Installation guide

A Sample VLAN Topology
A Sample VLAN Topology
Chapter 7
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CAUTION Failure to ensure proper configuration of the 14-Slot Shelf virtual local area network (VLAN)
topology before connecting the 14-Slot Shelf to a functioning network can cause network failure
or loss of data. Ensure that your HP bh5700 ATCA 14-Slot Blade Server is configured with a
VLAN topology that is compatible with your existing network before connecting the shelf.
IMPORTANT Ensure that you read chapter 5, 14-Slot Shelf Startup, to gain an understanding of the 14-Slot
Shelf factory default VLAN configuration before attempting to configure your 14-Slot Shelf
using this chapter.
This chapter provides information on planning and configuring a sample usable VLAN topology for your HP
bh5700 ATCA 14-Slot Blade Server before it is connected to your functioning network.
Planning Your Network Topology
The HP bh5700 ATCA 14-Slot Blade Server is highly configurable, but the default factory configuration is not
particularly usable because the individual components (Shelf Managers, Ethernet Switch Blades, and HP
bc2100 ATCA Server Blades) do not come preconfigured as a functioning network topology.
Ethernet Switch Blades and the VLANs
The first step in configuring your 14-Slot Shelf is to design a reasonable network topology for the ATCA
components. The Ethernet Switch Blades are the key to getting the 14-Slot Shelf properly configured and
plugged into your enterprise. The Switch Blades are highly configurable, with separate out-of-band (OOB),
base, and fabric interfaces. This sample provides a topology that configures these interfaces, but keeps them
on separate networks. The rest of this chapter is based on this sample network topology. Your network
requirements may differ from what is presented here. The intent of this instructional example is to describe
the process of configuring the 14-Slot Shelf, and it may not meet all of the requirements for your particular
enterprise.
The Ethernet Switch Blades are central to getting your ATCA 14-Slot Shelf configured. It is helpful to
understand the concept of a VLAN. There are 76 network ports, or NIC interfaces, on the Ethernet Switch
Blades that need to be configured (see Figure 7-2 on page 62). Some of these ports are out-of-band (OOB),
some are base, and some are fabric. Some of the ports connect to other blades, some to the ShMMs, some to
the other Switch Blade, and some to the front panel of the switch.