Multi nic concept in vcs

[allaboutunix]

Team,

I have gone through the doc to understand the functionalities of Multinic in vcs,however unable to get it completely.

Could you please explain step by step about the Multinic and how to configure its resources?

 I have to give training in multinic concept theoritically and to implement it.

Thanks..

Allaboutunix

[mikebounds]

MultiNIC protects against NIC failiure, so MultiNIC monitors the NICs and if one fails it informs IPMultiNIC agent to move over the Virtual IPs to a different NIC.

MultiNICA uses less IPs as it uses a shared Base IP across the NICs, but is slower and can take 1-2 minutes to failover from memory.

MultiNICB uses more IPs and it requires an IP for each NIC, but it is quicker and quicker still if you use MultiNICB with Solaris PMP which is what I would recommend.

The Bundled agents guide gives examples on how to configure.

In essence, unless you are short of IPs, you should use MultiNICB with Solaris IPMP

Mike

[Marianne · Accepted solution]

Have you tried to read through the relevant sections in Bundled Agent Guide?

You download it from SORT.
VCS 6.1 docs: 
https://sort.symantec.com/documents/doc_details/sfha/6.1/Solaris/ProductGuides/  

Under Network Agents, look for Agent comparisons.

Extract:

IP and NIC agents
The IP and NIC agents:
■ Monitor a single NIC 

IPMultiNIC and MultiNICA agents
The IPMultiNIC and MultiNICA agents:
■ Monitor single or multiple NICs
■ Check the backup NICs at fail over
■ Use the original base IP address when failing over
■ Provide slower failover compared to MultiNICB but can function with fewer IP addresses
■ Have only one active NIC at a time

IPMultiNICB and MultiNICB agents
The IPMultiNICB and MultiNICB agents:
■ Monitor single or multiple NICs
■ Check the backup NICs as soon as it comes up
■ Require a pre-assigned base IP address for each NIC
■ Do not fail over the original base IP address
■ Provide faster fail over compared to MultiNICA but require more IP addresses
■ Have more than one active NIC at a time

I agree with Mike - On Solaris, config IPMP (see Oracle documentation) and use MultiNICB to monitor (see Bundled Agent Guide)