Intelligent Networking Pack User Guide v5.1
Active Path Failover allows a ProLiant server to predict and bypass failed network paths through
use of a user assigned echo node. An echo node is a device on the network with which connectivity
is required. Periodically, each team member transmits an Address Resolution Protocol (ARP)
request packet to the echo node. If a response is not received from the echo node within a set
timeout period, the team member is marked as failed.
If Active Path Failover is enabled, you must enter a valid IP address for the echo node. In addition,
you can specify the MAC address of the echo node, which allows the echo node packets to be
unicast to the echo node. If no Echo Node MAC address is provided, the echo node packets are
broadcast.
Two types of echo node request probes are available:
• Community Address ARP — (Recommended) Community Address ARP is a newer method
that uses a standard ARP to test connectivity. It works for all devices designated as the echo
node including routers, Hot Standby Routing Protocol (HSRP) devices, and Linux servers.
If Community Address ARP is selected, you must enter the IP address to be used for the
community probe. You can also configure the MAC address to be used, or use the default
MAC address.
• Directed ARP — Directed ARP tests connectivity with the echo node device using a modified
ARP frame. This method works for most switches or servers that are designated as the echo
node. It is not recommended for routers or Linux servers that are designated as the echo
node.
Fast Path Failover
Fast Path Failover allows a ProLiant server to determine the fastest path to the core network (or
the root bridge) in addition to detecting full connectivity loss. Fast Path Failover examines the
path cost information contained in the Spanning Tree Bridge Protocol Data Unit (BPDU) frames
and determines which switch is the best one to use for the team's primary port.
When configuring Fast Path Failover, you must select which Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) type
to use. The two predominate STP types are as follows:
• IEEE 802.1D — because IEEE 802.1D is VLAN unaware, it is not necessary to configure Fast
Path Failover to listen to VLAN.
• Cisco PVST+ — allows you to select the VLAN ID to be used for Fast Path Failover
monitoring. (Refer to “Configuring VLAN IDs.” section)
Router Path Failover
Router Redundancy Protocols (HSRP, VRRP) allow you to set up two or more routers into a
single router group, which acts as a backup for a virtual router. At any given time, only one
router is designated as the active router, which takes up the functionality of the router. If the
active router fails, a second router or standby router assumes the role of the active router. If the
standby router fails or becomes the active router, then another router is elected as the standby
router.
The Router Path Failover ensures the team's connectivity to the active router. The router protocol,
as selected by the user, defines the method used to select the active router by periodically
exchanging multicast frames amongst routers in a router group. The NCU teaming software
monitors these multicast frames to validate an active path to the active router in the router group.
When configuring Router Path Failover, you must select which router protocol to use. The two
protocols available are as follows:
• HSRP — Cisco Hot Standby Router Protocol
• VRRP — Virtual Router Redundancy Protocol
Configuring Active Path Failover
Active Path Failover is enabled through the Team Properties Advanced Redundancy tab. This
feature is disabled if a valid INP license is not installed on the system.
36 Advanced Networking Features