Introduction; Abstract; How To Read This Document; Section Layout - HP Integrity rx2800 - i2 White Paper

1 Introduction

Abstract

This white paper provides a high- and low-level discussion of the technology behind HP Integrity
Network Adapter Teaming for HP Integrity servers running Microsoft® Windows®. HP Integrity
Network Adapter Teaming is software-based technology used by server administrators and
network administrators to increase a server's network availability and performance. HP Integrity
Network Adapter Teaming provides network adapter, network port, network cable, switch, and
communication path fault recovery technology, in addition to, transmit and receive load balancing
technology.

How to Read This Document

This document is divided into three main sections. These sections have been designed to target
three specific audiences: the Executive, the first-time user, and the advanced user. While you
can skip to the section that is specific to your needs, it is recommended that you read all of the
sections in order, since some information is not repeated in every section.

Section Layout

Section 2: An executive overview of
teaming
Section 3: Teaming fundamentals for
the first-time user
Section 4: The mechanics of teaming
for the advanced user
Target audience: the Executive
The purpose of this section is to provide a high-level,
executive overview and introduction to HP Integrity
Network Adapter Teaming. The main purpose of this
section is to provide information to an Executive seeking
business justification for deploying HP Integrity Network
Adapter Teaming.
Target audience: Beginner to intermediate user
In this section, an intermediate introduction to HP Integrity
Network Adapter Teaming is provided for the first time
user/implementer. This section can also be used as a quick
reference section for the occasional user. A general
overview of the capabilities and options for HP Integrity
Network Adapter Teaming is provided.
Target audience: Intermediate to advanced user
This section provides detailed information about the
design, implementation, and configuration of HP Integrity
Network adapter teaming. The purpose of this section is
to assist networking specialists, systems engineers, and IM
professionals in the design and troubleshooting of
environments incorporating this technology in HP Integrity
servers. Topics for this section include advanced technical
discussions of all features, failure recovery methods, load
balancing logic, network scenario considerations, etc. You
should be familiar with the basics of IP communication
and addressing, the OSI model, the use of network drivers,
and the fundamentals of network switching. Additionally,
you should be familiar with the terms found in the glossary
of this white paper.
Abstract 9