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Setting Network Parameters


The Serval filer contains different network-layer parameters that can be configured and mointored. For example, network routes, ports and interfaces, and host name resolution services are available through the Serval's GUI.
The network layer configuring and management tools are contained in the Network section of the tree diagram. When you expand this section, you will see that there are three parts:
· "Monitoring Network Ports and Interfaces"
· "Managing Network Routes"
· "Monitoring Name Services"

Monitoring Network Ports and Interfaces

The Network ports and interfaces are assigned to the IP network side of the Serval Filer. This side of the filer is the side where the hosts and end-users reside. They connect to the Serval through one or more Gigabit Ethernet links that connect to the Serval's File Processing NIM.
The Serval's GUI contains the Network Port/Interfaces display which allows you to monitor and configure the network ports and interfaces. Table 15 shows the Network Port/Interfaces display.

Figure 15 Network Port/Interface display
Table 11 shows the contents of the Network Port/Interface display and explains each field in the display.
Table 11: Contents of the Port/Interface display

Field

Means

Name

Indicates the name of the interface. The name listed is a link to a display where you can view detailed information about the link.

Slot/CPU/Link

Indicates the slot where the interface resides, the number of CPUs on the module that supports the interface, and the number of the link that is supporting the interface.

Status

Indicates the interface status. Valid values are UP, the interface has a good physical layer connection and is able to pass network traffic, or DOWN, the interface has either a bad physical layer connection or is unable to pass network traffic.

IP Address

Indicates the IP address that is configured on the interface.

Subnet Mask

Indicates the subnet mask that is configured for the interface's IP address.

Operations

Contains links to different dialogs that enable you to delete, add, or disable the interfaces listed in the display.


Even though the Serval intermittently refreshes the contents of the display, you can refresh the contents of the Port/Interface display at any time by clicking the Refresh button.

Viewing Port and Interface Details

On the Network Port/Interface display, the Name field contains a link. By clicking the name in the Name field, you invoke the Port/Interface Details display where you can view detailed information and performance statistics about the network interface. Figure 16 shows the Port/Interface Detail display.

Figure 16 Port/Interface Detail display
This display contains two separate sections, the Interface Detail section, and the Interface State section.
Table 12 shows the contents of the Port/Interface Detail display, and explains what each field means.
Table 12: Contents of the Port/Interface Detail display-Interface Details

Field

Means

Name

Indicates the name of the interface. The name listed is a link to a display where you can view detailed information about the link.

Slot/CPU/Link

Indicates the slot where the interface resides, the number of CPUs on the module that supports the interface, and the number of the link that is supporting the interface.

Status

Indicates the interface status. Valid values are UP, the interface has a good physical layer connection and is able to pass network traffic, or DOWN, the interface has either a bad physical layer connection or is unable to pass network traffic.

MAC Address

Indicates the MAC-layer hardware address associated with this interface. The MAC layer is a series of 6 bits of hexadecimal notation.

MTU

Indicates the Maximum Transmission Unit size, in bits, that is supported without fragmentation on the interface.


Table 13 shows the contents of this display and explains what each field means.
Table 13: Contents of the Port/Interface Details display-Interface Stats

Field

Means

Name

Indicates the name of the interface. The name listed is a link to a display where you can view detailed information about the link.

Type

Indicates the media type supporting the interface.

Speed

Indicates the theoretical maximum of the physical link in Type.

Out Q Len

Indicates the maximum size, in bytes, of the transmit queue.

Physical

Indicates the type of the physical layer that is supporting the interface.

Address Length

Indicates the number of bits that constitute the address

Head Length

Indicates the number of bits that constitute the packet header

Recv Quo

Indicates the receive quota value.

Xmit Quo

Indicates the transmit quota value.

MTU

Indicates the Maximum Transmission Unit size, in bits, that is supported without fragmentation on the interface.

Line Speed

Indicates the calculated throughput of the line.

In packet

Indicates the number of packets successfully received from the network.

In error

Indicates the number of packets \received from the network that had detectable errors.

Out Pkt

Indicates the number of packets successfully transmitted from the Serval.

Out Err

Indicates the number of packets that the Serval attempted to transmit but couldn't because of detectable errors.

Colli

Indicates the number of collisions detected on the interface.

In Octet

Indicates the total number of octets received on the interface.

Out Octet

Indicates the total number of octets transmitted on the interface.

In Mcast

Indicates the total number of IP multicast packets received on the interface.

Out Mcast

Indicates the number of IP multicast packets transmitted on the interface.

In Drop

Indicates the number of packets that were successfully received on the interface but were discarded.

Unsupp

Indicates the number of packets that were successfully received on the interface but were discarded due to Protocol Unsupported errors.

In time

Indicates the timestamp at which packets were received.

Out time

Indicates the timestamp at which packets were transmitted.

Last Chg s

Indicates the number of seconds since the last time the interface experienced a state change

Last Chg ms

Indicates the number of milliseconds since the last time the interface experienced a state change.


Deleting Ports/Interfaces

From the Network Port.Interface display, you can delete ports and interfaces. On this display, the Operations field contains a link called "Delete." By clicking this link, you invoke the Delete Interface Confirmation dialog where you can remove an IP interface address from a network port. Figure 17 shows the Delete Interface Confirmation dialog.

Figure 17 Delete Interface Confirmation dialog
To delete an IP address from an interface, follow this procedure:
Step 1: Click Continue to delete the IP address in IP Address from the interface listed in Interface.
Step 2: As an alternative, click Cancel to abort the interface deletion process and return to the Network Port/Interface display.

Adding Ports/Interfaces

On the Network Port/Interface display you can add interfaces to network ports. On this display, the Operations column contains a link called "Add." By clicking this interface, you invoke the Add IP Address dialog where you can assign an IP address to a network port. Figure 18 shows this dialog.

Figure 18 Add IP Address dialog
To add an IP interface address, follow this procedure:
Step 1: In the IP Address field, enter the IP interface address that you want assigned to the interface in Interface. Enter the IP address in dotted decimal notation-for example, 10.11.101.13
Step 2: In the Subnet Mask field, enter the mask bits for the IP address that you are assigning to the interface in Interface. Enter the subnet mask in dotted decimal notation-for example 255.255.255.0
Step 3: Click Save to commit these parameters to the config file and immediately activate them on the Serval.

Disabling an Interface

On the Network Port/Interface display you can add interfaces to network ports. On this display, the Operations column contains a link called "Down." By clicking this interface, you invoke the Change Interface Status Confirmation dialog where you can change the status of an enabled interface to disabled. Figure 19 shows the Change Interface Status Confirmation dialog.


Figure 19 Change Interface Status Confirmation dialog
To disable an enabled interface, follow this procedure:
Step 1: Click Continue to disable the interface. When the interface is disabled, it can no longer share file system resources nor accept read or write requests from clients in the IP network.
Step 2: Click Cancel to abort the interface disable procedure and return to the Network Port/Interface display.

Managing Network Routes

The Serval's GUI enables you to monitor network routes in the Route Table. The Serval supports static routes, which are not automatically added or deleted. You must manually configure and delete static route. The Serval also supports default routes to a next hop gateway for those destination IP addresses that are not specifically known to the Serval Filer through its Route Table.
The Serval displays its Route Table through the Network Route display. Figure 20 shows this display.

Figure 20 Network Route display
Table 14 shows the contents of the Network Route display and explains the contents of each field in the display.
Table 14: Contents of the Network Route display

Field

Means

Destination

Sets the destination network IP address supported on this interface.

Subnet Mask

Shows the subnet mask for the IP network address supported on this interface.

Next Hop

Shows the IP address of the next hop gateway router.

Status

Shows the status of the route. Valid values are UP, the route has network-layer functionality and can forward packet traffic, or DOWN, the route has no network-layer functionality and cannot forward packet traffic.

Interface

Shows the interface type, slot, and port number that can carry traffic.

Operation

Contains a link to a different dialog where you can delete a configured network route.


· Even though the Serval filer intermittently refreshes the contents of the Network Route display, you can update the contents of this display at any time by clicking the Refresh button.
· You can add a network route by clicking the Add Route button.

Adding Network Routes

From the Network Route display, you can add routes through the Add Route button. By clicking this button, you invoke the Add Route dialog where you can specify destination address and mask as well as the next hop router. Figure 21 shows the Add Route dialog.

Figure 21 Add Route dialog
Ton add a network route, follow this procedure:
Step 1: In the Destination field, enter the destination address of the route you are configuring. Enter the destination address in dotted decimal notation-for example 10.11.101.23
Step 2: In the Subnet field, enter the mask bits for the destination address configured in Destination. Enter the subnet mask in dotted decimal notation-for example, 255.255.255.0
Step 3: In the Next Hop field, enter the IP address of the next hop gateway router-for example, 119.148.11.128
Step 4: Click Save to send these settings to the configuration file, and immediately post the route to the Route Table.

Note!

To add a default route, enter an all-zeroes broadcast address in the Destination and Subnet fields-for example 0.0.0.0 and 0.0.0.0 respectively-and provide a valid, non-zero IP address in the Next Hop field.

Deleting Network or Default Routes

From the Network Route display, you can delete routes from the Route Table. On the Network Route display, the Operation field contains a link called "Delete." By clicking this link, you invoke the Delete Route Confirmation dialog where you can completely remove a static network route or default route. Figure 22 shows the Delete Route Confirmation dialog.

Figure 22 Delete Route Confirmation
To delete a route or default route, follow this procedure:
Step 1: Click Continue to delete the route indicated in the Destination and Subnet Mask field, and also delete the next hop router associated with the route.
Step 2: Click Cancel to abort the route deletion process and return to the Network Route display.

Monitoring Name Services

The Serval supports name resolution services for hosts that reside in a customer's network. The name services enable the administrator to set up a file that contains information about the host's network, domain, and name server. After parameters have been created, a name can be associated with a host, and IP address resolution for named hosts can occur without administrator input. The benefit of name resolution is that it allows administrators to quickly and easily perform attachment point changes, such as adding or moving hosts, without having to manage IP addresses.
The Serval supports name resolution for hosts through two common name services:
· network information services (NIS), formerly called the yellow pages (YP) service. With NIS, the Serval can resolve a symbolic name for each networked device into an IP address.
· domain name services (DNS). With DNS the Serval can resolve fully qualified domain names in the customer's network to IP addresses.
The Serval does not use NIS or DNS for end user authentication. End users on
IP-connected clients are authorized through network file protocols (for example, NFS) in use on the client. For clients using NFS v2 or v3, the Serval implicitly trusts the file requests it receives from the client. Name resolution services are a prominent requirement in the Storage Service Provider marketplace, but also occur in enterprise networks.

Note!

Full implementations of NIS can be used to determine UID/GID information to grant proper access permissions. However, the Agile Storage implementation of NIS contains the host map only, so the Serval Filer's NIS features support host name resolution only.

The Serval support Host Name Resolution through the Name Service display. Figure 23 shows this display.

Figure 23 Name Service display
Table 15 shows the contents of the Name Service display, and explains what each field in the display means.
Table 15: Contents of the Name Service display

Field

Means

Network

Indicates the network type on which the name services resolution is operating.

Subnet Mask

Is the subnet mask for the network address listed in Network.

DNS Domain

Indicates the DNS domain for which fully qualified domain names are being resolved into IP addresses.

DNS Server

Indicates the IP address of the DNS server.

NIS Domain

NIS domain is the name of the NIS domain that is being resolved into IP addresses.

NIS Server

Indicates the IP address of the NIS name server.

Operations

Contains links to different dialogs where you can modify or delete the current host name resolution settings.


· Even though the Serval filer intermittently refreshes the contents of the Name Services display, you can update the contents of this display at any time by clicking the Refresh button.
· You can add a host for name service resolution by clicking the Add button.

Adding Hosts for Name Resolution

You can add a host for name resolution through the Name Service display. On this display, the Operation field contains the Add button. By clicking this link, you invoke the Name Service Add dialog where you can specify an IP address and mask as well as which type of name resolution you want configured on the network you are adding. Figure 24 shows the Name Service Add dialog.

Figure 24 Name Service Add dialog
To configure a host for name resolution, follow this procedure:
Step 1: In the Client IP Address field, enter the IP address of the IP client whose address will be resolved to a name.
Step 2: In the Subnet Mask field, enter the mask bits for the IP address you are specifying in Client IP Address.
Step 3: Choose whether DNS or NIS is the protocol resolving IP addresses to names in the network.
· If the Serval will be supporting DNS, proceed to Step 4.
· If the Serval will be supporting NIS, proceed to Step 7.
Step 4: For DNS resolution, click the Enable DNS checkbox.
Step 5: For DNS resolution, in the Domain Name field, enter the fully qualified domain name that will be resolved.
Step 6: For DNS resolution, in the DNS Servers fields enter the IP addresses of up to three DNS servers. Enter the IP address of the DNS server(s) in dotted decimal notation, for example 109.112.139.148.
Step 7: For NIS resolution, click the Enable NIS checkbox.
Step 8: For NIS resolution, in the Domain Name field, enter the NIS domain name that will be resolved.
Step 9: For DNS resolution, in the NIS Server field, enter the IP address of the NIS server. Enter the IP address in dotted decimal notation, for example 101.11.103.128.
Step 10: Click Save to send these parameters to the config file and immediately activate them on the Serval.

Modifying Hosts for Name Resolution

You can add or a host for name resolution or change a host's parameters through the Name Service display. On this display, the Operation field contains the "Modify" link. By clicking this link, you invoke the Name Service Modify dialog. Figure 25 shows the Name Service Modify dialog.

Figure 25 Name Service Modify
To change name service parameters for a client, follow this procedure:
Step 1: In the Subnet Mask field, enter the mask bits for the IP address you are specifying in Client IP Address.
Step 2: Choose whether DNS or NIS is the protocol you want to change.
· If you will be changing DNS parameters, proceed to Step 3.
· If the you will be changing NIS parameters, proceed to Step 6.
Step 3: For DNS resolution, click the Enable DNS checkbox.
Step 4: For DNS resolution, in the Domain Name field, enter the fully qualified domain name that will be resolved.
Step 5: For DNS resolution, in the DNS Servers fields enter the IP addresses of up to three DNS servers. Enter the IP address of the DNS server(s) in dotted decimal notation, for example 109.112.139.148.
Step 6: For NIS resolution, click the Enable NIS checkbox.
Step 7: For NIS resolution, in the Domain Name field, enter the NIS domain name that will be resolved.
Step 8: For DNS resolution, in the NIS Server field, enter the IP address of the NIS server. Enter the IP address in dotted decimal notation, for example 101.11.103.128.
Step 9: Click Save to send these parameters to the config file and immediately activate them on the Serval.

Deleting Name Services

You can delete a host for name resolution through the Name Service display. On this display, the Operation field contains the Delete button. By clicking this link, you invoke the Delete Name Service DNS,NIS Entry Confirmation dialog where you can specify an IP address and mask as well as which type of name resolution you want configured on the network you are adding. Figure 26 shows the Delete Name Service DNS, NIS Entry Confirmation dialog.

Figure 26 Delete Name Service DNS, NIS Entry Confirmation dialog
To delete Name Service entries, follow this procedure:
Step 1: Click Apply to delete the name service entry indicated in Network and Subnet Mask
Step 2: Click Cancel to abort the deletion process and return to the Name Service display.

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