Assigning separate IP addresses to partitions on a system with a single NIC

If you use a single NIC with multiple IP addresses, you must complete additional configuration instructions, which are based on your operating system, for each server partition. Using separate IP addresses with a single NIC can have a negative impact on the computer's I/O performance.

About this task

You must be logged in as root or superuser.

To enable an IP address in IBM AIX

Procedure

  1. Add one entry in the local host names file /etc/hosts for each server partition. The entry for the partition that uses the computer host name should already exist.
  2. To enable an IP address, enter this command under the heading Part 2 -Traditional Configuration in the startup file (etc/rc.net). Do not enter this command for the partition that uses the computer host name.
    /usr/sbin/ifconfig interface alias server_name

    where interface is the name of the network interface, and server_name is the name of the partitioned server -- for example:

    /usr/sbin/ifconfig en0 alias server2
  3. Restart the system if necessary, and test the configuration. From another computer, use the ping command with the server names. To show the network status, use the netstat command.

To disable an IP address in IBM AIX or Linux

About this task

Do not remove the IP address of a server partition that uses the computer host name as its server name.

Procedure

  1. Enter this command at the console:
    /usr/sbin/ifconfig interface delete server_name

    where interface is the name of the network interface, and server_name is the name of the partitioned server.

  2. Remove the partition's name entry from the local host names /etc/hosts file.
  3. Remove the corresponding ifconfig command from the system startup /etc/rc.net file.

Windows

About this task

To configure a single NIC for multiple IP addresses on Microsoft™ Windows™ systems, do the following:

  • For Windows 2000, use the Network and Dial-up Connections icon on the Control Panel, and then the Local Area Connection icon. Click the Properties button.