Application Considerations; Teaming And Clustering - Broadcom NetXtreme II User Manual

NetXtreme II
A C
PPLICATION
•

Teaming and Clustering

• Teaming and Network Backup
T C
EAMING AND LUSTERING
• Microsoft Cluster Software
• High-Performance Computing Cluster
• Oracle
Microsoft Cluster Software
MSCS clusters support up to two nodes if you are using Windows 2000 Server. If you are using Windows Server 2003,
MSCS clusters support up to eight nodes. In each cluster node, it is strongly recommended that customers install at least
two network adapters (on-board adapters are acceptable). These interfaces serve two purposes. One adapter is used
exclusively for intra-cluster heartbeat communications. This is referred to as the private adapter and usually resides on a
separate private subnetwork. The other adapter is used for client communications and is referred to as the public adapter .
Multiple adapters may be used for each of these purposes: private, intracluster communications and public, external client
communications. All Broadcom teaming modes are supported with Microsoft Cluster Software for the public adapter only.
Private network adapter teaming is not supported. Microsoft indicates that the use of teaming on the private interconnect of
a server cluster is not supported because of delays that could possibly occur in the transmission and receipt of heartbeat
packets between the nodes. For best results, when you want redundancy for the private interconnect, disable teaming and
use the available ports to form a second private interconnect. This achieves the same end result and provides dual, robust
communication paths for the nodes to communicate over.
For teaming in a clustered environment, customers are recommended to use the same brand of adapters.
Page 46

Application Considerations

ONSIDERATIONS
Bro adco m C orp or atio n
User Guide
January 2010
Document ENGSRVT52-CDUM100-R