Features for Improving Network Performance

Configuring the network interface connects your systems to the network. However, other features in Oracle Solaris 11 improve the network's overall performance. Managing network performance refers to the use of these features and technologies to fine tune the way your systems process network traffic. Systems that are configured with these technologies can manage network traffic better, which contributes to the improvement of the network's total performance. These features address different areas of network operations. However, they might provide common benefits, such as the following:

• Network connectivity – Certain features such as link aggregations and IPMP ensure that a system has continuous access to the network.

• Efficiency – Some features such as load balancing enable a system to spread the load of network processing throughout available resources for greater efficiency.

• Network administration – Features such as virtual LANs (VLANs) facilitate administration. Using the other features that improve the network simplifies network administration as well.

• Cost – All of these Oracle Solaris 11 technologies enhance network performance without requiring additional expensive hardware to be purchased.

This book describes the features that improve how the system hosts and processes network traffic. Consider the following examples:

• You can configure datalinks and interfaces into a single unit. The pooled resources can be dedicated to network processing and consequently increase network throughput. See Chapter 2, Using Link Aggregations or Chapter 5, Introduction to IPMP for details.

• You can subdivide the local area network into virtual subnetworks to simplify management. See Chapter 3, Working With VLANs for details.

• You can enable a system to transmit packets to their destinations by using the shortest connection routes. See Chapter 4, Administering Bridged Networks (Tasks) for details.

• On a network with different systems and configurations, you can enable a mechanism where all peers on the network are informed of each other's configurations. Thus, network packets can be exchanged based on a negotiated set of configurations that both peers support. Peer negotiations are automatic. Therefore, manual configurations are not required. See Chapter 7, Exchanging Network Connectivity Information With LLDP for details.

Use of the different technologies described in this book depends on specific circumstances. Also, some hardware configurations might require you to use a specific type of feature. For example, if your system has multiple interfaces that are configured to belong to the same subnet, then you must use the IP multipathing (IPMP) technology. Thus, you do not need to complete all the configuration procedures in this book. Instead, select and deploy the technologies that address your network requirements.

Refer also to the Oracle Solaris 11.1 documentation library for other network-related system configurations that contribute to the improvement of network. For example, using virtual networks, zones, and resource management enables you to deploy multiple networks-in-a-box performance while maximizing the use of available network resources. See Using Virtual Networks in Oracle Solaris 11.1 and Oracle Solaris 11.1 Administration: Oracle Solaris Zones, Oracle Solaris 10 Zones, and Resource Management for details.