Deployment Guide

22 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 for Your Private Network
You can configure your cluster to use the public network as a failover for
private network communications. However, if dual-port network adapters are
used, do not use two ports simultaneously to support both the public and
private networks.
NIC Teaming
Network Interface Card (NIC) teaming combines two or more NICs to
provide load balancing and/or fault tolerance. Your cluster supports NIC
teaming, but only in a public network; NIC teaming is not supported in a
private network.
You should use the same brand of NICs in a team, and you cannot mix brands
of teaming drivers.
Table 2-2. Private Network Hardware Components and Connections
Method Hardware Components Connection
Network switch Fast Ethernet or Gigabit
Ethernet network
adapters and switches.
Connect standard Ethernet
cables from the network
adapters in both cluster nodes
to a Fast Ethernet or Gigabit
Ethernet switch.
Point-to-Point (two node
cluster only)
Fast Ethernet network
adapters.
Connect a crossover Ethernet
cable between the Gigabit
Ethernet network adapters in
both cluster nodes.
Point-to-Point Copper Gigabit Ethernet
network adapters.
Connect a standard Ethernet
cable between the Gigabit
Ethernet network adapters in
both cluster nodes.
book.book Page 22 Tuesday, April 15, 2008 12:30 PM