Network adapter assignments

This topic gives required assignments for TS7700 network adapters.

Adapter assignments that are required for the TS7700 include:
  • TCP/IP address
  • Gateway IP address
  • Subnet mask

TCP/IP addresses

Local IP addresses for management interface access
You must provide three TCP/IP addresses on the same subnet. Two of these addresses are assigned to physical links, while the third is a virtual IP address used to connect to the TS7700 Management Interface.
The third IP address should be used to access a TS7700; it automatically routes between the two addresses assigned to physical links. The virtual IP address enables access the TS7700 Management Interface by using redundant paths, without the need to manually specify different IP addresses for the different paths. If one path is unavailable, the virtual IP address will automatically connect through the remaining path.
Note: If FC 9900, Tape Encryption configuration, is installed, this same connection is used for communications between the TS7700 and the Encryption Key ManagerServer or Tivoli® Key Lifecycle Manager (TKLM). Because encryption occurs on attached physical tape drives, encryption support does not exist for non-tape attached instances of the TS7700, and the virtual connection is used exclusively to create redundant paths.
You must provide one gateway IP address.
You must provide one subnet mask address.
Grid WAN IP addresses
For TS7700s configured in a Grid, the following additional assignments need to be made for the Grid WAN adapters. For each adapter, you must supply:
  • A TCP/IP address
  • A gateway IP address
  • A subnet mask

Using IPv6 and IPSec

Internet Protocol Version 6 (IPv6) is the next evolution in Internet Protocol beyond the IPv4 standard currently in use in most networks today. The key IPv6 enhancement is the expansion of the IP address space from 32 bits to 128 bits, enabling virtually unlimited IP addresses. This addressing capability, along with new functions enabling end-to-end security, improved mobility support, simplified address configuration and management, make IPv6 a critical component in the evolution of e-business and the next generation Internet. IPSec is a security enhancement tool used in securing Internet Protocol communications by authenticating and encrypting every setup communication session in a TS7700.
Prerequisites
Your network must support IPv6 addresses.
IPv6 addresses must exist for your network and the TSSC.
Each TSSC attached to a cluster must be configured for IPv6 addresses if AOTM is to be used with IPv6.
Limitations
Grid cluster link functionality is not supported for use with IPv6.
IPSec is not enabled by default.
Note: Enabling IPSec negatively affects system performance.
Dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP), which allows a server to assign network IP addresses, is not supported for use with IPv6.
You cannot simultaneously enable IPv4 and IPv6.
You can use the TS7700 Management Interface to enable IPv6.
  1. Log in to the management interface for the cluster on which you want to enable IPv6.
  2. Open Settings>Cluster Network Settings. Select Customer IP Addresses.
  3. Select the IPv6 radio button.
  4. Enter values for these required fields:
    • Primary Address
    • Secondary Address
    • Prefix Length
  5. Click Submit.
You can use the TS7700 Management Interface to enable IPSec.
  1. From any cluster, log in to the management interface.
  2. Open Settings>Cluster Network Settings. Select Encrypt Grid Communication.
  3. Enter in a password that will be used as an encryption key.
  4. Check the box next to each cluster communication path to enable IPSec.
  5. Click Submit.
Note: You can select a communication path between two clusters only if both clusters meet all the following condition:
  • They are online.
Note: If you enable Encrypt Grid Communication (IPsec), the performance of the grid network might be decreased by 70% or more.