Re: When to use multiple NICs on the server?

Fuzzy wrote:
>
> Hi all.
>
> I'm looking for anecdotal information about then people decide their
> Oracle db server needs a second (or more) NIC. Is one
> 100Mbit NIC usually fine ... or does this get choked? I realise it is
> probably difficult to compare with the brief info I've given above, so
> any info is welcome.
>
> Fuzzy

Fuzzy,

one NIC = single point of failure

It could be the NIC, the cat5 cable, the switch port, the NIC driver. In any event, the $50 NIC could cause your $25K server from providing services.

Think of this in terms of your online redo logs:

Stripe and mirror.
Yes, a pair of dual ports is exactly like a RAID 0+1 volume Use 2 dual port NICs, each teamed as a single logical NIC. (striped, then mirrored).
This will give you 200 Mbps on each of 2 IPs. Make sure that you use both IPs in the tnsnames.ora on the app servers, configured to load balance.
If an IP address conflict occurs, you still have one IP up. If either card loses a port, both are still functioning.

A friend that has a large number of servers at an ISP puts 5 homes on all of his boxes:

2 ports to the WAN
2 ports to the LAN
1 port for logging on a secure DMZ

Btw, the Compaq NIC drivers suck - stick with Intel EtherExpress Pro 100+ for your NICs.

More Hardware!

Paul Received on Mon Apr 09 2001 - 01:57:39 CDT