Setup and Install

HP Virtual Connect Manager 89
WWN settings
At this point in the wizard, you are asked to select the type of FC WWNs to be used on the server blades
within the enclosure. You can choose to use the server factory default WWNs provided with the FC HBA
mezzanine card or to use FC WWNs assigned by Virtual Connect. Be sure to fully understand the following
information before making this selection.
Each server blade FC HBA mezzanine card ships with factory default port and node WWNs for each FC
HBA port. Each WWN is a 64-bit number that uniquely identifies the FC HBA port/node to other devices on
the network. While the hardware ships with default WWNs, Virtual Connect has the ability to assign WWNs
that override the factory default WWNs while the server remains in that Virtual Connect enclosure. When
configured to assign WWNs, Virtual Connect securely manages the WWNs by accessing the physical FC
HBA through the enclosure Onboard Administrator and the iLO interfaces on the individual server blades.
When assigning WWNs to FC HBA ports, Virtual Connect assigns both a port WWN and a node WWN.
Because the port WWN is typically used for configuring fabric zoning, it is the WWN displayed throughout
the Virtual Connect user interface. The assigned node WWN is always the same as the port WWN
incremented by one.
Virtual Connect assigns or migrates WWNs for server FC ports connected to HP Virtual Connect modules.
Virtual Connect also assigns WWNs to FC ports that are not connected to an I/O module because Virtual
Connect modules can be added later. Server FC ports connected to non-Virtual Connect modules retain the
server factory default WWNs.
Configuring Virtual Connect to assign WWNs in server blades maintains a consistent storage identity
(WWN) even when the underlying server hardware is changed. This method allows server blades to be
replaced without affecting the external Fibre Channel SAN administration.
CAUTION: To avoid storage networking issues and potential loss of data associated with
duplicate WWNs on a FC SAN fabric, plan carefully when allowing Virtual Connect to assign
server blade WWNs so that the configured range of WWNs is used only once within the
environment.