Network Configuration Recommendations - Dell EqualLogic PS4100 Hardware Manual

Network Configuration Recommendations

It is recommended that you follow the guidelines in this section. In addition to these guidelines, all the usual rules for
proper network configuration apply to group members.
Recommendation
Network connections between
array(s) and hosts
A reliable and adequately sized
network link for replication
No Spanning-Tree Protocol
(STP) functionality on switch
ports that connect end nodes
Connectivity between switches The iSCSI switches must be connected together. Use stacking ports or port trunking
Enable Flow Control on
switches and NICs
Disable Unicast storm control
on switches
Enable Jumbo Frames on
switches and NICs
Disable iSCSI Optimization on
switches
8
Description
Connect array(s) and hosts to a switched network and ensure that all network
connections between hosts and array(s) are Gigabit or 10 Gigabit Ethernet.
For effective and predictable replication, ensure that the network link between the
primary and secondary groups is reliable and provides sufficient bandwidth for
copying data.
Do not use STP on switch ports that connect end nodes (iSCSI initiators or storage
array network interfaces). However, if you want to use STP or Rapid Spanning-Tree
Protocol (RSTP) (preferable to STP), enable the port settings available on some
switches that let the port immediately transition into STP forwarding state upon link
up. This functionality can reduce network interruptions that occur when devices
restart and should only be enabled on switch ports that connect end nodes.
NOTE: It is recommended that you use Spanning-Tree and trunking for multi-
cable connections between switches.
to create a high-bandwidth link between the switches. If a single non-stacking link is
used, it can become the bottle-neck and negatively affect the performance of the
storage system.
Enable Flow Control on each switch port and NIC that handles iSCSI traffic. Dell
EqualLogic PS Series arrays correctly respond to Flow Control.
Disable Unicast storm control on each switch that handles iSCSI traffic, if the switch
provides this feature. However, the use of broadcast and multicast storm control is
encouraged on switches.
Enable Jumbo Frames on each switch and NIC that handles iSCSI traffic to obtain
performance benefit and ensure consistent behavior.
Disable iSCSI Optimization, if the switch provides this feature, to avoid blocking
internal communication between the array members.