Unsolved
This post is more than 5 years old
3 Posts
0
1695
August 1st, 2017 08:00
Dell VRTX Questions
Hi there im new to this so aplogies if not in the correct area.
I need some questions answered regarding a dell vrtx that we have.
Im struggling to understand the networking part of it. Our current setup is we have 2x external ports being used, and we have 2x blades with 4 x internal nics for each. My question is how does the internal ports utilize these 2 external ports, are all vnics sharing the 2 external ports and in turn the virtual machines share the 2 external ports. An easy explanation is what im after.
Many thanks
0 events found
No Events found!
Daniel My
12 Elder
•
6.2K Posts
0
August 1st, 2017 10:00
Hello
It depends on the I/O device you are using. If you are using a pass-through module then the ports will be static. Each port on the nodes will have a port on the pass-through module. If you are using a switch then there are internal ports that the nodes are connected. You do not see all of the ports on the switch, you only see the external ports. The internal ports are routed by the fabric that the I/O is on to the nodes. For instance, if you have a 24 port switch you may only see 4 external ports and the other 20 ports are internal for connecting to the nodes.
It sounds like you have a switch.
Thanks
tonyvrtx18
3 Posts
0
August 2nd, 2017 01:00
Daniel thanks for your reply. Yes we do have a 8 port switch-see screenshot. Are the Host/Vms sharing the 2 external ports/internal switches. So for example we have 2 external 1Ggbp cables plugged into external switch which in total is 2Gbps, does that mean both hosts and all vms share that 2Gbps connection?
thanks
Daniel My
12 Elder
•
6.2K Posts
0
August 2nd, 2017 09:00
That is not an 8 port switch. That is a 24 port switch. You have 16 internal ports and 8 external ports. They are all on the same switch.
Yes, since it is a switch it will send the traffic across those two ports to reach whatever is on the other side. If the hosts need to communicate with each other then that traffic will stay within the switch. It operates like a normal switch, you just can't see 16 of the ports/interfaces.
Thanks
tonyvrtx18
3 Posts
0
August 3rd, 2017 01:00
hi there just to clarify here as still slightly confused.!!
1. As we have no lag setup on the switch how are are those external ports being used? Are the 2 hosts sharing those 2 connections?
2. My understanding of having lag is to increase throughput but if the external ports are both being used on the current setup(going by the light activirty here on the external switch) as they are, what real difference would I see?
thanks again
Daniel My
12 Elder
•
6.2K Posts
0
August 3rd, 2017 09:00
A LAG is just combining links. The ability of the port to pass traffic is not dependent on it being in a LAG. Link aggregation is just for bandwidth and redundancy considerations. A port/interface that is not in a LAG can perform many of the same functions as a port that is in a LAG.
How a LAG functions is not something specific to Dell. I suggest searching for materials online if you want to learn more. The manual for your switch may have basic information on some networking functions, but detailed information will probably need to be sought elsewhere.
Thanks