HP VC Flex-10/10D Module - wont recognise HP DACS

[Paul_M_J]

Hi There - have 4 HP BladeSystems, all with VC Flex modules (638526-B21) - one of which I have just put the lattest FW on (4.45).

None of the VC's will recognise a new batch of HP 3M and 7M (487660-001)10Gbe SFP+ DACS cables.

I have also used a CDC cable, a Juniper cable and a Finisar cable - all 10G SFP+ cables - they all work fine so my Network Config and Server Profile configs are OK.

The VC stubbonly reports "unrecognised" as the SFP connector type. I have tested 10 of these cables and they all do the same thing.

Strange thing is that I have an older 7M HP Cable - with the same partnumber (487660-001) that does work. It was purchased 12 months ago and is a slightly thinker cable.

I then tested these cable between 2 HP 380 Proliants - and they worked. So the problem is only with the Cable when plugged into the VC Flex.

Any info appreciated.

[msh_it]

Hi, As I can see in the quick spec of this VC module, the part number you mentioned is not listed, refer to the docuemnt on the link http://www8.hp.com/h20195/v2/GetPDF.aspx/c04155285.pdf page 14.

Can you provide the cable PN not SP.

[Mark Stratton]

There is a Customer Advisory pending for this issue

Virtual Connect (VC) Firmware Version 4.20 (or later) may not link the Direct Attach Copper (DAC) cable when the cable is inserted into the Virtual Connect Ethernet or FlexFabric Modules. This issue is limited to a particular batch of cables from a vendor and it is indicated by HPE Virtual Connect Manager (VCM) GUI and HPE OneView.

This issue is due to the DAC cable failing because of an internal cable validation. In VC Firmware Version 4.10 (or earlier), the link will display when internal validation fails. This is due to an anomaly in VC Version 4.10 (or earlier). For the VC Firmware Version 4.20 (and later), whenever internal validation fails, the DAC cable will not be linked.

Any HP Virtual Connect Module running VC Firmware Version 4.20 (or later) and using any of the following Direct Attach Copper (DAC) Cables:

• HP BladeSystem c-Class 10GbE SFP+ to SFP+ .5m Direct Attach Copper Cable (487649-B21) (Part Number: 487651-001)
• HP BladeSystem c-Class 10GbE SFP+ to SFP+ 1m Direct Attach Copper Cable (487652-B21) (Part Number: 487654-001)
• HP BladeSystem c-Class 10GbE SFP+ to SFP+ 3m Direct Attach Copper Cable (487655-B21) (Part Number: 487657-001)
• HP BladeSystem c-Class 10GbE SFP+ to SFP+ 5m Direct Attach Copper Cable (537963-B21) (Part Number: 537965-001)
• HP BladeSystem c-Class 10GbE SFP+ to SFP+ 7m Direct Attach Copper Cable (487658-B21) (Part Number: 487660-001)
• HP X242 10G SFP+ to SFP+ 3m Direct Attach Copper Cable (J9283B) (Part Number: 8121-1298)
• HP X242 10G SFP+ to SFP+ 7m Direct Attach Copper Cable (J9285B) (Part Number: 8121-1305)
• HP X242 10G SFP+ to SFP+ 1m Direct Attach Copper Cable (J9281B) (Part Number: 8121-1300)

These cables will work fine with other products (ProCurve, NICs) like you mention.
They will only have an issue with Virtual Connect.

[Tim Brumbaugh]

So what si the resolution to these cables.

[Frediiii]

Wonderful news... My new c7000 have been shipped with 537963-B21 DAC Cables. We've been troubleshooting this for hours now. Will try some old cables tomorrow.

I am not aware of the advisory and have not received it in proactive support-notification emails. Can someone provide the advisory ID or a link so I can forward it to HP support asking for a solution? Those cables are not cheap and apparently not fit for purpose...

[HEM_2]

http://h20564.www2.hpe.com/hpsc/doc/public/display?docId=emr_na-c04924656