ProCurve Data Center Connection Manager ONE Software
Enables better capacity management and troubleshooting through the use of a connection inventory database

ProCurve DCM ONE Software Overview:

The HP ProCurve DCM ONE Software for the zl ONE Service Module is designed to formalize the workflow process between network and server IT teams for application provisioning, and help organizations control costs by providing policy-based automation of networking and server resources in the Data Center. DCM maintains policy connection states for physical as well as virtual servers wherever they connect in the data center, and provides detailed compliance information linking applications to their infrastructure dependencies. DCM is standards based and enables better capacity management and troubleshooting through the use of a connection inventory database.

• Provides policy based automated provisioning
• Dynamically configures network and servers
• Formalizes role based workflow processes
• Maintains connections for virtual machines
• Simplifies troubleshooting and compliance

Features:
 

Data center optimized:

• Automated Policy Based Provisioning: Data Center Connection Manager automates the provisioning of resources in the Data Center, including servers, edge network, and core network devices based on pre defined connection policies.
• Formalizes Common Data Center Workflow Activities:
  • DCM automates and formalizes workflow process : network and server teams IT teams utilize specialized GUI for application and server provisioning activities.
  • Eliminates repetitive, manual provisioning processes: Allows servers to be deployed without waiting for a network service request via 'pre-approved' connection policies.
  • Enables easy capacity management: DCM's Connection Inventory provides an instant view of available connections, and maintains status on subscribed connections.
     
• Virtualization compatible policies: Policies follow VMs and servers dynamically if they move from port to port or switch to switch, without requiring manual intervention.
• Eases troubleshooting and compliance in a virtualized environment:
  • Links VM's to physical infrastructure: Creates an authoritative, single source for linking network topology and configuration to servers and VM's.
  • Maintains state of server and VM connections: Allows network administrators to document, define, and check server connection policies for status and compliance.

Management:

• Remote Configuration and Management: through secure Web browser interface.
• Network, Server, and operator privilege levels: Different types of administrators are granted different access levels depending on requirements and job-specific activities. Operator allows read-only access to the Connection Inventory for compliance and troubleshooting.
• PCM: Central management through ProCurve Manager Plus for discovery, logging and configuration management.
• Flexible logging and messaging engine for administrator communications: DCM can communicate logging information and state changes of connections in the database via email, SNMP, syslog, or through script calls to HP Network Automation Software.

Device support:

• Supports multivendor equipment configuration:
  • Configures edge switches: any standards based RADIUS compliant edge switch can be configured by DCM policies.
  • Configures servers and VM's: DCM policies can manage network and IP settings for any standards based server or VM.
  • Configures centralized data center devices: Through integration with HP Network Automation Software, DCM policies can effect changes on a wide range of devices such as load balancers, firewalls and routers in the data center.

HP ProCurve ONE integration:

• Requires HP ProCurve Switch 5400zl or 8200zl and zl ONE Service Module: DCM ONE Software is and application designed to run on the zl ONE Service Module for maximum integration and resiliency with ProCurve chassis switches. The zl ONE service module fits the ProCurve Switch 5400zl and 8200zl chassis products.

Product Architecture:

• Flexible data structure: Policies are defined using a flexible data structure that easily maps to existing organizational structures and roles and responsibilities.
• Pod based data structure design: DCM utilizes a pod based data structure that allow it to flexibly map policy structure to logical boundaries in data centers, from physical rack based pods or departmental boundaries to organizational level pods in an outsourcing environment.
• Integration with HP Network Automation Software (HP NAS): As part of connection policies DCM can call specific HP NAS (formerly Opsware) scripts to automate the configuration of centralized data center devices. Script calls can be made based on state changes in the database of individual connections.

Technical features:

• RADIUS based policy enforcement: RADIUS based authentication of servers and VM's when they connect ensures consistent policy delivery anywhere in the data center. Configuration parameters are delivered to the edge device through standard RADIUS attributes.
• 802.1X and MAC-Auth Identification: Servers and VM's are identified and associated with a connection policy in DCM when they connect to the network through an 802.1X token or by transparent MAC Authentication. MAC-Auth does not require any client side software or action in order to participate in DCM's provisioning automation.
• Flexible DHCP configuration options: As part of the automation process, DCM performs flexible DHCP operations that can match existing processes for server addressing. DCM supports fully manual or automated addressing options when configuring connection policies.
• Dynamic MAC addressing options: Servers are associated to DCM's connection policies through MAC identification. DCM provides extensive options for configuring MAC addresses as part of connection policies, from fully dynamic and automated by DCM to manually entered addresses when the server in provisioned.

Documentation:

Download the ProCurve Data Center Connection Manager Software Datasheet (PDF).