Lenovo Emulex 8Gb Fibre Channel Expansion Card (CIOv) Owner’s Manual

: June 3, 2024
: Lenovo

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Emulex 8Gb Fibre Channel Expansion Card (CIOv) for IBM BladeCenter
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Emulex 8Gb Fibre Channel Expansion Card (CIOv) for IBM BladeCenter

Product Guide (withdrawn product)

The Emulex 8Gb Fibre Channel Expansion Card (CIOv) for IBM BladeCenter enables high-performance connection to a storage area network (SAN). Thanks to the innovative design of the IBM BladeCenter midplane, this Fibre Channel adapter operates without needing an optical transceiver module, saving you significant hardware costs. Each adapter provides dual paths to the SAN switches to ensure full redundancy. Meanwhile the exclusive firmware-based architecture allows firmware and features to be upgraded without taking the server offline or rebooting and without needing to upgrade the driver.

Figure 1 shows the Emulex 8Gb Fibre Channel Expansion Card (CIOv).

Figure 1. Emulex 8Gb Fibre Channel Expansion Card (CIOv)

Did you know?

When using the CIOv adapter, you can simultaneously use a CFFh adapter to enable more types of I/O to supported blade servers such as the HS22 when installed in the IBM BladeCenter H chassis. The innovative design of the CIOv adapter works with the CFFh adapter to support this combination.

This expansion card connects directly to the midplane without having to use cables or optical modules. By eliminating these components for up to 14 servers, the resulting savings alone covers the BladeCenter chassis investment.

You can upgrade the firmware of Emulex host bus adapters (HBAs) without taking the server offline or rebooting. This is an exclusive Emulex feature that minimizes downtime and protects the investment in your infrastructure.

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Part number information

Table 1 shows the part number to order this card.

Table 1. Part number and feature code for ordering

Description	Part number	Feature code*
Emulex 8Gb Fibre Channel Expansion Card (CIOv) for IBM BladeCenter	46M6140

3598 / 8240

The first feature code listed is for configurations available through the System x sales channel. The second feature code listed is for configurations available through the Power Systems sales channel

This part number includes the following items:

One Emulex 8Gb Fibre Channel Expansion Card (CIOv) for IBM BladeCenter
Documentation CD that contains the Emulex 8Gb Fibre Channel Expansion Card (CIOv) for IBM BladeCenter Installation and User’s Guide
Important Notices document

Features

The expansion card has the following features and benefits:

Support of the 8 Gbps Fibre Channel standard
Use of the Emulex “Saturn” 8Gb Fibre Channel I/O Controller (IOC) chip
Enablement of high-speed and dual-port connection to a Fibre Channel SAN
Can be combined with a CFFh card on the same blade server
Comprehensive virtualization capabilities with support for N_Port ID Virtualization (NPIV) and Virtual Fabric
Simplified installation and configuration using common HBA drivers
Efficient administration by using HBAnyware for HBAs anywhere in the SAN
Common driver model that eases management and enables upgrades independent of HBA firmware
Support of BladeCenter Open Fabric Manager
Support for NPIV when installed in the JS23/JS43

IBM BladeCenter leads the industry in delivering integrated fabric switching to the blade server environment. Integrated fabric switching eases deployment, simplifies the data center, reduces cabling and optical transceivers (SFPs), and lowers costs. BladeCenter clients have the flexibility to choose from a variety of SAN switch vendor’s architectures.

Each BladeCenter server provides redundant connections to data and storage networks. You can configure your blade servers with dual port host bus adapters and be assured that you will always have a connection to your SAN by using BladeCenter’s high availability midplane. Through integration, BladeCenter eliminates the fiber-optic cables from the server to the switch. This reduces the opportunity for misconfiguration and lowers the expense for cables and optical transceivers. It also reduces potential points of failure, while increasing network availability.

Specifications

The expansion card has the following specifications:

Fibre Channel specifications:
• Bandwidth: Burst transfer rate of up to 1600 MBps full-duplex per port
• Support for point-to-point fabric connection: F-Port Fabric Login
• Support for Fibre Channel Arbitrated Loop (FC-AL) and FCAL-2 FL-Port Login
• Support for Fibre Channel services class 2 and 3
Single-chip design with two independent 8 Gbps serial Fibre Channel ports, each of which provides:
• Reduced instruction set computer (RISC) processor
• Integrated serializer/deserializer
• Receive direct memory access (DMA) sequencer
• Frame buffer
Onboard DMA: DMA controller for each port: Transmit and receive
Frame buffer first in, first out (FIFO): Integrated transmit and receive frame buffer for each data channel
Internal memory:
• 1.5 MB internal high-speed SRAM, ECC protected
• 4 MB non-volatile RAM (NVRAM), 2 MB per port

Operating environment

The expansion card is supported in the following environment:

Temperature: 10 to 52°C (50 to 126°F) operating (requires airflow of 50-150 linear feet per minute)
Relative humidity: 5% to 95% non-condensing

Supported servers and I/O modules

This card is installed in the PCI Express CIOv slot of a supported blade server. It provides 8 Gbps connections to Fibre Channel-compatible modules in bays 3 and 4 of supported BladeCenter chassis. A maximum of one CIOv expansion is supported per single-wide (30 mm) blade server. Table 2 lists the IBM BladeCenter servers that support the Emulex 8Gb Fibre Channel Expansion Card (CIOv).

Table 2. Supported servers

Lenovo Emulex 8Gb Fibre Channel Expansion Card table 2

See IBM ServerProven at the following address for the latest information about the expansion cards supported by each blade server type: http://ibm.com/servers/eserver/serverproven/compat/us/

CIOv expansion cards are installed in the CIOv slot in supported servers as shown in Figure 2.

Lenovo Emulex 8Gb Fibre Channel Expansion Card fig 2

Figure 2. Location of the CIOv slot in the IBM BladeCenter HS22

The Emulex 8Gb Fibre Channel Expansion Card (CIOv) requires that a supported I/O module is installed in bay 3 and bay 4 of the chassis in which the cards and servers are installed.

Table 3 lists the supported I/O modules that can be used to connect to the expansion card. The 8 Gb switch modules are recommended. The card also supports 4 Gb Fibre Channel switch modules and the 4 Gb Intelligent Pass-thru Module. However, the card must operate at the 4 Gbps rate.

Table 3. Compatibility information for I/O modules and the Emulex 8Gb Fibre Channel Expansion Card (CIOv)

| | Blade

Center S

| Blade

Center E

| Blade

Center H

| Blade

Center T

| Blade

Center HT

---|---|---|---|---|---|---
Supported I/O modules (operate at 8 Gbps)| | | | | |
Brocade Enterprise 20-port 8Gb SAN Switch| 42C1828| N| Y| Y| N| Y§
Brocade 20-port 8Gb SAN Switch Module| 44X1920| N| Y| Y| N| Y§
Brocade 10-port 8Gb SAN Switch Module| 44X1921| N| Y| Y| N| Y§
QLogic 20-port 8Gb SAN Switch Module| 44X1905| Y| Y| Y| Y| Y§
QLogic 8Gb Intelligent Pass-thru Module| 44X1907| Y| Y| Y| Y| Y§
QLogic 20-Port 4/8Gb SAN Switch Module| 88Y6406| Y| Y| Y| Y| Y§
QLogic 4/8Gb Intelligent Pass-thru Module| 88Y6410| Y| Y| Y| Y| Y§
Supported I/O modules (operate at 4 Gbps)| | | | | |
Brocade 4 Gb 20-Port SAN Switch Module| 32R1812| N| N| N| N| N
Brocade 4 Gb 10-Port SAN Switch Module| 32R1813| N| N| N| N| N
Cisco 4 Gb 20-Port Fibre Channel Switch Module| 39Y9280| N| Y| Y| Y| Y
Cisco 4 Gb 10-Port Fibre Channel Switch Module| 39Y9284| Y| Y| Y| Y| Y
QLogic 20-Port 4 Gb SAN Switch Module| 43W6725| N| Y| Y| Y| Y
QLogic 10-Port 4 Gb SAN Switch Module| 43W6724| Y| Y| Y| Y| Y
QLogic 4 Gb Intelligent Pass-thru Module| 43W6723| Y| Y| Y| Y*| Y

Take into account the following restrictions regarding the use of switch modules listed in Table 3:

The IBM BladeCenter Optical Pass-thru Module, 39Y9316, is not supported
() When any of the switch modules indicated with () is installed in BladeCenter T, the internal switch connections to blade ports operate at 2 Gbps. The external ports operate at up to 8 Gbps (or 4 Gbps for 4 Gb switch modules).
(§) When any of these switch modules that have the section indicator symbol (§) is installed in BladeCenter HT, the internal switch connections to blade ports are supported at 4 Gbps. The external ports operate at up to 8 Gbps (or 4 Gbps for 4 Gb switch modules).
The Emulex 8Gb Fibre Channel Expansion Card (CIOv) can be installed in servers in the BladeCenter S and are used with supported switch modules as shown in the table. However, by doing so, you lose the ability to connect to the BladeCenter S Disk Storage Modules (DSMs). The Fibre Channel expansion card goes in the place of the SAS expansion card that is needed to connect to the DSMs.

Popular configurations

The Emulex 8Gb Fibre Channel Expansion Card (CIOv) can be used in various configurations. Figure 3 shows the CIOv card installed in a supported blade server, which in turn is installed in a BladeCenter chassis. The chassis is connected to the IBM System Storage DS3400. The RAID functionality is provided by the external storage system.

Lenovo Emulex 8Gb Fibre Channel Expansion Card fig 3

Figure 3. IBM BladeCenter connected to an external IBM System Storage DS3400 storage solution

Table 4 lists the parts that are used in the configuration shown in Figure 3.

Table 4. Components used when connecting the Emulex 8Gb Fibre Channel Expansion Card (CIOv) to external disk storage (as shown in Figure 3)

Diagram reference| Part number/machine type| Description| Quantity
---|---|---|---
1| Varies| Supported server| 1 to 14
2| 46M6140| Emulex 8Gb Fibre Channel Expansion Card (CIOv)| 1 per server
3| Varies| IBM BladeCenter chassis* (see Table 3)| 1
4| 44X1905| QLogic 20-Port 8Gb SAN Switch Module| 1 or 2
5| 1726-41X or 1726-42X| IBM System Storage DS3400 (Single or Dual Controller)| 1
6| 1727| Optional: IBM System Storage EXP3000 (Single or Dual ESM)| 1 to 3
7| 39R6536| DS3000 Partition Expansion License| 1

*Note: The expansion card can be installed in servers in the BladeCenter S (8886). However, by doing so, you lose the ability to connect to the BladeCenter S Disk Storage Modules (DSMs). The Fibre Channel expansion card goes in the place of the SAS expansion card that is needed to connect to the DSMs.

This configuration also requires cabling between the chassis and the storage server and between the storage server and expansion units. (The cable part numbers are not listed in Table 4.)

Operating system support

The Emulex 8Gb Fibre Channel Expansion Card (CIOv) supports the following operating systems:

For x86-based blade servers:

Microsoft Windows Server 2008 HPC Edition
Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2
Microsoft Windows Server 2008, Datacenter x64 Edition
Microsoft Windows Server 2008, Enterprise x64 Edition
Microsoft Windows Server 2008, Standard x64 Edition
Microsoft Windows Server 2008, Web x64 Edition
Microsoft Windows Server 2012
Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2008 Premium Edition
Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2008 Standard Edition
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5 Server Edition
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5 Server x64 Edition
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 Server Edition
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 Server x64 Edition
SUSE LINUX Enterprise Server 10 for AMD64/EM64T
SUSE LINUX Enterprise Server 10 for x86
SUSE LINUX Enterprise Server 10 with Xen for AMD64/EM64T
SUSE LINUX Enterprise Server 11 for AMD64/EM64T
SUSE LINUX Enterprise Server 11 for x86
SUSE LINUX Enterprise Server 11 with Xen for AMD64/EM64T
VMware ESX 4.1
VMware ESXi 4.1
VMware vSphere 5.0 (ESXi)
VMware vSphere 5.1 (ESXi)

For POWER-based blade servers

IBM AIX 5L for POWER Version 5.3
IBM AIX Version 6.1
IBM i operating system 6.1
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4 AS for IBM POWER
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5 for IBM POWER
SUSE LINUX Enterprise Server 10 for IBM POWER

See IBM ServerProven at the following address for the latest information about the specific versions and service packs that are supported: http://ibm.com/servers/eserver/serverproven/compat/us/

Select the blade server and then select the expansion card to see the supported operating systems.

For more information, see the following resources:

Emulex 8Gb Fibre Channel Expansion Card (CIOv) Installation and User’s Guide http://www.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=psg1MIGR-5080195
IBM U.S. Announcement Letter
http://ibm.com/common/ssi/cgi- bin/ssialias?infotype=dd&subtype=ca&&htmlfid=897/ENUS109-283
IBM U.S. Announcement Letter for NPIV support on JS23/JS43
http://ibm.com/common/ssi/cgi- bin/ssialias?infotype=dd&subtype=ca&&htmlfid=897/ENUS109-545
IBM BladeCenter Interoperability Guide
http://www.redbooks.ibm.com/big
IBM Redbooks publication IBM BladeCenter Products and Technology, SG24-7523 http://www.redbooks.ibm.com/abstracts/sg247523.html

Product families related to this document are the following:

Blade Storage Adapters

Notices

Lenovo may not offer the products, services, or features discussed in this document in all countries. Consult your local Lenovo representative for information on the products and services currently available in your area. Any reference to a Lenovo product, program, or service is not intended to state or imply that only that Lenovo product, program, or service may be used. Any functionally equivalent product, program, or service that does not infringe any Lenovo intellectual property right may be used instead. However, it is the user’s responsibility to evaluate and verify the operation of any other product, program, or service. Lenovo may have patents or pending patent applications covering subject matter described in this document. The furnishing of this document does not give you any license to these patents. You can send license inquiries, in writing, to:

Lenovo (United States), Inc.
8001 Development Drive
Morrisville, NC 27560
U.S.A.
Attention: Lenovo Director of Licensing

LENOVO PROVIDES THIS PUBLICATION “AS IS” WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF NON-INFRINGEMENT, MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. Some jurisdictions do not allow disclaimer of express or implied warranties in certain transactions, therefore, this statement may not apply to you.

This information could include technical inaccuracies or typographical errors. Changes are periodically made to the information herein; these changes will be incorporated in new editions of the publication. Lenovo may make improvements and/or changes in the product(s) and/or the program(s) described in this publication at any time without notice.

The products described in this document are not intended for use in implantation or other life support applications where malfunction may result in injury or death to persons. The information contained in this document does not affect or change Lenovo product specifications or warranties. Nothing in this document shall operate as an express or implied license or indemnity under the intellectual property rights of Lenovo or third parties. All information contained in this document was obtained in specific environments and is presented as an illustration. The result obtained in other operating environments may vary. Lenovo may use or distribute any of the information you supply in any way it believes appropriate without incurring any obligation to you.

Any references in this publication to non-Lenovo Web sites are provided for convenience only and do not in any manner serve as an endorsement of those Web sites. The materials at those Web sites are not part of the materials for this Lenovo product, and use of those Web sites is at your own risk. Any performance data contained herein was determined in a controlled environment. Therefore, the result obtained in other operating environments may vary significantly. Some measurements may have been made on development-level systems and there is no guarantee that these measurements will be the same on generally available systems. Furthermore, some measurements may have been estimated through extrapolation. Actual results may vary. Users of this document should verify the applicable data for their specific environment.

This document, TIPS0703, was created or updated on April 17, 2014.
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The following terms are trademarks of Lenovo in the United States, other countries, or both:
Lenovo®
BladeCenter Open Fabric
BladeCenter®
ServerProven®
System x®

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Emulex 8Gb Fibre Channel Expansion Card (CIOv) for IBM BladeCenter (withdrawn product)