Configuring Flow Redirection

If you have one path from the client to the server and a different path from the server to the client, you need to enable flow redirection and configure the appliances to communicate with each other.

Flow redirection moves packet traffic between appliances that belong to a cluster:

•	A cluster may contain just one appliance (in which no redirection occurs), or several appliances (in which redirection may occur between different pairs).

•	All the appliances in a cluster are equal peers.

•	You can have up to 32 peers in a cluster.

•	The Silver Peak Communication Protocol (SPCP) formalizes the peer-to-peer communications in an appliance cluster. SPCP is both a discovery and control protocol. By default, SPCP uses mgmt1 to communicate between appliances.

•	This must be a Layer 2 connection. In other words, you want a switch — not a router — between any two peers.

For each peer appliance in a cluster, the process of configuring flow redirection uses three of the Appliance Manager’s pages:

•	The [Configuration] Interfaces page, for configuring the mgmt1 IP address.

•	The [Configuration] Routes page, for configuring the necessary static route(s).

•	The [Configuration] Flow Redirection page, for enabling flow redirection, selecting the management interface, and identifying the peers in the cluster.

Note IMPORTANT — When configuring for flow redirection, the mgmt1 interfaces need to be in a separate subnet from the mgmt0 interfaces.

Tip Typically, you’ll use the mgmt1 interface. However, when the LAN–side is greater than 1 Gbps and your Silver Peak appliance has a 10-Gbps interface, then you may consider using a 10-Gbps interface (tlan0 or twan0) for flow direction.

Following is the complete example:

n	Example #1: Simple Cluster with Two Physically Connected Peers

Because of their physical proximity, a crossover cable connects two peers’ mgmt1 interfaces.

Example #1: Simple Cluster with Two Physically Connected Peers

When you want to cluster two appliances that are in the same subnet (with Layer 2 connectivity), and they’re located in the same room, you can physically cable the two mgmt1 interfaces together, in lieu of setting up an IP static route.

Instead of physically cabling the appliances, you also have the option of connecting the mgmt1 interfaces via the local area network.

Note IMPORTANT — When configuring for flow redirection, the mgmt1 interfaces need to be in a separate subnet from the mgmt0 interfaces.

w	To configure this scenario

1	Using a crossover cable, physically connect one appliance’s mgmt1 port to the other appliance’s mgmt1 port.

2	From SP1’s Configuration menu, select Interfaces. The Configuration - Interfaces page appears.

a	Change mgmt1’s IP address to be 10.10.10.1/24.

b	Click Apply.

To complete the appliance’s configuration, you’ll enable flow redirection and specify the other peer in the cluster.

3	From the Configuration menu, select Flow Redirection. The Configuration - Flow Redirection page appears.

In the Settings area:

a	Click Enable.

b	Verify that the default Interface is mgmt1.

c	Click Apply and click Save Changes.

4	In the Peers area, click Add. The Add Peer area appears.

a	Enter the mgmt1 IP address for the appliance, SP2. Here, it’s 10.10.10.2.

b	Click Apply. The Peers table appears, displaying SP2’s mgmt1 interface IP address.

5	Click Save Changes.

Now, repeat the entire procedure for the other appliance. When that’s complete, both cluster interfaces are able to communicate with each other and the State changes to OK.

Please send comments or suggestions regarding user documentation to techpubs@silver-peak.com.