Lenovo ThinkAgile VX5520
The Lenovo ThinkAgile VX5520 is a 2U storage-dense VMware vSAN appliance optimized for capacity-intensive virtualization, backup repositories, and big data workloads. Accommodating up to 14 LFF 3.5-inch drives, it enables multi-petabyte vSAN cluster capacity while maintaining simple operational management through vCenter.
Specifications
| Brand | Lenovo |
|---|---|
| Family | ThinkAgile VX |
| Form factor | 2U rack |
| Released | May 2018 |
| End of sale | Jun 2022 |
| End of support | Jun 2027 |
| Processor | Up to 2x 1st or 2nd Gen Intel Xeon Scalable processors up to 26 cores each (up to 150W TDP) |
| Memory | 24x DDR4 DIMM slots supporting up to 1.5TB DDR4-2933 ECC RDIMM |
| Storage pools | Up to 14x 3.5-inch SAS/SATA drive bays configured with NVMe/SAS SSD write cache |
| Hypervisor | VMware ESXi and VMware vSAN |
| Network | Dual 10/25GbE optical ports via LOM card plus optional high-speed PCIe NICs |
| Power supply | Dual redundant hot-swap 750W or 1100W Platinum power supplies |
| Management | VMware vCenter and Lenovo XClarity |
Generations
- Next generation: Lenovo ThinkAgile VX650 V2
Compatible parts
Memory
7X77A01303 ThinkSystem 16GB TruDDR4 2666MHz (2Rx8 1.2V) RDIMM
7X77A01304 ThinkSystem 32GB TruDDR4 2666MHz (2Rx4 1.2V) RDIMM
Works together
How the Lenovo ThinkAgile VX5520 connects to servers, storage and the network: 1 way, with the parts and products on each path.
Hyperconverged cluster
Plan at least two 25GbE ports per node to two switches; all-NVMe clusters often move to 100GbE.
Adapters for the server
4XC7A08238 ThinkSystem Broadcom 57414 10/25GbE SFP28 2-Port PCIe Ethernet Adapter
4XC7A08248 Lenovo ThinkSystem Mellanox ConnectX-6 Dx 100GbE QSFP56 2-Port PCIe Ethernet Adapter
4XC7A08295 ThinkSystem Intel E810-DA2 10/25GbE SFP28 2-Port PCIe Ethernet Adapter
7XC7A05523 Lenovo ThinkSystem Intel X710-DA2 PCIe 10Gb 2-Port SFP+ Ethernet Adapter
Switches
Lenovo ThinkSystem NE0152T RackSwitch 1U rack
Lenovo ThinkSystem NE10032 1U rack
Lenovo ThinkSystem NE1032 1U rack
Lenovo ThinkSystem NE1032T RackSwitch 1U rack
Optics
46C3447 Lenovo ThinkSystem 10Gb SFP+ SR Optical Transceiver
7G17A03537 Lenovo ThinkSystem 25Gb SFP28 SR Optical Transceiver
QSFP-100G-CWDM4-AR Arista 100GBASE-CWDM4 QSFP28 Optical Transceiver Module
Plan and size it
- Draw this setup in the topology planner mrplanb.com
- Add up rack power and space rack-density.com
- Hypervisor advisor: which platform fits you mrplanb.com
- VM platform Ledger: hypervisors scored mrplanb.com
- Virtualization storage Ledger: scored storage platforms mrplanb.com
- Lenovo ServerProven (Lenovo compatibility) lenovo.com
Check compatibility with Lenovo
Before you buy, confirm the exact configuration against the vendor's own lists: firmware levels, operating systems, adapters and optics that Lenovo has tested with the Lenovo ThinkAgile VX5520.
- Compatibility Lenovo ServerProven (options and OS compatibility)
- Specifications Lenovo Press product guides
- Support Lenovo Data Center Support
Equivalent models from other brands
FAQ
What drive configuration is used in the VX5520?
It utilizes hybrid disk groups consisting of high-end NVMe/SAS SSDs for caching and cost-effective 3.5-inch SAS/SATA HDDs for bulk capacity.
Does the VX5520 support deduplication and compression?
vSAN deduplication and compression are supported on all-flash configurations; hybrid configurations utilize standard vSAN caching.
Buying or selling ThinkAgile VX5520?
New, refurbished or used. Tell us the quantity and condition and we connect you with a vetted reseller in your region, usually within one working day.
Sources
- Lenovo ThinkAgile VX5520 Appliance Product Guide, checked 2026-10-28