Virtual connect server profiles, Understanding server profiles – HP Virtual Connect 8Gb 20-port Fibre Channel Module for c-Class BladeSystem User Manual
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Virtual Connect server profiles 116
Virtual Connect server profiles
Understanding server profiles
The I/O connection profile, or server profile, provides a link between the server and the networks and fabrics
defined in VC. The server profile can include MAC and WWN addresses, as well as boot parameters for the
various connection protocols supported by VC. After being defined, the server profile can be assigned to any
server blade within the Virtual Connect domain. VCM supports up to 256 profiles within the domain.
A Virtual Connect server profile consists of connections that group attributes related to server connectivity for
the various protocols supported by Virtual Connect modules. These protocols are Ethernet, iSCSI, Fibre
Channel over Ethernet (FCoE), and Fibre Channel.
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For Ethernet connections, VC provides the ability to assign VC-assigned MAC addresses and configure
PXE boot settings as well as allocate bandwidth on Flex-10 connections.
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For iSCSI connections, VC provides the ability to assign VC-assigned MAC addresses and configure
iSCSI boot settings as well as allocate bandwidth. This protocol is only available on Flex-10 server ports
that support iSCSI.
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For FCoE connections, VC provides the ability to assign VC-assigned WWN and MAC addresses and
configure Fibre Channel boot settings and bandwidth. This protocol is only available on FlexFabric
server connections.
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For FC connections, VC provides the ability to assign VC-assigned WWN addresses and configure
Fibre Channel boot settings.
IMPORTANT:
The term "server blade" also applies to HP Integrity multi-blade servers. For more
information on multi-blade servers, see "Multi-blade servers (on page
)."
When a server profile is assigned to a server blade, VCM configures the connections with the appropriate
MAC/WWN addresses and boot settings. USE BIOS is an option for all connection boot settings that
preserves the options set in the RBSU or through other configuration utilities. Virtual Connect Manager
automatically connects the server blade Ethernet, iSCSI, FCoE, and Fibre Channel ports to the specified
networks and SAN fabrics. This server profile can then be re-assigned to another server blade as needed,
while maintaining the server's network and SAN identity and connectivity.
VCM can be configured so that server blades use server factory default MACs/WWNs or Virtual
Connect-administered MACs/WWNs. These administered values override the default MAC addresses and
WWNs when a server profile is assigned to a server, and appear to pre-boot environments and the host
operating system software as the hardware addresses. To use administered MAC/WWN addresses, select
a range of HP pre-defined or user-specified MAC addresses.
Review the following list of guidelines before creating and deploying server profiles:
IMPORTANT:
Before assigning a profile, unassigning a profile, or modifying a profile, be sure to
review the "Server blade power on and power off guidelines (on page
)."
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The server blade firmware and option card firmware must be at a revision that supports Virtual Connect
profile assignment. See the HP website