Link aggregation
Link aggregation is the concept of combining multiple network interface cards (cables or ports) into a single, logical network interface. Common synonyms for link aggregation include link bundling, NIC teaming, and NIC bonding.
- Increasing bandwidth - the link speed of the aggregate is greater than the link speed of any of the component network interfaces.
- High availability - the server maintains network availability even if a link fails.
In an HA pair, there can only be one primary node that provides messaging operations. If the member acting as a primary detects that the other server is acting as a primary, it results in a split brain condition.
For more information about split brain, see High availability problems.
To minimize the risk of HA split-brain, you can use redundant network paths between members of an HA pair. If you use this configuration and a network element in the path (for example, a NIC, switch, or router) fails, you still have an operational network path between the members of the HA pair.
The system administration can configure either two independent network interfaces, or can configure a single bonded network interface on the host where Eclipse Amlen is deployed. The NICs can then be connected to redundant network switches for high availability.
If you choose to use two independent network interfaces that do not belong to any bonded interface, the system administrator must assign the HA discovery interface and HA replication interface to the IP address of the two independent network interfaces.
If you choose to use a single bonded interface, the administrator must assign the HA discovery and HA replication interface to the IP address of the bonded network interface and must also enable the HA.AllowSingleNIC configuration parameter in the Eclipse Amlen static configuration file. see Eclipse Amlen static configuration for more details on HA.AllowSingleNIC