Interface Pairs

HPE uses the term interface to identify specific ports on the controller. For iSCSI, an interface is an Ethernet port connection that can be used for data, management, or both; for Fibre Channel, an interface is a Fibre Channel port connection that can be used for data only.

iSCSI Interface Pairs

An iSCSI interface pair refers to a set of two data or management Ethernet connections, one from each controller, to the network switch. The cables for an interface pair connect to the same data or management port on each controller. See Interface Numbering.

Figure: An example of Ethernet connections using interface pairs
  1. Host/server
  2. Switch 1/subnet 1
  3. Switch 2/subnet 2
  4. Array
  5. Interface pair from data ports eth3
  6. Interface pair from data ports eth4
  7. Data interface pair 1
  8. Data interface pair 2

The purpose of interface pairs is to ensure high availability and redundancy in the event of a controller or network switch failure. In the event of a controller failover, proper network connections ensure minimal data service interruption.

An interface pair is the combination of the same data port on both controllers. In the preceding diagram:
  • Data ports eth3 form one interface pair (red)
  • Data ports eth4 form another interface pair (blue)

Make sure that each interface pair connects to the SAME network or subnet. In this example, the red interface pair connects to subnet 1 and the blue connects to subnet 2.

To minimize single points of failure, connect as many interface port pairs as possible.

Fibre Channel Interface Pairs

A Fibre Channel interface pair refers to a set of two Fibre Channel data connections, one from each controller, to the Fibre Channel switch. The cables for an interface pair connect to the same data port on each controller. See Interface Numbering.

Figure: An example of Fibre Channel connections using interface pairs
  1. Host/server
  2. Fibre Channel switch 1
  3. Fibre Channel switch 2
  4. Array
  5. Interface pair from data ports fc1
  6. Interface pair from data ports fc2
  7. Data interface pair 1
  8. Data interface pair 2

The purpose of interface pairs is to ensure high availability and redundancy in the event of a controller or Fibre Channel switch failure. In the event of a controller failover, proper Fibre Channel connections ensure minimal data service interruption.

An interface pair is the combination of the same data port on both controllers. In the preceding diagram:
  • Data ports fc1 form one interface pair (red)
  • Data ports fc2 form another interface pair (blue)

To minimize single points of failure, connect as many interface port pairs as possible.