HP Virtual Connect for c-Class BladeSystem Setup and Install Guide

Installation 30
The VC-FC modules and FlexFabric FC-configured ports do not support stacking. Connecting multiple
enclosures requires identical FC and FlexFabric module bay configuration in each enclosure. For more
information, see "FC and FlexFabric bay configuration using multiple enclosures (on page 31)."
Multi-enclosure double dense domains require similar and compatible FC modules in bays 5, 6, 7, and 8 in
all enclosures. If a multi-enclosure double dense configuration contains incompatible FC modules in bays 5,
6, 7, or 8 in either the local or remote enclosures, some or all of the compatible FC modules in the remote
enclosures might be designated INCOMPATIBLE after import.
To add additional enclosures to a domain, see the HP Virtual Connect for c-Class BladeSystem User Guide
on the HP website (http://www.hp.com/go/vc/manuals).
Multiple enclosure requirements
Observe the following requirements when connecting multiple enclosures:
• Each enclosure must have at least one supported VC-Enet module installed.
• All VC-Enet modules must be interconnected (redundantly stacked).
• All enclosures must have the same FC and FlexFabric module configuration. For example, if bays 1 and
2 of the Primary Enclosure contain FlexFabric-20/40 F8 modules, then bays 1 and 2 of Remote
Enclosures 1, 2, and 3 must also contain FlexFabric-20/40 F8 modules.
• All enclosures must have the same HP VC Flex-10/10D module configuration. For example, if bays 1
and 2 of the Primary Enclosure contain HP VC Flex-10/10D modules, then bays 1 and 2 of Remote
Enclosures 1, 2, and 3 must also contain HP VC Flex-10/10D modules.
• A single domain supports up to four c7000 enclosures.
• When using multiple c7000 enclosures, the number of modules supported across the enclosures within
a domain is limited. A total of 16 Ethernet and 16 VC-FC type modules can be installed in a
multi-enclosure domain. Each FlexFabric module counts as one Ethernet and one VC-FC module.
Combinations of FlexFabric, VC-Enet and VC-FC modules are allowed as long as the 16-module limit for
each module type (Ethernet and FC) is not exceeded in the domain. Additional constraints apply for the
FlexFabric-20/40 F8 module. When two or more FlexFabric-20/40 F8 modules are installed, the
ambient temperature must be no higher than 30°C (86°F). A maximum of six FlexFabric-20/40 F8
modules can be installed in a c7000 enclosure. HP recommends a c7000 enclosure with a 10-fan
configuration when HP Virtual Connect FlexFabric-20/40 F8 Modules are installed.
• All Onboard Administrators and VC modules must be on the same lightly loaded and highly reliable
management Ethernet network and IP subnet.
• The VC-FC and FlexFabric FC-configured uplink port configuration must be identical across all
enclosures.
• The Onboard Administrator firmware must be version 3.11 or higher. HP recommends using the latest
version available. For IPv6, see the requirements listed in Appendix C: Using IPv6 with Virtual Connect
in the user guide.
• All Onboard Administrators must use the same user credentials because VCSU uses the primary
credentials for the remote enclosure.
• When both Primary and Standby modules in the base enclosure are taken down for maintenance or
lose power and are no longer present in the domain, the management capabilities in the VC domain
are lost. If network and fabric uplinks are defined on the remaining enclosures, the servers continue to
have network and storage access. Both the Primary and Standby modules in the base enclosure must be
recovered to regain management access to the VC domain.