Less known Solaris features - IP Multipathing (Part 9): Classic and new IPMP compared
We’ve configured both mechanisms now. Let’s summarize what we have seen so far. When you use the new IPMP the data address is bound to its own interface. Whatever happens to the physical interface there are no changes to the binding of interfaces to ip addresses.
Classic IPMP is different. In the figure I’ve highlighted the data address by using a bold font. When an interface fails it moves the data address is moved to the functional interface.
There are other differences as well:
- New IPMP provides better observability by the
ipmpstat
tool - You can assign test addresses with DHCP. This is especially useful when you using a distinct network for your test addresses. As the test addresses are just used for the failure probing you can use ephemeral addresses for them and don't have to manually track them.
- As new IPMP uses an distinct interface, it solves a lot of deficiencies of classic IPMP. To get an overview of this shortcomings you should look at the development portal of the new IPMP mentioned in the sources of this document stated at the end of this chapter.