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.

Introduction 5