Virtual Connect server profiles

Understanding server profiles

The I/O connection profile, or server profile, provides a link between the server and the networks and fabrics defined in VC. The server profile can include MAC and WWN addresses, as well as boot parameters for the various connection protocols supported by VC. After being defined, the server profile can be assigned to any server blade within the Virtual Connect domain. VCM supports up to 256 profiles within the domain.

A Virtual Connect server profile consists of connections that group attributes related to server connectivity for the various protocols supported by Virtual Connect modules. These protocols are Ethernet, iSCSI, Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE), and Fibre Channel.

•For Ethernet connections, VC provides the ability to assign VC-assigned MAC addresses and configure PXE boot settings as well as allocate bandwidth on Flex-10 connections.

•For iSCSI connections, VC provides the ability to assign VC-assigned MAC addresses and configure iSCSI boot settings as well as allocate bandwidth. This protocol is only available on Flex-10 server ports that support iSCSI.

•For FCoE connections, VC provides the ability to assign VC-assigned WWN and MAC addresses and configure Fibre Channel boot settings and bandwidth. This protocol is only available on FlexFabric server connections.

•For FC connections, VC provides the ability to assign VC-assigned WWN addresses and configure Fibre Channel boot settings.

IMPORTANT: The term "server blade" also applies to HP Integrity multi-blade servers. For more information on multi-blade servers, see "Multi-blade servers (on page 165)."

When a server profile is assigned to a server blade, VCM configures the connections with the appropriate MAC/WWN addresses and boot settings. USE BIOS is an option for all connection boot settings that preserves the options set in the RBSU or through other configuration utilities. Virtual Connect Manager automatically connects the server blade Ethernet, iSCSI, FCoE, and Fibre Channel ports to the specified networks and SAN fabrics. This server profile can then be re-assigned to another server blade as needed, while maintaining the server's network and SAN identity and connectivity.

VCM can be configured so that server blades use server factory default MACs/WWNs or Virtual Connect-administered MACs/WWNs. These administered values override the default MAC addresses and WWNs when a server profile is assigned to a server, and appear to pre-boot environments and the host operating system software as the hardware addresses. To use administered MAC/WWN addresses, select a range of HP pre-defined or user-specified MAC addresses.

Review the following list of guidelines before creating and deploying server profiles:

IMPORTANT: Before assigning a profile, unassigning a profile, or modifying a profile, be sure to review the "Server blade power on and power off guidelines (on page 286)."

•The server blade firmware and option card firmware must be at a revision that supports Virtual Connect profile assignment. See the HP website (http://www.hp.com/go/bladesystemupdates).

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