Chapter 3 (page 45) describes specific node and switch connections for non-blade hardware configurations.

A hardware configuration with server blades does not have these specific cabling requirements; specific switch port assignments are not required. However, HP recommends a logical ordering of the cables on the switches to facilitate serviceability. Enclosures are discovered in port order, so HP recommends that you cable them in the order you want them to be numbered. Also, HP recommends that you cable the enclosures in lower ports and cable the external nodes in the ports above them.

The configuration of an HP XC Blade System depends on its size. Larger clusters require additional switches to manage the additional enclosures or regions. Figure 2-1 (page 35), Figure 2-2 (page 36), and Figure 2-3 (page 37) provide a general view of the cabling requirements for small, medium, and large systems.

Additionally, Appendix B (page 143) provides several network cabling illustrations based on the interconnect type and server blade height to use as a reference.

Small HP XC Cluster of Server Blades

Figure 2-1 (page 35) provides two illustrations of a small HP XC cluster of four enclosures and a maximum of 64 nodes.

The top portion shows a Gigabit Ethernet switch with two connections for each of the four enclosures: one connection to the (ProCurve managed) Gigabit Ethernet switch on the enclosure and the other to the Onboard Administrator.

The bottom portion provides some additional detail. It shows the ProCurve managed Gigabit Ethernet switch connected to the Gigabit Ethernet switch in bay 1 of each enclosure and to the Primary Onboard Administrator External Link of each enclosure.

34 Cabling Server Blades