Reference Guide

14 Cabling Your Cluster Hardware
NOTE: Throughout this document, Gigabit Ethernet is used to refer to either Gigabit
Ethernet or 10 Gigabit Ethernet.
Using Dual-Port Network Adapters
You can configure your cluster to use the public network as a failover for
private network communications. If you are using dual-port network adapters,
do not configure both ports simultaneously to support both public and
private networks.
NIC Teaming
NIC teaming combines two or more NICs to provide load balancing and fault
tolerance. Your cluster supports NIC teaming, only in a public network. NIC
teaming is not supported in a private network.
NOTE: Use the same brand of NICs in a team. Do not mix brands in NIC teaming.
Table 2-2. Private Network Hardware Components and Connections
Method Hardware Components Connection
Network
switch
Gigabit or 10 Gigabit
Ethernet network adapters
and switches
Depending on the hardware, connect
the CAT5e or CAT6 cables, the multi-
mode optical cables with Local
Connectors (LCs), or the twinax
cables from the network adapters in
the nodes to a switch.
Point-to-Point
(two-node
clusters only)
Copper Gigabit or 10
Gigabit Ethernet network
adapters with RJ-45
connectors
Connect a standard CAT5e or CAT6
Ethernet cable between the network
adapters in both nodes.
Copper 10 Gigabit
Ethernet network adapters
with SFP+ connectors
Connect a twinax cable between the
network adapters in both nodes.
Optical Gigabit or 10
Gigabit Ethernet network
adapters with LC
connectors
Connect a multi-mode optical cable
between the network adapters in both
nodes.