Network interface cards (NICs)

Each HCP node has two pairs of bonded ports:

  • One pair of ports is used for connecting to the front-end networks, including the [hcp_system] network and all user-defined networks. These ports share all front-end network IPv4 and IPv6 addresses assigned to the node.
  • One pair of ports is used for connecting to the back-end network. These ports share the back-end IP address assigned to the node.

The name assigned to each front-end and back-end port includes the NIC port number (for example, eth0 and eth1). By default, HCP uses the lower-numbered port in each bonded pair. If the lower-numbered port for a network fails, HCP automatically switches to the other port in the pair.

Optionally, depending on your HCP system hardware configuration, an HCP node may have an extra port connected to the management network. The name assigned to the management port is eth4.

On the Storage Node page for a given node, the Console displays information about each of the NICs in the node. The NIC information is organized by network. For each port assigned to a network, the Console displays these details:

  • Interface

    The name assigned to the port.

  • Active

    An indication of whether the port is available for use. Possible values are true and false.

  • Duplex

    An indication of whether the port is full-duplex (full) or half-duplex (half).

  • Active in Bond

    An indication of whether the port is currently the one being used. Possible values are true, false, and N/A.

  • Speed

    The current rate of data transmission through the port.

  • Maximum Supported Speed

    The maximum supported rate of data transmission for the port.