Configuring the cluster

Types of interfaces used by takeover

Interface requirements for takeover

In a cluster, you must configure each filer so that if one filer fails, the partner filer can assume its identity. To ensure a successful takeover, your cluster must meet the following requirements:

Clustered filers must be attached to the same networks and subnetworks.
Local interfaces on a filer must have a local address (the filer's address) and the address of its partner.

Interface types

There are two kinds of interface configurations you can have for your cluster. The System Administrator's Guide provides more information about the types of network interface cards (NICs) that support dual-MAC addresses.

InterfacetType	Description
Single, mirrored NIC	Each filer has a a pair of dedicated interfaces with a local IP address. One of the NICs is a standby interface with the partner's IP address. This configuration is used for adapters that support only a single MAC (media access control) address.
Dual MAC capability	Each filer has a single NIC that supports a pair of dual MAC interfaces, which mirror each other. These NICs can be one of the following: Single-port 10 Base-T/100 Base-TX Ethernet Quad-port 10Base-T/100 Base-TX Ethernet FDDI

InterfacetType

Description

Single, mirrored NIC

Each filer has a a pair of dedicated interfaces with a local IP address. One of the NICs is a standby interface with the partner's IP address.

This configuration is used for adapters that support only a single MAC (media access control) address.

Dual MAC capability

Each filer has a single NIC that supports a pair of dual MAC interfaces, which mirror each other. These NICs can be one of the following:

Single-port 10 Base-T/100 Base-TX Ethernet
Quad-port 10Base-T/100 Base-TX Ethernet
FDDI

Network interface modes

Each network interface in a cluster can act in one of two modes, as follows:

Normal mode, which is the state where each filer manages its own NICs
Takeover mode, which is the state where the partner filer takes over control of the failed filer's NICs

Normal mode and takeover mode are described in the following table.

Interface type	Normal mode	Takeover mode
Dedicated	Supports the identity of the local filer	Idle
Standby	Idle	Supports the identity of the partner filer by assuming the partner's IP address
Shared	Supports the identity of the local filer	Supports the identity of The local filer by retaining the local IP address The failed filer by assuming the partner's IP address

Interface type

Normal mode

Takeover mode

Dedicated

Supports the identity of the local filer

Idle

Standby

Idle

Supports the identity of the partner filer by assuming the partner's IP address

Shared

Supports the identity of the local filer

Supports the identity of

The local filer by retaining the local IP address
The failed filer by assuming the partner's IP address