If multiple virtual interfaces are created, these interfaces can share one or all physical interfaces. This is called "sharing physical interface".
Using this capability, it is possible to:
Decrease the number of NICs used for the redundancy operation, and make effective use of limited resources in Fast switching mode or GS linkage mode.
Configuring multiple IP addresses on a single NIC in NIC switching mode and use different IP address for each application.
One portion or entire physical interfaces can be shared by the virtual interfaces which institute Fast switching mode. Though, it is not possible to share the physical interface and virtual interface of NIC switching mode and GS linkage mode.
Note
The virtual IP address of different subnet must be assigned to the multiple virtual interfaces.
In Fast switching mode, you cannot share NICs between virtual interfaces for which IPv6 addresses are set. You can share NICs only between virtual interfaces for which IPv4 addresses are set, or between virtual interfaces for which IPv4 and IPv6 addresses are set.
Figure 2.23 Example of sharing physical interface (1) shows an example of three virtual interfaces, sha0, sha1, and sha2 (All in Fast switching mode) sharing three physical interfaces eth1, eth2, and eth3. Note that IP addresses with different subnets should be set for sha0, sha1, and sha2.
Figure 2.23 Example of sharing physical interface (1)
Within several virtual interfaces of NIC switching mode (logical IP takeover), if all the name of the physical interfaces and the value of the physical IP addresses are equivalent, then it is possible to share the physical interface. Sharing a portion of physical interface is not allowed. Nevertheless, sharing is not possible for NIC switching mode (physical IP takeover). In addition, sharing physical interface with the virtual interface is not possible for Fast switching mode and GS linkage mode.
Note
The virtual IP address of same subnet must be assigned to the multiple virtual interfaces.
Figure 2.24 Example of sharing physical interface (2) shows an example of three virtual interfaces sha0, sha1 and sha2 (all in NIC switching mode) sharing two physical interfaces eth1, and eth2. Note that IP addresses with the same subnet should be set for sha0, sha1 and sha2.
Figure 2.24 Example of sharing physical interface (2)
Within several virtual interfaces of GS linkage mode, it is possible to share the physical interface. Sharing a portion of physical interface is not allowed. Nevertheless, sharing physical interface with the virtual interface is not possible for Fast switching mode and NIC switching mode.
Note
The virtual IP address of different subnet must be assigned to the multiple virtual interfaces.
Figure 2.25 Example of sharing physical interface (3) shows an example of two virtual interfaces, sha0, sha1, and sha2 (All in GS linkage mode) sharing three physical interfaces eth1, and eth2. Note that IP addresses with different subnets should be set for sha0, sha1, and sha2.
Figure 2.25 Example of sharing physical interface (3)
In Fast switching mode, NIC sharing is not possible within the virtual interface that institutes IPv6 address. NIC sharing is possible between the virtual interfaces that are both configured with IPv4 address, or between the virtual interfaces that are configured with IPv6 address and IPv4 address.
