VLAN versus PVLAN for a heartbeat network

[Stephen Carville]

I need to set up an isolated (P)VLAN for a hearbeat network between two SQL servers.  The servers in this case are virtual and may be attached to different fabric extenders (6248).  My first  inclination was to just set up a VLAN and apply an access list to prevent any traffic from entering or leaving it for other VLANs.  However, on further reading I started thinking a PVLAN may be a better way to go.  Does anyone have any insights into creating a hearbeat network on a 6509 connected to 6248 fabric extenders?

[Jon Marshall · Accepted solution]

I have no direct experience of using the fabric extenders but if it is a heartbeat vlan then why do you need to create SVIs for it ie. it does not need to be routed to other vlans so just create the vlan at L2 in the vlan database and do not create any L3 vlan interfaces.

That way you do need to control traffic into and out from that vlan as there is no need for any routed traffic for the heartbeat vlan.

It may be i have misunderstood your requirement so if i have please clarify.

Jon

[Stephen Carville]

You're right. Without an IP address the VLAN is just another switch. Sometimes I am too clever for my own good.