HP StorageWorks Clustered File System 3.6.0 Windows Storage Server Edition Administration Guide (403103-005, January 2008)

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Configure Virtual Hosts
HP StorageWorks Clustered File System uses virtual hosts to provide
failover protection for servers and network applications.
Overview
A virtual host is a hostname/IP address configured on a set of network
interfaces. Each interface must be located on a different server. The first
network interface configured is the primary interface for the virtual host.
The server providing this interface is the primary server. The remaining
network interfaces are backups; the servers providing these interfaces are
the backup servers. By default, HP Clustered File System directs network
traffic for the virtual host to the primary interface.
The primary and backup servers do not need to be dedicated to these
activities; all servers can support other independent functions.
The network interface currently receiving the network traffic is the active
interface and is labeled as “Active” on the HP CFS Management Console.
This interface is typically the primary interface; however, if HP Clustered
File System has redirected the network traffic to a backup interface, that
interface becomes the active interface. Network interfaces not currently
receiving network traffic for a virtual host are called inactive interfaces.
After creating virtual hosts, you will need to configure your network
applications to recognize them. When clients want to access a network
application, they use the virtual host address instead of the address of the
server where the application is running.