3.1.2 Matrix Server Administration Guide

Chapter 4: Configure Network Interfaces 50

performance reasons, we recommend that these networks be isolated

from the networks used by external clients to access the matrix.

When Matrix Server is started, the PanPulse daemon selects the

administrative network from the available networks. When a new server

joins the matrix, the PanPulse daemon on that server tries to use the

established administrative network.

If it cannot use that network, the PanPulse daemon on the new server will

look for another network that all of the servers can use. If this attempt

fails, the new server will attempt to communicate with the other servers

over the main interface (the hostname interface) if possible; however, it

may drop out of the matrix.

Network Topology

The matrix should have a symmetrical network configuration; each

server should be connected to the same set of networks. This topology

helps to ensure that the administrative network can fail over to another

network and maintain communications with all servers in the matrix.

If the network topology is asymmetric, where networks are connected to

only some of the servers, it may not be possible to fail over the

administrative network to another network because the new network

might not reach all of the servers in the matrix.

Using Bonded NICs with Matrix Server

PolyServe recommends that you do not use bonded NICs as an

administrative interface for Matrix Server. If the matrix configuration

includes bonded interfaces, you must discourage administrative traffic on

them. To do this, select the interface on the Management Console, right-

click, and select “Discourage Admin. Traffic.”

Matrix Server sends timed network I/O from node to node. A failure of

these I/Os will lead to a node being fenced because the interface is not

responding in a timely manner.

This further means that you need at least one additional non-bonded

interface that can be used for matrix administrative traffic. However, we

recommend that you have two non-bonded interfaces that are preferred

for administrative traffic. If one interface stops responding, Matrix Server