2 NIC's in a 'cluster'

We have a Dell server running stand-aloneWin2003 Web Edition with 2 network
adapters. One private IP is assigned to first NIC, the other is temporary
disabled. We want to achieve that both network adapters are active using one
private IP, in case one of them fails.

Can this be done with load balancing or with supported Dell software to team
two NIC's into one? What is the best practice?

Thank you in advance,

Regards,Miha

Mha <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
> We have a Dell server running stand-aloneWin2003 Web Edition with 2
> network adapters. One private IP is assigned to first NIC, the other
> is temporary disabled. We want to achieve that both network adapters
> are active using one private IP, in case one of them fails.
>
> Can this be done with load balancing or with supported Dell software
> to team two NIC's into one? What is the best practice?
>
> Thank you in advance,
>
> Regards,Miha

The NICs would need to be identical and support network teaming (software
provided by the mfr. )

Yes they are identical, so can I use teaming software from server
manufacturer or are there any other solutions?
Regards,Miha

"Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]"
<(E-Mail Removed) hoo.com> je napisal v
sporoèilo news:OqchC$(E-Mail Removed) ...
> Mha <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>> We have a Dell server running stand-aloneWin2003 Web Edition with 2
>> network adapters. One private IP is assigned to first NIC, the other
>> is temporary disabled. We want to achieve that both network adapters
>> are active using one private IP, in case one of them fails.
>>
>> Can this be done with load balancing or with supported Dell software
>> to team two NIC's into one? What is the best practice?
>>
>> Thank you in advance,
>>
>> Regards,Miha
>
> The NICs would need to be identical and support network teaming (software
> provided by the mfr. )
>
>
>

Hi Mha,

If they are the embedded NICs you should have no problem. Just remember
that you will want to update the BIOS before doing that and make sure that
you have the latest drivers. This is especially important with DELL hardware.

There are also some special considerations if you are planning to connect
them to different L3 switches as this will affect ARP advertisements.
--
Ryan Hanisco
MCSE, MCTS: SQL 2005, Project+
http://www.techsterity.com
Chicago, IL

Remember: Marking helpful answers helps everyone find the info they need
quickly.


"Mha" wrote:

> Yes they are identical, so can I use teaming software from server
> manufacturer or are there any other solutions?
> Regards,Miha
>
> "Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]"
> <(E-Mail Removed) hoo.com> je napisal v
> sporoèilo news:OqchC$(E-Mail Removed) ...
> > Mha <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
> >> We have a Dell server running stand-aloneWin2003 Web Edition with 2
> >> network adapters. One private IP is assigned to first NIC, the other
> >> is temporary disabled. We want to achieve that both network adapters
> >> are active using one private IP, in case one of them fails.
> >>
> >> Can this be done with load balancing or with supported Dell software
> >> to team two NIC's into one? What is the best practice?
> >>
> >> Thank you in advance,
> >>
> >> Regards,Miha
> >
> > The NICs would need to be identical and support network teaming (software
> > provided by the mfr. )
> >
> >
> >
>
>
>

Mha <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
> Yes they are identical, so can I use teaming software from server
> manufacturer or are there any other solutions?

Yes, you need to use the teaming software provided by the manufacturer.

> Regards,Miha
>
> "Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]"
> <(E-Mail Removed) hoo.com> je napisal
> v sporoèilo news:OqchC$(E-Mail Removed) ...
>> Mha <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>>> We have a Dell server running stand-aloneWin2003 Web Edition with 2
>>> network adapters. One private IP is assigned to first NIC, the other
>>> is temporary disabled. We want to achieve that both network adapters
>>> are active using one private IP, in case one of them fails.
>>>
>>> Can this be done with load balancing or with supported Dell software
>>> to team two NIC's into one? What is the best practice?
>>>
>>> Thank you in advance,
>>>
>>> Regards,Miha
>>
>> The NICs would need to be identical and support network teaming
>> (software provided by the mfr. )

Great, thank you all for informations.
Regards,Miha

"Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]"
<(E-Mail Removed) hoo.com> je napisal v
sporoèilo news:(E-Mail Removed) ...
> Mha <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>> Yes they are identical, so can I use teaming software from server
>> manufacturer or are there any other solutions?
>
> Yes, you need to use the teaming software provided by the manufacturer.
>
>> Regards,Miha
>>
>> "Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]"
>> <(E-Mail Removed) hoo.com> je napisal
>> v sporoèilo news:OqchC$(E-Mail Removed) ...
>>> Mha <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>>>> We have a Dell server running stand-aloneWin2003 Web Edition with 2
>>>> network adapters. One private IP is assigned to first NIC, the other
>>>> is temporary disabled. We want to achieve that both network adapters
>>>> are active using one private IP, in case one of them fails.
>>>>
>>>> Can this be done with load balancing or with supported Dell software
>>>> to team two NIC's into one? What is the best practice?
>>>>
>>>> Thank you in advance,
>>>>
>>>> Regards,Miha
>>>
>>> The NICs would need to be identical and support network teaming
>>> (software provided by the mfr. )
>
>
>