By John Joyal (HP Virtual Connect, Product Marketing)
I wanted to thank everyone for the positive feedback we received regarding the interview on Virtual Strategy Magazine’s website where I discussed Virtual Connect and the Virtual Connect for Dummies® book. Bill Dicke, my co-author, and I are thrilled with the response to the book. One person even contacted me after spilling coffee on a copy they borrowed from a co-worker. I sent them 2 new copies – one wrapped in plastic wrap.
We’ve had some additions to the Virtual Connect portfolio and to functionality in the last year or so, and Bill and I have been busy revising the text. Keep an eye out for when we publish the new version. We will, of course, be including the new Virtual Connect FlexFabric module in this edition. It’s exciting for many reasons, but there is one benefit I want to touch on today – flexibility.
First, I want to review a feature of HP BladeSystem and the new G7 server blades. The G7 server blades come with an integrated FlexFabric Adapter built right onto the motherboard. These embedded adapters provide converged networking and support Ethernet, Fibre Channel or iSCSI protocols. When connected to a Virtual Connect Flex-10 Ethernet module, each of the 2 ports provides 4 Ethernet connections (FlexNICs). When connected to the new Virtual Connect FlexFabric module, one of those FlexNIC functions can become a FlexHBA function for Fibre Channel or iSCSI. By itself, this provides tremendous flexibility for anyone managing the infrastructure – but there is more to consider.
By deploying VC FlexFabric modules and FlexFabric Adapters throughout your infrastructure – you are never faced with the question of needing more network switches vs. storage switches – or NICs vs. HBAs when workload demands change. If you are primarily using the Virtual Connect FlexFabric module for Ethernet connections and need to add a storage connection, as long as you have enough capacity available, you can change a connection to the type you need. If you are using a FlexFabric module to provide Fibre Channel connectivity, but need to add additional Ethernet connections to handle more VM’s, you can. Interconnect bays won’t be filled with underutilized Ethernet only or Fibre Channel only switches, and mezzanine slots won’t be filled with underutilized NICs or HBAs. You will be able to enjoy flexibility like never before – any fabric for any server.
Actually, it’s not unlike a major airline that only flies 737 aircraft. This reduces their service costs, simplifies ‘sparing’, reduces training costs, and yes - improves flexibility. If one plane needs to be swapped at the last minute, no reconfiguration of passenger seats is required.
For more information on HP Virtual Connect or if you want to download a PDF of the Virtual Connect for Dummies® book, please visit www.hp.com/go/virtualconnect.
