HP 1.10GB Virtual Connect Ethernet Module for c-Class BladeSystem - Manual (Page 22)

Domain management 22
Domain management
Domain overview
A basic Virtual Connect domain includes a single HP c-Class BladeSystem c7000 Enclosure for a total of
16 servers (or up to 32 servers if the double-dense option is enabled), or a single HP c-Class BladeSystem
c3000 Enclosure for a total of 8 servers (or up to 16 servers if the double-dense option is enabled).
Within the domain, any server blade can access any LAN or SAN connected to a VC module, and a
server blade can be used as a spare for any server blade within the same enclosure.
Version 2.10 and higher supports multiple enclosures, allowing up to four c7000 enclosures to be
managed within a single Virtual Connect domain for a total of 128 servers. Multiple enclosure domains
are not supported on c3000 enclosures.
By stacking (cabling) the Ethernet modules within the domain and connecting the FC modules to the same
set of FC SANs, every server blade in the domain can be configured to access any external network
connection. With this configuration, the Virtual Connect Manager can deploy and migrate a server blade
profile to any server in the Virtual Connect domain without the need to change external LAN or SAN
configurations.
Back up the Virtual Connect domain configuration each time changes are made. While the configuration
is saved in non-volatile memory and check-pointed to the neighboring module, HP recommends saving the
configuration external to the enclosure.
Enclosure serial numbers
The enclosure serial number is used by the Virtual Connect Manager to associate a Virtual Connect
domain with a particular enclosure. The enclosure serial number can be altered for maintenance
purposes, such as replacement of the enclosure midplane. For more information, see SET ENCLOSURE
SERIAL_NUMBER in the HP BladeSystem Onboard Administrator Command Line Interface User Guide.
• Enclosure serial numbers are unique as shipped from the factory, and must remain unique for proper
Virtual Connect Manager operation. Use care when altering the enclosure serial number to ensure
that serial numbers are unique within the management network.
• After an enclosure is imported into a domain, do not change the serial number. The enclosure must
have the enclosure serial number that was present when imported initially. It cannot be replaced with
an enclosure that has a different serial number.
• In the event of an enclosure failure, the replacement enclosure must have the serial number set to that
of the failed enclosure before it is placed into the VC domain.
In an existing VC domain, if the enclosure serial number is changed from the OA with the set enclosure
serial-number command, HP recommends that all the VC Ethernet modules be reset through the OA so that
the new enclosure number is propagated to all the modules in the enclosure.