Users Guide
11–QLogic Teaming Services
Application Considerations
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Application Considerations
Application considerations covered:
Teaming and Clustering
Teaming and Network Backup
Teaming and Clustering
Teaming and clustering information includes:
Microsoft Cluster Software
High-Performance Computing Cluster
Oracle
Microsoft Cluster Software
Dell Server cluster solutions integrate Microsoft Cluster Services (MSCS) with
PowerVault™ SCSI or Dell and EMC Fibre Channel-based storage, Dell servers,
storage adapters, storage switches and network adapters to provide
high-availability (HA) solutions. HA clustering supports all adapters qualified on a
supported Dell server.
In each cluster node, QLogic strongly recommends 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 adapter 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 QLogic 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 interconnect achieves the same
end result and provides dual, robust communication paths for the nodes to
communicate over.
For teaming in a clustered environment, QLogic recommends that customers use
the same brand of adapters.