HP XC System Software Hardware Preparation Guide Version 3.1

1.4 Administration Network Overview
The Administration Network is a private network within the HP XC system that is used primarily for
administrative operations. This network is treated as a flat network during run time (that is, communication
between any two points in the network is equal in communication time between any other two points in
the network). However, during the installation and configuration of the HP XC system, the administrative
tools probe and discover the topology of the Administration Network. The Administration Network
requires and uses Gigabit Ethernet.
The Administration Network has at least one Root Administration Switch and can have multiple Branch
Administration Switches. These switches are discussed in “Switches” (page 20).
1.5 Administration Network: Console Branch
The Console Branch is part of the private Administration Network within an HP XC system that is used
primarily for managing and monitoring the consoles of the nodes that comprise the HP XC system. This
branch of the network uses 10/100 Mbps Ethernet.
During the installation and configuration of the HP XC system, the administrative tools probe and discover
the topology of the entire Administration Network including the Console Branch.
An HP XC system has at least one Root Console Switch with the potential for multiple Branch Console
Switches. Figure 1-1 shows a graphical representation of the Console Branch.
Figure 1-1 Administration Network: Console Branch (Without HP Server Blades)
Compute Nodes
Root Console
Switch
Head
Node
Specialized Role Nodes
Root Administration Switch
Branch Console Switches
1.6 Interconnect Network
The interconnect network is a private network within the HP XC system. Typically, every node in the HP
XC system is connected to the interconnect.
The interconnect network is dedicated to communication between processors and access to data in storage
areas. It provides a high-speed communications path used primarily for user file service and for
communications within applications that are distributed among nodes of the cluster.
Table 1-3 lists the supported interconnect types on each cluster platform. For more information about the
interconnect types on individual hardware models, see the cluster platform documentation.
1.4 Administration Network Overview 17