HP BladeSystem c-Class SAN connectivity technology brief

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HP BladeSystem c-Class SAN connectivity

technology brief, 3

edition

Abstract.............................................................................................................................................. 2

Introduction......................................................................................................................................... 2

HP BladeSystem c-Class architecture ...................................................................................................... 2

c-Class server FC interconnect options ................................................................................................ 4

FC Host Bus Adapters ................................................................................................................... 4

c-Class FC SAN interconnect modules.............................................................................................5

Port mapping of server blade FC HBA mezzanine cards....................................................................... 7

FC SAN connectivity .......................................................................................................................... 11

Port redundancy strategies .............................................................................................................. 12

Selecting interconnect module types ................................................................................................. 13

Connecting with pass-thru modules ...............................................................................................13

Connecting with HP Virtual Connect Fibre Channel modules............................................................ 14

Connecting with SAN switches ....................................................................................................14

Interconnect bay loading summary ............................................................................................... 15

HP software for server deployment/SAN connectivity............................................................................. 15

Conclusion........................................................................................................................................ 16

For more information.......................................................................................................................... 16

Call to action .................................................................................................................................... 16

Summary of content (16 pages)

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HP BladeSystem c-Class SAN connectivity technology brief, 3rd edition Abstract.............................................................................................................................................. 2 Introduction......................................................................................................................................... 2 HP BladeSystem c-Class architecture ....................................................................................................
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Abstract Storage Area Network (SAN) connectivity with HP BladeSystem c-Class server blades is distinctly different from SAN connectivity with other HP ProLiant servers. This paper describes the hardware and software required to connect BladeSystem c-Class server blades to SANs 1 using Fibre Channel (FC) interconnect technology. Introduction By centralizing data storage, Storage Area Networks (SANs) make it easier to manage stored data than in a Direct Attached Storage environment.
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The HP BladeSystem c3000 enclosure (Figure 2) is similar in design and functionality to the c7000 enclosure but has a compact 6U chassis that can be installed in a rack or deployed as a stand-alone tower. The c3000 enclosure supports the same c-Class server blades and interconnects used in the c7000 enclosure. Figure 2.
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c-Class server FC interconnect options All c-Class server blades have expansion slots that accept optional mezzanine cards in support of several fabric options. Half-height server blades have two mezzanine slots; full-height blades have three slots (Figure 3). Figure 3.
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c-Class FC SAN interconnect modules The following FC options are available for connecting the c-Class FC HBAs to a SAN: • HP Virtual Connect 8Gb 24-Port Fibre Channel Module for BladeSystem • HP Virtual Connect 8Gb 20-Port Fibre Channel Module for BladeSystem • HP Virtual Connect 4Gb Fibre Channel Module for BladeSystem • HP 4Gb Fibre Channel Pass-Thru Module for the c-Class BladeSystem • Brocade 8Gb SAN Switch for HP c-Class BladeSystem • Brocade 4Gb SAN Switch for HP c-Class BladeSystem • Cisco MDS 9124e
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HP Virtual Connect Fibre Channel Modules provide the highest levels of availability and reliability by ensuring that server connectivity within each module is fault tolerant. The HP Virtual Connect Ethernet Module (required when HP Virtual Connect FC Modules are used) can manage server profiles and can be deployed anywhere within a Virtual Connect 2 domain.
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HP 4Gb Pass-Thru Module for the HP c-Class BladeSystem The HP 4Gb Pass-Thru Module provides transparent, 1:1 port connectivity (16 internal/16 external) between HBA mezzanine ports and external SAN devices or switches. The module, which has 16 ports with short-wave 4-Gb SFP transceivers, provides a solution for connecting c-Class FC HBAs to a local SAN. It is suitable for installations where the SAN is in close proximity and the amount of cabling is not a major concern.
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Figure 5 shows the mapping of the FC connectivity options for the c7000 enclosure. Figure 5 illustrates the maximum FC connection capability of the c7000 enclosure. In practice, server blades can support a mix of mezzanine cards of different interface types (FC, Ethernet, or InfiniBand) simultaneously within the enclosure. Having two or more FC HBA mezzanine cards on each server blade offers redundancy and enhanced throughput.
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Figure 6 illustrates the mapping of FC connectivity options for the c3000 enclosure. Figure 6 illustrates the maximum FC connection capability of the c3000 enclosure. In practice, server blades can support a mix of mezzanine cards of different interface types (FC, Ethernet, or InfiniBand) simultaneously within the enclosure. Having two or more FC HBA mezzanine cards on each server blade offers redundancy and enhanced throughput. Figure 6.
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HP BladeSystem c-Class enclosures include an HP Onboard Administrator. The Onboard Administrator provides run-time management and configuration of all components in the enclosure. When the system is booted, the Onboard Administrator of the enclosure checks the configuration of server blades and interconnect modules for errors. The system status, including interconnect data, appears on the HP Insight Display at the front of the enclosure.
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FC SAN connectivity Figure 8 shows FC port connectivity in the c7000 enclosure for full-height and half-height server blades connecting to a SAN through FC interconnect modules. Figure 8.
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The number of FC interconnect modules required for an HP BladeSystem c7000 Enclosure is determined by the number of FC ports per server blade (Table 2). HP recommends the use of redundant SANs. Redundancy for FC HBA mezzanine cards requires the following configurations: • One or more server blades with a dual-port FC HBA card require two FC interconnect modules. • One or more server blades with two dual-port FC HBA cards require four interconnect modules.
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Selecting interconnect module types The optimum type of interconnect module for use in a system will be determined by several factors such as SAN proximity, fabric size, number of server blades to be connected, and performance and availability goals. Pre-existing SAN attributes also affect the choice of interconnects.
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Connecting with HP Virtual Connect Fibre Channel modules HP Virtual Connect Fibre Channel (VC-FC) modules provide the ability to quickly assign SAN storage to a server. Virtual Connect also provides the ability to quickly migrate server SAN storage assignments from one server to another for easy reallocation of servers and storage resources.
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switches and also manages SAN resource access and security. Each server HBA port can see any or all of the eight external FC ports on the SAN switch. Figure 11.
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Conclusion The interconnect design of HP BladeSystem c-Class enclosures offers close integration with SAN devices. Since HP BladeSystem c-Class architecture supports various interconnect methods, HP BladeSystem c-Class products provide the flexibility to meet a wide range of SAN connectivity goals. For more information For additional information related to the topics covered in this document, refer to the resources listed below.