Configuring network interface controllers

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You can configure your primary and secondary backup storage to use multiple network interface controllers (NICs) for different specific functions. The NICs in your IBM Storage® Protect Plus environment can be configured to transfer data for backup, restore, and replication operations. You can configure a NIC for backup, restore, and replication data transfers, or for either backup and restore or replication data transfers. When you configure separate NICs, you can dedicate one network to replication operations and another network to backup and restore operations.

Before you begin

Versions of the vSnap server prior to version 10.1.6 do not support this feature. To update a vSnap server, follow the instructions in Updating vSnap servers.

About this task

The network that is dedicated to sending management commands from IBM Storage Protect Plus to the vSnap server is indicated by the information icon the manage icon. When you hover over the icon, Management Network is shown.

Connections can be established between the vSnap server and a range of clients, including application servers, hypervisor hosts, VADP proxies, and any other component in your environment that transfers data to and from backup storage.

In the case that a second network interface card (NIC) is used, export RMQ_SERVER_HOST in the /home/virgo/.bashrc file on the IBM Storage Protect Plus appliance. The provided IP will be used for VADP to connect back to IBM Storage Protect Plus. The <ip_address> variable is the IP assigned to the second network interface card:
$ export RMQ_SERVER_HOST=<ip_address>

Procedure

To configure a NIC for backup and replication operations, complete the following steps:
  1. In the navigation panel, click System Configuration > Storage > vSnap servers.
  2. Select the vSnap server that you want to configure, and then click Manage.
  3. Open the Network interface controllers tab.
  4. Select the configuration that you want for your listed NICs:
    • To configure an NIC for transfers of data for backup and restore operations only, select Backup. During backup and restore operations, connections are established to the vSnap server by using the IP address of this NIC. If the Backup option is specified by multiple NICs, the first one that connects successfully is used.
    • To configure an NIC for transfers of data for replication purposes only, select Replication. During incoming replication operations to a vSnap server, connections are established using the IP address of this NIC on the target vSnap server. If the Replication option is specified for multiple NICs on the target vSnap server, the first target IP address that connects successfully from the source vSnap server is used.
    • To configure a NIC for both replication, and backup and restore data transfers, select both Backup and Replication.
    Networks pane
  5. Click Save.