1.1.1 Functional comparison

Table 1.1 Function comparison (1) and Table 1.2 Function comparison (2) compare the functions of each network switching mode.

Table 1.1 Function comparison (1)
Redundant line switching method			Fast switching mode	NIC switching mode
Network control			Makes both of redundant transmission routes active and uses them concurrently. A stream of data is sent on a TCP connection.	Activates and uses one redundant transmission route exclusively and deactivates the other route.
Fault monitoring	Detectable failures		NIC, cable, HUB, remote host	NIC, cable, HUB
	Fault monitoring	Monitoring method	Monitors framework between the NIC of the host and that of the remote host. If the frame communication is disrupted, a transmission route failure will be detected.	Monitors HUB using the ping command. If the HUB communication is disrupted, a transmission route failure will be detected.
	Fault monitoring	Failure detection time	5 to 10 seconds (Default)	When an error is detected by ping: 22 to 27 seconds (Default) When a NIC link down is detected: 2 to 7 seconds (Default)
	Recovery monitoring	Recovery monitoring method	Monitors framework between the NIC of the host and that of the remote host. If the frame communication is disrupted, a transmission route failure will be detected.	If a monitoring framework is sent from a standby NIC to an operating NIC, and the standby NIC receives a reply from the operating NIC within a specified time, transmission route recovery will be detected.
	Recovery monitoring	Recovery detection time	1 to 5 seconds (Default)	1 to 15 seconds (Default)
	Fault monitoring start/stop		Automatically starts along with virtual interface activation and stops along with its deactivation.	Automatically starts along with virtual interface activation and stops along with its deactivation. Manual startup or stop of fault monitoring is also allowed with the operational command.
Line switching	Switchover		Automatically disconnects a failed transmission route and uses the other transmission route. Manual disconnection of the failed route is also allowed with the operational command.	Automatically deactivates NIC of a failed transmission route and activates a standby NIC. Manual switching operation is also allowed with the operational command.
Line switching	Switchback		If a failed transmission route is recovered, it will automatically rejoin an ongoing operation. Manual rejoining is also allowed with the operational command.	If a failed transmission route is recovered, it will automatically rejoin operation as a standby NIC. Manual rejoining is also allowed with the operational command.
Conditions	Remote hosts		SPARC M10, SPARC Enterprise, PRIMEPOWER, GP7000F, GP-S, Fujitsu S series, PRIMERGY, PRIMEQUEST	Arbitrary host
	IP addresses		IPv4 address, IPv6 address	IPv4 address, IPv6 address
	Solaris Zones		Operated on a global zone. Ensures a high-reliability communication infrastructure on both of the global and non-global zones.	Operated on a global zone or non-global zones. Ensures a high-reliability communication infrastructure on both of the global and non-global zones.

Table 1.2 Function comparison (2)
Redundant line switching method			Virtual NIC mode	GS/SURE linkage mode
Network control			Activates and uses one redundant transmission route exclusively and deactivates the other route.	Makes both of redundant transmission routes active and uses them concurrently. A stream of data is sent on a TCP connection.
Fault monitoring	Detectable failures		NIC, Cable failure, HUB	NIC failure, Cable failure, HUB failure, Remote host failure (system failure)
	Fault monitoring	Monitoring method	If the link status of NIC becomes link down, a transmission route failure will be detected. Also, if the reception is not returned within the specified time by exchanging heartbeat messages between NICs on the local host, a transmission route failure will be detected.	Monitors a remote host using the ping command. If the communication is disrupted, a transmission route failure will be detected.
	Fault monitoring	Failure detection time	When an error is detected by heartbeat messages: 8 to 11 seconds (Default) When a NIC link down is detected: 1 second	25 to 30 seconds (Default)
	Recovery monitoring	Recovery monitoring method	If the reception is returned within the specified time by exchanging heartbeat messages between NICs on the local host, a transmission route recovery will be detected.	Monitors a remote host using the ping command. If the system receives a reply from the remote host within a specified time, transmission route recovery will be detected.
	Recovery monitoring	Recovery detection time	1 to 3 seconds (Default)	1 to 5 seconds (Default)
	Fault monitoring start/stop		Automatically starts along with virtual interface activation and stops along with its deactivation.	Automatically starts along with virtual interface activation and stops along with its deactivation. Manual startup or stop of fault monitoring is also allowed with the operational command.
Line switching	Switchover		Automatically goes around a failed transmission route and continues the communication. Manual disconnection of the failed route is also allowed with the operational command.	Automatically disconnects a failed transmission route and uses the other transmission route. Manual disconnection of the failed route is also allowed.
Line switching	Switchback		If a failed transmission route is recovered, it will automatically rejoin an ongoing operation. Manual rejoining is also allowed with the operational command.	If a failed transmission route is recovered, it will automatically join communication. Manual rejoining is also allowed.
Conditions	Remote hosts		Any host	GS (Global Server), SURE SYSTEM, ExINCA
	IP addresses		IPv4 address, IPv6 address	IPv4 address
	Solaris Zones		Operated on a global zone. Ensures a high-reliability communication infrastructure on both the global and non-global zones.	Operated on a global zone. Ensures a high-reliability communication infrastructure on the global zone only.