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Re: BL460c prefer embedded or mezzanine NIC

 
Newiger
New Member

BL460c prefer embedded or mezzanine NIC

Hi, we have to configure the network for a HP ProLiant BL460c G6 with an additional HP NC364m Quad Port 1GbE BL-c Adapter.
XenServer 5.5 will be installed and 2 NICs will be teamed for failover.
Is it advisable to team the Embedded NC532i Dual Port NIC or 2 port of the mezzanine NIC?
Any preference or experience?
Thx, Michael
4 REPLIES 4
TTr
Honored Contributor

Re: BL460c prefer embedded or mezzanine NIC

It depends on which failure you want to protect yourself from. If there is a failure on the server port itself, or the cabling or the LAN, it does not matter. But if the failure is on the NIC controller, either the whole mezzanine card fails, or the built-in controller fails. In this case both built in or all four add-on ports will fail. Also do you have dual LAN switches and routers to connect to?
I don't think you will find any published results on the failures of the built-in NICs vs. the add-on NICs.
Newiger
New Member

Re: BL460c prefer embedded or mezzanine NIC

Thanks.
And considering performance is there any difference between embedded or mezzanine pci-e?
TTr
Honored Contributor

Re: BL460c prefer embedded or mezzanine NIC

http://h18004.www1.hp.com/products/quickspecs/13166_div/13166_div.html
The quick specs say that the embedded LAN adapter is on a PCIe x4 bus. The mezzanine slots are PCIe x4 and x8 respectively.
The 4-port LAN card must be connected on the x8 mezzanine. If it is connected on the x4 mezzanine only 2 LAN ports are active. So the ratio is always the same, 2 LAN ports for x4 or 4 LANports for x8. Builtin or mezanine is the same.
HEM_2
Honored Contributor

Re: BL460c prefer embedded or mezzanine NIC

The type of interconnects you have are also a factor.

The embedded NICs on a BL460c G6 are 10Gb capable if they are connected to Virtual Connect Flex10 Modules. Otherwise they run at 1Gb.