Virtual MAC Addresses

In order to create the HA node, you need to create virtual MAC addresses for the media interfaces. You enter these addresses in virtual MAC address parameters for phy-interface configurations where the operation type for the interface is media.

The HA node uses shared virtual MAC (media access control) and virtual IP addresses for the media interfaces. When there is a switchover, the standby Oracle® Enterprise Session Border Controller sends out an ARP message using the virtual MAC address, establishing that MAC on another physical port within the Ethernet switch. Virtual MAC addresses are actually unused MAC addresses that based on the Oracle® Enterprise Session Border Controller’s root MAC address.

The MAC address is a hardware address that uniquely identifies each Oracle® Enterprise Session Border Controller. Given that, the virtual MAC address you configure allows the HA node to appear as a single system from the perspective of other network devices. To the upstream router, the MAC and IP are still alive, meaning that existing sessions continue uninterrupted through the standby Oracle® Enterprise Session Border Controller.

Depending on the type of physical layer cards you have installed, you can create MAC addresses as follows: Four Ethernet (MAC) address for each configured four-port GigE physical interface card.