how to make a dedicated inter-server connection bypassing the switch ?

[nlariguet]

I wounder whether this would be possible: consider the following:

serverone GE#1 configured as 192.168.42.11 255.255.255.248 gw 192.168.42.9 on DNS server as serveroneslow.somewhere.com
servertwo GE#1 configured as 192.168.42.12 255.255.255.248 gw 192.168.42.9 on DNS server as servertwoslow.somewhere.com
switch default gw 192.168.42.9

serverone GE#1 physically connected to switch GE#11 port configured as DOT1Q vLAN 8 labeled vnServers
servertwo GE#1 physically connected to switch GE#12 port configured as DOT1Q vLAN 8 labeled vnServers
switch GE#00 port physically conected to the router providing 0.0.0.0 outbound traffic

- each server can talk to the other one via the switch as expected
- each server can access the internet via the router default gateway as expected
- so far so good

Now, suppose I add a 10GE card to each server since I do not have 10GE ports available on the switch: can I make a dedicated direct inter-server connection without touching the switch for specific inter-server traffic only ?

serverone GE#2 (10GE) physically connected to servertwo GE#2 (10GE)
servertwo GE#2 (10GE) physically connected to serverone GE#2 (10GE)

serverone GE#2 (10GE) configured as 192.168.42.1 255.255.255.248 gw 192.168.42.1 on DNS server as serveronefast.somewhere.com
servertwo GE#2 (10GE) configured as 192.168.42.2 255.255.255.248 gw 192.168.42.1 on DNS server as servertwofast.somewhere.com

eg: servertwo looking for serveroneslow.somewhere.com should be going through servertwo GE#1 to serverone GE#1 via the switch/router as usual
eg: servertwo looking for serveronefast.somewhere.com shoule be going through servertwo GE#2 to serverone GE#2 directly

Since server[one|two] GE#2 are directly attached no static route should be specified in any of the servers right ?

Furthermore; I suppose for the fast connections a better approach will be to use a 254 mask since they are directly attached right ?

serverone GE#2 (10GE) configured as 192.168.42.0 255.255.255.254 on DNS server as serveronefast.somewhere.com
servertwo GE#2 (10GE) configured as 192.168.42.1 255.255.255.254 on DNS server as servertwofast.somewhere.com
### where 192.168.42.0 and 192.168.42.1 is the same address

Is this approach sound ?

Use case ? file/content-sharing between the servers

[Leo Laohoo]

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@nlariguet wrote:

serverone GE#1 physically connected to switch GE#11 port configured as DOT1Q vLAN 8 labeled vnServers
servertwo GE#1 physically connected to switch GE#12 port configured as DOT1Q vLAN 8 labeled vnServers

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If the two servers are going to bypass the switch, what are these two configs for?  Only switches talk VLANs and Dot1Q.  

[nlariguet]

The two server should bypass the switch on their alternate dedicated interfaces not on their primary "default" interfaces which will remain configured as dot1Q on the switch for normal traffic. I never stated/mentioned/requested dot1Q on their dedicated interfaces.

[balaji.bandi]

You have 2 options here :

- using a switch with different VLAN - Server to Server you can make a dedicated connection.

- you need to use back to back cable between Servers (only for that service you looking to extend server to server)

Note: you should also external connection for other user to connect to the server. ( so Server should have more Ethernet interface for this requirement).

[nlariguet]

regarding your proposed option 1: I know, it should be the easy and proper way but as I mentioned I want 10GE and I do not have a 10GE switch so this is out-of-the-question.

regarding your proposed option 2: this is what I was asking advice for, the cable is already placed, a normal cat6 one since they are GE interfaces and they do support MDI right-out-of-the-box so no cross-over cable needed here.

[balaji.bandi]

Sure then Option 2 is good to go..let us know any further help required.