User guide

User Guide NetXtreme II
September 2013
Broadcom Corporation
Document INGSRVT78-CDUM100-R Application Considerations Page 45
APPLICATION CONSIDERATIONS
• Teaming and Clustering
• Teaming and Network Backup
TEAMING AND CLUSTERING
• Microsoft Cluster Software
• High-Performance Computing Cluster
•Oracle
Microsoft Cluster Software
In each cluster node, it is strongly recommended that customers install at least two network adapters (on-board adapters
are acceptable). These interfaces serve two purposes. One adapter is used exclusively for intra-cluster
heartbeat
communications. This is referred to as the private adapter and usually resides on a separate private subnetwork. The other
adapter is used for client communications and is referred to as the
public adapter .
Multiple adapters may be used for each of these purposes: private, intracluster communications and public, external client
communications. All Broadcom teaming modes are supported with Microsoft Cluster Software for the public adapter only.
Private network adapter teaming is not supported. Microsoft indicates that the use of teaming on the private interconnect of
a server cluster is not supported because of delays that could possibly occur in the transmission and receipt of heartbeat
packets between the nodes. For best results, when you want redundancy for the private interconnect, disable teaming and
use the available ports to form a second private interconnect. This achieves the same end result and provides dual, robust
communication paths for the nodes to communicate over.
For teaming in a clustered environment, customers are recommended to use the same brand of adapters.