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Configuring the Virtual Connect domain using the CLI 48
Virtual Connect v1.20 adds the ability to configure PXE settings when using either VC Assigned or factory
default MAC addresses. In addition, Use BIOS is a new option for PXE, which maintains the current
settings as configured by RBSU.
A new feature in Virtual Connect v1.20 is the ability to override the Virtual Connect assigned MACs
and/or WWNs when creating a new profile.
When a server profile is assigned to a server blade, the Virtual Connect Manager securely connects to the
server blade, configures the NIC ports with the appropriate MAC addresses and PXE settings, and
configures the FC HBA ports with the appropriate WWNs and SAN boot settings. In addition, the Virtual
Connect Manager automatically connects the server blade Ethernet and Fibre Channel ports to the
specified networks and SAN fabrics. This server profile can then be re-assigned to another server blade
as needed, while maintaining the server's network and SAN identity and connectivity.
The Virtual Connect Manager can be configured so that server blades use server factory default
MACs/WWNs or Virtual-Connect-administered MACs/WWNs. These administered values override the
default MAC addresses and WWNs when a server profile is assigned to a server, and appear to pre-
boot environments and host operating system software as the hardware addresses. To use administered
MAC addresses, select a range of HP pre-defined or user-specified MAC addresses.
Be sure to review the following list of guidelines before creating and deploying server profiles:
• The server blade firmware and option card firmware must be at a revision that supports Virtual
Connect profile assignment. See the HP website (http://www.hp.com/go/bladesystemupdates
).
• Before creating the first server profile, select whether to use moveable, administered MAC addresses
and WWNs or whether to use the local server blade factory default MAC addresses and WWNs.
• After an enclosure is imported into a Virtual Connect domain, server blades remain isolated from the
networks and SAN fabrics until a server profile is created and assigned.
• Server blades must be powered off to receive (or relinquish) a server profile assignment when using
Virtual Connect-administered MAC addresses, WWNs, or changing Fibre Channel boot parameters.
• FC SAN Connections are only shown in server profile screens when there is an HP Virtual Connect
Fibre Channel Module in the enclosure managed by Virtual Connect. FC SAN Connections are
added in pairs and cannot be deleted. If an HP Virtual Connect Fibre Channel Module is added to a
Virtual Connect domain that has existing profiles, an option to add FC connections appears in the
existing profiles when editing.
• Some server profile SAN boot settings (controller boot order) are only applied by Virtual Connect
after the server blade has been booted at least once with the final mezzanine card configuration.
• If PXE, controller boot order, or SAN boot settings are made outside of Virtual Connect (using RBSU
or other configuration tools), Virtual Connect will restore the settings defined by the server profile
after the server blade completes the next boot cycle.
• If using a QLogic HBA with some versions of Linux (RHEL3, RHEL4, SLES9, and SLES10), the HBA
connection type must be set to "point to point only" in the adapter configuration settings in the
QLogic BIOS utility or QLogic OS utility (if available). If the HBA settings are not changed, the HBA
may be unable to log into the fabric and discover devices on the SAN.
Server profiles are associated with a specific enclosure device bay. After a profile is assigned, the Virtual
Connect Manager configures the server blade in that device bay with the appropriate
MAC/PXE/WWN/SAN boot settings and connects the appropriate networks and fabrics. Server blades
that have been assigned a profile and remain in the same device bay do not require further Virtual
Connect Manager configuration during server or enclosure power cycle. They will boot and gain access
to the network and fabric when the server and interconnect modules are ready.