Switch for c7000 more than 256 VLANs

[Benny Lyne Amorsen]

If I want to use more than 256 VLANs for the servers in a c7000, what are my options for switches?

We are currently using Cisco 3020's + Q-in-Q so the switch only sees 1 VLAN rather than the 500+ VLANs we actually use. Is there an HP switch with similar functionality, either Q-in-Q tunnelling or lots of VLANs?

[Zygmunt Krawczyk · Accepted solution]

Good solution is HP Virtual Connect Flex-10 10Gb Ethernet Module (1024 VLANs), or HP Virtual Connect FlexFabric 10Gb/24-Port Module (1024 VLANs).

[Sudhakar Subramaniam]

HP Virtual Connect Flex-10 10GB Ethernet Module for the c-Class BladeSystem
455880-B21
HP 1/10 GB-F Virtual Connect Ethernet Module for c-Class Bladesystem
447047-B21
HP 1/10GB Virtual Connect Ethernet Module for c-Class BladeSystem
399593-B22

[Benny Lyne Amorsen]

It is excellent to hear that they are not stuck at 256 VLANs!

Are there any surprises there, can I e.g. assign 300 VLAN's to a specific server?

[Zygmunt Krawczyk]

>> can I e.g. assign 300 VLAN's to a specific server?

Yes, you can. HP Virtual Connect Flex-10 10Gb Ethernet Module and HP Virtual Connect FlexFabric 10Gb/24-Port Module support â Q-in-Qâ tagging (802.1QinQ).

Read the doc:

HP Virtual Connect Flex-10 technology: Convergence with FlexFabric components
http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bc/docs/support/SupportManual/c01608922/c01608922.pdf

[Benny Lyne Amorsen]

Thank you very much for your help

[Benny Lyne Amorsen]

I believe my questions have been answered in full.

[rick jones]

With the Cisco 3020's you are currently using, are you using them to "switch" traffic between any external systems, or simply as the path from the blades to an external switch? I ask because the VC network modules do not "switch" traffic between their uplink ports.

[Benny Lyne Amorsen]

We do not currently use the external ports at all, except for one port we use as uplink (which we really should change to two with LACP).

Thank you for making me aware of this though. It would have been quite a surprise. Now that I think about it, it is a bit sad to waste 6 or 7 SFP+ ports.

[rick jones]

I have not checked the VLAN limits, but if you are presently using 3020's and don't have plans to take advantage of the Virtual Connect functionality, there is also the HP ProCurve 6120 series of chassis switches.