Any switch port can be used to perform switch management and PXE.

Diagnostic tools

The hardware, software, and firmware diagnostic tools that are available include:

HP Systems Insight Manager automatic discovery and identification

POST built into the switch boot process

Switch port mirroring

Switch LED panel displaying per port status and speed

System, management, and option compatibility status LEDs

Rear panel reset power switch and DB-9 management serial port

Statistic monitoring including port utilization, data packets received/transmitted, port error packets, trunk utilization, and so on

Ping and trace route capability

Remote syslog with support for primary and secondary syslog server

The ability to return the switch to known good condition in case of firmware corruption

State information dump for tuning and debugging switch performance

Panic command for immediate state dump to flash memory and automatic switch boot

Ability to set NVRAM diagnostic flags

Switch architecture

The HP c-Class BladeSystem provides Ethernet switching technology for network cable reduction.

The switch does not affect or determine NIC enumeration and the associated mapping of NIC interfaces to switch ports. The numbering of the NICs on the server (for example, NIC 1, NIC 2, NIC 3) is determined by the server type, the server operating system, and what NICs are enabled on the server.

Port Mapping

For detailed port mapping information, see the HP BladeSystem enclosure installation poster or the HP BladeSystem enclosure setup and installation guide on the HP website (http://www.hp.com/go/bladesystem/documentation).

Dual switches

In a dual switch configuration, two switches in the server blade enclosure provide switch redundancy and redundant paths to the network ports on the server blades. Each switch has five external Gigabit Ethernet ports and sixteen internal Gigabit Ethernet ports providing connectivity to the blade servers within the enclosure.

Each pair of switches consolidates up to thirty-two Gigabit Ethernet signals into one-to-ten Gigabit ports (on the back of the enclosure).

Redundant crosslinks

In a dual switch configuration, the two switches are connected through redundant Gigabit crosslinks. These two crosslinks provide an aggregate throughput of 2 Gb/s for traffic between the switches.

These crosslinks are disabled by default. The crosslinks must be enabled for use.

Introduction 9

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HP GbE2c manual Switch architecture, Diagnostic tools, Port Mapping Dual switches, Redundant crosslinks

GbE2c specifications

The HP GbE2c is a high-performance Ethernet Switch designed to meet the increasing demands of data center environments. As a critical component in Hewlett-Packard's networking lineup, the GbE2c provides a seamless blend of speed, reliability, and advanced networking capabilities, making it an essential tool for enterprises aiming to enhance their network infrastructure.

One of the standout features of the HP GbE2c is its support for Gigabit Ethernet, which allows for high-speed data transmission and reduced latency. This switch is designed to support the growing bandwidth needs of modern applications, ensuring that data is transmitted quickly and efficiently across the network. The GbE2c is particularly beneficial for organizations implementing virtualization technologies, as its Gigabit interfaces help in optimizing data flow between virtual machines.

The GbE2c also incorporates advanced Layer 2 and Layer 3 switching capabilities. This ensures that it can handle both basic and more complex networking tasks, such as routing traffic between different VLANs and enabling Internet Protocol (IP) addressing. The switch supports various protocols, enabling seamless integration into a wide range of network environments.

Additionally, the HP GbE2c is equipped with a robust management system that allows network administrators to easily configure and monitor network settings. With its user-friendly interface, administrators can gain insights into traffic patterns, performance metrics, and potential issues, helping to maintain optimal network performance.

Power efficiency is another key characteristic of the HP GbE2c. The switch is designed to minimize power consumption without sacrificing performance, making it a more sustainable choice for data centers aiming to reduce their carbon footprint. This energy-efficient design is crucial for enterprises looking to lower operational costs while maintaining a high level of service.

The HP GbE2c also boasts high availability features, including redundant power supplies and failover options, ensuring that the network remains operational even in the event of a component failure. This reliability is critical for businesses that require uninterrupted network access for their daily operations.

In summary, the HP GbE2c Ethernet Switch combines speed, versatility, and efficiency, making it an ideal choice for businesses seeking to enhance their networking capabilities. Its robust feature set, advanced management options, and focus on energy efficiency position it as a top-tier solution in the competitive networking landscape. Organizations can rely on the GbE2c to deliver high performance and reliability, thus meeting the demands of today's data-intensive environments.