HP XC System Software Hardware Preparation Guide Version 3.2

2 Cabling Server Blades
The following topics are addressed in this chapter:
• “Network Overview ” (page 27)
• “Cabling for the Administration Network” (page 27)
• “Cabling for the Console Network” (page 28)
• “Cabling for the Interconnect Network” (page 29)
• “Cabling for the External Network” (page 31)
2.1 Network Overview
An HP XC system consists of several networks: administration, console, interconnect, and external
(public). In order for these networks to function, you must connect the enclosures, server blades,
and switches according to the guidelines provided in this chapter.
NOTE: Chapter 3 (page 35) 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.
Appendix B (page 111) provides several network cabling illustrations based on the interconnect
type and server blade height to use as a reference.
2.2 Cabling for the Administration Network
For server blades, the administration network is created and connected through ProCurve model
2800 series switches. One switch is designated as the root administration switch and that switch
can be connected to multiple branch administration switches, if required.
NIC1 on each server blade is dedicated as the connection to the administration network. NIC1
of all server blades connects to interconnect bay 1 on the enclosure.
The entire administration network is formed by connecting the device (either a switch or a
pass-thru module) in interconnect bay 1 of each enclosure to one of the ProCurve administration
network switches.
Non-blade server nodes must also be connected to the administration network. See Chapter 3
(page 35) to determine which port on the node is used for the administration network; the port
you use depends on your particular hardware model.
Figure 2-1 illustrates the connections that form the administration network.
2.1 Network Overview 27