Using APA to Build a Screaming Fast Network Server Connection High Bandwidth Management Features and Benefits for IT Managers System Interconnect Solutions Lab September 15, 2000 U.S.A.
Legal Notices The information in this document is subject to change without notice. Hewlett-Packard makes no warranty of any kind with regard to this white paper, including but not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. HewlettPackard shall not be held liable for errors contained herein or direct, indirect, special, incidental or consequential damages in connection with the furnishing, performance, or use of this material. Copyright Notices.
Using APA to Build a Screaming Fast Network Server Connection Introduction The purpose of this white paper is to present network managers with a high level overview of HP’s Auto-Port Aggregation Software (APA) for the HP 9000. Network Managers concerned with the increasing demand for network HP 9000 w/APA bandwidth, network availability, and quick fault isolation will learn how HP’s APA software solves these problems with minimal IT support costs.
Typical APA Applications For network managers in need of an affordable solution to bandwidth management, the APA product fills the bill because it offers Highly Available Gigabit bandwidth that is fully compatible with existing Fast Ethernet or Gigabit networks. Can you relate to this? The annual shareholder meeting is going along exceptionally well, and the brilliant young CEO of your company has a room full of exuberant stockholders hanging on every word.
Using APA to Build a Screaming Fast Network Server Connections Load Balancing within Link Aggregates Load Balancing of network traffic is one of the key benefits of Link Aggregates. This feature allows each link in the Link Aggregate to share the load of network traffic being generated over the Link Aggregate. This is done without any knowledge or interaction with the applications or clients sending and receiving data over the Link Aggregate.
• Server-to-Server: CPU-based Ethernet packets do not contain a CPU ID. For this reason, the CPU-based algorithm makes a separate system call to obtain the originating CPU ID for each thread. It then uses this CPU ID to direct the thread to an Ethernet port assigned to that CPU by the APA software. • Server-to-Server: TCP/UDP Port-based This algorithm uses the TCP/UDP source and destination port numbers to distribute traffic across the ports in a Link Aggregate.
Using APA to Build a Screaming Fast Network Server Connections IP-based and MAC-based Load Balancing The IP-based and MAC-based load balancing algorithms both hash the 8 least significant bits of addressing information stored within an Ethernet packet. From the standpoint of APA, the only difference is whether the address bits come from the IP address or the DA address segment of the packet.
CPU-based Load Balancing The CPU-based algorithm is the ideal way to connect two collaborating HP 9000 multiple-CPU servers with APA. This is because it offers the highest level of performance for back-to-back server configurations hosting CPU-intensive applications such as ERP, workflow, data warehouses, data migration, and data backup.
Using APA to Build a Screaming Fast Network Server Connections TCP/UDP Port-based Load Balancing The TCP/UDP Port-based algorithm may also be used to connect two collaborating HP 9000 servers with APA. This algorithm has the same benefits as the CPU-based algorithm except it does not require the use of processor affinity in order to ensure predictable results. The TCP/UDP source and destination port numbers are hashed to determine which port each packet should be transmitted on.
Hardware Considerations The APA software is the affordable solution for Highly Available Gigabit Ethernet bandwidth and is designed to be fully compatible with existing fast or Gigabit Ethernet networks. When deploying APA, the following rules apply: Rules Link Aggregate Type Fast Ethernet Trunk Sizes Gigabit Ethernet Trunk Sizes Maximum Number of Links per Link Aggregate Maximum Number of Link Aggregates per Server NIC Type Cable Type Operating System Description Full Duplex Only.
Using APA to Build a Screaming Fast Network Server Connections Gigabit Backbone #1 HP 9000 HP 9000 MAC_A MAC_B 16Gb 16Mb SWITCH SWITCH Gigabit Backbone #2 Inside the Data Center: Server to Switch This configuration demonstrates how APA can be used to create link aggregates for a client/server configuration where side-by-side switch and server pairs serve two separate gigabit backbones. Both Link Aggregates are configured with the MAC based Load Balancing algorithm.
Outside the Data Center: Server to Router The Internet server (left) is configured with a 16Gb Gigabit Ethernet link aggregate. The Intranet server (right) is configured with an 8Mb Fast Ethernet Link Aggregate. Both Link Aggregates are configured with the IP-based load-balancing algorithm. Also, a cross router link is used to allow additional Internet access from the Intranet server. Both servers must use the IP-based load-balancing algorithm, because they both serve IP-addressed clients via a router.
Using APA to Build a Screaming Fast Network Server Connections CPU-to-CPU Link Aggregates: Server to Server Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and other workflow applications are increasing productivity while reducing the costs of doing business. With a CPU-to-CPU link aggregate, the workflow that passes between them takes the most direct route, which also enables interruption-free backups.
A key difference between CPU-based link aggregates and IP or MAC-based link aggregates is that IP and MAC-based aggregates are designed to work with configurations involving a large number of client accesses to the server. The CPU-based link aggregate is designed to manage the uninterrupted transmission of data directly between servers. (To ensure predictable performance results, HP highly recommends that the CPU-based algorithm only be used with processor affinity.
Using APA to Build a Screaming Fast Network Server Connections HP 9000 w/APA & MC/Service Guard HP 9000 w/APA & MC/Service Guard MAC_ A MAC_ B HP XP256 RAID-5 ARRAY 8G b Fail-Over Aggregat e SWITC H 1Gb Ethernet Fail-Over Hot Standby 1Gb Ethernet Fail-Over Hot Standby 8G b Fail-Over Aggregat e SWITC H Gigabit Backbone This illustration has several key points of failure, which are protected with a combination of APA and the MC/SG product.
BENEFITS: • APA offers single-server fail-over support with MC/Service Guard levels of protection at a fraction of the cost. • The increased bandwidth with APA ensures that customers achieve the highest levels of connectivity. • Combining APA with MC/SG enables mission critical customers to provide redundancy and availability at both the network and system level. This will ensure that application downtime is minimized and current or new business transactions are not lost.
Using APA to Build a Screaming Fast Network Server Connections Auto Configuration: APA Hands-off NIC Activation Features Once a Network Interface Card (NIC) has been physically installed, the following automated features speed the process of building link aggregates. • • • Auto Negotiation Auto Detection Auto Configuration It is important to note that these features work together to help prevent those types of failures that typically result from human error or component failure.
Available for Aggregate Auto Detection This feature identifies NICs that have been successfully configured with the Auto Negotiation feature, for use within an APA link aggregate.
Using APA to Build a Screaming Fast Network Server Connections BENEFITS • SAM is a familiar administration tool for HP 9000 series system administrators. • For new-hires, the intuitive simplicity of the SAM interface makes it quick and easy to learn. • SAM features a simple-by-design interface intended to reduce the chance of human error. HP is committed to working with other vendors who faithfully adhere to the IEEE 802.
SUMMARY The demand for network services is an ever-growing phenomenon and for the network manager, it is an absolute fact of life. APA provides an immediate solution to not only help solve these demands, but also ensure that the network services are reliable and continuously available. With APA more desktops can be served with fewer unique server IP addresses. This in turn points to significantly fewer servers because APA can be used to create link aggregates for a wide range of needs.
Using APA to Build a Screaming Fast Network Server Connections Proven Consulting and Support Services HP is a true single-source solution for world class support and professional consulting services. Our dedicated mission-critical support teams and consultants are ready to assist you in every detail of your planning, deployment and operations. Please contact your HP sales representative for more detailed information on how APA server software can be used within your own organization.
