Managing networks#
MetalSoft networks are designed around performance and isolation. The network can be configured in many ways depending on the environment.
In general lines there are 3 types of networks:
WAN - This network usually used for getting out of the infrastructure. This is the most used network. Note that the WAN network can also contain additional networks available as trunk VLANs.
LAN - This is usually used for connecting servers within the same infrastructure. This is rarely used and will be deprecated in the future.
SAN - This is a special network dedicated for SAN traffic, only present if drives are attached to server instances.
Networks are connected to server instance arrays which in turn will propagate the network configuration to all of the underlying server instances.
Using multiple links#
It is possible and recommended to configure multiple links to join the same network. In these situations the network of the server and the switch will change to enable the link aggregation to work by configuring M-LAG, VLT or other forms of multi-chassis link aggregations on the switches as well as bond interfaces on the Operating System.
Joining an existing network#
Option #1
In the infrastructure editor, to join an existing network that connects two SEPARATE instance arrays click on any of the the circles that are connected with the network that you want to join and DRAG to the other desired port (circle) on the target instance array and RELEASE. Note that if you want to connect only servers within the same instance array option #2 must be used.
Press Deploy to effect the changes.
Option #2
In the infrastructure editor, click on any of the ports (the circles on the top of instance arrays) and using the form select the network in which the respective port must be connected.
Press Deploy to effect the changes.
Creating a LAN network#
Option #1 In the infrastructure editor, to create a network that connects two instance arrays CLICK AND HOLD on the circles on the top of the instance arrays and DRAG to the other desired port (circle) on the target instance array and RELEASE.
Press Deploy to effect the changes.
Option #2 In the infrastructure editor, click on any of the ports and using the form select the Networks tab and input a name for the network and click Create LAN network button.
In the infrastructure editor, click on any of the ports (the circles on the top of instance arrays) and using the form select the network in which the respective port must be connected.
Press Deploy to effect the changes.
Adding more IPs#
MetalSoft allocates entire subnets to infrastructures not just individual IPs. By default a /29 IPv4 block is allocated that is automatically expanded (to a /28, /27 etc if more IPs are needed) or a new subnet is automatically created.
If additional ips are required (for example for Kubernetes services via MetalLB) they can be ordered via the infrastructure editor.
To configure MetalSoft to route additional IPs to your WAN network click on the Internet network icon:
Then, click on add subnet and select the subnet range that you want to allocate:
