Step 4: Configuring networking interfaces

What the networking interfaces do

When a node in a cluster fails, the surviving node must be able to assume the identity of the failed node on the network. Networking interfaces allow individual nodes in the cluster to maintain communication with the network if the partner fails.

Network connection requirements

Both nodes in the cluster must meet the following network interface connection characteristics:

Both nodes must have interfaces that access the same collection of networks and subnetworks.
Both nodes must have interfaces that can take over the IP addresses of each other.
Both nodes must have interfaces that can take over the MAC (media access control) addresses of each other.

Types of takeover configurations

The following table lists the three types of interface configurations that can be enabled in a cluster.

Interface type	Description
Shared	This type of interface supports both the local and partner nodes. It contains both the local node and partner node's IP addresses. During takeover, it supports the identity of both nodes.
Dedicated	This type of interface only supports the node in which it is installed. It contains the local node's IP address only and does not participate in network communication beyond local node support during takeover.
Standby	This type of interface is on the local node, but only contains the IP address of the partner node. During takeover, this interface supports a virtual filer identity. See the System Administrator's Guide for more information about virtual filers.

Information needed for configuration

You must gather the following information before configuring the interfaces:

The IP address for both the local node and partner node
The netmask for both the local node and partner node
The Ethernet addresses for both the local node and partner node

Configuring networking for the first time

To configure the networking interfaces on a cluster for the first time, complete the following steps.

Step	Action
1	Enter the following command at the local node console: setup
2	Answer the questions displayed on the screen. Please enter IP address for Network Interface ns0 [n.n.n.n]: Please enter netmask [255.255.255.0]: Should interface ns0 take over a partner IP address during failover? [y]: Please enter the IP address to take over: [m.m.m.m]:
3	Enter the following command to halt the node: halt
4	Enter the following command to reboot the node: reboot
5	Repeat Steps 1 through 4 for the partner node.
6	Go to Step 5: Checking and testing cluster configuration.

Configuring interfaces

To configure an interface as a dedicated, standby, or shared interface, complete the following steps.

Step	Action
1	Check the current settings of the local node by entering the following command on the console: ifconfig -a Result: You should see output similar to the following: e0: Flags=40043<UP,BROADCAST,RUNNING,UP_1ARY> mtu 1500 inet 11.22.33.44 netmask ffffff00 broadcast 11.22.33.45 secondary host inet 11.22.33.70 (not in use) ether 00:01:00:00:00:00:80 (Data Link Provider Interface)
2	If you are setting the interface as a...	Then...
	Dedicated interface	Enter the following command at the prompt, or directly into the /etc/rc file of the local node: ifconfig e0 local_node_ip_address Repeat Step 1 for the partner node.
	Shared interface	Enter the following command at the prompt, or directly into the /etc/rc file of the local node: ifconfig NIC_name ip_address partner \ ip_address Example ifconfig e0 199.9.204.255 \ partner 199.9.204.254 Enter the following command at the prompt, or directly into the /etc/rc file of the partner node: ifconfig NIC_name ip_address partner \ ip_address Note You do not have to enter the MAC address.
	Standby interface	Enter the following command at the prompt, or directly into the /etc/rc file of the local node: ifconfig e1 local_node_ip_address Repeat Step 1 for the partner node.