Resilient Server Links Overview; Rules For Using Resilient Links - 3Com ATMLINK 155 PCI User Manual

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Resilient Server Links Overview

Resilient server links add redundant function to your server
to protect against network disruption and data loss.
To use resilient links, you must install two or more 3Com
ATMLink NICs in your system. During the network driver
configuration procedure, at least one NIC must be designated
as an active NIC, and one a standby. The standby NIC takes
over when the link on a designated active NIC port is lost.

Rules for Using Resilient Links

Resilient server links are established only among ATMLink NICs
installed in the same computer.
To make a resilient server link, at least two ATMLink NICs
must be installed in the same computer, and one of the NICs
must be an active NIC.
Active NICs and their standby NICs must be connected to
switches on the same ATM network.
Up to three standby NICs can be assigned to a single active NIC.
A single standby NIC can be assigned to as many as three
active NICs.
In a two-NIC scenario, when NIC 1 is active and NIC 2 is
standby, and if the link on the NIC 1 port fails, NIC 2 assumes
the configuration profile of NIC 1 and becomes the active NIC.
NIC 1 now becomes a standby NIC for NIC 2.
When a standby NIC assigned to multiple active NICs becomes
active, it can no longer be a standby NIC for its other
designated active NICs.
When an active NIC with multiple standby NICs fails, the first
eligible standby NIC (in driver load order) assumes the
configuration profile of the active NIC. If this NIC in turn fails,
the next designated standby NIC (in driver load order) takes
over, and so on.
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ARE ERVER RIVER NSTALLATION