Introduction 8
GbE2 Interconnect Switch redundancy
The ProLiant BL p-Class GbE2 Interconnect Switch offers several redundancy and failover features. With these
features, the network configuration can be designed to allow for continued network access to each server blade in
case of a component or link failure. GbE2 Interconnect Switch redundancy and failover features include:
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Two separate GbE2 Interconnect Switches per one ProLiant BL p-Class server blade enclosure
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Four Gigabit Ethernet uplink ports in the back and two Gigabit Ethernet uplink ports in the front, per GbE2
Interconnect Switch, for designing fully meshed uplink paths to the network backbone
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Server networking connections routed to each of the separate GbE2 Interconnect Switches for redundant paths
to tolerate a switch or port malfunction
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Redundant data path 10/100/1000 Ethernet cross connections between GbE2 Interconnect Switches
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STP support that eliminates potential problems caused by redundant networking paths and provides for failover
with a secondary path in case of primary path failure; supports IEEE 802.1D Spanning Tree Protocol and is
compatible with Cisco® PVST+ and Cisco PVST, when the other device is configured as untagged or configured
to use 802.1q tagging. Release 2.0 also supports IEEE 802.1s Multiple Spanning Tree Protocol (MSTP) and
IEEE 802.1w Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP).
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Redundant power supplies and redundant cooling fans within the server blade enclosure
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Redundant firmware images and configuration settings in memory
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Redundant, configurable Domain Name System (DNS) clients, syslog servers, gateways, and community strings
and SNMP trap manager hosts
Configuration and management
The ProLiant BL p-Class GbE2 Interconnect Switch provides the following configuration and management interfaces
and tools:
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A scriptable command line interface (CLI) allows local, Telnet, or Secure Shell (SSH) access.
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A browser-based interface (BBI) allows remote access using a Web browser such as Microsoft® Internet
Explorer or Netscape Navigator.
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Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) manageability and monitoring are supported.
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The GbE2 Interconnect Switch functionality allows you to upload and download interconnect switch
configurations via Trivial File Transfer Protocol (TFTP) and Secure Copy Protocol (SCP), thus allowing the rapid
deployment of multiple server blade systems, and providing robust backup and restore capabilities.
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Network Time Protocol (NTP) is supported, allowing the GbE2 Interconnect Switch to display and record the
accurate date and time as provided by an NTP server.
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Two firmware images, either of which can be selected to be the current runtime image, can be held in memory.
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Remote authentication dial-in user service (RADIUS) provides support for user authentication and authorization.
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provides support for Cisco server compatible authentication, authorization, and
accounting.
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The user interfaces provide multi-level password protected user accounts.
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The setup utility allows step-by-step tailored configuration.
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IP settings can be set manually or obtained automatically from a Bootstrap Protocol (BOOTP) server.
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A text-based, human read/write configuration file provides viewing, printing, and editing capabilities.
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A Domain Name System (DNS) client supports primary and secondary DNS servers.
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Any port may be enabled or disabled as desired.
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Any GbE2 Interconnect Switch port can be used to perform switch management and Preboot Execution
Environment (PXE).
Diagnostic tools
The hardware, software, and firmware diagnostic tools that are available include:
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HP Systems Insight Manager automatic discovery and identification
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Power-on self-test (POST) built into the GbE2 Interconnect Switch boot process
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GbE2 Interconnect Switch port mirroring
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GbE2 Interconnect Switch LED panel displaying per port status and speed
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Interconnect module LEDs displaying per port status and speed
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System, management, and option compatibility status LEDs
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Front panel reset power switch, DB-9 port, and two Gigabit Ethernet ports
