Setup and Install

Planning the installation 8
Planning the installation
Virtual Connect overview
HP Virtual Connect is a set of interconnect modules and embedded software for HP BladeSystem c-Class
enclosures. VC implements server edge virtualization between the server and the data center infrastructure so
networks can communicate with individual servers or pools of HP BladeSystem server blades. Upgrade,
replace, or move server blades within the enclosures without visible changes to the external LAN and SAN
environments. The external networks connect to a shared resource server pool rather than to individual
servers. VC cleanly separates server enclosure administration from LAN and SAN administration. VC
simplifies the setup and administration of server connections and includes the following components:
• HP Virtual Connect Manager
• VC-Enet modules:
o HP VC Flex-10 10Gb Ethernet Module for BladeSystem c-Class
o HP VC FlexFabric 10Gb/24-port Module for BladeSystem c-Class
o HP VC FlexFabric-20/40 F8 Module for BladeSystem c-Class
o HP VC Flex-10/10D Module for BladeSystem c-Class
NOTE: Using a Flex-10 capable NIC with an HP VC Flex-10 or FlexFabric module provides the
ability to divide a 10Gb NIC into four FlexNICs with configurable bandwidth.
• VC-FC modules:
o HP VC 4Gb Fibre Channel Module for BladeSystem c-Class (enhanced NPIV)
o HP VC 8Gb 24-Port Fibre Channel Module for BladeSystem c-Class
o HP VC 8Gb 20-Port Fibre Channel Module for BladeSystem c-Class
NOTE: Beginning with VC 4.10, the HP 4GB Virtual Connect Fibre Channel Module is no longer
supported.
VC modules support HP BladeSystem Enclosures and all server blades and networks contained within the
enclosure:
• VC-Enet modules enable connectivity to data center Ethernet switches. VC-Enet modules can also be
directly connected to other types of devices, such as printers, laptops, rack servers, and network storage
devices.
• VC-FC and FlexFabric modules enable connectivity of the enclosure to data center FC switches. Every
FC fabric is limited in the number of switches it can support, but the VC-FC and FlexFabric modules do
not appear as switches to the FC fabric and do not count against FC fabric limits.
For information on module support of enclosures and configurations, see the product QuickSpecs on the
HP website (http://www.hp.com/go/qs).
VCM is embedded on VC-Enet modules and is accessed through a web-based GUI or CLI. These interfaces
are also accessible from Onboard Administrator.