Description
Introduction to The Storageworks Converged Network Adapter
The AW520A HPE Storageworks 2Port PCI Express 2.0 X8 Converged Network Adapter is a high-performance network interface card designed for use in servers and storage systems. It is a PCIe 2.0 x8 card that provides two ports for connecting to Ethernet and Fibre Channel networks.
The AW520A adapter supports converged networking, which means it can carry both Ethernet and Fibre Channel traffic over a single network connection. This allows for more efficient use of network bandwidth and simplifies network management by reducing the number of network adapters required.
The adapter is compatible with a range of HPE servers and storage systems and is designed for use in virtualized environments. It supports Virtual Machine Device Queues (VMDq) and Virtual Machine Multi-Queue (VMMq) technologies, which help to improve network performance in virtualized environments.
The AW520A adapter is also designed with advanced features to improve reliability and availability. It includes support for Ethernet Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP) and Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) to provide redundancy and failover capabilities. Additionally, it supports Quality of Service (QoS) to prioritize network traffic and ensure that important traffic receives sufficient bandwidth.
Configuring and Managing
The AW520A is a converged network adapter (CNA) from HPE’s Storageworks product line. It is designed to provide high-performance network connectivity for servers, particularly those running virtualized workloads, by combining both Ethernet and Fibre Channel capabilities onto a single network interface card.
Configuring the AW520A involves several steps:
- Install the adapter in a compatible PCIe slot on the server. This typically requires opening the server case and inserting the card into an available slot.
- Install the necessary drivers for the adapter. These can usually be downloaded from the HPE website or included with the adapter.
- Configure the adapter’s network settings, such as IP address, subnet mask, and default gateway. This can be done through the server’s operating system or through a separate management utility provided by HPE.
- If using Fibre Channel, configure the adapter’s zoning and other settings to ensure proper connectivity with storage devices.
Managing the AW520A typically involves monitoring its performance and configuring any necessary changes. This can include:
- Monitoring network traffic to identify any performance issues or bottlenecks.
- Configuring load balancing and failover settings to ensure high availability and optimal performance.
- Updating drivers and firmware to ensure the adapter is running the latest software.
- Configuring security settings to ensure the adapter and the server it is installed in are secure from unauthorized access.
Troubleshooting and Maintenance
The HPE StoreFabric Converged Network Adapter AW520A is a high-performance network interface card designed for use in servers and storage systems. It supports both Ethernet and Fibre Channel traffic over a single cable, allowing for efficient consolidation of network infrastructure.
To troubleshoot and maintain the AW520A adapter, follow these steps:
- Check physical connections: Ensure that the adapter is properly seated in the PCI Express slot and that all cables are securely connected.
- Check driver and firmware versions: Verify that the adapter has the latest driver and firmware versions installed. You can find these updates on the HPE website.
- Check for conflicts: Ensure that there are no conflicts with other devices or drivers on the system. Check the Device Manager in Windows or the System Profiler in macOS for any errors or warnings.
- Check for errors: Look for any error messages or logs related to the adapter in the operating system’s event logs or system logs.
- Run diagnostics: Use the HPE Smart Storage Administrator or other diagnostic tools to test the adapter for hardware issues. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for running these tests.
- Reset the adapter: If all else fails, try resetting the adapter by removing and reinserting it into the PCI Express slot or restarting the system.
To maintain the AW520A adapter, you should keep it clean and free of dust and debris. You should also periodically check for driver and firmware updates and install them as needed. Regularly running diagnostic tests can help identify potential issues before they become serious problems.
Detail Description
- Manufacturer: HPE
- MPN: AW520A
- Type: Networking
- Sub-Type: Network Adapter 2 Ports
- SKU: AW520A
- Form Factor: Plug-in Card – Low Profile
- Number of Channels: Dual
- Port Speed: 10GB
- Interface (Bus) Type: PCI Express v2.0 (Gen 2) x8 lane operation
- Slot Type Supported: PCI Express 2.0 to Fibre Channel
- Data Path: Eight Lanes (x8)
- Interrupt Levels: Automatically Configured
- PCI Specification Revision: PCIe 2.0
- Bundled with: CNA: Low-Profile Bracket
Networking
- Connectivity Technology: Wired
- Features: Auto-Negotiation
- Media: 10GB SFP+ Ethernet Optical Modules (SR) or SFP+ direct attach passive copper cable (HPE C-series FCoE Switches) or SFP+ direct attach active copper cable (HPE B-series FCoE Switches)
Expansion / Connectivity
- Expansion Slots: 2 (total) / 2 (Free) x SFP+
- Compatible Slots: 1 x PCI Express 2.0 x8
Software / System Requirements
- Supported Operating System: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2008 R2 Hyper-V, VMware v4.0, RHEL 5, x86, x64, SLES 10, x86, x64, SLES 11, x86, x64
Dimensions
- Width: 10.30 inch
- Depth: 7.50 inch
- Height: 2.50 inch
Environmental Parameters
- Operating Temperature: 0° to 45°C (32° to 113°F)
- Non-Operating Temperature: -40° to 73°C (-40° to 158°F)
- Operating Humidity: 15% to 80% relative, non-condensing
Compatibility Information
- HPE ProLiant DL Series: DL120 (Gen5), DL160 (Gen5, Gen6), DL165 (Gen5, Gen6), DL180 (Gen5, Gen6), DL185 (Gen5), DL320 (G5p, Gen6), DL360 (Gen5, Gen6), DL365 (Gen5), DL380 (Gen5, Gen6), DL385 (G5p, Gen6), DL580 (Gen5), DL585 (Gen5, Gen6), DL785 (Gen5, Gen6)
- HPE ProLiant ML Series: ML350 (Gen6), ML370 (Gen6)
