Can VC-FC interconnects be used now WITHOUT VC-Enet/VCM since OneView correctly recognizes them

[Torsten.]

Yes, once configured in OneView, you cannot manage with other tools.

I was not sure if you can still open VCM ...

Maybe you can ask here again

https://community.hpe.com/t5/HPE-OneView/bd-p/hp-oneview

but I still think this configuration is not supported.

If in doubt, ask HPE support.

[eci]

Per HPE OneView engineer:

"HPE OneView would support this, not Virtual Connect Manager. HPE OneView is the manager here, not VCM (which would have been turned off if you had VC Ethernet modules in the Enclosure).

The architecture of HPE OneView is different than Virtual Connect Manager.  If you were not using HPE OneView, then you will need VC Ethernet modules and that is where VCM lives.  Since you are using HPE OneView, it does not require VC Ethernet modules just to manage VC Fibre Channel modules.  Please do not rely on Virtual Connect Manager documentation here, as it is not applicable.  You need to review HPE OneView supporting documentation."

[Torsten.]

OK, OneView is replacing the VCM. No doubt.

The documentation

HPE OneView 3.0 Support Matrix

chapter 2.10 Interconnect modules

list the VC FC modules as fully supported and it does not say an ethernet module is needed.

It does also not say it is working without such modules... but obviously it does.

However, a real corner case, since you get all the advantages of blades and OneView only with the Enet modules.

[eci]

Yes - an odd case.

It was a 5 year old chassis with just pass through. Customer wanted to use 8Gbps. Much, much cheaper doing it this way than buying an additional 2 modules.