Regarding Virtual connect Fiber Channel module in Blade Server.

[NarendraUttekar]

Hi,

We have got new blade servers i.e. BL860c i2 and C7000 enclosure with VC 8GB FC module and VC Flex-10 Ethernet module.

And we are going to connect VC 8GB FC module to core SAN Cisco Switch...I want to know enabling NPIV on Cisco Switches will have any effect on the existing connections for HP rack servers which are already connected to this SAN Cisco Switches? I read somewhere enabling  NPIV on the core switch is non-disruptive is that correct?

And also i never worked on the Blade servers with VC 8GB FC module connected to core SAN Cisco Switch. I want to know once we connect VC FC to core Cisco Switch how i will configure the Zoning it will be similar to currently which i have configured for HP Rack servers? And also if somebody has any documents on zoning for Blade servers?

Thanks,

Narendra

[Thomas Callahan]

Enabling NPIV mode on the core switches is non-disruptive. In config mode, just type "npiv enable"

With VC and NPIV ports, the WWN to be zoned is created/assigned when you build the profiles for your blades. Each FC port you create on a profile will be auto-assigned a WWN by the Virtual Connect software. Once the profile is assigned to a hardware blade, and powered on, you will see it show up on the SAN.

Zoning blade servers really isn't much different than rack mount, except you can't really do port zoning, only WWID zoning

[NarendraUttekar]

Hi Thomas,

Thanks for the information…So i want to know then existing Rack servers connected to Core Cisco Switches will continue to work as is even when i enable the NPIV mode. Then when I will open Cisco Device Manager to configure WWID Zoning for Blade how it will look on the Cisco Switch. If you have any documents for WWID zoning configuration please let me know the link from where I can download. And also any documents available for profile creation and assigning to Blade server.

Thanks,

Narendra

[Thomas Callahan · Accepted solution]

Yes, existing Rack Servers will continue to work as they are. NPIV global enable just enables the FC negotiation of port type NPIV, as opposed to F-Port (most of your server HBA's will show up as F-Ports on your MDS)

You will need to create your profiles on the blade chassis first, before you begin zoning. The profile creation is what assigns the profile a pair or more of WWIDs(WWN's). Then you take those WWN's and use the MDS to create your alias's and zones for that new blade.

Here's a document on MDS zoning:
http://www.cisco.com/en/US/docs/storage/san_switches/mds9000/sw/rel_1_x/1_3/cookbook/CB_zone.html

Profile creation will vary based on the Virtual Connect firmware version you are running. The newer versions use a different looking interface.

Here is a decent blog post about creating profiles, but again, this may look a little different than yours. The wording on the links should be similar if not the same:
http://jreypo.wordpress.com/2011/01/07/hp-virtual-connect-domain-setup-%E2%80%93-part-4-server-profiles/