Flow Control Question
I have read that Flow Control is important to have enabled on iSCSI networks. I am confused as to where it needs to be enabled though.
I know I have to enable it on VMWare (not sure if it is RX, TX, or both though)
http://www.sysadmintutorials.com/tutorials/vmware-vsphere-4/esx-4/enabling-flow-control-with-vmware-esx-4/
And I know how to enable it on the switch (HP 2910al)
The SAN (Enhance Tech ES3160) does not have any Flow Control configuration though.
Is this something I only enable on the switch and host? Or can I not use it b/c the SAN doesn't support it?
I know I have to enable it on VMWare (not sure if it is RX, TX, or both though)
http://www.sysadmintutorials.com/tutorials/vmware-vsphere-4/esx-4/enabling-flow-control-with-vmware-esx-4/
And I know how to enable it on the switch (HP 2910al)
The SAN (Enhance Tech ES3160) does not have any Flow Control configuration though.
Is this something I only enable on the switch and host? Or can I not use it b/c the SAN doesn't support it?
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>So enabling flow control on the NICs in VMWare (I am using the Software iSCSI Initiator) and the Switch is the correct thing to do.
correct
>according to the article I linked to above I can set the flow control to Rx, Tx, or Both - which should I set the NICs to?
both
Also - on the switchports that connect to the SAN should I have flow control turned off (I think so but want to check)
I do
Billy
correct
>according to the article I linked to above I can set the flow control to Rx, Tx, or Both - which should I set the NICs to?
both
Also - on the switchports that connect to the SAN should I have flow control turned off (I think so but want to check)
I do
Billy
ASKER
Sorry one last question - I do means Flow Control off on the SAN switch ports?
Correct, the SAN is the device that receives the data, so enabling flow control at times on the SAN switchports can do more harm than good depending on small/large the iSCSI network is. I leave my disable (Flow control) and have not had any issues.
Billy
Billy
ASKER
Great - thank you again!
ASKER
So enabling flow control on the NICs in VMWare (I am using the Software iSCSI Initiator) and the Switch is the correct thing to do.
One question here - according to the article I linked to above I can set the flow control to Rx, Tx, or Both - which should I set the NICs to?
Also - on the switchports that connect to the SAN should I have flow control turned off (I think so but want to check)
I have enabled Jumbo frames on everything - thank you.