Compaq ProLiant Cluster HA/F500 Administrator Guide

Overview of the ProLiant Cluster HA/F500

ProLiant Cluster HA/F500 for MA8000 Administrator Guide 1-21

COMPAQ CONFIDENTIAL

Writer: Woody Jernigan File Name: b-ch1

Codename: Chargers Part Number: 355220-006 Last Saved On: 7/26/02 2:46 PM

The cluster nodes use the interconnect data path to:

• Communicate individual resource and overall cluster status

• Send and receive heartbeat signals

• Update modified registry information

IMPORTANT: TCP/IP must be used as the cluster communication protocol. When configuring

the interconnects, be sure to enable TCP/IP.

Redundant Interconnects

To reduce potential disruptions of intracluster communication, connect a redundant

path over which communication can continue if the primary path is disrupted.

Compaq recommends that you configure the client LAN as a backup path for

intracluster communication.

Compaq offers a feature that configures two Compaq Ethernet adapters (or two ports

on a single adapter) so that one is a hot-backup for the other. This feature, called

NIC Teaming, is available on all Compaq 10/100 Fast Ethernet products. The

Compaq NIC Teaming software is available on the Compaq Server Support (SSD)

for Microsoft Windows NT 4.0, or on the Compaq Support Paq for Microsoft

Windows 2000. This software can be downloaded from the Compaq website and is

included with each server as part of the SmartStart utilities.

NIC Teaming should only be used with NICs that connect to the client LAN. This

feature should not be used with NICs used for the dedicated intracluster

communication link. For detailed information about interconnect redundancy, refer to

the Compaq white paper, Increasing Availability of Cluster Communications in a

Windows NT Cluster which is available at