General |
| Q1. |
What Is HP Virtual Connect Enterprise Manager? |
| A1. |
HP Virtual Connect Enterprise Manager (VCEM) is a software application that simplifies the management of multiple BladeSystem enclosures that use Virtual Connect to control server connectivity to LANs and SANs. Organisations can use VCEM with existing Virtual Connect infrastructures to increase productivity, respond more quickly to business demands, and significantly reduce operating costs
Built on the HP Virtual Connect architecture integrated into every BladeSystem c-Class enclosure, VCEM provides a central console to manage and control server-to-network connections for up to 100 BladeSystem enclosures, a single resource pool for LAN and SAN address administration, group-based configuration management, plus the rapid assignment and movement of server connection profiles and associated workloads across the datacenter.
Together, Virtual Connect and Virtual Connect Enterprise Manager create a change-ready datacenter environment that enables administrators to add, replace and recover servers to LAN and SAN resources in minutes, significantly reducing typical deployment and maintenance costs. This flexible change-ready infrastructure also provides foundation capabilities for the logical server management delivered with HP Insight Dynamics - VSE.
|
|
| Q2. |
How Is VCEM Different From The Standard Web-Based Virtual Connect Manager? |
| A2. |
The Virtual Connect Manager (VCM) web-based console embedded into the firmware of Virtual Connect Ethernet modules, provides local infrastructure configuration and profile administration for individual BladeSystem enclosures that use Virtual Connect, also referred to as a Virtual Connect domain.
In comparison, VCEM is a software application that delivers centralized management and control of multiple BladeSystem enclosures configured with Virtual Connect. VCEM uses a single console to configure and manage infrastructure connectivity, assign network address resources, and control rapid server profile movement across the datacenter.
VCEM enables organizations with multiple BladeSystem enclosures to improve productivity, increase infrastructure consistency and significantly reduce the time and costs associated with infrastructure deployment and lifecycle management
|
|
| Q3. |
Why should I use VCEM? |
| A3. |
For organizations that use BladeSystem c-Class configured with Virtual Connect, VCEM provides the following key benefits:
- Centralized management of Virtual Connect domains
- VCEM database enables more efficient LAN/SAN address assignment and eliminates conflicts
- Group based management of Virtual Connect domains increases infrastructure consistency and enables rapid deployment of new bare-metal BladeSystem enclosures
- Add, change and replace blade servers in minutes when your business needs it, without impacting production LAN and SAN availability
- Increase productivity and reduce the time and costs to deploy and manage BladeSystem infrastructures
|
|
| Q4. |
What's New in VCEM v1.1? |
| A4. |
VCEM v1.10 extends the previous revision with the following new features
- Automated failover of server connection profiles and workloads to spare server pools
- New VCEM host installation options that include VMware ESX 3.0 and a plug-in to HP Systems Insight Manager v5.2
- Additional tools to configure and maintain Virtual Connect hardware network settings from within the VCEM console
- Support for BladeSystem Integrity servers
- Utility to migrate VCEM 1.0 data to VCEM 1.10
|
|
Functionality |
| Q1. |
What Key Functionality Does Virtual Connect Enterprise Manager Deliver? |
| A1. |
VCEM provided the following key features of functionality:
- Single intuitive console manages up to 100 HP BladeSystem enclosures that use Virtual Connect to control LAN and SAN connectivity
- Central database administers 65,000 LAN (MAC) and SAN (WWN) addresses
- Group-based management of multiple Virtual Connect domains using common baseline configuration profiles
- Scripted and manual movement of server connection profiles within and between BladeSystem enclosures - includes automated failover of profiles and workloads to spare server pools
- Licensed per BladeSystem c-Class enclosure - simplifies deployment and lifecycle management
|
|
| Q2. |
Do Groups of Virtual Connect Domains Need To Be On The Same Network? |
| A2. |
Yes, all Virtual Connect domains in a single Virtual Connect Domain Group must be configured with the same uplink connections to LAN and SAN infrastructures. This requirement ensures reliable and predictable connectivity when assigning and moving sever connection profiles between enclosures to provide rapid server recovery or repurposing.
|
|
| Q3. |
Why Would I Want To Move Server Profiles Using VCEM? |
| A3. |
The domain grouping and movement of server conneection profiles provided by VCEM can be used to complete core datacenter tasks quickly, reliably and with minimal disruption to production LAN and SAN environments. This includes:
- Installing new BladeSystem servers and enclosures
- Performing fast and cost-effective server recovery
- Scheduling planned system maintenance
- Rapidly migrating and repurposing server resources across the datacenter to meet changing workloads and application priorities
|
|
| Q4. |
Can I Move Servers Between Virtual Domain Groups? |
| A4. |
No. Server connection profiles managed by VCEM can only be moved between BladeSystem enclosures (Virtual Connect domains) that are part of the same Virtual Connect Domain Group.
|
|
| Q5. |
Can VCEM Manage Server Profiles in Both Local Boot and Boot from SAN Environments? |
| A5. |
Yes, VCEM can be used to assign and move server connection profiles in both local boot and boot-from-SAN environments.
VCEM is designed to centrally manage LAN and SAN associations with blade server profiles and enclosure bays, and to maintain consistent connectivity when server profiles are modified or moved.
In the event that a server profile association is moved to another enclosure bay, such as during server recovery operations or planned maintenance, VCEM will complete the operations in the fastest time with just a few mouse clicks if the server connection profile is configured to boot-from-SAN.
If a local boot configuration is used, the same profile movement will require additional administration steps and manual intervention to ensure the target boot drive is operational before the server profile can be moved. In this scenario the HP Rapid Deploy Pack would be an ideal solution to provision a local boot image to a target server.
|
|
Options |
| Q1. |
How is Virtual Connect Enterprise Manager Software Delivered? |
| A1. |
VCEM software is included on the HP Insight Control Management DVD v 2.30 and higher delivered with each BladeSystem c-Class enclosure. The DVD can also be downloaded as an ISO image from http://www.hp.com/go/bladesystem/management.
The Insight Control Management media can also be purchased by ordering part number 436222-B21
|
|
| Q2. |
How is HP Virtual Connect Enterprise Manager Licensed? |
| A2. |
Virtual Connect Enterprise Manager is licensed per BladeSystem c-Class enclosure.
Each c-Class enclosure to be managed with VCEM must be authorized with a valid license, which enables VCEM operations for all bays in the enclosure for the life of the enclosure. Once an enclosure is licensed you can add, move and upgrade servers and Virtual Connect interconnect modules without having to repurchasing the VCEM license.
|
|
| Q3. |
What License Options Are Available? |
| A3. |
Purchasable VCEM license options are available for single and multiple c3000 and c7000 BladeSystem enclosures. All purchased license options include 1year of 24x7 technical support and updates
|
|
Service & Support |
| Q1. |
What Support and Services are Available for Virtual Connect Enterprise Manager? |
| A1. |
Each purchased license for HP Virtual Connect Enterprise Manager includes one year of 24 x 7 HP Software Technical Support and Update Service, ensuring rapid access to HP support staff and proactive delivery of software updates. For more information about this service, please visit: http://www.hp.com/services/insight.
The following installation and startup service is also available for VCEM:
- HP Installation and Startup for HP Virtual Connect Enterprise Manager ( Part # HA124A1-5N8 or UF816E)
|
|
| Q2. |
Where Can I Learn More About Virtual Connect and Virtual Connect Enterprise Manager? |
| A2. |
Visit the following web pages to learn more about HP Virtual Connect technology and Virtual Connect Enterprise Manager software
HP Virtual Connect Technology
HP Virtual Connect Enterprise Manager
|
|
Printable version
