Sangfor HCI 2 Node Deployment

Hi,

i have 2 new Node HCI (@6 Ethernets). but we don't have switch. What is the best topology for this environment.?,

In a Sangfor HCI 2-node deployment without a switch, you can use a direct-connect topology. Here's a recommended approach:

Connect the two HCI nodes directly: Use Ethernet cables to establish connections between the two HCI nodes. Each node should have multiple Ethernet ports, so you can use them for inter-node communication.

Configure network settings: Assign IP addresses to the Ethernet ports on each node. Make sure they are on the same subnet and can communicate with each other.

Set up a dedicated storage network: Since HCI involves shared storage, it's recommended to have a dedicated network for storage traffic. Create a separate network or VLAN on the available Ethernet ports of both nodes for storage communication.

Configure network teaming/bonding: Use network teaming or bonding to aggregate multiple Ethernet ports for increased bandwidth and redundancy. Sangfor HCI typically supports link aggregation techniques such as LACP (Link Aggregation Control Protocol) or static link aggregation. Configure this on both nodes to maximize network performance.
Configure network redundancy: Implement redundancy to ensure high availability. You can utilize features like NIC teaming, failover clustering, or Sangfor HCI's built-in redundancy mechanisms to create redundant paths for network traffic.

Verify connectivity and test performance: Once the network configuration is complete, test the connectivity between the two HCI nodes. Ping each node from the other to ensure they can communicate successfully. Additionally, perform performance tests to validate the network's stability and throughput.

Also, it's important to consult Sangfor HCI's documentation or reach out to their support for specific configuration details and best practices based on your environment and requirements.

Hi,

While this direct connection topology can establish communication between the two HCI nodes, it's worth noting that it might lack the benefits of a dedicated switch, such as improved network management, scalability, and flexibility. If your budget allows, investing in a dedicated switch is recommended for better long-term network infrastructure planning and performance optimization.

Thanks

In a scenario where you have two new Node HCI (Hyperconverged Infrastructure) servers with six Ethernet ports but no switch, the best topology would be a point-to-point connection between the servers using all available Ethernet ports. This topology is known as a "Direct Attach" or "Direct Connect" setup.

Here's a concise breakdown of the steps to set up the topology:

• Connect Ethernet ports on both servers directly to each other using Ethernet cables. Each server should have three cables connected to the other server's Ethernet ports.
• Assign IP addresses to the Ethernet interfaces on both servers. Make sure to use a separate subnet for each pair of connected interfaces. For example, you can use the 192.168.1.0/30 subnet for one pair, 192.168.2.0/30 for another pair, and so on. Adjust the subnet mask accordingly for each subnet.
• Configure the network settings on each server's operating system to match the assigned IP addresses and subnets.
• Verify the connectivity between the servers by pinging the IP addresses of the interfaces on each server.

  
  
  
  

With this setup, the servers are directly connected to each other, creating a dedicated and high-bandwidth connection between them. However, keep in mind that this topology does not provide redundancy or scalability. If you require additional servers or want to implement redundancy, a network switch would be necessary to create a more robust network infrastructure.

HiHi,

Please try to direct the connection between Nodes.
The simplest option would be to connect the nodes to each other using Ethernet cables directly.

Hi, can try like this

     Node 1                     Node 2

+----------------+       +----------------+

| Port 1         |<----->| Port 1         |

| Port 2         |<----->| Port 2         |

| Port 3         |<----->| Port 3         |

| Port 4         |<----->| Port 4         |

| Port 5         |<----->| Port 5         |

| Port 6         |<----->| Port 6         |

+----------------+       +----------------+

remember to configure the network settings, including IP addresses and other parameters,

In my experience, it would be better to have a network switch. In case there is no switch, you can directly connect port1 of node 1 to port1 of node 2 and so on. Also it is recommended to team some of the ports for redundancy purposes.

Please use a network switch as best practice and for long term usage.

If there is no network switch, just connect it directly with each other.

If you have two new nodes in a HCI environment and you don't have a switch, you can consider setting up a direct connection between the nodes using their available Ethernet ports. This can be achieved through a point-to-point connection or by creating a small local network between the two nodes.