Using APA to Build a Screaming Fast Network Server Connection for HP-UX 11i v2 and v3

Using APA to Build a Screaming Fast Network Server Connections

SNSL -- Page 9 --

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.

Server A, on the left-hand side of the diagram has a 16Gb (theoretical) Gigabit Link

Aggregate configured to serve two (or more) Gigabit backbones. Server B, on the right-

hand side of the diagram has a 16Mb (theoretical) Fast Ethernet link aggregate, which

also serves two different Gigabit Ethernet backbones. If more bandwidth is needed on

Server A or Server B, additional Gigabit or Fast Ethernet links can be added to the link

aggregates.

BENEFITS:

• Load balancing of all client traffic out of the servers (the switches will handle all load

balancing into the server), resulting in fewer “Server not Responding” errors.

• Automatic Link Failure Detection and Recovery. Server applications are

continuously available even in the event of a link failure.

Gigabit Backbone #2

MAC_A MAC_B

HP 9000

Gigabit Backbone #1

SWITCH

16Gb

16Mb