The BladeSystem team in HP have just released a couple of great documents on using Virtual Connect and Virtual Connect Flex10 in a VMware vSphere environment as well as discussing interoperability with Cisco Nexus technology. Excellent guides and reference architectures which are a must read if you are a BladeSystem/VMware customer.

Cisco Nexus 1000v on HP BladeSystem: A Reference Architecture for optimal VMware vSphere design using HP BladeSystem (w/Virtual Connect) and Cisco Nexus network infrastructure (click here)

This Technology Brief is designed to better educate the reader on the use of HP BladeSystem (and Virtual Connect) with Cisco Nexus technology. The document reviews all the VMware virtual switch technologies and it specifically addresses the use of VNTag and the Cisco Nexus 1000V vDS. The document is written from a somewhat objective point-of-view and it designed to educate, not sell one technology over another. It reviews how these technologies can be used with each other and it explains how VNTag & VNLink function.

HP BladeSystem Reference Architecture: Virtual Connect Flex-10 and VMware vSphere 4.0 (click here)

The Reference Architecture outlines several configuration scenarios deploying HP Virtual Connect and ESX vSphere technologies. Discussed are some best practices to install and configure virtual connect Flex-10 and VSphere 4 Networking.