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How to configure Virtual NICs using the Emulex Virtual Fabric Adapter and BNT Virtual Fabric Switch Module

This tutorial is intended as a ‘how-to’ guide for configuring BladeCenter Virtual NIC (vNIC) operation using the Emulex Virtual Fabric Adapter (VFA) and the Blade Network Technologies (BNT) Virtual Fabric Switch Module (VFS).

For the initial release of vNIC functionality for BladeCenter, configuration is ac-complished using the standard management interfaces of the VFS. This guide describes implementation examples for both the Command Line Interface (CLI) and the Browser-Based Interface (BBI).

Source:   IBM System x support, BNT Virtual Fabric 10G switch Application Guide and BNT Support

The redpaper "Implementing Microsoft Hyper-V on IBM System x and IBM BladeCenter" is available @ redbooks.ibm.com.

Microsoft® Hyper-V™ is the next-generation server virtualization technology. This technology is available either as a feature of Windows® Server 2008 or as a separate free download in the form of the Hyper-V Server.

In this IBM® Redpapers™ publication, IBM introduces Hyper-V and describe its features. IBM explains how to install and use the product to create virtual machines and introduces the tools that you can use to manage the virtual machines that run on Hyper-V. In addition, IBM introduces high availability features such as clustering and migration.

The paper is suitable for IT specialists who want to learn what Hyper-V offers and how to install, configure, and manage the product.

Source:  IBM Redbooks

A Windows and Linux package has been published on the IBM Support website which contains the installers for the Cisco 10G Switch Plug-in for the IBM Systems Director application. These installers will install the needed software to allow the IBM Systems Director to configure and monitor Cisco 10G switches.  All BladeCenter chassis are supported.

Source:  IBM Support Cisco Nexus 4001

Networkworld published their finding on several products they tested and said:

"Two eight-core Intel 5570 Nehalem processors, two 10Gigabit Ethernet NICs, 50GB SSD drives, 150GB 15k hard drives and 48GB of RAM. Not to mention energy efficiency and strong management features. And all for around $10,000. What's not to like?

In our tests, the Nehalem-based blade delivered a 10x increase in performance when compared to Intel's Core-based Xeon processor. In terms of total overall power consumption, the Nehalem processors consumed 17% more power than the Xeon-based system, which is a pretty good bargain when you're gaining a 10x boost in performance.

Bottom line: The combination of Nehalem processors, 10G Ethernet, and lots of RAM make the HS22 a great choice for data center virtualization."

Source:  Networkworld Best-of-tests-2010 and IBM BladeCenter HS22 TEST

Video #1 in series...What is 5? Five minute mile? And what does this have to do with IBM System x Servers? IBM and System x team is having too much fun. Join us!

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Source:  IBM Systems Gamechanger and IBM System x and BladeCenter channel

This year will be the year Converged Enhanced Ethernet (CEE) and Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) will see the light in numerous products. The Converged Network Adapter was the first component that could be ordered and now this will be expanded to FCoE capable switches.
We want to give you the right informaton to be fully up-to-speed on these new technologies and are gathering all information at this moment.   Keep watching this space.............