HPE AW563A Getting Started Guide
QuickSpecs
Cisco MDS 8Gb Fabric Switch for HP BladeSystem c-Class
Overview
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Cisco MDS 8Gb Fabric Switch for HP BladeSystem c-Class
The Cisco MDS 8Gb Fabric Switch for HP BladeSystem c-Class delivers an embedded option for HP BladeSystem c-Class customers
deploying storage area networks in their enterprise. The integrated design frees up rack space, enables a reduction of
components, and utilizes shared power and cooling within the BladeSystem enclosure resulting in space and cost savings. The
Cisco MDS 8Gb Fabric Switch supports VSAN, an industry standard for fabric virtualization enabling more efficient network use.
The N-Port Virtualizer FlexAttach mode streamlines the infrastructure by reducing the number of domains to manage while
enabling the ability to add or move servers without impacting the SAN. Advanced traffic management features optimize the fabric.
Management is simplified with a broad range of integrated tools and switch management is integrated with HP BladeSystem
management creating a unique and tightly integrated experience for server and storage administrators.
Cisco MDS 8Gb Fabric Switch for HP BladeSystem c-Class
Key Features and Benefits
The Cisco MDS 8Gb Fabric Switch for HP BladeSystem c-Class
Integrated design lowers
TCO and enables higher
levels of availability
The Cisco MDS 8Gb Fabric Switch hot-plugs into the back of the HP BladeSystem c-Class enclosure,
freeing up rack space. Interconnect internal to the BladeSystem reduces cabling, SFPs and associated
costs. Shared power and cooling resources further reduces cost and additional points of failure.
Exceptional
performance, scalability
and flexibility
Employs high speed 8 Gbps technology for storage networking. N-Port Virtualizer feature uses NPIV
technology to eliminate domain count concerns and FlexAttach mode extends the technology to
enable servers to be added or moved without impact to the SAN.
High availability
Designed for environments where downtime is not an option. Up to six FC switches are supported in
the BladeSystem enclosure. Hot-pluggable design supports non-disruptive upgrades, VSANs for fault
isolation, and PortChannels for ISL resiliency.
Flexible licensing
Dynamic and growing businesses require the flexibility to manage their investment wisely. Designed
to scale as business needs dictate with the option of a 12-port model and a 12-port upgrade license.
Traffic management
Simplifies deployment while optimizing core edge fabrics with support for virtual output queuing,
flexible buffer credit allocation, PortChannels, Fabric Shortest Path First (FSPF), and more.
VSAN support
Support for up to 32 VSANs per switch that can be zoned as its own fabric enables efficiency, lower
cost through shared usage, the flexibility of independent configuration control, and increased security
through isolation of devices on the same physical SAN.
Long distance support
Individual ports can be configured with short- or long-range SFP+ optics for connectivity of up to 10
QuickSpecs
Cisco MDS 8Gb Fabric Switch for HP BladeSystem c-Class
Overview
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kilometers.
Broad range of
management options
Simple and consistent with support by the Cisco MDS 9000 family management tools including a CLI,
Cisco Fabric Manager and a standards-based API supporting SNMP and SMI-S. Also supported by HP
unified server and storage management tools.
Comprehensive security
Offers an extensive security framework to protect highly sensitive data crossing today's enterprise
networks.
Advanced diagnostics
and troubleshooting
tools
Integrates the industry's most advanced analysis and debugging tools for proactive diagnostics,
verification of connectivity and route latency, and capturing and analyzing traffic.
QuickSpecs
Cisco MDS 8Gb Fabric Switch for HP BladeSystem c-Class
Product Highlights
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Configuration support
Please see the following Web site for configuration support at:
http://h18000.www1.hp.com/products/storageworks/san/documentation.html
Cost Effective Intelligent
Storage networking
Powered by Cisco MDS 9000 NX-OS Software, offers intelligent storage networking capabilities such
as Virtual SANs (VSANs), PortChannels, quality of service (QoS), and security for cost-effective design,
deployment, and management of enterprise SANs.
Highly available platform
for mission-critical
deployments
Designed for environments where downtime is not an option. It offers non-disruptive software
upgrades, VSANs for fault isolation, and PortChannels for Inter-Switch Link (ISL) resiliency.
Flexibility
Offers up to 24 8/4/2-Gbps auto-sensing Fibre Channel ports with 8 Gbps of dedicated bandwidth to
each port, and an aggregate platform bandwidth of 384 Gbps. Starts with a base configuration of 12
ports (8 internal and 4 external ports) with flexibility to upgrade in the field to 24 ports using 12-port
upgrade activation license .The N-Port Virtualizer (NPV) feature employs industry-standard N-Port
Virtualization technology to eliminate domain count concerns and enable fabric interoperability.
FlexAttach further extends NPV to enable servers to be added or moved within or between
BladeSystem enclosures without any impact to the SAN.
There can be a total of 16 internal ports for connectivity to 16 server blades and 8 front panel ports for
connectivity to the SAN, server, or storage devices.
Simplified storage
management
Includes built-in storage network management, with all features available through a command-line
interface (CLI) and the Cisco Data Center Network Manager (DCNM).
Comprehensive security
framework
Supports RADIUS and TACACS+, port security, fabric binding, Fibre Channel Security Protocol (FC-SP)
host-to-switch and switch-to-switch authentication, Secure FTP (SFTP), Secure Shell Version 2
(SSHv2) and Simple Network Management Protocol Version 3 (SNMPv3) implementing Advanced
Encryption Standard (AES), VSANs, hardware-enforced zoning, broadcast zones, and per-VSAN rolebased access control (RBAC).
Sophisticated diagnostics
Industry-leading intelligent diagnostics such as Fibre Channel Ping, Fibre Channel Traceroute,
Switched Port Analyzer (SPAN), Cisco Fabric Analyzer, and integrated call-home capability enhance
reliability, facilitate faster problem resolution, and reduce service costs.
Interoperability
Common platform architecture and the use of Cisco MDS 9000 NX-OS Software intelligent storagenetworking services across all Cisco MDS 9000 family switches reduces ongoing operating expenses
by providing a consistent set of provisioning, management, and diagnostic capabilities. Offers
compatibility with a broad range of HP servers and operating systems, as well as storage devices; see
current compatibility matrix.
Software Components, Included
NX-OS
Cisco MDS 9000 NX-OS delivers numerous advanced storage networking capabilities for the Cisco MDS
9000 Family of Multilayer Intelligent Directors and Fabric Switches.
Cisco Data Center
Network Manager
Cisco Data Center Network Manager is a responsive, easy-to-use Java application that simplifies
management across multiple switches and fabrics. Cisco Data Center Network Manager enables
QuickSpecs
Cisco MDS 8Gb Fabric Switch for HP BladeSystem c-Class
Product Highlights
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administrators to perform vital tasks such as topology discovery, fabric configuration and verification,
LUN security, monitoring, and fault resolution. All functions are available through a secure interface,
which enables remote management from any location. Cisco Data Center Network Manager may be
used independently or in conjunction with third-party management applications. Cisco provides an
extensive API for integration with third-party and user developed management tools.
Software Components, Optional
HP StoreFabric Data
Center Network Manager
Package
The "Standard" Cisco Data Center Network Manager software that is included at no charge with the
Cisco MDS 8Gb Fabric Switch for HP BladeSystem provides basic switch configuration and
troubleshooting capabilities. HP's C-series StoreFabric Data Center Network Manager (DCNM) Package
extends Cisco Data Center Network Manager by providing historical performance data collection for
network traffic hot-spot analysis, centralized management services and advanced application
integration.
HP MDS 9100 Enterprise
Package License
HP's C-series MDS switches have a set of advanced traffic engineering and advanced security features
that are recommended for all Enterprise SANs. These features are bundled together in a management
application called the HP MDS 9100 Enterprise Package.
BladeSystem compatibility
NOTE: The Cisco MDS 8Gb Fabric Switch for HP BladeSystem c-Class must be deployed with the BladeSystem c-Class
infrastructure and will only work with the HP BladeSystem c-Class Enclosures.
HP ProLiant Servers
ProLiant BLc server blades
HP Integrity Servers
Integrity BLc server blades*
* Supported with the following HP BladeSystem c-Class Enclosures: 507019-B21, AD361C, 508668B21, and AH257B.
HP BladeSystem c-Class
Enclosures
HP BladeSystem c7000 and c3000 Enclosures
Product Family Models
HP StoreFabric SN8500C 8-slot 16Gb FC Director
o Intelligent, multi-protocol 8-slot Director with up to 384 16/8 Gb Fibre Channel ports
in a single chassis. Also, the HP StoreFabric SN8500C 48-port 16Gb FC Module and
the included Fabric 1 modules provide up to 384 ports of full 16Gbps line-rate
performance across all ports.
HP StoreFabric SN8500C 4-slot 16Gb FC Director (MDS 9706)
o Intelligent, multi-protocol 4-slot Director with up to 192 16/8/4 Gb Fibre Channel
ports in a single chassis. Also, the HP StoreFabric SN8500C 48-port 16Gb FC Module
and the included Fabric 1 modules provide up to 192 ports of full 16Gbps line-rate
performance across all ports or 192 10GbE FCoE ports in a single chassis.
HP SN8000C 13-Slot Supervisor 2A Fabric3 Director
o Intelligent, multi-protocol 13-slot Director with up to 528 Auto-Sensing 8/4/2 Gb
Fibre Channel ports in a single chassis. Also, the 32-port 8Gb Advanced Fibre Channel
modules and the included Fabric 3 modules provide up to 352 ports of full 8Gbps
line-rate performance across all ports.
HP SN8000C 6-Slot Supervisor 2A Director
o Intelligent, multi-protocol 6-slot Director with up to 192 Auto-Sensing 8/4/2 Gb Fibre
Channel ports
QuickSpecs
Cisco MDS 8Gb Fabric Switch for HP BladeSystem c-Class
Product Highlights
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HP SN6500C 16Gb Multi-service Switch
o Intelligent multi-protocol Fabric Switch with twenty fixed 16/8 Gb Fibre Channel
ports, two fixed 10 Gigabit Ethernet FCIP ports, and eight fixed 10 Gigabit Ethernet
FCoE ports. Provides up to forty active 16/8 Gb Fibre Channel ports through a port
upgrade license.
HP SN6010C 16Gb Fabric Switch (MDS 9148S)
o With up to 48 Auto-Sensing 16/8/4 Gb Fibre Channel ports
o "Pay as you grow" scalability starting at 12 ports
Cisco MDS 8Gb Fabric Switch for HP BladeSystem c-Class
o With up to 24 Auto-Sensing 8/4/2 Gb Fibre Channel ports
o "Pay as you grow" scalability starting at 12 ports
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