HP Virtual Connect Enterprise Manager Software - Manual (Page 15)

self-sufficient, so they can add, replace, and modify servers in minutes without affecting LAN and SAN
availability or burdening network administration staff.
Managing HP Virtual Connect
To configure and manage Virtual Connect resources, HP provides options for both small and large Virtual
Connect environments.
HP Virtual Connect Manager
Virtual Connect Manager is a simple web console built into the firmware of each Virtual Connect Ethernet
module, and is designed to configure and manage a single Virtual Connect Domain.
Typical environment
Small environments with up to 4 Virtual Connect domains that have no plans to expand further.
HP Virtual Connect Enterprise Manager
VCEM is HP’s primary application that centrally manages server connections and provides workload mobility
for up to 250 Virtual Connect domains and thousands of servers across the datacenter.
Typical Environment
BladeSystem environments with more than one rack of enclosures . VCEM is designed to scale as the
infrastructure grows and simplifies the addition of new and bare metal enclosures. Small environments with
goals to expand beyond a single server rack should use VCEM from the very beginning to get the most
benefit.
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Medium to large HP BladeSystem environments that use Virtual Connect.
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HP BladeSystem environments that extend to multiple locations.
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Organizations that require centralized control of server-to-network connectivity.
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Organizations that require rapid server workload assignment and recovery across enclosures.
VCEM operations
VCEM aggregates network connection management and workload mobility for hundreds of Virtual Connect
domains and thousands of blade servers into a single console. This scalable solution delivers advanced
Virtual Connect management that builds upon and integrates with other HP management tools, including
HP Systems Insight Manager (HP SIM), Virtual Connect hardware, and the Onboard Administrator integrated
into HP BladeSystem c-Class enclosures. VCEM can be installed in a variety of configurations that include
a physical stand-alone console, as a plug-in to HP Systems Insight Manager, and as a virtual server guest.
The majority of VCEM operations are accessed through a dedicated homepage which includes the following
core tasks:
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Discover and import existing VC Domains without system downtime.
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Aggregate individual Virtual Connect address names for LAN and SAN connectivity into a centrally
administered VCEM address repository.
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Create VC Domain Groups.
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Assign and unassign VC Domains to VC Domain Groups.
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Define server profiles and link to available LAN and SAN network resources.
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Assign server profiles to BladeSystem enclosures, enclosure bays, and VC Domain Groups.
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Change, move, or automatically failover server profiles to spare servers.
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Rapidly install new bare-metal HP BladeSystem enclosures by assigning to a VC Domain Group.
The following figure displays the Virtual Connect Enterprise Manager homepage.
Architectural overview 15