Server Farm Networks
The Server Farm's collection of more than 90 networks spans both Rhodes Hall and the CCC data center annex and uses one router.
Each Server Farm network uses the Rhodes Hall router to connect to:
- Server Farm networks
- Other campus networks
- The Internet
Internet Connections
Although Server Farm networks don't currently have redundant router paths to the campus backbone, the campus backbone network does have redundant connections to the Internet. This means that if one Internet connection goes down, traffic is automatically directed off campus through the other connection.
Network Switches
The Server Farm has three tiers of network switches:
- Tier 1 and Tier 2: Virtually identical, except for maintenance schedules. Tiers 1 and 2 are used for normal networking among servers, the campus, or the Internet. Tier 1 is the default. Almost all servers are connected to it. Some networks span Tier 1 and Tier 2 switches. From the network protocol view, those networks are identical.
- Tier 3: Used for networking between server clusters within the Server Farm or for other special networking needs. Tier 3 switches are not connected to the campus or the outside world.
Switch Maintenance
During switch maintenance, tiers are worked on one by one. As the work is completed on a tier, service is restored against that tier before the work on the next tier is begun.
Network Routers
The Server Farm uses one router, located in Rhodes Hall. If the router fails, network engineers will restore connectivity as soon as possible. If necessary, networks will be redirected through another router in a different building. CIT plans to add two new Server Farm routers in a redundant configuration in 2008.
Network Router Maintenance
Currently, when maintenance is required, the router will be unavailable. In this case, network connectivity to the entire server farm is lost until the router is available again.