Internal networks

An internal network is a network that has no uplink ports and is used for server-to-server communications within the same logical enclosure without a top-of-rack switch. Servers that communicate with each other over internal networks do so without the traffic egressing any uplinks.

Internal networks enable you to explicitly designate which logical interconnect and network to use for server-to-sever communication. For example, to have all servers communicating over network net_100, you can designate net_100 as an internal network for a logical interconnect. The server profile ensures that every server connected to net_100 uses the downlinks connected to the interconnect with net_100 on it.

Only tagged, untagged, and tunnel Ethernet networks can be members of internal networks. VLAN ID is shown for tagged networks.

VLAN IDs must be unique across the entire logical interconnect, including internal networks. When adding Ethernet networks to the internal networks, the list of available networks is filtered to remove any that have already been added.

If there are more than 50 networks, a link is displayed to the Networks screen, filtered to the list of networks that are in the set.

If network connectivity outside of the logical enclosure is required, the network must be in an uplink set associated with an uplink.

NOTE:

A network is not available for profile connections until it is added to an uplink set or internal networks in a logical interconnect group and the associated logical interconnect.

Adding and removing internal networks

Each logical interconnect group and logical interconnect has an internal network list which is initially empty. Adding a network to the internal network list in both the logical interconnect group and logical interconnect allows it to be used in server profile connections that can be mapped to downlinks on the interconnects within the logical interconnect.

IMPORTANT:

Duplicate networks in the internal networks list on more than one logical interconnect can result in the inability for the servers in the enclosure to communicate.

Therefore, for A/B side logical interconnects, it is recommended to define all your internal networks on one logical interconnect.

You can add or remove internal networks from the Logical Interconnects or Logical Interconnect Groups screen. The internal network configuration created in the logical interconnect group is inherited by associated logical interconnects. A logical interconnect can be made consistent with the parent logical interconnect group by selecting Actions > Update from group.

Networks in the internal networks list appear as available networks for uplink sets. They are automatically removed from internal networks if they are added to an uplink set.

Removing an Ethernet network from an uplink set in a logical interconnect automatically moves it to internal networks so network connectivity is not lost for server profile connections using the network. However, if you remove an Ethernet network from an uplink set in a logical interconnect group, the network does not get moved automatically to the internal networks. If you want the network to be internal, edit the logical interconnect group and add the network to the internal networks.