Hi,
  Assuming you are using TCP/IP, NIC selection in a "multi-homed" host
depends on what networks are associated with each NIC, and what gateway acts
as the default route.  In our environment, our ADSM server has multiple
NICs, as do certain of our clients. The clients pick the NIC to use by
specifying the ADSM server IP address for the network routed through that
particular NIC.

  So, certain clients (those with lots of data) have an ADSM configuration
that points to a machine called "adsm1f2" rather than the "adsm1f" that the
rest of the clients use. Both "adsm1f" and "adsm1f2" (as well as adsm1e) are
names for separate NICs on the same ADSM software.

  You might want to review information on TCP/IP routing for a more detailed
explanation.


Jim

> ----------
> From:         Cindy Cannam[SMTP:CCannam AT GENAM DOT COM]
> Reply To:     ADSM: Dist Stor Manager
> Sent:         Wednesday, June 03, 1998 3:38 PM
> To:   ADSM-L AT VM.MARIST DOT EDU
> Subject:      adsm and dual NICs
>
> To all:
>
> I know I've asked this question before, but it was some time ago (last
> year
> sometime), and the response was rather small (because nobody was really
> doing what I was asking about). But I believe with the recent introduction
> of some of the more intelligent NICs out there (General Signal's LINK/9000
> and FileSpeed from CNT for instance), there may be more people who are
> employing this technology with ADSM.
>
> The network folks have decided (wow! a decision was actually made) that
> ADSM should have its own dedicated backbone (probably 100 Mb switched
> Ethernet). As such, the need for dual NICs in each of the clients becomes
> a
> reality. Assuming that each client has available slots for a 2nd NIC
> (always a question with older clients), and that the network can be built
> in a reasonable amount of time (out of my control), am I correct in
> telling
> these people (1) that ADSM has no control over what NIC is used (I've
> never
> seen anything in the documentation or on any screen for control
> designation
> for a network card); (2) that the controls used will have to be configured
> at the time that the 2nd NIC is installed and discovered by the existing
> client; and (3) that as long as the NIC is correctly configured for ADSM
> traffic only (assuming again the existence of a table or other entry that
> tells the ADSM traffic here's where you go if your destination is
> such-n-such), that ADSM traffic will indeed by routed through that
> specific
> NIC and down the dedicated wire? I have a funny feeling that the network
> folks think that ADSM will be driving when the data traffic starts
> streaming toward the ADSM server, but I don't think they realize that
> they've got to provide the track on which it travels first as well as the
> road signs.
>
> Thanks much!
>
> C.L.Cannam
> Storage Management
> GENAM/St. Louis, MO/USA
> ccannam AT genam DOT com
>