PRIMECLUSTER Global File Services Configuration and Administration Guide 4.2 (Solaris(TM) Operating Environment)

15.2.6 LAN selection

In the GFS Shared File System, the MDS communications needed to obtain meta-data and to maintain consistency are processed through the LAN.

The communication path is specified by a host name. The GDS LAN can be used as a communication path.

Set up the LAN path while keeping the following in mind.

• LAN traffic volume and LAN load
• Redundant Configuration Definition for a LAN fault

The GFS Shared File System is designed to not increase the LAN load. But, the load can increase under certain operational conditions. When a higher LAN load is experienced due to other processing being performed, the response time of the access processing to the GFS Shared File System may be delayed. The LAN load status can be found by executing netstat(1M).

The use of the following is recommended when the load on a file system is large or when the response time is more important than other factors.

• High-speed LAN
• Private LAN

In the GFS Shared File System, specific nodes block the file systems if an error occurs in the communications between MDS and node AC. This is done because AC determines file system processing cannot be continued. The followings are suggestions for avoiding problems in the communication paths.

• To establish a multiplex communication path by integrating several LAN paths into one local path using GLS.
• To set several communication paths by using the GFS Shared File System's multiple LAN support function.

The GFS Shared File System's multiple LAN support function realizes communication path redundancy in a file system. And, by using GLS, communication path redundancy including applications can be achieved.

To recover or to change the settings after a LAN fault occurs in an environment in which the GFS Shared File System's multiple LAN support function is used, see Section 23.7 "Multiple LAN Setup".