Looking for a good reason why Flex-10 is even needed!!
The capability to divide 10G in to four FlexNICs is presented by HP as the solution needed for virtualization to meet traffic isolation and dedicated BW requirements. Instead of using multiple 1Gig NICs they suggest use a 10Gig Flex-10 NIC and slice it in to 4 FlexNICs. Then use these partitioned FlexNICs for meeting dedicated BW requirements per traffic type.
I thought to myself, why I should partition the 10Gig pipe for isolation and dedicated bandwidth. Instead why don’t I use VLANs for isolation and Rate limiting to shape traffic.
So I don’t think Flex-10 has any value proposition here. On the other hand, it just adds more complexity to standard 10Gig NIC…
My other issue is this FlexNIC capability can only be leveraged with VC modules, since both have Broadcom chips that are compatible to enable this function and it doesn’t work with any other HP blade switch or to that matter any other top of the rack switch. This issue is now tying me down to VC only option, running me into all limitations of VC technology. So instead of value add here, I am actually downgrading my network capabilities if I end up with VC.
I ran in to all those blogs out there, thinking that I didn’t know something that they know about Flex-10 and VC, and that is why they are for it. Now I am a little disappointed that I did not find those value propositions that this technology is bringing to virtualization, than those other technologies already did. A value proposition may drive my decision to adapt Flex-10 VC, but what is it??
So, till then I strongly believe it is better to have normal 10G NIC in the server and connect to standard L2 switch, enable vDS existing features such as Rate limiting, Port Groups, VLAN tagging….this way you get all the consolidation (of Servers, of NICs, of Switches, etc) using virtualization and get overall Data Center consolidation without locking down further proprietary solutions….This way I am ready to take advantage of future IO and Fabric Consolidation as standards ratify early next year or so…and not worry about interoperability issues in my Data Center..
I would be glad to hear more about the really Value Proposition of Flex10 VC…
Anyone?? Please share…
Sri
I work for an HP reseller and I feel the same way. I don’t see the value in physically segmeting the traffic. If they really wanted to virtualize the traffic then why not use Virtual LANS (Vlans). It provides much greater flexibility and much less complexity. You can use QOS to rate limit each of the VLANs. Also, with Vlans, you are not limited to 4 per physical interface.