Configuring Virtual Network Devices Into an IPMP Group in a Logical Domain

The following diagram shows two virtual networks (vnet1 and vnet2) connected to separate virtual switch instances (vsw0 and vsw1) in the service domain, which, in turn, use two different physical interfaces (nxge0 and nxge1). In the event of a physical link failure in the service domain, the virtual switch device that is bound to that physical device detects the link failure. Then, the virtual switch device propagates the failure to the corresponding virtual network device that is bound to this virtual switch. The virtual network device sends notification of this link event to the IP layer in the guest LDom_A, which results in failover to the other virtual network device in the IPMP group.

Figure 7–3 Two Virtual Networks Connected to Separate Virtual Switch Instances

Further reliability can be achieved in the logical domain by connecting each virtual network device (vnet0 and vnet1) to virtual switch instances in different service domains (as shown in the following diagram). In this case, in addition to physical network failure, LDom_A can detect virtual network failure and trigger a failover following a service domain crash or shutdown.

Figure 7–4 Each Virtual Network Device Connected to Different Service Domains

Refer to the Solaris 10 System Administration Guide: IP Services for more information about how to configure and use IPMP groups.