HP Virtual Connect 1.10Gb-F Ethernet Module for c-Class BladeSystem - Manual (Page 5)

Introduction 5
Introduction
Virtual Connect overview
Virtual Connect is a set of interconnect modules and embedded software for HP BladeSystem c-Class
enclosures that simplifies the setup and administration of server connections. HP Virtual Connect includes
the following components:
• HP 1/10Gb Virtual Connect Ethernet Module for c-Class BladeSystem
• HP 1/10Gb-F Virtual Connect Ethernet Module for the c-Class BladeSystem
• HP Virtual Connect Flex-10 10Gb Ethernet Module for BladeSystem c-Class
• HP 4Gb Virtual Connect Fibre Channel Module for c-Class BladeSystem
• HP Virtual Connect 4Gb Fibre Channel Module for BladeSystem c-Class (enhanced NPIV)
• HP Virtual Connect Manager
Virtual Connect implements server edge virtualization so that server administrators can upgrade, replace,
or move server blades within their enclosures without changes being visible to the external LAN and SAN
environments.
The Virtual Connect Manager is embedded on the Virtual Connect Ethernet module and is accessed by
users through a web-based GUI or CLI. A web link to the GUI and console connection to the CLI are
provided by the Onboard Administrator.
The Virtual Connect Ethernet modules support the HP BladeSystem c7000 Enclosure, HP BladeSystem
c3000 Enclosure, and all the server blades and networks contained within the enclosure, and the modules
enable connection to all brands of data center Ethernet switches.
The Virtual Connect FC Modules enable connection of the enclosure to Brocade, Cisco, McData, or
Qlogic data center Fibre Channel switches, but the modules do not appear as a switch to the Fibre
Channel fabric.
A Virtual Connect domain currently 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 eight 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.
By stacking (cabling) the Ethernet modules within the domain and connecting the FC modules to the same
set of FC SAN(s), 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.