HP Virtual Connect Fibre Channel Networking Scenarios Cookbook

21
Flat SAN Support
With HP Virtual Connect for 3PAR with Flat SAN technology, you can connect HP 3PAR Storage Systems directly to HP
Virtual Connect FlexFabric Modules with no need for an intermediate SAN fabric. This significantly reduces
complexity and cost while reducing latency between servers and storage by eliminating the need for multitier
storage area networks (SANs).
This direct attachment lets you worry less about storage solution complexity. The need for an expensive
intermediate SAN fabric to create the connection between Virtual Connect and HP 3PAR Storage Systems devices no
longer exists. In addition to being much more cost-efficient, management of your storage solution is made easier.
Valuable IT resources are freed up, along with reduced costs.
Flat SAN support
 Direct-Attach Fabric is only supported with the HP VC FlexFabric Module.
 Direct-Attach Fabric is only supported if directly connected to HP 3PAR storage systems.
 Supported storage systems are HP 3PAR StoreServ 10400/10800, 7000/7450, T400/800 or F200/400.
 Minimum required/supported, HP Virtual Connect 3.70
 Minimum required/supported, HP 3PAR InForm OS v3.1.1 MU1
Unsupported storage systems
 HP MSA/EVA/XP
 HP StoreOnce B6200
 HP LeftHand Storage
 HP Tape Storage
 HP Virtual Tape Libraries
 3rd Party Storage Solutions such as EMC, IBM, Hitachi, NetApp and so on
Flat SAN details
 The Flat SAN option is available only after adding a FlexFabric module port to a VC SAN Fabric.
 No additional licenses or fees apply.
 Virtual Connect SAN fabric uplink port is set as an F_Port (F for Fabric).
 FlexFabric modules run lightweight FC SAN services such as name server, zoning, etc.
 Once a fabric is defined, its type cannot be changed until the fabric is deleted and recreated.
Note: Visit the SPOCK website to get the latest Flat SAN support information, see “Virtual Connect Fibre Channel
support” section.
Figure 18: HP Virtual Connect for 3PAR with Flat SAN technology allows a direct attachment to HP 3PAR Storage
Systems
Enclosure
UID
Enclosure Interlink
PS
3
PS
2
PS
1
PS
6
PS
5
PS
4
OA1 OA2
Remove management modules before ejecting sleeve
FAN
6
FAN
10
FAN
1
FAN
5
2
1
3
5
7
4
6
8
iLO
UID
Active
Reset
iLO
UID
Active
Reset
HP VC F le xFa br ic 10 Gb /24 -P or t M od ul e
SHARE D : U PL IN K o r X -L I NK
X3 X4X1 X2 X5 X6 X7 X8
UID
HP VC F le xFa br ic 10 Gb /24 -P or t M od ul e
SHARE D : U PL IN K o r X -L I NK
X3 X4X1 X2 X5 X6 X7 X8
UID
HP BladeSystem c7000
HP 3PAR StoreServ 7450
Flat SAN uplink
connections
(Direct-Attach)
HP Virtual connect
FlexFabric Modules