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XenCenter
2024 8.2.7
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Configuring IP Addresses

September 26, 2024
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The NIC used as the management interface on a managed server is initially specified during XenServer installation. XenCenter, xe CLI, and any other management software that runs on separate machine use the IP address of the management interface to connect to the server.

If a server has two or more NICs, you can select a different NIC or NIC bond to use as its management interface. You can assign IP addresses to NICs and dedicate NICs to a specific function, such as storage or other types of network traffic.

When a new server joins a pool, the new server inherits the pool coordinator’s networking configuration, including network and bond information. However, the joining server’s management interface is not changed to match the pool coordinator. Reconfigure it after joining to use the same bond as the pool coordinator server.

Note:

A server with its management interface on a bond is not permitted to join a pool. Reconfigure the server’s management interface and move it back on to a physical NIC before it can join a pool.

In XenCenter, use the Configure IP Addresses dialog to assign an IP address to a NIC and change the management interface for a server or pool. The following sections provide instructions for completing these actions.

To assign an IP address to a NIC

You can use XenCenter to configure a NIC an IP address to carry out a specific function, such as storage traffic. When you configure a NIC with an IP address, you are essentially creating a secondary interface.

To maintain a flexible and secure network, you can segment network traffic by creating secondary interfaces that use a dedicated NIC. For example, establish separate networks for server management, application production traffic, and storage traffic. In the default XenServer networking configuration, all network traffic to IP-based storage devices occurs over the NIC used for the management interface. It is important to note that the secondary interfaces inherit the DNS server settings from the management interface.

To assign an IP address to a NIC, to carry out a specific function, ensure the appropriate network configuration is in place to ensure the NIC is used for the desired traffic. For example, to dedicate a NIC to storage traffic, assign the newly created interface an IP address that fulfills the following criteria:

  • The IP address is on the same subnet as the storage controller, if applicable.
  • The IP address is on a different subnet than the management interface.
  • The IP address is not on the same subnet as any other secondary interfaces.

Ensure that you configure the NIC, storage target, switch, and VLAN so that the target is only accessible over the assigned NIC. This action allows the use of standard IP routing to control how traffic is routed between multiple NICs within a managed server.

Perform the following tasks to assign an IP address to a NIC and create a secondary interface:

  1. On the Networking tab for a server or pool, under IP Address Configuration, select Configure.
  2. Click Add IP address.
  3. Enter a name for the new secondary interface.
  4. Choose your network from the Network list.
  5. Configure the networking settings for the new interface:
    • To use the automated DHCP to automatically assign networking settings including the IP address, subnet mask and gateway, select Automatically obtain network settings using DHCP.
    • To configure networking settings manually, select Use these settings and enter the required values. Enter an IP address and a subnet mask. You can optionally enter the gateway settings.
  6. To configure extra interfaces, select Add IP address again and repeat the preceding configuration steps.

  7. When you have finished, click OK to save your configuration choices.

    Note:

    If you choose to configure the network settings manually, you are prompted to confirm your settings. Click Reconfigure anyway to confirm.

To remove a secondary interface

  1. On the Networking tab for a server or pool, under IP Address Configuration, select Configure.
  2. From the list of configured interfaces, select the one you want to remove and then click Remove this Interface.
  3. Click OK to save your configuration choices.

To change the management interface

  1. On the Networking tab for a server or pool, under IP Address Configuration, select Configure.

  2. On the Primary tab, choose your network from the Network list.

    Note:

    The tagged VLAN networks are also displayed in this Network list.

  3. Configure the networking settings for the management interface:
    • To use automated DHCP to assign network settings automatically, including the IP address, subnet mask, gateway and DNS server, select Automatically obtain network settings using DHCP.
    • To configure network settings manually, select Use these settings and enter the required values. You must enter an IP address and a subnet mask, but the gateway and DNS server settings are optional.

  4. When you have finished, click OK to save your configuration choices.

    Note:

    If you choose to configure the network settings manually, you are prompted to confirm your settings. Click Reconfigure anyway to confirm.

XenServer 8

Citrix Hypervisor 8.2 Cumulative Update 1

Configuring IP Addresses
September 26, 2024
Contributed by: 
X
September 26, 2024
Contributed by: 
X

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