throughput or the data rate for the networking work load, especially with link aggregates using four or more Gigabit Ethernet ports.

•Set the load balancing algorithm for the HP APA aggregate on the server to ensure that the outbound traffic server is evenly balanced.

Use the lanadmin command to set the outbound load balancing algorithm used by HP APA. HP APA provides a variety of load balancing algorithms to suit the individual needs of your configuration. See the HP Auto Port Aggregation (APA) Support Guide for more information. The link to HP APA documentation are listed in “For More Information” (page 13).

•Configure the switch so that the inbound traffic to the server is evenly balanced across all the ports that form the HP APA link aggregate on the server. The aggregation mode of the HP APA link aggregate must match the aggregation mode of the ports on the switch. See your switch configuration manuals for information on how to setup link aggregation trunks on the switch.

•Install the HP A7012A, PCI-X 2-port 1000Base-T Gigabit Ethernet adapters (used to generate the performance results) in the highest performance PCI-X 133MHz slots on the server.

Also, when forming 4- or 8-Gigabit port HP APA aggregates, evenly distribute the ports among the two internal I/O bays on the rx8620. See your installation manuals for the location of the two internal I/O bays and the PCI-X 133MHz slots in these I/O bays.

For the 4-port link aggregate tests, the server system used two PCI-X 2-port 1000Base-T Gigabit Ethernet adapters with one adapter in each of the two internal I/O bays in PCI-X 133MHz slots.

For the 8-port link aggregate tests, the server system used four PCI-X 2-port 1000Base-T Gigabit Ethernet adapters with two adapters in each of the two internal I/O bays in PCI-X 133MHz slots.

•Install software on the server to enhance performance and scalability of the networking stack. For HP-UX 11i v2, install the following:

•Cumulative LAN patch PHNE_33429 or a superseding patch. You can download this patch from the HP Information Technology Resource Center (HP ITRC) Web site at:

http://www2.itrc.hp.com/service/patch/mainPage.do

•Transport Optional Upgrade Release (TOUR) version 3.0 for 11i v2. You can download this software for free from http://software.hp.com.

•Cumulative STREAMS patch PHNE_32277 or a superseding patch. This enables the STREAMS enhancements already in TOUR 3.0 bundle for 11i v2. You can download this patch from the HP Information Technology Resource Center (HP ITRC) Web site at:

http://www2.itrc.hp.com/service/patch/mainPage.do

•HP IP Filter product version A.03.05.12. You can download this product for free from http://software.hp.com or from the AR0512 CD.

•HP APA product version B.11.23.10. This product is available on the AR0512 CD. This version (or a succeeding version) of HP APA is required only if you want to aggregate more than 4 ports. The previous versions of HP APA already support up to 4 ports in a link aggregate.

•IETHER driver patch PHNE_31118 or a superseding patch for the HP A7012A, PCI-X 2-port 1000Base-T Gigabit Ethernet adapter. You can download this patch from the HP Information Technology Resource Center (HP ITRC) Web site:

http://www2.itrc.hp.com/service/patch/mainPage.do

For HP-UX 11i v1, install the following:

•Cumulative LAN patch PHNE_33704 or a superseding patch. You can download this patch from the HP Information Technology Resource Center (HP ITRC) Web site at:

http://www2.itrc.hp.com/service/patch/mainPage.do

•Transport Optional Upgrade Release (TOUR) Version 3.0 for 11i v1. You can download this software for free from http://software.hp.com.

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