HP Virtual Connect FlexFabric 10Gb/24 with BL460c Gen8 and 554FLB Adapter

[LaSh00]

Hi All,

I've always worked with separate Virtual Connect module for Ethernet and SAN Connectivity; namely:

HP BLc VC Flex-10 Modules and HP Virtual Connect 8Gb 20-port FC for a typical BL460c connectivity to Ethernet and FC Storage.

I am having an issue understanding how the connectivity will work when instead having only the HP Virtual Connect FlexFabric Module on the Blade Chassis.

I get that the FlexFabric module will have uplinks to Ethernet and SAN Switching that can be configured through VCM.

But how is the 554FLB Adapter split to connect to both Ethernet and SAN.

In my previous configs; the 2 10Gb-Ports on the 554FLB can be split into 8xVNics for ethernet connectivity and I would then add a QMH2572 for example to connect to FC.

Can someone explain to me the connectivity from 554FLB to FlexFabric module only?

Thanks.

[LouisH]

LaSh00,

We don't use the FlexFabric in our environment but my understanding of the way it appears in the FlexFabric VC is either 4 NIC ports just as Flex10 would appear or 3 NIC ports AND 1 port for iSCSI, FC etc. This port you would configure to the specific port (s) designated to FC . The rest is the same.

In effect you lose one available port connection for each FlexFabric NIC if using the FC function.

Regards,

Louis

[msh_it]

In the LOM 554FLB the split will be like below

LOM1-a Ethernet

LOM1-b FC, you will add it under the FCoE

LOM1-c Ethernet

LOM1-d Ethernet

LOM2-a Ethernet

LOM2-b FC, you will add it under the FCoE

LOM2-c Ethernet

LOM2-d Ethernet

in flexfabric you will have total 6 ethernet and 2 FC

[LaSh00]

thanks for the reply.

msh_it:

The FCoE connectivity is then split between the 10Gb allocated per LOM?

What happens if for e.g my External SAN is connecting through FC at 8Gbps?

[msh_it]

Each LOM is allocated 10g as you mentioned and you can split it between all 4 virtual NICs, the FC connectivity can be assigned 8,4 or 2 gb which will be deducted from the total 10g for each LOM. your external SAN connection 8gb will not conflict with the downlinks.

[LaSh00]

msh_it

hi again.

OK.

Let's say I have my C7000 connected to an MSA2040 which connects at 8Gb on FC.

1 x BL460c Gen8 with 554FLB LOM only.

FlexFabric Module in the interconnects.

IF I want the MSA to be connected at 8Gbps through FlexFabric.

It means that i'm left with 3 remaining Virtual Nics to share only 2Gb left of the 10Gb LOM.

This seems to be a bit purposeless to me.

I should be able to make use of more bandwidth for the Virtual Nics as well as getting the 8Gb connectivity to the SAN.

Else the usual config of separate VC Flex-10 Module and VC SAN Module seems to give more throughput while needing more modules and HBA's

[msh_it]

Yes you are right,
based on my experience, 4 GB for the FC does very good job, I did it for a virtual environment and the performance was very good. I suggest you do a test based on your environment requirements then you can adjust the bandwidth accordingly

[LaSh00]

msh_it,

thanks for the reply again.

it's actually for a new proposal to a customer. and the issue is that other main vendors (IBM, Cisco) are able to offer separate 10Gb and 8Gb uplinks to Ethernet and SAN within their own flexfabric options without any additional need for HBA's and modules.

We're at a loss there.

[msh_it]

Try to check with HP presales team then, they may have something to add for this point.