Marathon Computer IBM BladeCenter manual Network Adapter Configurations, NIC Configuration

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Planning and Preparation

Network Adapter Configurations

Depending upon your specific switchbay and blade on-board device config- uration, it is possible that fewer than 4 adapters will be available for use. When planning a BladeCenter network configuration your primary concern should be to maximize the availability of the redirected network links and minimize utilization of external networks by the CoServer links.

To maximize the availability of the redirected links, different switches should be used to connect the CoServers to the external network. To mini- mize utilization of the external network by the CoServer links, both CoServ- ers should use the same internal switch for a CSLink connection. Routing a CSLink connection through the same switch will confine all associated traf- fic to that switch. Several recommended network configurations using 4, 3, and 2 network adapters are shown in the following tables.

TABLE 1. 4 NIC Configuration

Function	CoServer 1	CoServer 2	Comment

CSLink 1	Switchbay 1	Switchbay 1	Internal Bandwidth

CSLink 2	Switchbay 2	Switchbay 2	Internal Bandwidth

Redirected	Switchbay 3	Switchbay 4	Redundant External Connection

Manage	Switchbay 4	Switchbay 3	Redundant External Connection

TABLE 2. 3 NIC Configuration

Function	CoServer 1	CoServer 2	Comment

CSLink 1	Switchbay 1	Switchbay 1	Internal Bandwidth

Redirected	Switchbay 2	Switchbay 3	Redundant External Connection

CSLink 2	Switchbay 3	Switchbay 2	Exposed network utilization
			Requires network routed IP
			addresss

TABLE 3. 3 NIC Alternate Configuration

Function	CoServer 1	CoServer 2	Comment
CSLink 1	Switchbay 1	Switchbay 1	Internal Bandwidth

Redirected	Switchbay 2	Switchbay 3	Redundant External Connection

Manage	Switchbay 3	Switchbay 2	Redundant External Connection

8	Marathon Technologies Corporation

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Contents Marathon Technologies Corporation 888.682.1142 Copyright Software Copyright NoticeTrademark Notice Software RevisionSummary of changes September 2005, First EditionContents Installing the Endurance Software Ease of Management Flexibility and Ease of InstallationTrend Toward Blades Reduced Floor Space Usage in the Data Center Mission-Critical Blades The Need For Fault ToleranceReduced Cost of Power and Cooling Increased Reliability and AvailabilityMarathon FTvirtual Server Fault-Tolerance Through Software ConclusionMarathon Technologies Corporation Planning the Installation FTvirtual Server Boot Disk OptionsCoServer and Switchbay Network Connections Network EnvironmentSample BladeCenter Network Adapter Switchbay Map NIC Alternate Configuration Network Adapter ConfigurationsNIC Configuration For More Information Preparing to Install BladeCenter OptionsFTvirtual Server and Blade Configuration Identifying Network ComponentsArea Connection Properties Mapping the SwitchbaysAdapter PCI-to-Switchbay Mappings Installing the Endurance Software Major Installation TasksEvent Log Recommendations Windows InstallationInstalling Windows on the CoServers From Computer Management, select Event Viewer. For each logDisk Partitioning and Formatting Installing the FTvirtual Server Boot Disk on a Physical Disk Right-clickMy Computer, then select Manage Computer ManageMarathon Technologies Corporation Installing Endurance Software on the CoServers Before You Begin the Software InstallationCoServer 1 Installation Starting the InstallationSpecify the Location of the Software Marathon Technologies Corporation Marathon Technologies Corporation Suggested CoServer1 CLink IP Addresses Marathon Technologies Corporation Marathon Technologies Corporation Marathon Technologies Corporation Marathon Technologies Corporation Marathon Technologies Corporation CoServer 2 Installation Suggested CoServer2 CLink IP Address Click Exit Start Programs Marathon Endurance Manager Create a Virtual Disk Installing Windows on and Configuring the FTvir- tual Server Marathon Technologies Corporation Marathon Technologies Corporation Marathon Technologies Corporation Install Windows on the FTvirtual Server Disk On the Windows Installation windowFinish the Windows Installation Install the Endurance FTvirtual Server Software Specify the Location of the SoftwareFinish the FTvirtual Server Installation Verifying the FTvirtual Server Installation What to do Next Marathon Technologies Corporation