Setup and Install

Planning the installation 11
• Be sure that the firmware revisions on all VC modules in the domain are at the same revision level. The
active VCM does not allow incompatible modules to be managed as part of the same VC domain.
• Be sure that OA, iLO, server blade system ROM, Ethernet option ROM, and FC option ROM firmware
are up-to-date.
• Determine which mezzanine cards, HBAs, and interconnect modules are going to be used and where
they will be installed in the enclosure. For installation and information on mapping server ports to
interconnect bays, see the appropriate HP BladeSystem enclosure setup and installation guide on the
HP website
(http://h17007.www1.hp.com/us/en/enterprise/servers/solutions/info-library/index.aspx?cat=bla
desystem).
• If your organization requires the use of secure protocols and standards, consider the security
requirements and restrictions of enabling FIPS mode ("Virtual Connect FIPS mode of operation" on page
34).
For a current status on FIPS certification, see the HP website
(http://government.hp.com/Certifications.aspx).
• Determine the Ethernet stacking cable layout, and ensure that the proper cable and transceiver options
are ordered. Stacking cables enable any Ethernet NIC from any server to be connected to any of the
Ethernet networks defined for the enclosure using stacking links.
o For information on stacking links, see "Stacking links (on page 23)."
o For information on stacking cable configurations, see "Recommended stacking connections (on
page 24)."
o For information on supported cable and transceiver options, see the Virtual Connect module
QuickSpecs on the HP website (http://www.hp.com/go/vc/manuals).
• Determine which Ethernet networks will be connected to or contained within the enclosure.
Most installations will have multiple Ethernet networks, each typically mapped to a specific IP subnet.
Virtual Connect Ethernet networks can be contained completely within the enclosure for server-to-server
communication, or connected to external networks through rear panel ports (uplinks). For each network,
the administrator must use the VCM to identify the network by name and to define any external port
connections.
• Determine which Fibre Channel fabrics will be connected to the enclosure.
Each uplink has a capability of aggregating up to 16 server HBA N-port links into an N-port uplink
through the use of NPIV.
• Coordinate with data center personnel to ensure Ethernet network cable connections and Fibre Channel
cable connections to the enclosure are installed or scheduled to be installed.
• Determine the Ethernet MAC address range to be used for the servers within the enclosure.
Server and networking administrators should fully understand the selection and use of MAC address
ranges before configuring the enclosure. For more information, see "MAC address settings (on page
74)."
• Determine the FC World Wide Name (WWN) range to be used for servers within the enclosure.
Server and storage administrators should fully understand the selection and use of WWN ranges before
configuring the enclosure. For more information, see "WWN settings (on page 89)."
• Identify the administrators for the Virtual Connect environment, and identify what roles and
administrative privileges they will require. The VCM classifies each operation as requiring server,
network, domain, or storage privileges. A single user may have any combination of these privileges.