topic Re: Invalid Flex-10 configuration? in BladeSystem - General

Invalid Flex-10 configuration?

JorisK — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 16:52:48 GMT

Hi everyone.

A few weeks ago we ordered some hardware which i had to install today but i ran into problems assigning virtual networks to the Flex-10 mezz cards.

Here's the setup:
- Blade c7000 enclosure
- HP Proliant BL460c G1 servers
Bay1-2: HP Flex-10 VC cards
Bay3-4: QLogic FC Switches
Bay5-6: Standard Gigabit switches for blades

I think this setup is incorrect. When i want to assign virtual networks i only see two ports to assign networks to, both locked at 1Gbit. Is this because the embedded NICs of the blades are connected to bay 1 and bay 2?

The reason we took G1 blades is because of CPU compatibility. How could we correct this setup? The only way i see it is get two other VC Flex-10 modules and put them in bay 5 and 6, am i right?

Regads,
Joris

Re: Invalid Flex-10 configuration?

JKytsi — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 17:20:59 GMT

460G1 has two NICs. NICs are connected to interconect bay 1 & 2 (flex-10 modules).

You don't tell if You have 10Gb mezz cards inside your blades.

Re: Invalid Flex-10 configuration?

JorisK — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 17:28:20 GMT

My bad,

The G1 blades have 2 onboard Broadcom nics which are attached to bay one and two as you say.

Mezz slot 1 contains a Qlogic HBA card and Mezz slot 2 contains a Flex-10 nic.

Re: Invalid Flex-10 configuration?

Fabian Calvo — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 19:26:36 GMT

Your 10GB Flex-NICs (Mezz slot 2) are routed to interconnect bays 5 and 6, meaning the standard Gigabit switches in your enclosure, you won't be able to have all 8 NICs per Flex mezz unless you add Flex-10 modules to interconnects 5 and 6.

Re: Invalid Flex-10 configuration?

NXS — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 20:40:15 GMT

you need the Standard Gigabit switches for blades in slot 1-2 and the flex-10 module in slot 5-6

K

Re: Invalid Flex-10 configuration?

JorisK — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 20:42:36 GMT

Yeah but that configuration is not supported according to the manuals.

I tried that configuration but i can't logon to the VC manager, it gives an error. I searched for the solution and it brings me to an HP site that states i need to place the Flex-10 modules in bay 1 and 2.

Re: Invalid Flex-10 configuration?

JKytsi — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 03:41:55 GMT

That is true. You must always have atleast one VC module in bay1

Re: Invalid Flex-10 configuration?

Adrian Clint — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 11:07:45 GMT

You can run the older VC modules in slots 1/2 and put the Flex-10 in 5/6.
I'd recommend you put the 1/10F modules in there as they have more memory that may be needed for the more complicated Flex-10 networking.

Also I was lead to believe by HP that 1Gb NICs connected to Flex-10 modules can run at up to 2.5Gb? Not been able to check myself yet.

Re: Invalid Flex-10 configuration?

JKytsi — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 11:15:44 GMT

adrian: 10Gb blade nics without FLEX-10 functionality can run at 2,5Gb/s with flex-10 modules.

Re: Invalid Flex-10 configuration?

Fabian Calvo — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 11:35:33 GMT

Adrian,

That's correct, certain multifunction NICs (i.e. NC373x) can run at 2.5Gbps when paired with Flex-10 modules and any driver greater than 4.4.24.0.