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 HP 1/10Gb Virtual Connect Ethernet Module for c-Class BladeSystem, the HP 4Gb Virtual Connect
Fibre Channel Module for c-Class BladeSystem, and the 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 HP 1/10Gb Virtual Connect Ethernet Module for c-
Class BladeSystem and is accessed by users through web links provided by the Onboard Administrator or
through direct connection to the embedded web server.
The HP 1/10Gb VC-Enet Module supports the HP BladeSystem c7000 Enclosure, HP BladeSystem c3000
Enclosure, and all the server blades and networks contained within the enclosure and enables connection
to all brands of data center Ethernet switches.
The HP 4Gb VC-FC Module enables connection of the enclosure to Brocade, Cisco, McData, or Qlogic
data center Fibre Channel switches, but does not appear as a switch to the Fibre Channel fabric.
A Virtual Connect domain currently includes a single HP c-Class BladeSystem enclosure for a total of 16
servers. 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, every server blade in the domain can be
configured to access any external network connection. Fibre Channel modules within different I/O bays
are each connected directly to the same set of FC SAN(s). 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.
Command line overview
The CLI can be used as an alternative method for managing the Virtual Connect Manager. Using the CLI
can be useful in the following scenarios:
• HP Management Applications (for example: Systems Insight Manager or Insight Control tools) can
query the Virtual Connect Manager for information these tools need to present a complete
management view of HP BladeSystem enclosures and the devices contained within. This interface is
also used by the Management tools to execute provisioning and configuration tasks to devices within
the enclosure.
• Users can develop tools that utilize Virtual Connect Manager functions for data collection and for
executing provisioning and configuration tasks.