topic Module Options? in BladeSystem - General

Module Options?

ARC12 — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 11:40:43 GMT

We've got a number of C7000's with a range of bl460 G1/5/6/7's in them. They've all currently got ethernet passthrough modules in them, but we're considering getting Nexus 5000's and either the FlexFabric or the Cisco Fabric Extender modules (I'd guess probably the Cisco module..).

The question is, what would the older G1/5 blades see the module as - as these don't have CNA's? Do we have to keep the ethernet passthrough module for those blades or will the Flex/Cisco module just present a Gb ethernet connection to them? From the looks of the quickspecs, the NC551/3 don't support these older blades either..

Or are we just plain out of luck and need to reshuffle the blades about, so the G1/5's are in specific chassis and the 6/7's in the ones with the new modules?

Re: Module Options?

Hongjun Ma — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 07:23:16 GMT

From FEX module B22HP page,

http://h20195.www2.hp.com/v2/default.aspx?cc=uk&lc=en&oid=5107242

it seems that G1/G5 is not officially supported. You may want to check with your Cisco or HP account team to confirm that.

Technically speaking, the FEX downlink should be able to auto negotiate down to 1G.

Re: Module Options?

ARC12 — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 20:27:51 GMT

Just as a followup after speaking to a reseller/disti..

The G1/5's will be presented with GigE with either the FlexFabric or Cisco modules. The G6 can will see 10GigE as is, but can also do FCoE with a fibre mezzanine card. Can't remember the model number off hand right now though - a 5xx (552?) I believe

Re: Module Options?

Hongjun Ma — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 20:54:00 GMT

you can order NC553m CNA mezz for G6. It's Emulex based.

http://h18004.www1.hp.com/products/quickspecs/13737_na/13737_na.HTML

The CNA default mode is iSCSI and if you use HP/Cisco FEX module, you need to manually login to server BIOS and change mode to FCOE mode and potentially input destination WWN there. With Virtual Connect, you can change the CNA mode and put destinatin WWN in VC manager GUI centrally without going to each blade BIOS.