Verify/Confirm my configuration:

[WFPL4E]

I appreciate if I may get an accurate reply to my following Question:

Subject: I do have a C7000 Enclosure populated with servers & internal storage & has been working fine in a production environment. I need add'l storage & decided to go with a FC SAN, therefore I bought a Brocade 8/20 (AJ821A)8Gb/20 port. As Interconnects, I currently have the HP 1/10Gb VC Enet module (also working fine). I read on HP.Com that VC help reduce SAN complexity by using NPIV and assigning WWN, PORT ID's as well as NIC id's to the C7000 Internal wiring which will make removing / adding / changing blade servers less complex. And I LOVE THAT & I am willing to invest MORE Money UPFRONT to avoid FUTURE COMPLEXITY. Cost is SECONDARY. Therefore my question is:
- Which of the flg Interconnect CONFIG would be best for me:

Option A
- Interconnect Bay 1 & 2: HP 1/10Gb -FC VC Enet Module

Interconnect 5 & 6: Brocade 8/20 SAN Switch


Option B:
- Interconnect Bay 1 & 2: HP 1/10Gb VC Enet Module
Interconnect 3 & 4: HP 1/10Gb-FC VC Enet Module

Interconnect 5 & 6: Brocade 8/20 SAN Switch

Option C:
- Interconnect Bay 1 & 2: HP 1/10Gb VC Enet Module
Interconnect 3 & 4: HP 4Gb-FC MODULE

Interconnect 5 & 6: Brocade 8/20 SAN Switch


Option D:

If you have a Better option, please kindly list it here.

I also appreciate if you point to my configurations mistakes so I avoid them as I plan add'l future upgrades for my other Enclosures (I have a total of 4).

I highly appreciate a clear answer.

Thank you!

[Uwe Zessin]

You need to buy a Virtual Connect FC module which connects to an external NPIV-capable FC-switch.

The Brocade 8/20 SAN Switch does understand NPIV, but the virtual ports would be provided by the NPIV-capable FC device drivers in the operating system running on the blades.

[WFPL4E]

I am a bit confused with your answer. I hope you dont mind to clarify:

A- Do you mean that each of Option A and Option B above will work for me?

If yes, which will be better?

If not, may you please list any missing item that I should buy to reach my goal?

B- When you say, ".... which connects to an external NPIV-capable FC-switch".

Do you consider the Brocade AJ821A as external or not?

Am I missing something else?

I appreciate your follow-up explanation

Thank you

[Uwe Zessin]

Options A, B and C will 'work', but:

- A will not offer Virtual Connect FC
- B offers 2x VC-LAN and 1x non-VC-FC
- C offers 1x VC-LAN, 1x VC-FC and 1x non-VC-FC
(do you really want to put two FC mezzanine cards into your blades?)


The best fit seems to be:
- Interconnect Bay 1 & 2: HP 1/10Gb VC Enet Module
- Interconnect Bay 3 & 4: HP 4Gb-FC MODULE
Optional:
- Interconnect Bay 5 & 6: HP 1/10Gb VC Enet Module

(If I remember correctly, bays 3+4 are preferred for FC connections - if anybody knows better, please feel free to correct me)


The AJ821A is an 'internal' FC switch - it fits into a c3000/c7000
interconnect bay, but cannot be run outside of a blade enclosure.

[Steven Clementi]

"(If I remember correctly, bays 3+4 are preferred for FC connections - if anybody knows better, please feel free to correct me)"

Correct. (ed) ;o)

[WFPL4E]

If I understand correctly, a very good SAN solution for C7000 + MSA 2012FC would be:

- Interconnect Bay 1 & 2: HP 1/10Gb VC Enet Module
- Interconnect Bay 3 & 4: HP 4Gb-FC MODULE

and that the above does NOT require the Brocade because the HP 4Gb-FC module is a SAN Switch:

Please confirm / correct.

Also, I am very positive toward the Optional units:
- Interconnect Bay 5 & 6: HP 1/10Gb VC Enet Module.


However, may I understand the advantage of adding it? so I justify adding it?

it will be highly appreciate if I got firm answers that will help me move ahead with my upgrade, please note that my decisions are going to be based on your recommendations.
Thanks indeed!

[Steven Clementi]

"...because the HP 4Gb-FC module is a SAN Switch:

Please confirm / correct."

The Fibre Channel Virtual Connect module is NOT a SAN Switch. You are still in need of connecting an external switch between your devices.

As far as I know, the FC VC modules do not support directly connected SAN devices except for SAN Switches.



"Also, I am very positive toward the Optional units:
- Interconnect Bay 5 & 6: HP 1/10Gb VC Enet Module.


However, may I understand the advantage of adding it? so I justify adding it?"

Unless you have a need for a second mezz card... an iSCSI nic, dual/quad port nics, etc... then you probably do not need modules for bay 5 and 6.

What mezz cards do your servers have? or do you think you need?

What are the servers being utilized with (OS wise)?



Steven

[WFPL4E]

I appreciate it Steven, based on your reply, I am going to go with the flg Interconnect configuration in order to connect a C7000 to an MSA2012FC, Please kindly correct any mistake or confirm:

-Interconnect Bay 1 & 2: HP 1/10Gb VC Enet Module
Interconnect 3 & 4: HP 4Gb-FC MODULE
Interconnect 5 & 6: HP 1/10Gb-FC VC Enet Module
Interconnect 7 & 8: Brocade 8/20 SAN Switch

and obviously, the Brocade will connect directly to the MSA 2012FC.

Do you see any mistake in the above?
I greatly appreciate your response!

[Steven Clementi]

What is the blade server configuration?

You have a Fibre Channel HBA mezz card in slot 1.

Anything in Mezz Slot 2?



Steven

[WFPL4E]

- All Mezzanine slots are empty now. and I have enough HP FC HBA's (QMH2462) to fit all my servers (BL680, BL460 & BL480). I appreciate I must install those mezzanine cards in the right slots: if u have a quick hint, it will save me very valuable time. Most critical for me though is to make a good decision on the type of the Interconnects knowing that I will go with an MSA 2012FC for the 1st C7000 Enclosure.

If I understand correctly, adding the HP 4Gb FC VC interconnect and /or the HP 1/10Gb FC VC will bridge the connections between the mezzanine FC HBA and the Brocade? and certainly making the SAN /LAN configuration "C7000 Wiring-Dependent" rather than Servers dependent?

Your comments will be greatly appreciated.

Thks