShift is designed to give you flexibility in how you license, manage, and evolve your environment over time.

Licensing flexibility

• You bring your own Red Hat OpenShift subscription, so you can:
  • Source licenses independently of hardware.
  • Leverage existing ELAs and perpetual licenses.
• Supported subscriptions include:
  • OpenShift Container Platform Plus
  • OpenShift Container Platform
  • OpenShift Kubernetes Engine (OKE)
  • OpenShift Virtualization Engine (OVE)
• Optional add-ons (e.g., ACM for OKE/OVE, Red Hat OpenShift AI, AI Accelerator, Ansible) can be layered in as needed.

Familiar management experience

• Manage your environment using Red Hat OpenShift tools you already know, with no new training required.
• Dell Private Cloud extends advanced capabilities directly into the OpenShift UI, providing:
  • Integrated physical and virtual views.
  • Lifecycle management workflows.
  • Serviceability features and health visibility.
• Dell Automation Platform serves as the central interface for administration, automation, logging, and inventory across Dell Private Cloud clusters.

Future-proofing and investment protection

• The solution is built on disaggregated, open, and adaptable infrastructure, so you can:
  • Repurpose infrastructure to different third-party cloud ecosystems as workloads and business needs change.
  • Reimagine how you allocate hardware between on-premises and other environments over time.
• Support options such as ProDeploy, ProDeploy Plus, ProSupport, and ProSupport Plus help streamline installation and provide system-level support.

In practice, this means you keep control over your Red Hat licensing strategy, continue using familiar OpenShift tools, and maintain the ability to reshape your infrastructure strategy without discarding existing Dell investments.