topic Re: C7000, BL460c, Flex10, Cabling question in BladeSystem - General

C7000, BL460c, Flex10, Cabling question

Schwager — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 07:41:48 GMT

Hi all,

we would like to extend our C7000 Bladecenter
to match the following modules setup:

Bay1/2: 2 x HP-1/10Gb VC-Enet Module
Bay3/4: 2 x HP VC Flex-10 Enet Module
Bay5/6: 2 x HP 4Gb VC-FC Module

So, do I have to use
- 2 x CX4-cables to connect Bay1/3 and Bay2/4 only ?
- the VC-Modules will be not connected using external cables ?

Is this correct ?

Kind regards
Danny

Re: C7000, BL460c, Flex10, Cabling question

Adrian Clint — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 13:49:57 GMT

Thats right Danny.
But you have to make sure that the lefthand SFP port on the Flex-10's is not being used as the CX4 cable plugged in will disable it.
Also that the right hand SFP is not being used as that is the internal connection between the two Flex-10s.

Also the general recommendation is that the VC-FC modules are in Bay3/4 for possible future expansion of future NICs. If they are in the slots already on a live system - dont bother changing.

PS: "Bladecenters" are sold by IBM.

Re: C7000, BL460c, Flex10, Cabling question

Schwager — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 14:23:52 GMT

Hi Adrian,

thanks for the quick reply and the additional notes.

We use firmware 2.32 for the Flex-eth-modules. Currently, we have only one Flex-10 Enet installed but ordered the second Flex-10-Enet Module (for Bay4).

Question: How can we integration the new modules to our productive system without a downtime ?
(Firmware release, plugin in cables, add to VC-domain) ... is there a best practice
somewhere ?

Kind regards
Danny

Re: C7000, BL460c, Flex10, Cabling question

Schwager — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 16:41:06 GMT

Hi all,

our second Flex module arrived today - but
I'm not sure how is the best way to add it
the the productive system without downtime ...

> We use firmware 2.32 for the Flex-eth-modules.
> Currently, we have only one Flex-10 Enet
> installed but ordered the second Flex-10-Enet
> Module (for Bay4).

> Question: How can we integration the new modules
> to our productive system without a downtime ?
> (Firmware release, plugin in cables, add to
> VC-domain) ... is there a best practice
> somewhere ?

Can somebody suggest me a way without crashing our prod.
systems ?

Kind regards
Danny

Re: C7000, BL460c, Flex10, Cabling question

The Brit — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 13:35:48 GMT

Hi Danny,
The only thing which might be an issue is if the second Flex10 module has a different F/W level to your existing VC Ethernet modules.

You really shouldn't have a problem. You should be able to just install your new Flex10 in the empty Bay 4. The OA will detect the new module and tell you the FW version. If it is different from your existing modules then you will need to make a decision regarding how you are going to handle that.

If the version is older than your current, then simply use VCSU to update the new module. If it is new than your current, then you could down-rev to current, or consider updating the current modules to the new.

If the FW matches, then you just need a stacking cable between bays 2/4.

Obviously, these options need to be thought about and will depend to some extent on your business schedules. I always recommend FW upgrades outside of business hours.

Dave.

Re: C7000, BL460c, Flex10, Cabling question

Schwager — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 14:21:55 GMT

Hi Dave,

thanks for this information. Our new Flex-10 has 3.17 - the productive system is on 2.32. To have less trouble touching the prod. system, i would like to downgrade the new Flex-module - but cannot find the firmware ... the lowest one is 2.33:

http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/SoftwareIndex.jsp?lang=en&cc=us&prodNameId=3794431&prodTypeId=3709945&prodSeriesId=3794423&swLang=8&taskId=135&swEnvOID=4004

Do you know an archive where i can download the old version 2.32 one ?

kind regards
Danny

Re: C7000, BL460c, Flex10, Cabling question

Schwager — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 12:44:43 GMT

Hi all,

i found the VC firmware 2.32 on the smart update CD 2010.03 (9.00).

Is there a way to downgrade the flex-10 eth module without using the web-interface ? The webinterface told me to upgrade my OA to version 3.x ... but i would not like to upgrade any prod. modules now.

Just want to downgrade the Flex10 ...

Any hints ?

kind regards
Danny

Re: C7000, BL460c, Flex10, Cabling question

cjb_1 — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 13:02:00 GMT

Use VCSU to force the downgrade on the modules you want. Use the interactive method if you're not familiar with this tool.

Re: C7000, BL460c, Flex10, Cabling question

Schwager — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 05:06:29 GMT

Hi all,

we managed to downgrade the VC-Flex10 to 2.32 using VCSU.

Thanks all for your help
Danny