How to Use

Cabling Your Blade Cluster Hardware 27

Cabling the Private Network

The private (heartbeat) network is used for sharing cluster health and status

information between the cluster nodes. Each cluster node connects to the

private network through the second embedded NIC port on the server

module system board. The second NIC port connects to the internal

connections in the system chassis to the second Ethernet switch module or

the associated port in the corresponding Ethernet pass-through module. The

Ethernet switch module or Ethernet pass-through module is connected

internally to the private network-configured Ethernet switch module in the

private network or the corresponding port on the corresponding Ethernet

pass-through module.

NOTE: It is recommended that you configure the second NIC port on each server

module for the private network.

The Ethernet pass-through module connectors correspond directly to the

server module number. For example, server module 2 is connected to port 2

on the Ethernet pass-through module. To create a private network between

server module 2 and server module 4 (see Figure 1-1) using an Ethernet pass-

through module, connect a standard Ethernet cable to port 2 and port 4 on

the Ethernet pass-through module.

Table 2-2 provides a cable connection matrix for configuring the private

network using a Dell PowerConnect™ Ethernet switch or Ethernet pass-

through modules in your PowerEdge server enclosure.

Table 2-2. Cabling the Private Network

Module Type Cluster Configuration Private Network Configuration

Ethernet switch

module

Two or more nodes in

one PowerEdge server

enclosure.

The private network is established using

internal connections in the system

chassis.

Two or more nodes in

two PowerEdge server

enclosures.

Identify the Ethernet switch module on

each PowerEdge server enclosure that is

connected to the private network-

configured adapters on each server

module.

Connect an Ethernet cable from the

appropriate switch on system 1 to the

appropriate switch on system 2.

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