Dell EMC AX4-5I manual Cabling the Private Network, NIC Teaming

Cabling the Private Network

The private network connection to the nodes is provided by a different network adapter in each node. This network is used for intra-cluster communications. Table 2-2 describes three possible private network configurations.

Table 2-2. Private Network Hardware Components and Connections

Method	Hardware Components	Connection
Network	Fast Ethernet or Gigabit	Connect standard Ethernet cables
switch	Ethernet network adapters	from the network adapters in the
	and switches	nodes to a Fast Ethernet or Gigabit
		Ethernet switch.

Point-to-Point Fast Ethernet network Fast Ethernet adapters (two-node

clusters only)

Connect a crossover Ethernet cable between the Fast Ethernet network adapters in both nodes.

Point-to-Point	Copper Gigabit Ethernet	Connect a standard Ethernet cable
Gigabit	network adapters	between the Gigabit Ethernet network
Ethernet		adapters in both nodes.
(two-node
clusters only)

NOTE: Throughout this document, the term Gigabit Ethernet refers to either Gigabit Ethernet or 10 Gigabit Ethernet.

Using Dual-Port Network Adapters

You can configure your cluster to use the public network as a failover for private network communications. If dual-port network adapters are used, do not use both ports simultaneously to support both the public and private networks.

NIC Teaming

NIC teaming combines two or more NICs to provide load balancing and fault tolerance. Your cluster supports NIC teaming, but only in a public network; NIC teaming is not supported in a private network and an iSCSI network.

You should use the same brand of NICs in a team, and you cannot mix brands of teaming drivers.

Cabling Your Cluster Hardware

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