HPE Virtual Connect Flex-10/10D Module 10 Gigabit Ethernet Switch

The HPE Virtual Connect Flex-10/10D Module 10 Gigabit Ethernet Switch delivers converged 10Gb connectivity for c-Class BladeSystem enclosures, enabling flexible server-edge networking with HP FlexFabric Adapters. The module consolidates multiple traffic types over high-speed 10Gb links and offers wire-once connection management to simplify server adds, moves and replacements. Each module exposes four adjustable connections per 10Gb server port (three data and one storage, or four data), contains thirty internal ports and ten SFP+ uplinks (1 or 10GbE), and helps reduce cabling and upstream switch requirements.

Advantages

The module reduces network sprawl at the server edge by converging Ethernet and Fibre Channel traffic and eliminating many separate switches, extension modules and cables. Dual-hop FCoE support enables FCoE traffic to traverse outside the enclosure to an external FCoE-capable bridge. Min/Max Bandwidth Optimization and Priority Queue QoS (VC 4.01) allow more efficient bandwidth usage and traffic prioritization for critical applications. Virtual Connect management removes the need for repeated manual rewiring when servers are added, moved or replaced.

Suitable for

• Enterprise and data center c-Class BladeSystem deployments requiring converged networking
• Environments using HP FlexFabric Adapters to consolidate server traffic
• Setups that need reduced cabling and simplified upstream switching (FCoE bridging)
• Administrations that require rapid server provisioning and minimal network reconfiguration

Key specifications

• Product: HPE Virtual Connect Flex-10/10D Module 10 Gigabit Ethernet Switch (MPN 639852-001, EAN 5711045738555)
• Bandwidth: effective full-duplex total 600 Gb (thirty internal ports)
• Uplink ports: ten SFP+ uplinks, configurable as 1GbE or 10GbE
• Per-server connections: four adjustable connections per 10Gb server port (three data + one storage, or four data)
• Networking standards: IEEE 802.1ab, 802.1D, 802.1Q, 802.2, 802.3ad
• Typical power consumption: 70 W
• Weight: 2 kg

How to use

Install the Flex-10/10D module into a compatible c-Class BladeSystem enclosure and connect SFP+ uplinks to upstream switches or an FCoE-capable bridge. Configure Virtual Connect profiles from the management console or CLI to assign Flex-10 virtual functions and bandwidth settings to server NICs. Use Min/Max Bandwidth Optimization and Priority Queue QoS settings to allocate bandwidth and prioritize traffic; apply FCoE dual-hop settings when extending storage traffic outside the enclosure.

Recommendations

For predictable performance, plan virtual function bandwidth allocations before deployment and enable Min/Max Bandwidth Optimization when performing VM migrations or network-based backups. Use an external FCoE-capable bridge for dual-hop FCoE topologies and keep firmware updated to access QoS and management features introduced in VC 4.01 and later.