6.2 HP IBRIX 9000 Storage Network Best Practices Guide (TA768-96069, December 2012)

3 IBRIX 93xx platform networking
The IBRIX 93xx platform uses discrete servers and storage components to form a storage solution.
A minimal 93xx installation has the following components:
• Two rack mounted servers with expansion cards supporting SAS and high-speed Ethernet
connections.
• One MSA storage enclosure.
Since the 93xx platform is composed of discrete components, all networking connections between
the platform components are accomplished using external patch cables and customer-provided
networking infrastructure.
Network attached components
Rack mounted server
The IBRIX 93xx platform uses discrete rack mounted servers to implement IBRIX file serving nodes.
Each server is a self-contained unit with independent power supplies. The expansion slots in the
server are populated with interface cards that provide the high speed storage and network
connections necessary for a FSN. To provide management functions, the server motherboard has
an Integrated Lights Out management process with a dedicated Ethernet port on the rear of the
server case.
The server must have continuous access to the user, cluster, and management networks to function
properly in an IBRIX cluster.
Integrated Lights Out Controller (iLO)
The HP Integrated Lights Out Controller (iLO) is an independent management processor that has
been integrated with the server electronics to provide remote management of the server. The iLO
can remotely perform most functions that otherwise would require a visit to servers at the data
center, computer room, or remote location. The iLO also provides health monitoring capabilities
for its associated server.
To perform these remote management functions, the iLO processor has a dedicated Ethernet
connection that is exposed on the server’s rear panel.
MSA storage enclosure
The MSA disk array provides the storage pathways, RAID controllers, and physical drive storage
used by the FSNs to implement the IBRIX file system. To provide redundant paths to the storage,
the MSA enclosure has slots for two independent storage controllers. The controller in the upper
slot is referred to as controller-A. The controller in the lower slot is referred to as controller-B.
Each controller has an RJ-45 connector on its face plate for an Ethernet connection to its management
interface. The management interface is connected to the management subnet so that the FSNs can
provide health monitoring and management of the MSA enclosures.
Unified network
The unified network is the recommended default configuration for IBRIX 93xx networking. This
configuration combines the cluster, user, and management networks onto a single IP network.
Subnets are used to segregate the management network from the cluster and user networks, while
still allowing access for remote management. Modern high-speed networking hardware makes this
combination possible without unduly affecting performance. The unified approach provides ease
of configuration, improved remote management, and good performance.
54 IBRIX 93xx platform networking